I Love Thee Poem

Explore I Love Thee, a heartfelt poem celebrating love's depth and purity.

I love thee, as I love the calm Of sweet, star-lighted hours!

Short Poems & Quotes | Poems | Short Love Poems | I Love You Poems | I Love Thee Poem

Updated January 17, 2025, by Catherine Pulsifer

Eliza Acton’s poem I Love Thee is a beautiful expression of love’s depth and purity. Through vivid imagery and heartfelt comparisons, Acton captures the many facets of love—its calm, its joy, and its enduring strength. Each stanza paints a picture of love’s ability to bring peace, inspire wonder, and remain unshaken by life’s challenges. This poem reminds us that true love is not just a feeling but a reflection of what is pure and eternal, a gift that enriches our lives in countless ways. Reading this poem is like walking through a garden of emotions, where each word blossoms with meaning.

I Love Thee

Poet: Eliza Acton

I love thee, as I love the calm
Of sweet, star-lighted hours!
I love thee, as I love the balm
Of early jes'mine flow'rs.

I love thee, as I love the last
Rich smile of fading day,
Which lingereth, like the look we cast,
On rapture pass'd away.

I love thee as I love the tone
Of some soft-breathing flute
Whose soul is wak'd for me alone,
When all beside is mute.

I love thee as I love the first
Young violet of the spring;
Or the pale lily, April-nurs'd,
To scented blossoming.

I love thee, as I love the full,
Clear gushings of the song,
Which lonely - sad - and beautiful-
At night-fall floats along,

Pour'd by the bul-bul forth to greet
The hours of rest and dew;
When melody and moonlight meet
To blend their charm, and hue.

I love thee, as the glad bird loves
The freedom of its wing,
On which delightedly it moves
In wildest wandering.

I love thee as I love the swell,
And hush, of some low strain,
Which bringeth, by its gentle spell,
The past to life again.

Such is the feeling which from thee
Nought earthly can allure:
'Tis ever link'd to all I see
Of gifted - high - and pure!

Key Messages from this poem:

Eliza Acton’s poem I Love Thee beautifully captures the depth of love through vivid imagery and heartfelt comparisons. Its key messages can be summed up as follows:

Love Brings Comfort and Peace
The poem describes love as calming and soothing, much like the gentle light of stars or the fragrance of blooming jasmine. It’s a reminder that true love brings a sense of tranquility and comfort, like finding a safe and peaceful place in the world.

Love Inspires Joy and Wonder
The speaker compares love to the beauty of music and the delight of spring flowers. These images show how love fills the heart with joy, much like a favorite song or the first signs of spring after a long winter. Love has the power to bring light and inspiration to everyday life.

Love is Pure and Timeless
In the closing lines, the poet expresses that love is more than just a fleeting feeling—it’s a deep and unshakable connection. It’s tied to what is pure, beautiful, and everlasting. This type of love stays with us, no matter what life brings.

Acton’s poem reminds us that love, when genuine and heartfelt, is a gift that brings peace, joy, and an enduring sense of purpose. It’s a celebration of all that makes love so special.

Related Pages:

How Do I Thee Poems - Find more poems that celebrate love with heartfelt words, just like this one.

Valentine Day Poems - Share the love with Valentine’s Day poems that bring joy to the heart.

Commitment Poems - Celebrate the beauty of lasting love and dedication with these inspiring poems.

Will You Love Me When I'm Old - Reflect on the promise of love that stands the test of time with this touching poem.

I Love You, Roy Croft Poem - Discover a poem that speaks to the depth and beauty of true love.

Thinking of You Poems - Show someone you care with these thoughtful poems perfect for any occasion.

Love Poetry - Explore a collection of poems that remind us of the power and joy of love.

love is more than just a fleeting feeling—it’s a deep and unshakable connection.

More I Love You Poems