How Do I Love Thee

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.

The persona knows that it is true love because the person made them remember again what love is. And to show their gratitude, the persona is willing to give up everything for that person, even their life.

I love thee to the level of everyday's Most quiet need, by sun and candle-light.

The persona loves the person to the point that they need them as much as they need the sun during the day and candle-light during the night.

I love thee with the passion put to use In my old griefs, and with my childhood's faith.

The persona remembers the passion they used to have as a child, and now they're ready to ignite it again for their love. These lines can also be related to young love/ first love: having so much faith and expecting that it will last.

I love thee freely, as men strive for right. I love thee purely, as they turn from praise.

The persona wants their love to be free (and they're willing to take risks, if there are any, to be free) and pure (meaning simple - true love does not mean gifts, rewards)

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.

The persona's love for the person has no limit, and it's so big that it reaches the depths of death and heights of heaven

Elizabeth Browning

one of the most prominent English poets of the Victorian era; her poetry was widely popular in both Britain and the United States during her lifetime