"I wish I could enjoy / the rest of Spring / as the cherry blossoms are yet in bloom / in spite of the spring breeze / which is attempting to blow off all their petals."[4]
"...in perfect charity with all men and in sincere communion with the whole church of Christ, by whatever name Christ's followers call themselves."[1]: 87–88 [b]
— John Locke, English philosopher and physician (28 October 1704)[c]
— Titus Oates, English priest and perjurer, fabricator of the "Popish Plot" (12/13 July 1705)
"Wherever I look I see nothing but the Divinity.—I have committed numerous crimes and I know not with what punishments I may be seized.—The agonies of death come upon me fast.—I am going. Whatever good or evil I have done, it was for you. No one has seen the departure of his own soul; but I know that mine is departing."[4]
"Dear Bob, I have nothing to leave thee to perpetuate my memory but two helpless girls. Look upon them sometimes, and think of him who was to the last moment of his life thine, George Farquhar."[1]: 79
"If you have baked me so you also should eat me!"[10][e]
— Juraj Jánošík, Slovak highwayman known as "the Slovak Robin Hood" (17 March 1713), refusing to name fellow robbers prior to jumping onto the hook on which he was to be hung
"A life spent in the service of God, and communion with Him, is the most comfortable and pleasant life that any one can live in this present world."[5]: 78
"I have ever cherished an honest pride; never have I stooped to friendship with Jonathan Wild, or with any of his detestable thief-takers; and though an undutiful son, I never damned my mother's eyes."[5]: 149–150
— Jack Sheppard, English thief and prison escapee (16 November 1724), prior to execution by hanging
"I don’t know what I may seem to the world. But as to myself I seem to have been only like a boy playing on the seashore and diverting myself now and then in finding a smoother pebble or a prettier shell than the ordinary, whilst the great ocean of truth lay all undiscovered before me."[4][18]
— Isaac Newton, English physicist (31 March [O.S. 20 March] 1727)
— August Hermann Francke, German Lutheran clergyman and theologian (8 June 1727), when his wife asked if his Savior was still with him
"Is this dying? Is this all? Is this all that I feared when I prayed against a hard death? Oh! I can bear this![5]: 109 [19] I can bear it! I can bear it! I am going where all tears will be wiped from my eyes."[5]: 109
— Cotton Mather, New England Puritan minister and author (13 February 1728). His wife wiped his eyes with her handkerchief as he said the last words, alluding to Revelation 21:4.[20]
"I have always endeavored, to the best of my ability, to serve God, my king and my country. I go to the place God has designed for those who love him."[5]: 37 [j]
— Eustace Budgell, English writer and politician (4 May 1737); his suicide note, written before drowning himself in the Thames. Joseph Addison was Budgell's cousin.
"It would be hard indeed if we two dear friends should part after so many years, without one sweet kiss."[5]: 125
— Turlough O'Carolan, Irish Celtic harper, composer and singer (25 March 1738), to a bowl of wine he was no longer able to drink
1740–1749
"No, not quite naked. I shall have my uniform on."[24][l]
"Oh Lord! Forgive the errata!"[5]: 20 [8]: 198 [14]: 18
— Andrew Bradford, American newspaper printer and publisher (24 November 1742)[m]
"I have something to say to you, sir... 'Tis gone."[1]: 76
— Richard Savage, English poet (1 August 1743), unable to remember what he wanted to say to his keeper at Bristol Newgate Prison. The keeper found Savage dead the next morning.
