In the Round Tower at Jhansi
As a hostile crowd advances below, Skene embraces his young wife and holds a pistol to her brow. They speak of the coming pain, exchange kisses, and say goodbye. An appended note states that the poem is retained despite contradictions of its opening claims and is not historically accurate.
By Christina Georgina Rossetti · Genre: Narrative Poetry, Tragic Poetry · 273 words
First lines
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!
Genres
- Narrative Poetry — Rhymed quatrains follow an advancing crowd, Skene's embrace of his wife, and their final conversation.
- Tragic Poetry — A young husband and wife anticipate death while exchanging kisses, with his pistol held to her brow.
Tags
marital love · impending death · farewells · violence
What this Textopian page supports
In the Round Tower at Jhansi is listed on Textopian as a poem by Christina Georgina Rossetti, dated Date unknown.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Poem
- Author: Christina Georgina Rossetti
- Date: Date unknown
- Language: English
- Genres: Narrative Poetry, Tragic Poetry
- Length: 273 words
- Structure: 1 section, 7 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Very Easy (5th Grade or below)
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