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Sonnet 43 by Elizabeth Barrett 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 everyday’s
Most quiet need, by sun and candle-light.
I love thee freely, as men strive for Right;
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.
A journey is never too simple, whether it be the start or the end.
Thus begins my journey on LJ, my dedication being a Love Sonnet by the well acclaimed poetess Elizabeth Barrett Browning, penned in 1850. Though more than 160 years old, the essence and purity of love still reigns supreme in this Sonnet, as it depicts the love, passion and warmth that she felt for her to-be husband, Robert Browning, who was also a poet.
The lovely collection - Sonnets From The Portuguese, contains 44 gems of sonnets; titled lovingly on the basis of her pet name 'My little Portuguee', given by Robert.
I have read this poem again and again, and every time it's a revelation - the feelings included therein takes life to a sublime level, which most of us yearn for but fail to achieve.
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 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.
A journey is never too simple, whether it be the start or the end.
Thus begins my journey on LJ, my dedication being a Love Sonnet by the well acclaimed poetess Elizabeth Barrett Browning, penned in 1850. Though more than 160 years old, the essence and purity of love still reigns supreme in this Sonnet, as it depicts the love, passion and warmth that she felt for her to-be husband, Robert Browning, who was also a poet.
The lovely collection - Sonnets From The Portuguese, contains 44 gems of sonnets; titled lovingly on the basis of her pet name 'My little Portuguee', given by Robert.
I have read this poem again and again, and every time it's a revelation - the feelings included therein takes life to a sublime level, which most of us yearn for but fail to achieve.
