History's most famous words; when, where, why, and by whom were used great sayings that have passed into common speech
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All Rights Reserved History’s Most Famous Words Printed in U. S. A. IRorwooD IPr css BERWICK & SMITH CO. Norwood, Mass. SEP 2 3 76 © Cl A950153 "H 0 J / } > 3. ; In Every Life are Moments of Drama. Lips May Utter Words Whose Echoes Shall Reach Down the Paths of the Years. In These Sketches, Attempt is Made to Paint Dramatic Moments in Important Lives ; to Per¬ petuate Some of the Ringing Words of History. CONTENTS “ Put Your Trust in God, But Keep Your Powder Dry ” - - - 1 Oliver Cromwell, 1599-1658 To his troops when they were about to cross a river to attack the enemy. “ Please Stand Out of My Sunlight ” 3 Diogenes of Sinope, 412-323 b. c. Said to King Alexander the Great. “ If Thy Heart Fail Thee, Do Not Climb at All ” . 5 Queen Elizabeth, 1533-1603 Said in reply to Sir Walter Raleigh. “ Give Me a Place to Stand, and I Will Move the World ” - - 7 Archimedes, 287-212 b. c. A scientific statement which he made in a whim¬ sical manner. “ Along This Track of Pathless Ocean It Is My Intention to Steer ” . 9 Christopher Columbus, 1451—1506 Said on his voyage of discovery to America. • • Vll CONTENTS Vlll “ O Rider of the Grey Horse! ” - - 11 Sukta, a Rajput Prince About 1556. “ Don’t Give Up the Ship! ” - - 13 Captain James Lawrence, 1781-1813 During the War of 1812. “ The Die is Cast ” . 15 Julius Cesar, 102-44 b. c. Said on crossing the River Rubicon. “ Fortune Lies in the Gutter ” - - 17 James Monroe, Fifth President of the United States, 1758-1831. “ He Wondered at the Excellency of the Shoe and Pretty Foot ” - 19 Old Chronicle of Psammeticus I, King of Egypt, 664-610 b. c. “ Gentlemen of the French Guard, Fire First!” . 21 Lord Charles Hay, Lieutenant of the First Grenadier Guards Said at the Battle of Fontenoy, May, 1745. CONTENTS IX “ I Would Rather Have Written That Poem, Gentlemen, Than Take Quebec To-morrow ” - -23 Major-General James Wolfe, 1727-1759 The night before he was killed on the Plains of Abraham. “ I Feel the Flowers Growing Oyer Me ” . 25 John Keats, 1797-1821 Said just before he died. “ I Will Not Stay in the Ship, Un¬ less You Would Force Me ” - 27 Philip Staffe Said to the mutineers of Henry Hudson’s ship, Discovery , June, 1611 “ In the Name of the Great Jehovah and the Continental Con¬ gress!” - ------ Ethan Allen, American Patriot, 1739- 1789 At the surrender of Ticonderoga “ He Was Buried Beside His Wife in the Taj Mahal ” - - - - 31 Said of Shah Jehan, a Great Mogul, 1592-1666. x CONTENTS -“Damn the Torpedoes! Full Speed Ahead!” - - v - - - -33 David Glasgow Farragut, American Ad¬ miral, 1801-1870 At the naval engagement of Mobile Bay. “ A Song Which Nobody in That Country Knew Except They Two ”-------85 Concerning King Richard I of England, 1157-1199. “ Those Traitorous Sicilians ” - - 37 Charles of Anjou, King of Naples and Sicily, 1220-1285 Concerning the Sicilian Vespers. “ Then Sell Your Lives Dearly! ” - 39 General William Eaton, 1764-1811 Said to his command in the Libyan Desert. “ His Ship Was Called the Great Dragon ” . 41 Boat of Sweyn, King of the Danes Said about 1000. “ These are My Jewels! ” - - 43 Cornelia, Wife of Tiberius Gracchus Said of her sons, called “ The Gracchi,” about 153 b. c. CONTENTS xi “ Thy Need is Greater Than Mine ” - 45 Sir Philip Sidney, 1554-1586 Said when he gave his cup of water to a dying soldier. “ I Propose to Fight It Out on This Line if It Takes All Summer! ” 47 Lieutenant-General Ulysses S. Grant, 1822-1885 At Spottsylvania Court-house. “ Last Night There Were Four Marys " . 49 Concerning the Ladies in Waiting of Mary Stuart, Queen of Scots, 1542- 1587. “ Sister Anne, Sister Anne, Do You See Any One Coming? ” - - 51 Wife of Giles de Laval, the Real Blue¬ beard, 1396-1440. “ Whom He Defeated in Twelve Great Battles ” - - - - 53 Concerning Arthur Pendragon, King of Britain, About 500. “ On Me Be the Suffering ” - - - 55 Zahir-ud-din Mahomed, Called Babar, 1483-1530. CONTENTS • • Xll “ Not a Drum Was Heard, Not a Fu¬ neral Note ” . 57 Said of the Burial of Sir John Moore, 1761-1809. “ There Lies the Only Maypole in New England ” - 59 John Endicott, Governor of the Massa¬ chusetts Bay Colony, 1588-1665. “ He Has Kept the Fire Burning All the Way!” . 