O mais belo poema de amor?

A propósito de amor e dos álibis de que necessita (ou não), eis o que o considero um dos mais belos poemas alguma vez escritos. É da inglesa Elizabeth Barrett (1806-1861) que, aos 40 anos, após uma vida de reclusão imposta pela família, encontrou o amor no poeta Robert Browning.

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 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.