Sonnet 43

  1. How do I love thee? Let me count the ways.
  2. I love thee to the depth and breadth and height
  3. My soul can reach, when feeling out of sight
  4. For the ends of Being and ideal Grace.
  5. I love thee to the level of everyday’s
  6. Most quiet need, by sun and candlelight.
  7. I love thee freely, as men strive for Right;
  8. I love thee purely, as they turn from Praise.
  9. I love thee with the passion put to use
  10. In my old griefs, and with my childhood’s faith.
  11. I love thee with a love I seemed to lose
  12. With my lost saints,—I love thee with the breath,
  13. Smiles, tears, of all my life!—and, if God choose,
  14. I shall but love thee better after death.

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