IN 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.
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.'