How  Do I Love Thee? (Sonnet 43)

Elizabeth Barrett Browning 

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  quiet 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.