Life and Death
‹ 7 · Outline · 9 ›
8.The dying and their last words
8a.Socrates and the philosophers' deaths
See also: Immortality 8e
Plato, CritoVol. 2
- p. 31–32Socrates calmly accepts approaching death, saying an old man should not repine at its prospect.read · scan
- p. 40–41He had professed preferring death to exile and not being grieved at death.read · scan
Plato, PhaedoVol. 2
- p. 45–46Echecrates asks for an account of the manner of Socrates' death and the poison.read · scan
- p. 46–47Socrates' noble, fearless bearing in death led Phaedo not to pity him but to think him blessed.read · scan
- p. 47The Eleven remove his chains and order that he die today.read · scan
- p. 51–52Socrates explains why he does not grieve at death; the philosopher pursues dying and should not repine at its arrival.read · scan
- p. 77Socrates faces death calmly, comparing himself to dying swans who sing joyfully rather than lament, and refuses to see his end as misfortune.read · scan
- p. 109–110Socrates faces imminent death calmly, arranging his bath and burial.read · scan
- p. 111–112Socrates treats his remaining life as already gone and accepts death, contrasting with others who delay for sensual indulgence.read · scan
- p. 112Socrates says a man should die in peace and prays for a prosperous journey to the other world.read · scan
- p. 113The gradual chill and stiffness as the poison spreads mark Socrates' physical death, described calmly.read · scan
Buddhist WritingsVol. 45
- p. 633–634The weary Buddha lies down between twin sal-trees to die, while nature and heaven honor him.read · scan
- p. 634–635His last moments are near, which prompts Ananda's puzzlement at the Buddha's harshness.read · scan
- p. 638–639Buddha sends Ananda to tell the Mallas he will pass into Nirvana that night, lest they feel remorse.read · scan
- p. 645–646The Buddha's last words: all constituents of being are transitory; he then passes through successive trances toward his death.read · scan
- p. 646Buddha's death is narrated as a passage through the meditative trances into Nirvana.read · scan
Epictetus, The Golden Sayings of EpictetusVol. 2
- p. 134Only Socrates's body was seized and poisoned; his real self cannot be injured by his executioners.read · scan
Marcus Aurelius, The Meditations of Marcus AureliusVol. 2
- p. 251Notes that Socrates died a more noble death, but the soul's character is what matters.read · scan
Jean-Jacques Rousseau, Profession of Faith of a Savoyard VicarVol. 34
- p. 300Contrasts Socrates's easy death with Jesus's agonizing one.read · scan
Walter Savage Landor, PoemsVol. 41
- p. 902–903Artemidora dying and Iphigenia facing sacrificial death; the approach of death is felt in silence.read · scan
8b.Saints, martyrs and pilgrims dying in faith
See also: Immortality 8e
Luke, The Gospel According to LukeVol. 44
- p. 415Jesus gives up the ghost.read · scan
Luke, The Acts of the ApostlesVol. 44
- p. 438–439Stephen's martyrdom and burial, mourned by devout men; he 'fell asleep'.read · scan
Hymns of the Christian Church: Greek HymnsVol. 45
- p. 543–545Christ brings believers from death to life; Jordan crossed at last.read · scan
Saint Augustine, The Confessions of St. AugustineVol. 7
- p. 153–154Monica's last sickness and death; she speaks of contempt of this life and the blessing of death.read · scan
- p. 154–155Death of Monica, who was neither unhappy in death nor altogether dead, as her faith assured.read · scan
Sir Thomas Malory, The Holy GrailVol. 35
- p. 157–159The dying knight accepts death and asks for sacrament.read · scan
- p. 192The earl weeps and departs his soul in Galahad's arms after long waiting.read · scan
- p. 194–195She bleeds to death, asking burial by boat drift to Sarras.read · scan
- p. 195The maid dies after receiving the sacrament, and her body is sent off in a black-covered barge.read · scan
- p. 205Old blind Mordrains is made young again and his soul departs in peace after praying to Christ.read · scan
William Roper, The Life of Sir Thomas MoreVol. 36
- p. 114–125More watches the martyrs go cheerfully to execution like bridegrooms and longs to accompany them.read · scan
- p. 125More fervently desires to suffer death on the morrow.read · scan
- p. 125He goes to execution as to a feast, and dies for the Catholic faith.read · scan
Izaak Walton, The Life of Dr. John DonneVol. 15
- p. 337–339The poem opens with virtuous men passing mildly away, urging parting without tears.read · scan
- p. 355–356Donne on his deathbed prepares to enter the holy room, physicians reading him like a map.read · scan
