lunedì 17 gennaio 2011

How Do I Love Thee?


How Do I Love Thee?
(Sonnet 43)

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 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 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.