"I am dying, sir, of a hundred good symptoms."[5]: 131 [9][14]: 21 [n]
"Trust in God and you need not fear."[5]: 51 [6][r]
— Jonathan Edwards, American revivalist preacher and theologian (22 March 1758), when someone lamented what his loss would mean to the church and to the College of New Jersey
"Go, one of you, to Colonel Burton; tell him to march Webb's regiment down to Charles River, to cut off their retreat from the bridge. Now, God be praised, I will die in peace!"[35][s]
"So much the better. I am happy that I shall not live to see the surrender of Quebec.[1]: 116 [5]: 115 [37] I have much business that must be attended to of greater moment than your ruined garrison and this wretched country."[37]
— Louis-Joseph de Montcalm, French general (14 September 1759), on being told the wound he had received at the Battle of the Plains of Abraham was mortal
1760–1769
"Now, my dear son, I am going to the Saviour. I am ready; I am quite resigned to the will of my Lord. If He is no longer willing to make use of me here I am quite ready to go to Him, for there is nothing more in my way."[5]: 189
"It is a great consolation to me, in my last hour, that I have never wilfully offended anyone, and that[5]: 62 there is not a drop of blood on my hands."[1]: 21 [5]: 62 [6]
"Young man, you have heard, no doubt, how great are the terrors of death. This night will probably afford you some experience; but you may learn, and may you profit by the example, that a conscientious endeavor to perform his duty through life will ever close a Christian's eyes with comfort and tranquility!"[4][5]: 9 [u]
— William Battie, English psychiatrist (13 June 1776), to his caretaker
"I am very ill. Send for Zimmermann. In fact, I think I'll die today."[14]: 20
— William Dodd, English Anglican clergyman and man of letters (27 June 1777), to his executioner prior to hanging for forgery. He then whispered something unknown to the executioner.
"My friend,[43] the artery ceases to beat."[5]: 72 [43][w]
— Albrecht von Haller, Swiss anatomist and physiologist (12 December 1777), to his friend Dr. Rosselet
"Bring me a chair; carry me forward; and there the surgeon will dress my wound."[1]: 61
— William Ledyard, American soldier, lieutenant colonel in the Connecticut militia (6 September 1781), surrendering Fort Griswold during the Battle of Groton Heights. The British officer to whom Ledyard gave his sword in surrender immediately killed him with it.
"We will endeavor to crawl to this line; we will completely wet the powder with our blood: thus will we, with the life that remains in us, save the fort and the magazine, and perhaps a few of our comrades who are only wounded!"[5]: 82–83
— William Hotman, American soldier (6 September 1781), wounded at the Battle of Groton Heights, explaining to a friend how he would prevent the British from igniting a line of powder from the magazine of Fort Griswold[ab]
"I die but will return tomorrow as thousand thousands"[51]
— Túpac Katari, Aymara revolutionary (15 April 1781), prior to his execution by quartering.
"I offer to Thee, O Lord, Thy own Son, who already has given the pledge of love, inclosed in this thin emblem; turn on Him thine eyes; oh! behold whom I offer to Thee and then desist, O Lord! if thou canst desist from mercy."[5]: 112
("T'offro il tuo proprio Figlio, / Che già d'amore in pegno, / Racchiuso in picciol segno / Si volle a noi donar. / A lui rivolgi il ciglio. / Guardo chi t'offro, e poi / Lasci, Signor, se vuoi, / Lascia di perdonar.")
"If you wait a little, I shall be able to tell you from personal experience."[14]: 39
— Christoph Willibald Gluck, composer of Italian and French opera (15 November 1787), when asked whether a tenor or a bass should sing the role of Christ in The Last Judgement
"I shall be satisfied with Thy likeness— satisfied, satisfied!"[57]
"Waiting, are they? Waiting, are they? Well, God damn 'em, let 'em wait!"[4][16][17][41]
— Ethan Allen, American patriot and militia general (12 February 1789), on being told the angels were waiting for him
1790–1800
Memorial to John Howard in Kherson.
