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
AMES (Fisher, distinguished American statesman, leader of the Federal
party in the House of Representatives during the administration of
Washington), 1758-1808. "_I have peace of mind. It may arise from
stupidity, but I think it is founded on a belief of the gospel. My hope
is in the mercy of God._"
ANAXAGORAS (the most illustrious philosopher of the Ionian school, and
"The Friend of Pericles"), B. C. 500-428. "_Give the boys a holiday._"
After his banishment he resided in Lampsacus and there preserved
tranquillity of mind until his death. "It is not I who have lost the
Athenians; it is the Athenians who have lost me," was his proud
reflection. He continued his studies, and was highly respected by the
citizens, who, wishing to pay some mark of esteem to his memory, asked
him on his death-bed in what manner they could do so. He begged that the
day of his death might be annually kept as a holiday in all the schools
of Lampsacus. For centuries this request was fulfilled. He died in his
seventy-third year. A tomb was erected to him in the city, with this
inscription:
This tomb great Anaxagoras confines,
Whose mind explored the heavenly paths of Truth.
_Lewes' Biographical History of Philosophy._
ANDRE (John, major in the British army at the time of the American
Revolution, and executed as a spy, October 2, 1780), 1751-1780. "_It
will be but a momentary pang._"
The order for execution was loudly and impressively read by
Adjutant-General Scammel, who at its conclusion informed Andre he might
now speak, if he had anything to say. Lifting the bandage for a moment
from his eyes he bowed courteously to Greene and the attending officers,
and said with firmness and dignity: "All I request of you, gentlemen,
is that you will bear witness to the world that I die like a brave man."
A moment later he said, almost in a whisper, "It will be but a momentary
pang."
The London _General Evening Post_ for November 14, 1780, in an article
abusive of Washington, gives a pretended account of Andre's "last
words," in which the unfortunate man is made to say, "Remember that I
die as becomes a British officer, while the manner of my death must
reflect disgrace on your commander." Andre uttered no sentiment like
this. Miss Seward, his early friend, on reading this account, wrote thus
in her "Monody on Major Andre:"
Oh Washington! I thought thee great and good,
Nor knew thy Nero-thirst for guiltless blood!
Severe to use the pow'r that Fortune gave,
Thou cool, determin'd murderer of the brave!
Lost to each fairer virtue, that inspires
The genuine fervor of the patriot fires!
And you, the base abettors of the doom,
That sunk his blooming honors in the tomb,
Th' opprobrious tomb your harden'd hearts decreed,
While all he asked was as the brave to bleed!
_Lossing's Field Book of the Revolution, Vol. I, p. 768._
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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