61 Said of Pazzi, the Fool, One of the Founders of the Great Pazzi Family of Italy. “ An Oppressive Government Is More to Be Feared Than a Tiger ” - 63 Confucius, the Great Sage of China, 550— 478 b. c. “If We Must Fight, Let Us Fight for Ourselves! ” - 65 Spartacus, Leader of the Gladiatorial War Against Rome, 73 b. c. “ We Have Met tpie Enemy and They Are Ours ” - . 67 Lieutenant Oliver Hazard Perry, 1785- 1819 At the Battle of Lake Erie. CONTENTS • • • xiu “ I, Too, Am a Painter! ” - - - - 69 Antonio Allegri, Called Correggio, 1494-1534 Said on first seeing a painting of Raph¬ ael’s. “ This Little Rivulet Yields Its Dis¬ tant Tribute to the Parent Ocean ” . 71 In Diary of Lewis and Clark Expedition, 1805. “ War to the Knife ” - 73 Jose de Palafox, Duke of Saragossa, 1780- 1847 Answer to the French General at the Siege of Saragossa. “ Will You Join My Regiment? ” - 75 Colonel Jenkins, Commanding the Guides, 1878 Said to Afghan warrior. “ Not Angles — But Angels ” - - 77 Pope Gregory the First, Surnamed the Great, 540-604 Said in the slave market at Rome. “ Eclipse First — Tile Rest No¬ where! ” . 79 Colonel Dennis O’Kelly, 1720-1787 Said at Epsom Races. XIV CONTENTS “ I Will Give Way to Custom ” - - 81 Crown Prince Frederick William of Prus¬ sia, 1770-1840 Said to the Mistress of Robes. “ A Subterranean Avenue Leads to Chandra-Gupta’s Sleeping- Chamber!” . 83 Said by Chanakya, a Brahman About 321 b. c. “ If the People Lack Bread, Why Not Give Them Cake? ” - - 85 Queen Marie Antoinette of France, 1755-1793 Said at the beginning of the French Revolution. “ This Journey Stands Alone in His¬ tory ” - - - 87 Said of the Burial Journey of David Liv¬ ingstone, 1813-1873. “ Press Where Ye See My White Plume Shine! ” - 89 King Henry IV of France, 1553-1610 Said at the Battle of Ivry. “Where Are They? ” - - - - 91 Said by British Sailors of the United States Ship Constitution War of 1812. CONTENTS xv “ The Reflection of What Man Has Done Abides Forever in the Light ” . 93 Zoroaster, About 1000 b. c. One of his sayings. “I’ll Believe in the Mermaid, and Hire It ” . 95 Phineas Taylor Barnum, 1811-1891 Said on contracting for the Fiji Mermaid. “ Now Is Mortimer Lord of This City ” . 97 Jack Cade, d. 1450 Said as he struck his sword on London Stone. “ To-morrow’ll Be Another Day! ” - 99 Valdemar IV, King of Denmark, 1320- 1375 One of his habitual sayings. “ Brag of Your Catch of Fish Again ” 101 Said by Skipper Ireson Last part of Seventeenth Century. “ The Lions Spoiled Them All — The Best Dog Died the Next Day ” 103 Old Chronicle of the Lions of the Tower of London In Sixteenth Century. XVI CONTENTS “ There Is but One God, and Mahomet Is His Prophet ” - 105 Salutation to Founder of the Religion of Islam In Seventh Century. “ When the Ravens Cease to Fly Round the Mountain, Barba- rossa Shall Awake ” - - - 107 Old Legend Concerning Frederick I, Ger¬ man Emperor, 1123-1190. “ One oe the Books was Covered With Blood ” - 109 Said of a Copy-book Belonging to Lady Russell’s Little Son In Sixteenth Century. “ Know Thyself ” . Ill Socrates, Athenian Philosopher, 469- 399 b. c. One of his precepts. “ I Solemnly Vow That I Will Not Cut or Comb My Hair Until That Day ” . 113 Harold, King of Norway, 850-933. “ Through This Sign Thou Shalt Conquer” . 115 Vision Appearing to Constantine I, Sur- named u The Great,” Roman Emperor, 288-337. CONTENTS xvii “ She Has Been Transferred to the Virgin Choir in Heaven ” - - 117 Letter of King Edward III About His Daughter, Princess Joanna, 1333-1348. “ I Will Try to Be Good ” - 119 Queen Victoria of England, 1819-1901 On hearing of her accession to the throne. “ Our Right Is in Our Swords ” - - 121 Brennus, King of the Gauls Said to Roman ambassadors, 390 b. c. “ Their Skins Went to Bind the Sec¬ ond Edition of His Book ” - - 123 Thomas Carlyle, 1795-1881 Said concerning the French Revolution. “ The First Words He Utters to You Shall Be Welsh!” - 125 Edward I, King of England, 1239-1307 Said to Welsh chieftains. “ We Are Too Much Gentlemen to Take a Thing a Gentleman Values So” . 127 Dick Turpin, 1706—1739 Said on returning a mourning ring. CONTENTS xviii “ May This Hand Never Perish ” - 129 Aidan, Bishop of Lindisfaene Said to King Oswald of Northumbria, about 642. “ Sheridan Twenty Miles Away ” - 131 Said of Philip Heney Sheeidan, Ameeican Geneeal, 1881-1888. “ Tsar of All Russia ” - 133 Ivan IV, 1530-1584 Said to the head of the Russian Church. V “ What Damsel is That With Them? ” . 135 Isaac Comnenus, Despot of Cypeus Said of Berengaria of Navarre, 1191. “ I Only Regret That I Have but One Life to Lose for My Coun¬ try ” . 