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
It is reported at Lichfield, that, perceiving himself growing rapidly
worse, he said to Mrs. Darwin, "My dear, you must bleed me instantly."
"Alas!" said she, "I dare not, lest--" "Emma, will you? There is no time
to be lost." "Yes, my dear father, if you will direct me." At this
moment he sank into his chair and expired.--_The Book of Death._
DE LAGNY (Thomas Fantet, French mathematician), 1660-1734. "_144_," in
response to a friend who asked for the square of 12.
DELGADO (Gen. E., the Honduras Revolutionist),--1886. "_We are
ready--soldiers, fire!_"
He was shot with three other revolutionists (Lieut.-Col. Indalecio
Garcia, Commander Meguel Cortez, and Lieut. Gabriel Loyant), at
Comayagua, October 18, 1886.
It was the desire of President Bogran to spare Gen. Delgado's life if
possible, and any pretext would have been readily seized upon to give
him an opportunity of saving himself and at the same time vindicate the
tribunal which had condemned him. The President sent a messenger to him
to say that if he would promise to never again take up arms against
Honduras he should receive a pardon. The soldier was too brave to accept
even his life on these terms, and he sent back word that he would see
Honduras in an even more tropical climate than she now enjoys before he
would accept his pardon on such a pledge. When his answer was received
there was nothing left but to prepare for the execution.
On the morning of their execution the men were taken to a point near the
Church of Comayagua; four coffins were placed near the wall and the
four condemned men were led to them. They accepted their positions as
easily and gracefully as if they were in boxes at the opera, and not a
face was blanched, not a nerve quivered. Gen. Delgado asked and received
permission to order the guard to fire, which he did, first requesting
them not to shoot him in the face, but in the breast. There was no
rattle, no scattering reports, but one sharp, stunning report. The four
men for half a second remained in an upright position, as if still
unhurt, and then rolled over, limp and bloody, dead. The soldiers had
complied with Gen. Delgado's request, for three balls had penetrated his
breast.
DEMORAX (Greek philosopher), second century, B. C. "_You may go home,
the show is over._"
_Lucian._
DE QUINCEY (Thomas, "The English opium-eater"), 1785-1859. "_Sister!
sister! sister!_" During his last illness he was subject to fits of
delirium, and in one of these he died. His last words indicate that he
was living over in his mind the scenes of early days.
Mr. Mackay gives this account of the condition of De Quincey's grave as
it was in 1889:
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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