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IN THE ROUND TOWER AT JHANSI, JUNE 8, 1857 by CHRISTINA GEORGINA ROSSETTI

Poet Analysis

First Line: A HUNDRED, A THOUSAND TO ONE; EVEN SO
Last Line: GOOD-BYE.' -- 'GOOD-BYE.'

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.'



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