137 Captain Nathan Hale, 1755-1776 Said just before he was hanged. “ That District Produces the Great¬ est Variety Which is the Most Examined ” . 139 Gilbeet White, 1720-1793 One of his sayings. CONTENTS xix “ That We May Die Together ” - - 141 Cleopatra, Queen of Egypt, 69-30 b. c. Message sent to Mark Antony. “ It Seems a Pity, but I Do Not Think I Can Write More ” - 143 Captain Robert Falcon Scott, 1868-1912 In last entry of his diary. “ You Have Lost the Wager, Sire! ” - 145 Comtesse du Barry, 1746—1793 Said to King Louis XV of France. “ Clear That Line! ” - 147 Captain of a Whaling-Vessel Early part of Nineteenth Century. “ I Am Coming to Fight You ” - - 149 Sviatoslaf, Russian Prince, 943-973 Challenge which he sent to neighboring states. “ The Witch Has Left Me an Imp Instead ” . 151 Anna Dalton Last part of the Seventeenth Century. “ Why Don’t You Speak for Your¬ self, John?” . 153 Reply of Priscilla to John Alden, 1622. XX CONTENTS “ I Have Seized England With My Two Hands!” . 155 William the Conqueror, 1027-1087 Said on landing in England. ’ “ Here Is the Very Spot! ” - - - 157 Samuel Johnson, 1709-1781 ' « Said in deep penitence. “ One of the Chiefs Stabbed Him Be¬ twixt the Shoulders With a Dagger ” . 159 Description of the Death of Captain James Cook, 1728-1779. “ Those Troublesome Burghers ” - 161 Count Louie II of Flanders, d. 1381 Said of the people of Ghent. “ If My Right Hand Be Spared, I May Live to Do the King Good Service ” . 163 Sir Edmund Knevet Said to the Chief Justice of England, 1511. “ Through the Mist, Figures Were Seen Clinging to the Wreck ” - 165 Grace Darling, 1815-1812 Said of shipwrecked people whom she rescued. CONTENTS xxi “ Wisest of Men, He Knew the Lan¬ guages of All Creatures ” - - 167 Solomon, King of Israel Said of him in the Tenth Century, b. c. “ Give Me Liberty or Give Me Death!” . 169 Patrick Henry, 1736-1799 Speech in the Virginia Convention. “ Is My Son LTnhorsed or Wounded That He Cannot Support Him¬ self? ” . 171 King Edward III of England, 1312-1377 Said of his son, the Black Prince, at the Battle of Cre£y. “ Bravo! Bravo!” . 173 Cheers of Audience at First Performance of the Ninth Symphony, by Ludwig von Beethoven, 1770-1827. “ His Majesty Was Minded to Give the Queen a Kiss ” - - - - 175 Said of James VI of Scotland, 1566-1625 On his marriage with Anne of Denmark. “ I Am Made Extremely Welcome Here ” . 177 Benjamin Franklin, 1706-1790 Said during his sojourn in France as American Envoy. CONTENTS xxii “ I Think I May Promise You Some¬ thing Like a Good Day’s Sport ” 179 The Eighth Duke of Beaufort, 1824- 1899 At the beginning of the Greatwood Run. “ Either Athens Must Perish or Her King” . 181 Pronouncement of Oracle to Dorian In¬ vaders of Athens, About 1066 b. c. “ Twelve Miles From a Lemon ” - - 183 Rev. Sydney Smith, 1771-1845 Said of his living in Yorkshire. “ I Really Do Not See the Signal! ” - 185 Horatio, Lord Nelson, 1758-1805 At the sea-fight of Copenhagen. “ Put It In With Me ” - - - - 187 Lord Arthur Balmerino, 1688-1746 Said on his way to trial for high treason. “ I Take, in the Name of His Majesty, Possession of This Country of Louisiana ” . 189 Chevalier Robert La Salle, 1643-1687 On planting the French flag at the mouth of the Mississippi River. CONTENTS XXlll “ You Will Die Through Your Fa¬ vorite Horse ” . 191 Said by Wizard to Prince Oleg of Russia In Ninth Century. u a I Would That the People of Rome Had but One Neck ” - 193 Caius Caligula, Third Emperor of Rome, 12-41 A. D. On being opposed by the common people. Don’t Fire Till You See the Whites of Their Eyes ” 195 Colonel William Prescott, 1726-1795 At the Battle of Bunker Hill. “ While There Is Life, There Is Hope ” . 197 Rev. Patrick Bront£, 1774-1861 His last words. Honor Is the Very Breath in Our Nostrils ” . 199 Jeffrey Hudson, Dwarf and Page to Queen Henriette Maria of England, in Seventeenth Century Said on occasion of fighting a duel. “ Is This Jerusalem? ” - -201 Asked by the Children of the Children’s Crusade, 1212. XXIV CONTENTS “ A Dinner Fit for a King ! ” - - - 203 Anthelme Brillat-Savarin, 1755-1826 In describing his favorite menu. “ The Angel of Hadley! ” - 205 Said of Judge William Goffe, 1605-1679. “ In a Meadow Called Runnymede by the Thames ” . 