Sonnets from the Portuguese

POSTED IN translated English-Finnish May 19, 2013

 Elizabeth Barrett Browning (1806-1861)

       
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
from Sonnets from the Portuguese
                            XLIII
 
 
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 candlelight.
I love thee freely, as men might 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.
Sua kuinka rakastan? Nyt kerron sen.
Rakastan korkeuksiin, syvyyksiin,
sieluni näkymättään yltämiin
luo Olevan ja Armon äärien,
auringon valossa ja lamppujen,
rakastan sua arjen tarpeisiin,
kuin oikeussoturit, vapaasti niin,
ja kautta intohimon tekojen
ja vanhoin murhein, lapsenukollain,
rakkaudella, min melkein menetin
kuin pyhimykseni. Hengittäin vain,
elämän kaikin hymyin, kyynelin.
Jos Luoja suo, paremmin kuoltuain.

 

Finnish version by Magdalena Biela

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