Once a Week (magazine)/Series 1/Volume 1/The Round Tower at Jhansi—June 8, 1857

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For other versions of this work, see In the Round Tower at Jhansi, June 8, 1857.
Once a Week, Series 1, Volume I (1859)
The Round Tower at Jhansi—June 8, 1857
by Christina Rossetti
2687160Once a Week, Series 1, Volume I — The Round Tower at Jhansi—June 8, 1857
1859Christina Rossetti

THE ROUND TOWER AT JHANSI.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.

S—— look’d 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.

“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.”
“Goodbye.”“Goodbye.”

Caroline G. Rossetti.