"Suffer no pomp at my funeral, nor monumental inscription where I am laid. Lay me quietly in the earth and put a sun-dial over my grave, and let me be forgotten."[5]: 84 [ag]
— John Howard, English philanthropist and prison reformer (20 January 1790), dying of typhus contracted on a prison visit in Kherson
"I wish I had the power of writing, for then I would describe to you how pleasant a thing it is to die."[5]: 40
— William Cullen, Scottish physician, chemist and agriculturalist (5 February 1790)
"I see that you have made three spelling mistakes."[24][26]
"I will tell them for ever that Jesus is precious."[4]
— Joseph Bellamy, American Congregationalist pastor, author, educator and theologian (6 March 1790), when asked what he would do in Hell if God sent him there
— Benjamin Franklin, American statesman and scientist (17 April 1790), complaining about the difficulty of assuming a more comfortable position on his deathbed
"I believe we shall adjourn this meeting to another place."[58]
"I have been fortunate in long good health and constant success, and I ought not to complain. I know that all things on earth must have an end, and now I am come to mine."[1]: 94 [5]: 137
"Rather death than slavery, is the motto of the French."[61]
("Plûtot la mort que l'esclavage, C'est la devise des Français.")
— Jacques Pierre Brissot, French abolitionist and leading member of the Girondins (31 October 1793), singing these words along with 21 other Girondins before their execution
— Jean Sylvain Bailly, French astronomer, mathematician and politician (12 November 1793), to a heckler who asked if he was trembling as he approached the guillotine
"Better to suffer and to die than to lose one shade of my moral and political character."[1]: 39–40 [ap]
— Antoine Barnave, French politician (29 November 1793), prior to execution by guillotine
"I have been unfaithful to God, to my Order, to my King; I die full of faith and repentance."[61]
("J'ai été infidèle à mon Dieu, à mon Ordre, et à mon Roi; je meurs plein de foi et de repentir.")
— Armand Louis de Gontaut, French soldier and politician (31 December 1793), prior to execution by guillotine
"When I was sixty years of age, I mounted the breach for my king; and now that I am eighty-four [sic] I shall not want courage to mount the scaffold for my God."[1]: 120
— Philippe de Noailles, duc de Mouchy (27 June 1794), prior to execution by guillotine
"His praise, ye winds, that from four quarters blow, / Blow soft or loud; and wave your tops, ye pines, / With every plant, in sign of worship, wave."[1]: 93
— Richard Burke Jr., English barrister and Member of Parliament (2 August 1794), quoting the Morning Hymn from Paradise Lost to his father, Edmund Burke; he then died in his father's arms
"What an idle piece of ceremony this buttoning and unbuttoning is to me, now."[5]: 21
— Richard Brocklesby, English physician (11 December 1797), as his servants dressed him for bed
"Had it pleased my Lord to spare me longer I should have been glad. I should then have been able to speak yet a word to the sick and poor; but His will be done! May He, in mercy, but receive me! Into Thy hands I commend my spirit; Thou has redeemed me, O Thou faithful God."[5]: 161
"There is another and a better world."[5]: 128 [6][aw]
— John Palmer, English actor (2 August 1798), performing on stage in The Stranger
"I can yet find words to thank you, sir; it is the most welcome news you could give me.[69] What should I wish to live for?"[69][70]
— Wolfe Tone, Irish revolutionary (19 November 1798), when told a wound in his throat would reopen and cause him to bleed to death if he spoke. Tone died in prison under unclear circumstances (possibly suicide) while awaiting execution by hanging.
