How Do I Love You?

How Do I Love You?

How do I love you? Let me count the ways.
I love you 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 you to the level of every day's
Most quiet need, by sun and candlelight.
I love you freely, as men strive for right;
I love you purely, as they turn from praise.
I love you with the passion put to use
In my old griefs, and with my childhood's faith.
I love you with a love I seemed to lose
With my lost saints -- I love you with the breath,
Smiles, tears, of all my life! -- and, if God choose,
I shall but love you better after death