IN THE ROUND TOWER AT JHANSI
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une 8, 1857 A hundred, a thousand to one; even so;Not a hope in the world remained:The swarming howling wretches belowGained 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, 10Close 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 painThus to kiss and die.One kiss more.'--'And yet one again.'--'Good-bye.'--'Good-bye.' 20
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