In The Round Tower At Jhansi
by Christina Rossetti
June 8, 1857.
A 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.
Kiss and kiss: It is not pain
Thus to kiss and die. One kiss more.
And yet one again.
Good bye.
-- Good bye.
Source:
Goblin Market and Other PoemsCopyright 1865
Macmillan And Co.London and Cambridge