207 From Description of the Signing of Magna Chart a, by King John of Eng¬ land, 1167-1216. “ What Man Can Calculate on What a Girl Will Say or Do? ” 209 Said of Fortunata, a Rajput Princess Twelfth Century. “The Fortune of War!” - 211 Reis Dragut or Torghud, Barbary Cor¬ sair, in Sixteenth Century When serving as galley-slave. “ My Sisters, the Birds, Ye Are Greatly Beholden to God for tile Element of the Air ” - - 213 Saint Francis of Assisi, 1181-1226. “ Your Son Has a Natural En¬ thusiasm for Letters ” - - - 215 Herodotus, Greek Historian, 484-425 b. c. Said of the Young Thucydides. CONTENTS XXV “ A Thousand Men! What a Host!” 217 Giuseppe Garibaldi, 1807—1882 On counting his soldiers in the Sicilian Expedition. “Poland! It is Thy End!” - 219 General Thaddeus Kosciuszko, 1746-1817 As he was taken prisoner by the Russians. “ Cotton Is King ” . 221 James Henry Hammond, 1807-1864 Speech in the United States Senate. i “ How Didst Thou Warn Him? ” - 223 Emperor Keiko of Japan, in First Cen¬ tury, a. D. To his son, at imperial banquet. “ Treason! The Crown is Stolen! ” - 225 Talbot Edwards, Assistant-Keeper of the Crown Jewels of England, 1594—1674 Alarm when Colonel Blood stole the State Crown. “ My Life Is Bound Up With Yours — My Own First and Last Love ” 227 Robert Browning, 1812-1889 Letter to Elizabeth Barrett. “It’s Graham’s Dike!” - 229 Said by the People of England Since 81 A. D. xxvi CONTENTS “ They Threw Me Down the Steps ” 231 George Fox, Founder of the Society of Friends, 1624-1691 His account of his treatment at York. “ Empire Is the Best Winding- Sheet!” - . 233 Theodora, Wife of the Byzantine Em¬ peror, Justinian I, d. 547 During the Nika Revolt. “ Up, Guards, and At ’Em! ” - - - 235 Arthur Wellesley, Duke of Wellington, 1769-1852 Command at the Battle of Waterloo. “ A Great Palace, Entirely Roofed With Fine Gold ” - - - - 237 Marco Polo, 1254-1324 From his famous books of travels. “ Throw a Quilt Over It ” - - - 239 Friedrich II, King of Prussia, Called Frederick the Great, 1712-1786 His last conscious words. “ Let No One Hurt the Inca Under Pain of Death ! ” - - - - 241 Francesco Pizarro, 1471-1541 At the taking of Caxamalca. CONTENTS xxvii “We Shall Be Bound to Prayse God for Your Tender Compassion ” - 243 Rev. Peter Bulkeley, First Minister of Concord, Massachusetts, 1583-1659. “ Destroy the Mine by Blowing It In ” . 245 Orders Given Lieutenant Harley At the defense of Chitral in British India, 1895. “ I Am the Big Buck of the Lick! ” - 247 Abraham Lincoln, 1809-1865 When a mere youth. “ Wales, Ring the Bell ” 249 George Bryan Brummell, Called Beau Brummell, 1778-1840 To the Prince of Wales. “ It Is the Reflection of Sunlight on an Uplifted Shield! ” - 251 Said by Greek Soldiers Just after the Battle of Marathon, 490 b. c. “ All Is Lost Save Honor ” - 253 King Francis I of France, 1494-1547 In a letter to his mother after the Battle of Pavia. xxviii CONTENTS “ By an Axe Wielded by the Noblest Hand in Russia ” - - - - 255 Said of Peter I, Emperor of Russia, Called “The Great,” 1672-1725. “ She Taught the People the Art of Rearing Silkworms ” - - - 257 Said of the Wife of Whang Ti, Emperor of China, About 2700 b. c. “ A Like Fate Will Befall All Those Who Refuse to Sacrifice to the Gods ” - - - 259 Ingolf, a Colonizer of Iceland About 875. “ Exactly Two Years Younger Than Your Majesty’s Happy Reign! ” 261 Francis Bacon, Baron Verulam, 1561- 1625 Said as a child to Queen Elizabeth. “ We Do Not Forbid You to Preach, and Gain as Many as You Can to Your Religion ” 263 Ethelbert, King of Kent, 552-616 To Saint Augustine. “ We Will Die for Our King — Maria Theresa ! ” . 265 Said by the Noblemen of the Hungarian Diet to Maria Theresa, 1717-1780. CONTENTS XXIX “I Am Joyful at My Good Fortune ” 267 Francesco Petrarca, Called Petrarch, 1304-1370. “ They Tore Out His Hair, and Also His Ear-Rings With Pieces of Flesh ” . 269 Said of the Murder of Count Von Fersen, Swedish Statesman, 1755-1810. “ This Is a New and Strong Tie I Shall Have to Break ” - - 271 SlDDHARTHA GAUTAMA, CALLED BUDDHA, About 568-488 b. c. On renouncing the world. “ That I Might Be a Critical Eye- Witness ” . 273 Cotton Mather, Congregational Clergy¬ man of Boston, 1663-1728 In his diary concerning witchcraft cases. “  Ye Boar’s Brood! ” - 277 William de la Marck, Called the Wild Boar of Ardennes At the murder of Louis de Bourbon, 1484. XXX CONTENTS “ There Appeared to My Eyes the Glorious Lady of My Mind ” -279 Dante Alighieri, 1265-1321 On seeing Beatrice Portinari. “ Lictors, Do Your Duty! ” - - - 281 Junius Brutus, Roman Consul, About 500 b. c. At a state trial. “ I Scarcely Gave Myself Time to Thank and Kiss That Little Friend ” . 