HOW many times do I love thee, dear?
   Tell me how many thoughts there be
   In the atmosphere
   Of a new-fall'n year,
Whose white and sable hours appear
   The latest flake of Eternity:
So many times do I love thee, dear.

How many times do I love again?
   Tell me how many beads there are
   In a silver chain
   Of evening rain,
Unravell'd from the tumbling main,
   And threading the eye of a yellow star:
So many times do I love again.