IN THE ROUND TOWER AT JHANSI

by: Christina Rossetti (1830-1894)

      HUNDRED, a thousand to one; even so;
      Not a hope in the world remained:
      The swarming howling wretches below
      Gained and gained and gained.
       
      Skene looked at his pale young wife:--
      'Is the time come?' -- 'The time is come!'--
      Young, strong, and so full of life:
      The agony struck them dumb.
       
      Close his arm about her now,
      Close her cheek to his,
      Close the pistol to her brow--
      God forgive them this!
       
      'Will it hurt much?' -- 'No, mine own:
      I wish I could bear the pang for both.'
      'I wish I could bear the pang alone:
      Courage, dear, I am not loth.'
       
      Kis and kiss: 'It is not pain
      Thus to kiss and die.
      One kiss more.' -- 'And yet one again.' --
      'Good-bye.' -- 'Good-bye.'

"In the Round Tower at Jhansi" is reprinted from Goblin Market, The Prince's Progress and Other Poems. Christina Rosetti. London: Macmillan 1879.

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