How do I love thee

Sonnets from the Portuguese, geschreven in 1845-1846 en oorspronkelijk uitgegeven in 1850, is een verzameling van 44 over de liefde tussen haar en haar man Robert Browning. Verreweg het beroemdste gedicht uit deze verzameling is nummer 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 everyday's

Most quiet need, by sun and candlelight.

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.<

Elizabeth Barret