– 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 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.
1850
Sonnet 43, from the Portuguese
Tuesday, 12 January 2010
I puzzled over EBB’s mastery of Romance languages until I realised that ‘Portuguese’ was Browning’s nickname for her, because of her dark complexion. It’s interesting that both husband and wife had vital connections with the West Indies, with Elizabeth certainly having a mulatto grandmother.