283 Du Guay Trouin, French Privateer, 1673-1736. “ One of the Things Which Make Life Worth While ” - 285 Cecil John Rhodes, 1853-1902 At council of African Chiefs. “ Nothing Succeeds Like Success ” - 287 Said Concerning First Operation Under Ether — Performed by Dr. John Collins Warren, 1778-1856. “ This When Everything Has Been Nearly Done! ” - 289 Skobelef, Russian General, 1843-1882. “ She Ministered a Long Cord to Him to Let Himself Down Upon ” - 291 Old Chronicle of Margaret Twineslace About 1590. CONTENTS xxxi “ The Leg Wounded in His Country’s Service Should Be Embalmed in Memory ” . 293 Said of Benedict Arnold, 1741—1801. “ Look to Yourselves, My Masters, for the Lions Are Got Loose ” - 295 A Retainer of Lord Herbert, Later Sixth Earl of Worcester, 1601-1667. “ To Shoot You With ” - - - - 297 William Tell, to Gessler, Austrian Gov¬ ernor of Forest Cantons Middle of the Fifteenth Century. “ Cut the Dikes! ” . 299 Prince William I of Orange — Nassau — SuRNAMED THE SlLENT, 1533-1584. “ With an Amanuensis to Write to His Dictation ” 301 Said of John Milton, English Poet, 1608- 1674. “ Thine, O King, Are Our Trophies and Our Kingdom!” - 303 Boabdil, King of the Moors At the Conquest of Granada, 1492. XXXll CONTENTS “ The Sooner, the Better! ” - 305 Reply of His Men to Don John of Aus¬ tria, 1545-1578 Before the Battle of Lepanto. “ Or Molly Stark Is a Widow To¬ night!” . 307 John Stark, American Soldier and Pa¬ triot, 1728-1822 At the Battle of Bennington. “ Egyptian Pills at Thirty Shillings a Dram ” . 309 Alessandrodi Cagliostro, Italian Alche¬ mist, 1743-1795. “ He Woke One Morning to Find Himself Famous ” - - - - 311 Said of Lord George Gordon Byron, 1788- 1824 On the publication of his poem, “ Childe Harold.” “ I Can Conquer Men, but the Lion and the Wolf Are too Strong for Me! ” . 313 Attila, King of the Huns, Called “ The Scourge of God,” in Fifth Century. “ I Was Elevated by Your Love Above All Women ” . 315 Heloise, French Abbess, 1101-1163 Letter to Abelard. CONTENTS xxxiii “ Six Out of Eight of the Crew Agreed ” . 317 Jerome Valbue, Captain of a Smuggling Vessel, About 1660. i “ I Feel as Big as Anybody ” - - - 319 Tom Thumb, Celebrated Dwarf, 1837- 1883 Remark to Queen Victoria. “ I Am Angry With This Wretched Frame of Mine ” - 321 Napoleon II, Called L’Aiglon, 1811-1832. “ We Wed Thee, Sea! ” - - - - 323 Sebastian Ziani, Doge of Venice At the ceremony of the “ Sposalizio del Mar,” in 1177. “ We Were Sure You Would Come! ” 325 To Dr. Elisha Kane, 1820-1857 Welcome of four men whom he rescued. “ His Problem Was to Fall in Love With the Dowager Anne ” - 327 Said of Maurice Comte de Saxe, Marshal of France, 1696-1750. “ Hands to Work and Hearts to God ” 329 Mother Ann, a Founder of the Shakers, 1736-1784. xxxiv CONTENTS “ It Is Magnificent, But It Is Not War” . 331 General Pierre Bosquet, 1810-1861 Of the British cavalry charge at Bala- klava. “ The Fiddlers Have Come Too Late ” 333 Jean Henri Fabre, 1823-1915 Eminent French Scientist. “No Rival! ” . 335 Major John Andre, 1751-1780 Motto on his shield at mock tournament. “ Holy Saint Bride Has Passed By ” - 337 Said of Saint Bridget, 452-523. “ Bring Forth the Horse! ” - 339 Order Given Concerning Ivan Mazeppa, Hetman of the Cossacks, 1644-1709. “ Government of the People, By the People, and for the People ” - 341 Abraham Lincoln, 1809-1865 At the Dedication of the National Cemetery at Gettysburg. “ Resolved to Make Myself Master of the Indian Empire. Did So ” - 343 Tamerlane, or the Lame Timur, 1333- 1405 In his autobiography. CONTENTS XXXV “ Round as the O of Giotto ” 345 Concerning Giotto di Bondone, Italian Painter, 1267-1337. “ Permission to Set Up the First Cof¬ fee-House in Vienna ” - - - 347 Reward Given Kolszicki, About 1683. “ Leila, the Sacred Mare, Is in the Prophecy ” . 349 Lady Hester Stanhope, 1776-1839. “ I Have Not Yet Begun to Fight ” - 351 John Paul Jones, 1747-1792 Answer to English man-of-war. “ But Then What Could I Do? ” - 353 King Louis XI of France, 1423-1483 Said of the death of his brother. “ The Lady With the Lamp ” - - 355 Said of Florence Nightingale, 1820-1910. “ Honest Friendship With All Na¬ tions, Entangling Alliances With None ” . 357 Thomas Jefferson, 1743-1826 Said in his first inaugural address. “ He Can Dance the Canaries - - 359 Said of the Dancing Horse of Mr. Bank, Sixteenth Century. XXXVI CONTENTS “ The Good Estate ” . 