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
KLOPSTOCK (Friedrich Gottlieb), 1724-1803. He died reciting his own
beautiful verses, descriptive of the death of Mary, the sister of
Lazarus. The Song of Mary was sung at the public funeral of the poet.
KNOX (John, Scotch reformer), 1505-1572. "_Now it is come._" Some give
his last words thus: "Live in Christ, live in Christ, and the flesh need
not fear death."
LABEDOYERE (Charles Angelique Huchet de, Count and French general "noted
for graceful manners and chivalrous spirit." He was charged with
treason, rebellion and military seduction, and was executed as one of
the "authors and instigators of the horrible plot which had brought back
Buonaparte"), 1786-1815. "_Above all do not miss me!_"
At half past six in the evening Labedoyere was escorted to the plain of
Grenelle by a strong detachment of _gen d'armerie_. On arriving at the
place of execution, he knelt down and received the benediction of the
confessor who accompanied him. He then rose, and, without waiting for
his eyes to be bandaged, uncovered his breast to the veterans who were
to shoot him, and exclaimed, "Above all do not miss me!" In a moment
after he was no more.
_Christopher Kelly: "The Battle of Waterloo."_
LACORDAIRE (Jean Baptiste Henri, French ecclesiastic celebrated for his
funeral orations), 1802-1861. "_Open to me, O God!_"
LA HARPE or LAHARPE DE (Jean Francois, French critic and dramatist),
1739-1803. "_I am grateful to Divine Mercy for having left me sufficient
recollection to feel how consoling these prayers are to the dying._"
These are his last recorded words, and refer to the prayers for the sick
to which he was attending, but later he conversed with M. Fontanes, and
did not die until the next day.
LAMBERT (John, English teacher of languages who suffered as a martyr.
His true name was Nicholson, but he changed it for greater safety in
time of persecution),--1538. "_None but Christ! none but Christ!_"
After his legs were consumed to the stumps, two inhuman monsters who
stood on each side of him pierced him with their halberds, and lifted
him up as far as the chain which fastened him to the stake would reach,
while he raised his half consumed hands dripping with blood and fire,
and said, "None but Christ! none but Christ!"
LATIMER (Hugh, early English reformer and martyr), about 1472-1555.
"_Be of good comfort, Master Ridley, and play the man; we shall this day
light such a candle by God's grace, in England, as I trust shall never
be put out._"
Latimer and Ridley suffered martyrdom at Oxford at the same time,
October 16, 1555.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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