- p. 362–363Emaciated Donne preaches on death, 'issues from death', a seeming funeral sermon, and dies in tranquillity.read · scan
- p. 366Preparing for death, Donne takes solemn farewell of friends and waits for the appointed day of dissolution like Job.read · scan
- p. 367Donne dies well, long prepared, ready to yield his soul, saying he would be miserable if he might not die.read · scan
Izaak Walton, The Life of Mr. George HerbertVol. 15
- p. 416–418Herbert dies calmly and unafraid, praying for mercy; his righteous acts are said to smell sweet in death.read · scan
Pierre Corneille, PolyeucteVol. 26
- p. 95They embrace death and torture for Christ.read · scan
- p. 102Martyrdom is their heritage; the world is well lost for Christ.read · scan
John Bunyan, The Pilgrim's ProgressVol. 15
- p. 90–91Martyr's death brings earlier arrival at the Celestial City and escape from miseries.read · scan
- p. 157–158A deep bridgeless river before the Gate symbolizes death, which pilgrims must pass through.read · scan
- p. 159Christian sinks in the river of death, seized by horror and fear of dying before reaching the Gate.read · scan
- p. 159–161Death is unwelcome to nature, yet passing through the river leads to glory; Christian's fears are delivered.read · scan
- p. 179–180Christian now rests from his labour, beyond reach of his enemies.read · scan
- p. 256–257He crosses the river of death and enters the gate with hope.read · scan
- p. 309–311Christiana summoned by the Master's messenger; death bitter to flesh, sweet to soul, with its ebbings and flowings.read · scan
- p. 311–312Christiana prepares for death as a summons by the Messenger, urging readiness and faithfulness unto death.read · scan
- p. 312–313Christiana crosses the river and the Post summons Ready-to-halt; death is a departure welcomed with joy.read · scan
- p. 313–314Ready-to-halt and Feeble-mind take summonses and cross the river; Ready-to-halt's last words are 'Welcome Life.'read · scan
- p. 314–315Dispondency, Much-afraid and Honest are summoned and cross the river; death as passage from night to day.read · scan
- p. 315–316Valiant and Stand-fast are summoned; Valiant defies death, 'Where is thy Sting?' as he crosses the river.read · scan
- p. 316–318Stand-fast crosses the river calmly, no longer fearing death, his toilsome days ended.read · scan
Hymns of the Christian Church: Modern HymnsVol. 45
- p. 559–561Storm of life passing to haven; dying yet living.read · scan
Samuel Johnson, Life of Addison, 1672-1719Vol. 27
- p. 175–176Addison, dying of dropsy, calls the young Lord Warwick to see how a Christian can die.read · scan
John Woolman, The Journal of John WoolmanVol. 1
- p. 187–188Father faces death confident of entering a happier life.read · scan
- p. 188Dying father is content to leave the world.read · scan
- p. 302Chapter summary announces the author's last illness and death at York.read · scan
- p. 305–306Near the gates of death he forgot his name and felt himself mixed with suffering humanity.read · scan
- p. 313Woolman dies of smallpox at York, said to enter everlasting rest.read · scan
Robert Burns, Poems and SongsVol. 6
- p. 280–283Facing death's dark stream, the poet asks only a Highland welcome in Heaven.read · scan
Carolina Oliphant, Lady Nairne, PoemsVol. 41
- p. 560–561Dying speaker bids wife farewell, going to the 'land o' the leal' free from sorrow and care.read · scan
Hans Christian Andersen, TalesVol. 17
- p. 341–342The death of a child is presented as tender passage to heaven.read · scan
- p. 342–343The boy turned toward the flower in death when the Father called him.read · scan
Robert Browning, PoemsVol. 42
- p. 1074–1075Dying bishop reflects that the world is a dream and life a fading of hours.read · scan
- p. 1078–1079Bishop's fading consciousness ('Do I live, am I dead?'); Evelyn Hope's early death mourned by the watcher.read · scan
8c.Heroes and warriors dying in battle
See also: Duty 6a · Honor 5a
Euripides, HippolytusVol. 8
- p. 355–358Hippolytus is dragged, battered and dying, barely alive, crying he is innocent.read · scan
- p. 365–367Hippolytus's death scene, the dark falling and the great gates opening.read · scan
Virgil, The AeneidVol. 13
- p. 325Pallas dies, his soul issuing with the vital blood as he bites the ground.read · scan
- p. 350–353Mezentius accepts death and asks only for a grave, the last retreat of humankind.read · scan
- p. 381–383Camilla dies of Aruns's javelin, sending her last words to Turnus as her spirit leaves.read · scan
- p. 383Camilla's soul expires with a last sigh and departs to the Stygian shades.read · scan
Plutarch, AntonyVol. 12