361 Nicolo di Rienzi, Murdered in 1354 His name for his scheme of popular free¬ dom. “ Like Spinning Insects ” 363 Johann Kepler, Distinguished Astron¬ omer, 1571-1630 His description of comets. “ It Is I Who Pity You! ” - 365 Pierre du Terrail, Called Bayard, 1475- 1524 As he died on the field of battle. “ My Chain Was Returned ” 367 Mr. Jerome Horsey, English Ambassador to Russia Latter part of Sixteenth Century. “ I Now Take Leave of You ” 369 George Washington, 1732-1799 On parting with the officers of the Revolu¬ tionary Arm}'. “ My Death Will Take Place Three Days Before That of Your Majesty” . 371 Said by Soothsayer to Tiberius Cesar, 42 b. c.— 37 A. D. CONTENTS xxxvii “ Clad in Page’s Dress ” - - - - 373 Said of Jacqueline, Countess of Holland, 1401-1436 On her flight from Ghent. “ Soldiers, If There Is One Among You Who Would Kill His Em¬ peror — Here I Am ! ” - - - 375 Napoleon I, Emperor of the French, 1769-1821 His greeting to the army on his escape from Elba. “ With a High Hand ” - - - - 377 Said of the Knights of Charles, Duke of Calabria, in 1326. “ Take Up Our Sister’s Kerchief ” - 379 William Shakespeare, 1564-1616. “ Consider the Matter, Not Solely as a Step Necessary ” - - - - 381 King Louis XIV of France, 1638-1715 In letter to his fiancee, Marie Therese. “ Very Good Chestnut-Tree and Meadow Land ” - - - - 383 From Report of Committee, Appointed by the General Court of Massachusetts in 1667. CONTENTS xxxviii “ Farewell to My Youth! - - - 385 Francis Joseph, Emperor of Austria, 1830-1916 On first being hailed as “ Your Majesty.” “ A Little Girl Like That! ” 387 Rachel Felix, Famous Actress, 1820-1857 Said of her by box-office clerk. “ Pass On as Thou Wert Wont ” - - 389 Sir James Douglas Fighting against the Moors, about 1329. “Augustus!” . 391 Title Given by Pope Leo III, in 800, to Charlemagne, King of the Franks. “ Below the Skirt, Trousers Mod¬ erately Full ” . 393 Amelia Jenks Bloomer, Dress Reformer, 1818-1894. “ I Will Push On If We Have to Eat the Leather of the Rigging ” - 395 Ferdinand Magellan, 1480-1521 On his voyage circumnavigating the globe. “ The Troopers in Line — The Of¬ ficers in Position ” - - - - 397 Report Concerning Fight Where Gen¬ eral Custer and His Men Were An¬ nihilated in 1876. CONTENTS xxxix My Voices Come Truly From Heaven ” . 399 Jeanne d’Arc, Known as “ The Maid of Orleans,” 1412-1431. % HISTORY'S MOST FAMOUS WORDS “PUT YOUR TRUST IN GOD, BUT KEEP YOUR POWDER DRY ” OLIVER CROMWELL, 1599-1658 To HIS TROOPS WHEN THEY WERE ABOUT TO CROSS A RIVER TO ATTACK THE ENEMY A dull morning. In buff coats and breastplates, a troop of soldiers sit their magnificent horses along the bank of a river. Gleams of pale sunshine hit against spears and tops of steel caps, striking off fitful blue sparks. They strive to hold their champing steeds to the rigid discipline required. But the horses have not the same zeal of repression. Suddenly their commander comes galloping to them. A strong compact figure; a head formed for a storehouse of energy, but in which there is no room for fear. Oliver Cromwell, Lord Protector of England, and one of the greatest cavalry leaders of history. The forces opposed to him are the Royalists. They are men trained in all the gay chivalry and romantic gallantry of a Court. Their 1 2 HISTORY’S MOST FAMOUS WORDS cause is an appealing adventure, touched by the glamor of monarchy. Cromwell had realized that in order to achieve success, his Parliamentary soldiers must also be inspired by some great principle. They, too, must see a vision, and dream a dream. This motive had been found in Re¬ ligion. Oliver Cromwell chose his troops, both officers and privates alike, from “ religious men,” who were actuated by sectarian enthusi¬ asm. The desire to see the Puritans hold po¬ litical power in England was vivified by the in¬ tention to attain their religious supremacy. Cromwell thus wielded a mighty influence. He looks proudly now, with the glance of a leader of horse, along the well-drilled ranks. Always himself a religious fanatic, his harsh countenance reddens with emotion. The elo¬ quence of deep fervor glows in his untunable voice, and his men thrill to his words. A few sharp directions as to the fording of the river, and the battle array, into which they are to hurl themselves. A stirring reminder of the Faith for which they fought. Then comes the ringing command: “ Put your trust in God, but keep your pow¬ der dry.” “ PLEASE STAND OUT OF MY SUN¬ LIGHT ” DIOGENES OF SINOPE, 412-323 b. c. Said to King Alexander the Great A great Conqueror sweeps through the country; a soldier-statesman and student: Alexander the Great. His retinue is gorgeous. Fierce, martial men and courtiers