She revisits alone the Church of her Marriage

I HAVE come to the church and chancel,Where all's the same!—Brighter and larger in my dreamsTruly it shaped than now, meseems,Is its substantial frame.But, anyhow, I made my vow,Whether for praise or blame,Here in this church and chancelWhere all's the same.

Where touched the check-floored chancelMy knees and his?The step looks shyly at the sun,And says, "'Twas here the thing was done,For bale or else for bliss!"Of all those there I least was wareWould it be that or thisWhen touched the check-floored chancelMy knees and his!

Here in this fateful chancelWhere all's the same,I thought the culminant crest of lifeWas reached when I went forth the wifeI was not when I came.Each commonplace one of my race,Some say, has such an aim—To go from a fateful chancelAs not the same.

Here, through this hoary chancelWhere all's the same,A thrill, a gaiety even, rangedThat morning when it seemed I changedMy nature with my name.Though now not fair, though gray my hair,He loved me, past proclaim,Here in this hoary chancel,Where all's the same.