"Doctor, I wish you to observe how real and beneficial the religion of Christ is to a man about to die....[29][41] I am, however, much consoled by reflecting that the religion of Christ has, from its first appearance in the world, been attacked in vain by all the wits, philosophers, and wise ones, aided by every power of man, and its triumphs have been complete."[41][ax]
— Patrick Henry, American attorney, politician and orator (6 June 1799)
"Here I am finally. Here I am at the end of the tumultuous career that, whatever my repugnance, I have kept to for so long. My troubles will soon be over and my true happiness is coming, since I have all confidence in the mercy of my God. I willingly leave this world where I have been thought happy in that I have had public admiration, been respected by great, esteemed kings. I can't say that I regret all these honors—it's just that they add up to vanity and trouble."[4]
— Pierre Pigneau de Behaine, French Roman Catholic priest and missionary in Vietnam (9 October 1799)
"I die hard, but I am not afraid to go...[1]: 53 [6] I am just going. Have me decently buried, and do not let my body be put into the vault in less than two days after I am dead. Do you understand me?[1]: 53 [5]: 176–177 [41] 'Tis well."[1]: 53 [5]: 176–177 [37][41]
^Also reported as, "I suffer the violence of pain and death, but I know whom I have believed."[5]: 20
^Also reported as, "Oh! the depth of the riches of the goodness and knowledge of God.[5]: 98 [6] Cease now" (to Damaris, Lady Masham, who was reading to him from the Psalms).[6]
^Egbert incorrectly gives Locke's date of death as 28 October 1714.[1]: 87
^Also reported as, "It is a great consolation for a dying poet to have never written a word against morality."[5]: 19 [9]
^These last words are considered legendary.[10] Also reported as, "Now that you have roasted me, you might as well devour me."[11]
^Also reported as, "Oh my brother! Oh my poor brother!" (referring to James Francis Edward Stuart). This version of Anne's last words lacks evidence.[4]
^Described by Tahourdin as "almost his last words".[12] Last words also reported as, "I thought that dying had been more difficult",[1]: 20 "Why weep ye? Did you think I should live forever? I thought dying had been harder",[5]: 99 [6] and as "O God, come unto mine aid; O Lord, make haste to help me."[5]: 99
^Also reported as, "I have sent for you to see how a Christian can die"[1]: 80 [4] and as "See how a Christian dies."[6] The story of Addison's last words is disputed.[17]
^Marvin expresses doubt about the authenticity of these last words.[5]: 183
^Also reported as, "The Catholic faith is, to love God and to love man. This is the best faith, and to its entertainment I exhort you all."[5]: 37
^Year of death incorrectly given by Marvin as 1743.[5]: 139
^Also reported as, "Herr Jesu, to thee I live; Herr Jesu, to thee I die; in life and in death thou art my gain" ("...Du bist mein Gewinn").[5]: 61
^Marvin describes these last words as doubtful.[5]: 20
^Also reported as, "There is nothing that is meritorious but virtue and friendship; and, indeed,[1]: 73 friendship itself is only a part of virtue."[1]: 73 [5]: 131 [6]
^It is uncertain whether Gardiner actually spoke these words.[5]: 63
^He is also mentioned as having laughed when overcrowded timber stand collapsed, killing nine people who came to see him die; his laughter at this incident, even as he was executed, is said to be the origin of the phrase "to laugh one's head off".[27]
^Also reported as, "It is a great mercy that I have no manner of fear or dread of death. I could, if God please, lay my head back and die without terror this afternoon."[29]
^Also reported as, "Trust in God and you shall have nothing to fear."[29]
^Also reported as, "What, do they run already? Then I die happy"[6][36] or "Then God be praised; I die happy."[1]: 116
^Also reported as, "Stay a little longer, M. le Curé, and we will go together."[6]
^Also reported as, "Your highness has made me too great for my house."[4]
^Also reported as, "I only regret that I have but one life to lose for my country."[1]: 65 [41] See Nathan Hale#Impact.
