"How do I love thee"
"How do I love thee? Let me count the ways..."
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 a 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.
Tagalog translation of the poem
Gaano kita iniibig? itulot mong isaisahin ko..
Iniibig kita hangang kataimtiman, kalaparan at kasukdulan
Ang aking kaluluwa'y kaya kang sapitin, kapag ang pandamdam ay naglaho na
para sa katapusan ng Buhay at Huwarang Pagpapala.
Iniibig kita kahanay ng pangaraw-araw'
ng pinakamayuming pangangailangan, ng araw at tanglawan.
Iniibig kita ng malaya, gaya ng pagpupunyagi ng sangtauhan para sa Katarungan;
Iniibig kita ng dalisay, gaya ng pagbaling ng karamihan sa Kapurihan.
Iniibig kita gamit ang karubduban
Sa aking malaong pighati, katuwang ng aking musmos na pananampalataya
Iniibig kita ng may pagsinta na tila ba ito'y maglalaho na!
Sa gabay ng aking pintakasi, --- iniibig kita ng may hininga,
Ngiti, luha, lahat sa aking buhay! --- at kung itutulot ng Pangininoon,
Mamarapatin kong mas ibigin ka sa kabilang buhay.