How Do I Love Thee?

February 14, 2010

Poets Elizabeth Barrett Browning and Robert Browning carried out one of the most famous romantic correspondences in literary history. They first introduced themselves by epistolary means, and fell in love even before they had met in person.

In 1845,  they wrote 574 letters to each other over the course of twenty months.

They secretly got married in 1846. Right before the wedding, Robert mailed off to Elizabeth a letter that said:

“Words can never tell you, however, — form them, transform them anyway, — how perfectly dear you are to me – perfectly dear to my heart and soul. I look back, and in every one point, every word and gesture, every letter, every silence — you have been entirely perfect to me — I would not change one word, one look. I am all gratitude — and all pride (under the proper feeling which ascribes pride to the right source) all pride that my life has been so crowned by you.”

And she wrote probably one of the most famous romantic poems ever:

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.

(info from The Writer’s Almanac)

Today I’m gardening– finally working on the cactus garden, and Ted and I are making a Valentine’s Dinner of martinis, steak, baked Fennel with Parmesan and Thyme, roasted potatoes, and chocolate souffle.

Happy Valentine’s Day!