How do I love thee, sweet? I love thee so,
I tremble when thy low, soft voice I hear;
I scarce dare lift my eyes when thou art near,
Lest something of my passion thou shouldst know;
My voice is tremulous, my words are slow,
When I can speak at all. I love thee, dear,
With all my heart and soul; thy glance is so clear,
And true, can make the blood more calmly flow
Along my swelling veins. I long to press
My lips upon thy brow—against thy hair,
Yea, in the cleft that beats within thy throat—
Yet would not touch them till thy lips breathe yes.
I love thee, yet would save thee from love’s care,
And gladly all my life to thee devote.
“How I Love Thee” in Local and National Poets of America by Thos. W. Herringshaw (1890). Clipping courtesy of the Ella Higginson Papers, Center for Pacific Northwest Studies, Heritage Resources, Western Washington University, Bellingham Washington.
