I admit that a long time ago I thought this was from Shakespeare, alongside “Tis better to have loved and lost…” Now I know better, but that doesn’t mean that word has spread.
No, this is not by William Shakespeare. It is in fact Elizabeth Barrett Browning, Sonnets from the Portuguese – Sonnet 43, in fact:
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.[Source]
This is actually a nice reminder that the art of the sonnet neither began nor ended with Mr. Shakespeare. Others were pretty good at it, too.
This site is fantastic! Way to go, sir.
Better known as Elizabeth Browning
Yes, not sure why that middle name was added there.
Not sure where the confusion is, her full name is how I learned to say it and it’s how she is recognized on Amazon.
https://www.amazon.com/Sonnets-Portuguese-Elizabeth-Barrett-Browning/dp/B0926K2KJB
I always thought William Shakespeare wrote this. I had to learn it in English.
I was delighted to hear that this sonnet was, after all, by a woman. I too thought it Shakespeare.
To whom did she write this? My guess it’s to her lover, another woman.
Another woman,seriously.