CAMELOT FANTASIES

Sonnets from the Portuguese 43: 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 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.
 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 Barrett Browning