- p. 380At supper Antony speaks of tomorrow's death, leaving friends weeping and expecting an honorable death.read · scan
- p. 381Dying, Antony urges Cleopatra not to pity him.read · scan
- p. 382Antony dies; Caesar weeps for his former kinsman, colleague and companion in wars.read · scan
BeowulfVol. 49
- p. 24–26Grendel knows his life is ending; his wandering soul flits to the fiends.read · scan
- p. 79–80Beowulf, mortally wounded by poison, knows his days are done and death is near.read · scan
- p. 80Beowulf says he has bartered his last of life for treasure and bids his people look to the land.read · scan
- p. 80–82Beowulf orders a memorial barrow, gives Wiglaf his gear, and dies; dragon and king alike find the end of this fleeting life.read · scan
- p. 82–84The messenger reports the king and dragon lying dead, Wiglaf keeping watch over friend and foe.read · scan
The Destruction of Dá Derga's HostelVol. 49
- p. 245–246Conaire dies of consuming fever and thirst; Mac cecht revives his severed head with water and it praises him.read · scan
The Voyages to VinlandVol. 43
- p. 11–13Thorvald accepts his death from the arrow and directs his burial on the headland he loved.read · scan
The Song of RolandVol. 49
- p. 160–161Olivier, blinded by his death wound, dies and Roland is left to weep alone.read · scan
- p. 161–162Walter reports he is dying and that all his men were slain.read · scan
- p. 166–168Turpin feels his own death near, grieving that he will not see the Emperor.read · scan
- p. 168–169Turpin dies, and Roland, brain oozing, feels his own death near and collapses.read · scan
- p. 172Roland feels his hour at hand and, remembering lands, France and kin, cannot control tears.read · scan
The Story of the Volsungs and NiblungsVol. 49
- p. 259Rerir dies, desiring to go home to Odin; the queen dies after the child is cut from her.read · scan
- p. 279–280Sigmund refuses healing and goes to join his kin who have died before him.read · scan
- p. 280–281Hjordis sits by the dying Sigmund until dawn, amid the slaughtered.read · scan
- p. 293–294Fafnir receives his death-wound and speaks his last words.read · scan
Jean Froissart, The Chronicles of FroissartVol. 35
- p. 90Douglas accepts his death wound, remarking few of his ancestors died in their beds.read · scan
Traditional BalladsVol. 40
- p. 89–91Wounded Douglas accepts death, asking to be laid in a bush.read · scan
- p. 96–98Douglas dies urging his men to fight on; Montgomery vows revenge and kills Percy.read · scan
Benvenuto Cellini, The Autobiography of Benvenuto CelliniVol. 31
- p. 101–102Cecchino dies after a night of delirium, his last words 'Farewell, farewell', a valiant spirit passing.read · scan
William Shakespeare, The Tragedy of Hamlet, Prince of DenmarkVol. 46
- p. 207Hamlet dies, calling Death a strict sergeant, and asks Horatio to live on in pain to tell his story.read · scan
- p. 207–209Hamlet dies with 'the rest is silence'; Fortinbras marvels at Death's feast of princes.read · scan
William Shakespeare, The Tragedy of MacbethVol. 46
- p. 392–393Siward accepts his son's death: he parted well and paid his score.read · scan
John Milton, Samson AgonistesVol. 4
- p. 415Gaza's sons fall and messenger announces Samson is dead.read · scan
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, The Tragedy of Faust, Part IVol. 19
- p. 162–164Valentine is slain in the duel and dies, giving his last words to his sister.read · scan
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, EgmontVol. 19
- p. 318Egmont in prison feels sleep forsake him and the axe undermining his firm stem, an inward shudder at approaching death.read · scan
- p. 329–330Egmont bids farewell to sweet life, parting calmly rather than in battle's tumult; no deliverance from death.read · scan
- p. 332–333Egmont goes to a glorious death as sacrifice, his blood not to be shed in vain.read · scan
Alfred, Lord Tennyson, PoemsVol. 42
- p. 986The mortally wounded king faces death and asks that Excalibur be cast away.read · scan
- p. 986The dying Arthur is carried to the barge with wailing queens, and death is imminent.read · scan
- p. 986The king mourns the dead days of Camelot and asks prayer for his soul.read · scan
- p. 986–993Arthur departs to Avilion to heal his wound, like a swan singing before death.read · scan
- p. 1010–1011Grenville dies joyfully, having done his duty; sailors prefer life to live and fight again; his body sunk with honor; death as valiant acceptance.read · scan
Walt Whitman, PoemsVol. 42
- p. 1412–1413The captain lies dead on the deck as the ship arrives in triumph, and the mourner grieves.read · scan
