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. |
MORE POEMS BY CHRISTINA ROSSETTI |
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