Strozzi (Filippo, Florentine statesman), 1488-1538. He committed suicide while imprisoned by Cosmo de' Medici, the first Great Duke of Tuscany. As he was dying he cut with the point of his sword upon the mantel-piece, this line from Virgil: "Exariare aliquis nostris ex ossibus ultor."
Sumner (Charles, distinguished United States Senator and opponent of slavery. He was a man of great learning in history, political science and polite literature; and, notwithstanding the rare culture of his mind and tastes, he was always the defender of the poor and enslaved), 1811-1874. "Sit down," to his friend, Hon. Samuel Hooper. As he uttered these words his heart ruptured, a terrible convulsion shook his frame, and death came at once.[44]
A few hours before Sumner died Judge Hoar gave him a message from Ralph Waldo Emerson, to which Sumner replied with some difficulty, "Tell Emerson that I love and revere him." Over and over again he said to Judge Hoar, "Do not let the Civil Rights bill fail!" To the last his mind was engaged upon the great problems of national interest that had occupied him during all the stormy days of the Civil War.
Svetchine, or Swetchine (Sophia Soymonof, a Russian lady and writer), 1782-1857. Madame Svetchine's last words were, "It will soon be time for mass. They must raise me." She was a most devoted Roman Catholic.
Swartz (Frederick Christian, Missionary in India), 1726-1798. "Had it pleased my Lord to spare me longer I should have been glad. I should then have been able to speak yet a word to the sick and poor; but His will be done! May He, in mercy, but receive me! Into Thy hands I commend my spirit; Thou hast redeemed me, O Thou faithful God." After this his Malabar helpers sang a portion of a hymn and he endeavored to sing with them, but his strength failing, he soon expired in the arms of a native Christian.
Swedenborg (Emanuel, Swedish seer, philosopher and theologian), 1688-1772. "It is well; I thank you; God bless you." He told the Shearsmiths on what day he should die; and the servant remarked: "He was as pleased as I should have been if I was to have a holiday, or was going to some merry-making."
His faculties were clear to the last. On Sunday afternoon, the 29th day of March, 1772, hearing the clock strike, he asked his landlady and her maid, who were both sitting at his bed-side, what o'clock it was; and upon being answered it was five o'clock, he said—"It is well; I thank you; God bless you;" and a little after, he gently departed.[45]
White's "Life and Writings of Swedenborg."
Swift (Jonathan, Dean of Saint Patrick's, Dublin, and author of "The Tale of a Tub," and "Travels of Lemuel Gulliver"), 1667-1745. "It is folly; they had better leave it alone," to his house-keeper who informed him that the usual bonfires and illuminations were preparing to do honor to his birthday. Some say his last words were, "Ah, a German! a prodigy, admit him!" spoken as Handel was announced.
Talleyrand-Perigord (Charles Maurice, celebrated French diplomatist), 1754-1838, "I am suffering, sire, the pangs of the damned." Said to the king, Louis Phillippe, who enquired his condition.