Famous Last Words

Today is the day Ann and I were married in S. Hamilton, Mass. in 1977. It seems like an opportune moment to reflect on some ‘famous last words’ none better than those of Jesus— ‘Father into thy hands I commend my spirit’.

See in what peace a Christian can die.
~~ Joseph Addison, writer, d. June 17, 1719

Waiting are they? Waiting are they? Well–let ’em wait.
In response to an attending doctor who attempted to comfort him by saying, “General, I fear the angels are waiting for you.”
~~ Ethan Allen, American Revolutionary general, d. 1789

Am I dying or is this my birthday?
When she woke briefly during her last illness and found all her family around her bedside.
~~ Lady Nancy Astor, d. 1964

I am ready to die for my Lord, that in my blood the Church may obtain liberty and peace.
~~ Thomas à Becket, Archbishop of Canterbury, d.1170

Friends applaud, the comedy is finished.
~~ Ludwig van Beethoven, composer, d. March 26, 1827

Oh, I am not going to die, am I? He will not separate us, we have been so happy.
Spoken to her husband of 9 months, Rev. Arthur Nicholls.
~~ Charlotte Bronte, writer, d. March 31, 1855

Ay Jesus.
~~ Charles V, King of France, d. 1380

Damn it . . . Don’t you dare ask God to help me.
To her housekeeper, who had begun to pray aloud.
~~ Joan Crawford, actress, d. May 10, 1977

I am not the least afraid to die.
~~ Charles Darwin, d. April 19, 1882

It is very beautiful over there.
~~ Thomas Alva Edison, inventor, d. October 18, 1931

Yes, it’s tough, but not as tough as doing comedy.
When asked if he thought dying was tough.
~~ Edmund Gwenn, actor, d. September 6, 1959

God will pardon me, that’s his line of work.
~~ Heinrich Heine, poet, d. February 15, 1856

All is lost. Monks, monks, monks!
~~ Henry VIII, King of England, d. 1547

Oh, do not cry – be good children and we will all meet in heaven.
~~ Andrew Jackson, US President, d. 1845

Let us cross over the river and sit in the shade of the trees.
Killed in error by his own troops at the battle of Chancellorsville during the US Civil War.
~~ General Thomas “Stonewall” Jackson, d. 1863

I forgive everybody. I pray that everybody may also forgive me, and my blood which is about to be shed will bring peace to Mexico. Long live Mexico! Long Live Independence!
~~ Maximilian, Emperor of Mexico, (Archduke Maximilian of Austria), d. June 11, 1867

I am curious to see what happens in the next world to one who dies unshriven.
Giving his reasons for refusing to see a priest as he lay dying.
~~ Pietro Perugino, Italian painter, d. 1523

Lord help my poor soul.
~~ Edgar Allan Poe, writer, d. October 7, 1849

Get my swan costume ready.
~~ Anna Pavlova, ballerina, d. 1931

Woe is me. Me thinks I’m turning into a god.
~~ Vespasian, Roman Emperor, d. 79 AD

Leonardo da Vinci, inventor and painter.
“I have offended God and mankind because my work did not reach the quality it should have.”

“Either that wallpaper goes, or I do.”
~~ Oscar Wilde, writer, d. November 30, 1900

Curtain! Fast music! Light! Ready for the last finale! Great! The show looks good, the show looks good!
~~ Florenz Ziegfeld, showman, d. July 22, 1932

Michel de Nostradamus, French apothecary and alleged soothsayer.

He made one last — correct — prediction when he said:
“You will not find me alive at sunrise.”

Thanks to the folks at www.corsinet.com for some of these…..