I'm wife; I've finished that,

That other state;

I'm Czar, I'm woman now:

It's safer so.

How odd the girl's life looks

Behind this soft eclipse!

I think that earth seems so

To those in heaven now.

This being comfort, then

That other kind was pain;

But why compare?

I'm wife! stop there!

I’m “wife”—I’ve finished that—

That other state—

I’m Czar—I’m “Woman” now—

It’s safer so—

How odd the Girl’s life looks

Behind this soft Eclipse—

I think that Earth feels so

To folks in Heaven—now—

This being comfort—then

That other kind—was pain—

But why compare?

I’m “Wife”!  Stop there!