Ho do I love thee?
Ho do I love thee? Let me count the ays.
I love thee to the depth and breadth and height
My soul can reach, hen feeling out of sight
For the ends of being and ideal grace.
I love thee to the level of every day'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 ith the passion put to use
In my old griefs, and ith my childhood's faith.
I love thee ith a love I seemed to lose
With my lost saints. I love thee ith the breath,
Smiles, tears, of all my life; and, if God choose,
I shall but love thee better after death.
-- Elizabeth Barrett Broning
