How
Do I Love Thee?
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 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 Barett Browning was born in Coxhoe
Hall, Durham, England in 1806. In 1821 Elizabeth injured her spine
and spent the rest of her life as an invalid. She married another
famous poet Robert Browning in 1846 and wrote this poem about
him. This is one of the best known of all love poems and is often
recited at weddings and engagements.
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Classic Love Poems |
