DYING WORDS OF DISTINGUISHED PERSONS.
There taught us how to live; and—oh, too high
A price for knowledge!—taught us how to die.—Tickell.
On parent knees, a naked, new-born child,
Weeping thou sat’st, while all around thee smiled;
So live that, sinking in thy last long sleep,
Calm thou mayst smile while all around thee weep.[[43]]
Sir W. Jones: Pers. Trans.
Napoleon.—Tête d’Armée!
Sir Walter Raleigh.—It matters little how the head lieth.
Goethe.—Let the light enter.
Tasso.—Into thy hands, O Lord.
Alfieri.—Clasp my hand, my dear friend: I die.
Martin Luther.—Father in Heaven, though this body is breaking away from me, and I am departing this life, yet I know that I shall forever be with thee, for no one can pluck me out of thy hand.
Mozart.—You spoke of refreshment, my Emilie: take my last notes, sit down at the piano, sing them with the hymn of your sainted mother; let me hear once more those notes which have so long been my solace and delight.
Haydn.—God preserve the Emperor!
Haller.—The artery ceases to beat.
Grotius.—Be serious.
Erasmus.—Lord, make an end.
Cardinal Beaufort.—What! is there no bribing death?
Hilary, Bishop of Poictiers.—Soul, thou hast served Christ these seventy years, and art thou afraid to die? Go out, soul, go out.
Queen Elizabeth.—All my possessions for a moment of time!
Charles II.—Let not poor Nelly starve.
Anne Boleyn.—It is small, very small indeed (clasping her neck).
Sir Thomas More.—I pray you see me safe up; and as for my coming down, let me shift for myself (ascending the scaffold).
John Hampden.—O Lord, save my country! O Lord, be merciful to——
Chancellor Thurlow.—I’m shot if I don’t believe I’m dying.
Addison.—See with what peace a Christian can die.
Julius Cæsar.—Et tu, Brute.
Nero.—Is this your fidelity?
Herder.—Refresh me with a great thought.
Frederick V., of Denmark.—There is not a drop of blood on my hands.
Mirabeau.—Let me die amid the sound of delicious music and the fragrance of flowers.
Madame de Staël.—I have loved God, my father, and liberty.
Lord Nelson.—Kiss me, Hardy.
Lord Chesterfield.—Give Dayrolles a chair.
Hobbes.—I am taking a fearful leap in the dark.
Byron.—I must sleep now.
Sir Walter Scott.—I feel as if I were to be myself again.
Keats.—I feel the daisies growing over me.
Robert Burns.—Don’t let that awkward squad fire over my grave.
Lawrence.—Don’t give up the ship.
Washington.—It is well.
Franklin.—A dying man can do nothing easy.
Wolfe.—Now, God be praised, I will die in peace.
Marion.—Thank God, I can lay my hand upon my heart and say that since I came to man’s estate I have never intentionally done wrong to any one.
Adams.—Independence forever!
Jefferson.—I resign my soul to God, and my daughter to my country.
J. Q. Adams.—This is the last of earth. I am content.
Harrison.—I wish you to understand the true principles of the Government. I wish them carried out. I ask nothing more.
Taylor.—I have endeavored to do my duty.
Daniel Webster.—I still live.