Elizabeth Barrett Browning

Sonnets from the Portuguese, 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.

Love, romance and relationship quotes for your soul

• 'I have been astonished that men could die martyrs for their religion - I have shudder'd at it. I shudder no more.
  I could be martyr'd for my religion. Love is my religion.
  And I could die for that. I could die for you.'
  ~ John Keats
• 'Love is the only sane and satisfactory answer to the problem of human existence.'
  ~ Erich Fromm
• 'It is impossible to repent of love. The sin of love does not exist.'
  ~ Muriel Spark