| J. C. Squire, ed. A Book of Women’s Verse. 1921. | | | | Sonnets from the Portuguese. xliii | | By Elizabeth Barrett Browning (1806–1861) |
| | | 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 | 5 |
| Most quiet need, by sun and candlelight. | |
| 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. | 10 |
| 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. | | | | |
|
|
