How do I love thee

How do I love thee

by Elizabeth Barrett Browning (1806-1861)

    我是怎样地爱你？让我逐一细算。

    How do I love thee? Let me count the ways.

    我爱你尽我的心灵所能及到的

    I love thee to the depth and breadth and height

    深邃、宽广、和高度－－正象我探求

    My soul can reach, when feeling out of sight

    玄冥中上帝的存在和深厚的神恩。

    For the ends of Being and ideal Grace.

    我爱你的程度，就象日光和烛焰下

    I love thee to the level of everyday's

    那每天不用说得的需要。我不加思虑地

    Most quiet need, by sun and candle-light.

    爱你，就象男子们为正义而斗争；

    I love thee freely, as men strive for Right;

    我纯洁地爱你，象他们在赞美前低头。

    I love thee purely, as they turn from Praise.

    我爱你以我童年的信仰；我爱你

    I love thee with the passion put to use

    以满怀热情，就象往日满腔的辛酸；

    In my old griefs, and with my childhood's faith

    我爱你，抵得上那似乎随着消失的圣者

    I love thee with a love I seemed to lose

    而消逝的爱慕。我爱你以我终生的

    With my lost saints, -- I love thee with the breath,

    呼吸，微笑和泪珠－－假使是上帝的

    Smiles, tears, and all my life -- and, if God choose,

    意旨，那么，我死了我还要更加爱你！

    I shall but love thee better after death.