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-bye.' -- 'Good-bye.'