“It matters not, man; God hath many things in store for us. And I know many means to do her Majesty good service and to make us rich..”
A hero to some, a pirate to others, this is reportedly a rallying speech he delivered shortly before dying from dysentery aboard his ship off the coast of Portobelo, Panama. Before his demise, Francis Drake asked to be dressed in full body armour, and was buried at sea in a lead-lined coffin a few miles off the coastline, he was 56 years old.
“I believe we must adjourn this meeting to another place.”
This humorous quip, delivered with a smile to friends at his bedside, were the final words of 67 year old Adam Smith. The economist and philosopher, author of ‘The Wealth of Nations’ passed away at his home Panmure House in Edinburgh after a painful illness.
“What dost thou fear? Strike, man, strike!”
One of the most notable figures of the Elizabethan era, these were his last words to the executioner who hesitated before delivering the fatal axe blow. Walter Raleigh was beheaded on the orders of Britain’s King James, following an attack by Raleigh’s men on a Spanish outpost, violating a peace treaty between the two countries.
“I am no traitor and I am ready to die. For the name of Jesus and the protection of the church, I am ready to embrace death.”
Archbishop of Canterbury, Christian saint and martyr, at the age of 51 Thomas Becket was killed in Canterbury cathedral by four knights. The King is rumored to have said “Will noone rid me of this turbulent priest?” and the knights interpreted this as a royal command to kill the Archbishop.
“Good friend for Jesus’ sake forbear, To dig the dust enclosed here. Blessed be the man that spares these stones, and cursed be he that moves my bones.”
This is the inscription on the famous playwright’s gravestone. The Bard died on his birthday at the age of 52, and was buried at the Holy Trinity Church next to wife Anne.
“Now is not the time for making new enemies.”
Deathbed words of the writer and philosopher, when asked by a priest if he renounced Satan.
“I do not know what I may appear to the world, but to myself I seem to have been only like a boy playing on the sea-shore, and diverting myself in now and then finding a smoother pebble or a prettier shell than ordinary, whilst the great ocean of truth lay all undiscovered before me.”
The physicist and natural philosopher died in his sleep in London, at the age of 84.
“Lord, into Your Hands I commend my spirit.”
Quoting the final words of Jesus, the Holy Roman Emperor died in his bed after a deep depression and falling ill of pleurisy.
“Do not disturb my circles!”
Ancient Greek mathematician and inventor, not wanting his studies interrupted, uttered these final words to a Roman soldier who then stabbed him.
“Crito, we owe a chicken to Asclepius. Please, don’t forget to pay the debt.”
Philosopher of ancient Greece, Socrates refused the option to be exiled and instead died by drinking poison, after being found guilty of impiety and corrupting the youth of Athens.