of a lighter mode, whose jewels glitter to their gay movements. Alexander is on his way to interview a man named Diogenes, of whom he has heard strange things. It is said that Diogenes is a philosopher, who, in eschewing all luxury and pomp of the world, has reduced his living to the simplicity of asceticism. Alexander’s keen and brilliant mind is ever seeking new knowledge. If this be true, then Diogenes must have a motive for his virtuous self-control; there must be some reason back of his abstemiousness. Is it possible that this is the famous Thinker? This half-naked figure, crouched in a wretched wooden tub? Yes, this is Diogenes of Sinope! Alexander approaches him; addresses him 3 4 HISTORY’S MOST FAMOUS WORDS kindly and asks in what he can pleasure him — what boon he can grant from his world-wide possessions and authority. The courtiers crowd about, smiling and whispering among themselves. We shall see how Diogenes’ rigorous self- discipline relaxes at this unheard-of oppor¬ tunity. He will ask for wealth, say some, wealth to comfort his poor body with the good things of life. Nay, say others; he will ask the King for power. F or with power he can disseminate his philosophical doctrines and force his precious opinions on his fellow-men. With a slow gesture Diogenes acknowledges that he has indeed a boon to crave. Breathlessly the group listen. The request comes : “ Please stand out of my sunlight.” That is all. All that the greatest King on earth can do for the philosopher of the tub. Because Diogenes holds already all things in his possession, by the mastery of his own spirit and body. Thoughtfully Alexander the Great moves away ! “IF THY HEART FAIL THEE, DO NOT CLIMB AT ALL ” QUEEN ELIZABETH, 1533-1603 Said in reply to Sir Walter Raleigh A great Queen saunters through a sunlit room followed by her courtiers. The hot sun¬ shine blazes down upon the ruddy glory of her hair, piled high and twined with priceless pearls. A gauzy ruff rises about her throat, leaving bare her white bosom with its load of flashing jewels. Elizabeth, Queen of England and Empress of hearts ! Cut in the glass of a window-pane Queen Elizabeth sees the words : “ Fain would I climb, but that I fear to fall.” Amusement flutters the group. It is Wal¬ ter Raleigh who has done this. He is the son of a poor gentleman of Devon¬ shire and, hardly more than a lad, has lately come to Court to seek his fortunes. Raleigh’s ambitions turn to those far-away Western lands of which marvelous tales are beginning to be told. Tales of green and scar¬ let birds, who talk like humans ; of trees called 5 6 HISTORY’S MOST FAMOUS WORDS mahogany, whose dark wood is precious and glossy as marble ; aye, and where the very city streets are paved with silver! Queen Elizabeth realizes that the achieve¬ ments of explorers and gentleman adventurers add to her own and England’s greatness. She resolves now upon inspiring young Walter Raleigh by her personal interest. She asks her courtiers if a suitable completion to Raleigh’s attempted couplet would be : ** If thy heart fail thee, do not climb at all.” Applauded and acclaimed, she draws a dia¬ mond ring from her finger, and inscribes the line. Then laughing and chatting, the group sweeps on. Into the empty room steals a youth of ex¬ ceptional beauty and grace: Walter Raleigh. The Queen’s gracious message enraptures him. He leans against the lattice window, and for him it opens on perilous seas of fairy glamor. He sees himself the Admiral of a stately gal¬ leon with purple sails and crested prow, which sails to the havens where high endeavor is re¬ warded by the wealth that wins the smiles of Kings. “ GIVE ME A PLACE TO STAND, AND I WILL MOVE THE WORLD ” ARCHIMEDES, 287-212 b. c. A SCIENTIFIC STATEMENT WHICH HE MADE IN A WHIMSICAL MANNER Long, long ago, in one of the lovely Grecian Islands of the Mediterranean, a man read and thought and experimented. In his study, with its windows set wide to the green, wooded slopes and the ocean and the sky, he worked with the crude scientific appliances of the times. Archimedes, mathematician and philos¬ opher. Particularly his gaze wandered often to the sky. For his father had been a great astron¬ omer, and as a lad, Archimedes had become familiar with thoughts of remote spaces and the lights which bridge purple abysses. He had made himself famous as an inventor of mechanical contrivances. Now he was pondering over the mechanism of levers, and the natural laws which govern them. He had demonstrated successfully that a very great weight could be moved by a very small force. 