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
Berkeley directed in his will that his body should be kept above ground
more than five days, and until it became "offensive by the cadaverous
smell, and that during the said time it lye unwashed, undisturbed and
covered by the same bedclothes, in the same bed, the head raised upon
pillows."
BERNARD ("Saint," Abbot of Clairvaux and active promoter of the crusade
of 1146. He is the author of many beautiful hymns), 1091-1153. "_May
God's will be done_," said when he was told that his last hour was at
hand.
BERRY or BERRI (Caroline Ferdinande Louise, Madame de), 1798-1870. "_Is
not this dying with courage and true greatness?_"
BIRON (Armand Louis de Gontaut, Duc de Lauzun, French general-in-chief
of the army of the Rhine), 1747-1793. "_I have been false to my God, to
my order, and to my king: I die full of faith and of repentance._"
The executioner's messenger surprised him at a breakfast of oysters and
white wine, and said he was at the duke's orders; to which the latter
rejoined, "_No morbleu_, 'tis just the other way: I am at yours!" He
then asked that he might be permitted to finish his breakfast, after
which he answered the summons of the executioner.
BISMARCK VON SCHONHAUSEN (Karl Otto, Prince, the most distinguished of
Prussian statesmen), 1813-1898. "_Thank you, my child_," to his
daughter, Countess von Rantzau, who wiped the perspiration from his
forehead.
On Thursday evening an improvement set in in the Prince's condition, in
which repeated changes for the worse had occurred since October last,
and he was able to appear at the table and take part in the
conversation, drinking champagne and afterward smoking several pipes,
which he had not done lately.
His condition was so satisfactory that Dr. Schweninger, after the Prince
had gone to bed, went away, with the intention of returning on Saturday.
His condition was comparatively satisfactory throughout Friday and
Saturday morning. He read the "Nachrichten" and conversed on politics,
particularly referring to Russian affairs. In the forenoon he took
luncheon, grumbling jocularly at the small proportion of spirits in his
drinking water. Then a sudden change for the worse occurred, and in the
afternoon he frequently became unconscious.
Recently, besides periods of unusual mental clearness, the Prince had
had intervals of drowsiness, falling into long, sound and beneficial
sleep, on awaking from which he would be completely refreshed.
On Saturday evening grave symptoms appeared. Death came easily and
painlessly. Dr. Schweninger was able to some extent to lighten the last
moments, wiping the patient's mouth and enabling him to breathe more
freely.
The last words Prince Bismarck uttered were addressed to his daughter,
Countess von Rantzau, who wiped the perspiration from his forehead. They
were, "Thank you, my child."
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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