The Last Words (Real and Traditional) of Distinguished Men and WomenMarvin, Frederic Rowland
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The Last Words (Real and Traditional) of Distinguished Men and Women
Marvin, Frederic Rowland
Last words
"Then William Hunter plucked up his gown and stepped over the parlor
groundsel and went forward cheerfully; the sheriff's servants taking him
by one arm and his brother by another. And thus going in the way, he met
with his father according to his dream, and he spake to his son saying,
'God be with thee, son William;' and William said, 'God be with you,
good father, and be of good comfort; for I hope we shall meet again when
we shall be merry.' His father said, 'I hope so, William,' and so
departed. So William went to the place where the stake stood, even
according to his dream, where all things were very unready. Then William
took a wet broom faggot, and kneeled down thereon, and read the
fifty-first Psalm till he came to these words, 'The sacrifice of God is
a contrite spirit; a contrite and a broken heart, O God, thou wilt not
despise!'
"Then said the sheriff, 'There is a letter from the Queen. If thou wilt
recant thou shalt live; if not, thou shalt be burned.' 'No,' quoth
William, 'I will not recant, God willing.' Then William rose and went to
the stake, and stood upright to it. Then came one Richard Ponde, a
bailiff, and made fast the chain about William.
"Then said master Brown, 'There is not wood enough to burn a leg of
him.' Then said William, 'Good people! pray for me, and make speed and
despatch quickly; and pray for me while you see me alive, good people!
and I will pray for you likewise.' 'Now?' quoth master Brown, 'pray for
thee! I will pray no more for thee than I will pray for a dog.'
"Then was there a gentleman which said, 'I pray God have mercy upon his
soul!' The people said, 'Amen, amen.'
"Immediately fire was made. Then William cast his psalter right into his
brother's hand, who said, 'William! think of the holy passion of
Christ, and be not afraid of death.' And William answered, 'I am not
afraid.' Then lifted he up his hands to heaven and said, 'Lord, Lord,
Lord, receive my spirit,' and, casting down his head again into the
smothering smoke, he yielded up his life for the truth, sealing it with
his blood to the praise of God."
_Fox's "Book of Martyrs."_
HUNTER (Dr. William, distinguished anatomist and physiologist. He is
chiefly remembered by his "Anatomy of the Human Gravid Uterus,"
consisting of thirty-four plates engraved by the most eminent artists of
the day, with explanations in English and Latin), 1717-1783. "_If I had
strength to hold a pen I would write down how easy and pleasant a thing
it is to die._"
HUNTINGTON (Selina, Countess of, an English lady, eminent for her piety
and munificence), 1707-1791. "_My work is done; I have nothing to do but
to go to my Father._"
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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