1850 

                              HOW DO I LOVE THEE?
                       (From Sonnets from the Portuguese)

                         by Elizabeth Barrett Browning







şiElectronically Enhanced Text (c) Copyright 1996, World Library(R)
DAK Upgraded Edition, Copyright 2000, DAK Industries 2000, Inc(R)şI

{HOW_DO_I_LOVE_THEE
                   HOW DO I LOVE THEE?
-
         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 everyday'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.
-
-
                               THE END