The Last Words (Real and Traditional) of Distinguished Men and WomenMarvin, Frederic Rowland
History
The Last Words (Real and Traditional) of Distinguished Men and Women
Marvin, Frederic Rowland
Last words
PUSEY (Edward Bouverie, Regius professor of Hebrew at Oxford, author
with John Henry Newman, of "Tracts for the Times." He favored auricular
confession and many of the distinctive doctrines and practices of the
Roman Catholic church), 1800-1882. "_My God!_"
He repeated again and again during his last hours the words, "The body
of our Lord Jesus Christ which was given for thee, preserve thy body and
soul unto everlasting life." When a common cup containing food was
brought to him, he clutched it with reverent eagerness, thinking in the
bewilderment of his mind, that it was the chalice. When he saw the
friends about his bed kneeling in prayer, he raised his hand, with the
words, "By His authority committed unto me, I absolve thee from all thy
sins." At last, gazing about him as though he saw what the dear ones by
his bedside could not see, he cried out, "My God!" and ceased to
breathe. His Hebrew Bible lay open on a little table near his bed just
as he had left it a few days before, at 1 Chron. xvi, where is described
David's triumphant restoration of the ark of God to its place in the
reverent worship of Israel.
QUARLES (Francis, quaint English poet, author of "Emblems"), 1592-1644.
"_What I cannot utter with my mouth, accept, Lord, from my heart and
soul._"
QUIN (James, actor), 1693-1766. "_I could wish this tragic scene were
over, but I hope to go through it with becoming dignity._"
QUICK (John, actor), 1748-1831. "_Is this death?_"
RABELAIS (Francois), about 1483-1553. "_Let down the curtain, the farce
is over._" Some say his last words were, "I am going to the great
perhaps."
RALEIGH or RAWLEIGH (Sir Walter), 1552-1618. "_This is a sharp medicine,
but a sure remedy for all evils!_" These words he said upon the
scaffold, when permitted to feel of the edge of the axe. Some say that
later he was asked which way he chose to place himself on the block, and
that he replied, "So the heart be right, it is no matter which way the
head lies." Others say that his last words were these addressed to the
hesitating headsman, "Why dost thou not strike? Strike!"
The lovers of tobacco will remember that it was Sir Walter Raleigh who
introduced their "delightful weed" into Europe. So fond was he of the
weed that he used it upon the scaffold. The snuff-box out of which he
took a pinch just before his head rested upon the block was in constant
use by the Duke of Sussex, and was disposed of at his sale for L6.
Mr. Van Klaes whose will is celebrated all over Holland was not to be
behind Sir Walter Raleigh in his devotion to tobacco. After his bequests
to relatives and charities, he has this paragraph in his will:
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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