IN THE ROUND TOWER AT JHANSI,

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 by.” — “Good by.”