How do I love thee? Let me count the ways.

I love thee to the depth and breadth and height

my soul can reach,

when feeling out of sight

for the ends of being and ideal grace.

*

I love thee, to the level of every day’s

most quieted need,

by sun and candle-light.

*

I love thee freely, as men strive for right.

I love thee purely, as they turn from praise.

I love thee with the passion put to use

in my old griefs,

and with my childhood’s faith.

I love thee with a love I seemed to lose

with my lost saints.

I love thee with the breath,

smiles, tears, of all my life;

and, if God choose,

I shall but love thee better after death.

Elizabeth Barret Browning. Inglaterra (1806-1861)