^Also reported "Now the artery ceases to beat",[1]: 93 and as "It's beating—beating—beating—it's stopped."[43]
^This is disputed,[45] albeit widely considered his last words. Last words also reported as, "The flames already?" on seeing a lamp beside his bed,[8]: 196 as "Do let me die in peace"[6] and as "For the love of God, don't mention that Man—allow me to die in peace!" (at the mention of Jesus), among other versions.[5]: 175–176
^Also reported as, "All I request of you, gentlemen, is that you will bear witness to the world that I die like a brave man. It will be but a momentary pang"[5]: 5 and as "Must I die in this manner?"[4]
^Also reported as, "I do not sleep; I wish to meet death awake."[1]: 20
^The date of the battle is incorrectly given by Marvin as 20 October 1781, quoting from Hotman's tombstone.[5]: 82–83
^Also reported as, "What possible harm could it do to me?" ("Mais quel diable de mal veux-te que cela me fosse?") (to his wife, who had said he should not eat an apricot).[5]: 47 [14]: 29
^Also reported as, "Give me no monument, but lay me quietly in the earth; place a sun-dial over my grave, and let me be forgotten."[1]: 137
^Also reported as, "Are those already the Achilles' funeral?"[5]: 113 and as "Let me fall asleep to the sound of delicious music."Brewer's points out the similarity to the last words of Leopold I, Holy Roman Emperor (ibid.).[6]
^Also reported as, "Did I not say that I was writing the Requiem for myself?" (to Franz Xaver Süssmayr),[5]: 119 as "Let me hear those notes so long my solace and delight",[1]: 95 and as "You spoke of a refreshment, Emilie; take my last notes, and let me hear once more my solace and delight."[6]
^Also reported as, "Gentlemen, I am innocent of everything of which I am accused. I hope that my blood may cement the good fortune of the French."[2] and as "Je meurs innocent de tous les crimes qu'on m'impute. Je pardonne aux auteurs de ma mort, et je prie Dieu que le sang que vous allez répandre ne retombe jamais su la France... Puisse mon sang cimenter votre bonheur!" ("I die innocent of all the crimes laid to my charge. I forgive the authors of my death, and I pray God that the blood which you are about to shed may never fall on France.... May my blood cement your happiness!"[61]
^Also reported as, "This is the toilette of death, arranged by somewhat rude hands, but it leads to immortality" (described as her last words "of which we can be certain").[5]: 38
^Also reported as, "Farewell, my children, for ever. I am going to your father."[5]: 106 [6][26]
^Also reported as, "Ah! liberté, comme on t'a jouée!" ("Ah! liberty, how they have cheated thee!")[61]
^Also reported as, "Je tremble, mais c'est de froid" ("I tremble but it is from the cold")[4] and as "J'ai froid" ("I am cold").[61]
^Also reported as, "This then is my reward?"[4] and as "Voilà donc le prix tout de ce que j'ai fait pour la liberté" ("This then is the price of what I have done for liberty").[61]
^Also reported as, "Pourquoi est ce que vous me quittez" (to his valet).[5]: 66
^Also reported as, "I leave it all in a frightful welter. Not a man of them has an idea of government. Robespierre will follow me; he is dragged down by me. Ah! better be a poor fisherman than meddle with the government of men."[1]: 41
^Also reported as, "Oh! Oh! voilà qui s'apelle un mauvais présage. Un Romain à ma place serait rentré" ("Oh! Oh! that's what is called a bad omen. A Roman in my place would have gone in again") (when he stumbled while leaving prison to get into the tumbrel that would take him to the guillotine).[61]
^Also reported as, "Je me nomme Élisabeth de France sœur du roi" ("My name is Elisabeth of France, sister of the King").[61]
^Also reported as, "Comme un dernier rayon, comme un derniere zéphyre / Anime la fin d'un beau jour; / Au pied de l'échefaud j'essaie encore ma lyre, / Peut-être est ce bientôt mon tour; / Peut-être avant que l'heure en cercle promenée / Ait posé sur l'émail brillant, / Dans les soixante pas où sa route est bornée, / Son pied sonore et vigilant, / Le sommeil du tombeau pressera me paupière —"[5]: 35–36
^Also reported as, "Don't let that awkward squad fire over my grave."[1]: 80 [6] Whether these were Burns' very last words is disputed.[16]
^Whether these were Palmer's last words is questionable.[68]
^Also reported as, "I trust in the mercy of God, it is not now too late."[5]: 78
^Robin, Diana Maury; Jaffe, Ira, eds. (1999). Redirecting the gaze: gender, theory, and cinema in the Third World. The SUNY series, cultural studies in cinema/video. Albany: State University of New York Press. ISBN978-0-7914-3993-7.
^Olof Jägerskiöld in Lovisa UlrikaLibris #8074766 p. 290
^de Beauchesne, Alcide-Hyacinthe (1870). La vie de Madame Élisabeth, sœur de Louis XVI (in French). Vol. 2. Paris: Henri-Plon Éditeur-Imprimeur. p. 249.
^"Jarvis III (DD-799) 1944-1972". Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships. Naval History and Heritage Command. 6 July 2017. Retrieved 31 March 2021.
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