Matthew Arnold, The Study of PoetryVol. 28
- p. 71–72Zeus laments that immortal horses are given to mortal men to share their sorrow; Roland dies remembering.read · scan
8d.Lovers dying together or of grief
See also: Love 3f
Homer, The OdysseyVol. 22
- p. 235–236Argos dies the moment he sees Odysseus again after twenty years.read · scan
Sophocles, AntigoneVol. 8
- p. 294–296Haemon and Antigone lie dead together, bridegroom with bride, wed in Hades.read · scan
Plutarch, AntonyVol. 12
- p. 386She hopes death may unite them and asks the gods below for burial beside him.read · scan
BeowulfVol. 49
- p. 70–72Hrethel gives up gladness and chooses God's light, dying of sorrow.read · scan
Traditional BalladsVol. 40
- p. 53–55Lord William and Margret die, are buried, and the sister is drowned.read · scan
- p. 68–70Death takes the slighted lover and then Barbara, who bids her mother make her bed to die tomorrow.read · scan
Miguel de Cervantes, The History of Don Quixote of the Mancha, Part IVol. 14
- p. 354–355Anselmo dies of sorrow stirred by his impertinent curiosity, leaving a note before his breath fails.read · scan
- p. 355Camilla, Lothario and Anselmo all die, ending a tale sprung from a rash beginning.read · scan
John Dryden, All for Love; or, The World Well LostVol. 18
- p. 94–100Antony imagines death as a familiar friend, 'but to think no more'; he dies in Cleopatra's arms.read · scan
- p. 103–105Cleopatra, Iras and Charmion die; Serapion sees lovers sitting in state, a smile on her face.read · scan
Jean Racine, PhaedraVol. 26
- p. 191–193Hippolytus dies, mangled, and Aricia swoons at the sight.read · scan
John Logan, PoemsVol. 41
- p. 500–501Sudden drowning of the lover and the maid's choice to sleep with him in death.read · scan
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, EgmontVol. 19
- p. 324–326Brackenburg weighs life against death and envies Egmont's death; the death sentence is announced to Egmont.read · scan
Robert Burns, Poems and SongsVol. 6
- p. 287–289Death's tyranny may seize breath, but parting from Peggy would be a stronger death.read · scan
- p. 314–316Death parts lovers and takes a mother's son; she begs death to lay her beside him.read · scan
- p. 316–318Life not worth having for its gifts alone; lover would die for his beloved.read · scan
- p. 453–455She resigns herself to dying, believing her love true.read · scan
- p. 455–457She finds her lover's corpse and dies beside him.read · scan
- p. 474–476Asks what life is without love, answering that it is night without a morning; he might die of pleasure.read · scan
William Wordsworth, PoemsVol. 41
- p. 666–668Laodamia dies at her husband's second departure; the We Are Seven girl refuses to count dead siblings out of the family.read · scan
Sir Walter Scott, PoemsVol. 41
- p. 740–742The lover's rest in death, parted forever.read · scan
Thomas Campbell, PoemsVol. 41
- p. 776–778Ellen dies of a broken heart, cold as ashes, not roused by love's kiss.read · scan
Elizabeth Barrett Browning, PoemsVol. 41
- p. 930–931She expected funeral shears to take her hair; love instead warms her until she grows cold in death.read · scan
Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, PoemsVol. 42
- p. 1318Life a desert marked by graves; she longs to sleep beside Gabriel in a nameless grave.read · scan
- p. 1336–1337Gabriel dies in Evangeline's arms after lifelong separation; the dying face is briefly restored to earlier manhood.read · scan
Giuseppe Mazzini, Byron and GoetheVol. 32
- p. 384Byron's heroes die alone and unwept, their lives purposeless.read · scan
Alfred, Lord Tennyson, PoemsVol. 42
- p. 969–970She floats down the river singing her last song, dying.read · scan
- p. 971–972The Lady dies singing as her boat drifts to Camelot; the lyrics also mourn the dead and dying.read · scan
- p. 973–975Warrior's death and the widow's threatened death from grief.read · scan
Robert Browning, A Blot in the 'ScutcheonVol. 18
- p. 392Mertoun, mortally wounded, faces death and wishes he had infinite lives to offer.read · scan
- p. 392Mertoun bleeds to death, fears for Mildred's life and dies, while Tresham faces the killing.read · scan
- p. 392–399Tresham asks whether Mildred will die and hopes she will, out of despair.read · scan
- p. 399–401Mildred welcomes death as making her sure of Henry forever.read · scan
- p. 402Mildred dies and Tresham dies of the poison he drank, speaking of the pageant-world of life.read · scan
Robert Williams Buchanan, PoemsVol. 42
- p. 1199A poor girl dies on her straw bed at sunset, like snowdrift melting in the dark.read · scan
‹ 7 · Outline · 9 ›