Esta poetisa del XIX se fugó por amor para casarse en secreto con Browning (su padre se oponía), ella estaba enferma y bueno... su padre era un tanto peculiar. Pero, finalmente, triunfó el amor, incluso tuvieron un hijo ya cuando ella tenía una edad avanzada.
De Elizabeth Barrett Browning... precioso... se dirige a su amado diciéndole que le quiere hasta el abismo, hasta donde su alma puede alcanzar, hasta los límites inimaginables, le quiere en la cotidianeidad más absoluta, en el día a día, de forma pura y libre; le querrá más allá de la muerte. Os animo a leerlo en voz alta para ver la sonoridad y belleza del poema.
imagen tomada en un puente sobre el Sena en París...
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 every day'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.
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 every day'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.