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Elizabeth Barrett Browning - Sonnet 43 - How do I love thee? Let me count the ways

XLIII

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 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.

Added: on September 26th, 2006 at 2:25 AM | Viewed: 51185 times | Comments (41)


Sonnet 43 - How do I love thee? Let me count the ways - Comments and Information

Poet: Elizabeth Barrett Browning
Poem: Sonnet 43 - How do I love thee? Let me count the ways
Volume: Sonnets from the Portuguese
Year: Published/Written in 1850

Comment 41 of 41, added on March 2nd, 2007 at 11:00 PM.

How does He love me? Let me count His ways.
He loves me to the depth and breadth and height
His soul's almighty reach, when His figure out of sight.
For the end of my ways, and my new being.
He loves me to the level of everyday's
Most unknown need, by salt and light.
He loves me freely, over men's rules and curse.
He loves me purely, as they preach and praise.
He loves me with His passion for world to abuse.
His comfort for my griefs, and strength for my unseen faith.
He loves me with a love I dare not to lose.
On His lonely journey, - He loves me with His breath,
Smiles, tears, and His painful agony! - For God already chose
that He shall love me beyond death.

After reading her poem, I feel like we should speak in this way. What a magical poem!

Laijon Liu from United States
Comment 40 of 41, added on January 6th, 2007 at 8:23 AM.

this sonnet 43 is all about the love of Elizabeth browning in her husband. He can give everything to her husband. i love reading it.

rael from Philippines
Comment 39 of 41, added on September 26th, 2006 at 2:25 AM.

i am studying in a university and have to comment on a poem.i need to discuss the author's use of language and the effect that it achieves.since this is the only poem i love the most,i decided to work on this poem.

keshe from Malaysia

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