Sunday, February 12, 2006

re-issue: for valentine's day

How Do I Love Thee?
By Elizabeth Barret-Browning

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

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