7 8 HISTORY’S MOST FAMOUS WORDS Here was a thrilling truth! Why should it be limited? Could not the weight go on in¬ creasing? Surely! If only the lever could be long enough and adjusted with sufficient del¬ icacy of balance. The more Archimedes thought and worked on the subject, the more gigantic grew that typical weight. Farther and farther stretched that metaphorical lever, until it reached out into space — the star-dusted space to which Archimedes’ thoughts so naturally and so easily turned. Larger the one — longer the other — till their very apotheosis is attained, and Archimedes, exulting, wondering, cries: “ Give me a place to stand, and I will move the world.” It was true, if only he could reach a place, a point, a location among the stars, where he and his lever could stand. Whence, poised trembling amid the eternal, stately moving spheres, he could watch with awed rapture his lever like a mighty wing flash shining across dim distances. A place where secure, he could lift and raise until the cloud-wreathed earth moved. Oh, if only he could travel the crystal pathway among the stars to that far, fair place! “ALONG THIS TRACK OF PATH¬ LESS OCEAN IT IS MY INTEN¬ TION TO STEER ” CHRISTOPHER COLUMBUS, 1451-1506 Said on his voyage of discovery to America Blue water beneath, sinking to unsounded depths and reflecting the immensity of blue sky above. Between them, three small ships, their canvas fluttering and snapping in the salty winds that come from distances where more blueness lurks — misty, mysterious. It is the first expedition of Christopher Columbus and goes forth under the patronage of Queen Isabella of Spain. Columbus is serene in his conviction that the world is a sphere and that West and East meet somewhere under the sun. He bends his thin, thoughtful face over crude charts, planning his course into the Unknown. But his sailors are doubtful and unhappy. They throng the decks, gazing anxiously out over the wine-dark seas. This is a strange voyage on which they are embarked, and no man knows its harbor. What lies beyond them? Chaos — and a chaos not even decently void, but 9 10 HISTORY’S MOST FAMOUS WORDS whirling with tempestuous storms and hor¬ ribly inhabited with weird and evil monsters, waiting to devour too venturesome mariners. Santa Maria! What slim, white body turned on that wave? And what song of devilish be¬ witchment was that? And if at the very best we win through all these perils of winds and waters, and escape the hideous maws of sea- creatures — why, surely, surely we shall but fall off the rim of the earth ! For out there must be the end of all things. The fogs of oblivion. Columbus’ calm voice is heard : “ Along this track of pathless ocean it is my intention to steer.” His confidence in his own scientific deduc¬ tions and his dauntless courage inspire his men. Threatened mutiny and every other ob¬ stacle give way. Christopher Columbus achieves a success even greater than his dreams. For this trip, one of the greatest voyages of discovery ever made, brings him not to the then already known continent of Asia, but to America the Beauti¬ ful. “ o RIDER OF THE GREY HORSE ! ” SUKTA, A RAJPUT PRINCE About 1556 The ancient military caste of Rajputs is at war with Akbar, a Great Mogul of India. Noble warriors as they are, the Rajputs have been overwhelmingly defeated by Akbar’s crushing power. Their young Prince Pertap has been forced to take to the hills of Mewar, with only a few devoted followers. Pertap is the flower of Rajput chivalry. Dauntlessly brave; handsome; charming; the idol of men; the darling of women. His little band retreats farther and farther into the rocky fastnesses, closely pursued by Akbar’s ferocious soldiery. Among them, alas ! is Pertap’s brother, Prince Sukta. Long years before, Sukta, influenced by various political reasons, had gone over to Akbar’s side and now leads the hunters of his young brother. A final skirmish decided Prince Pertap’s fate. Alone and wounded, he flees on his grey horse, Chytuc. But even this faithful com¬ rade is failing him, for Chytuc, too, is wounded. Up a narrowing, stony ravine Pertap 11 12 HISTORY’S MOST FAMOUS WORDS presses, hearing behind him the clatter of an¬ other and a fresher horse. A cry soars up the echoing rocks: “ O rider of the grey horse! ” What? His enemy is within call already then. Chytuc stumbles on — falters — checks. “ O rider of the grey horse! ” Chytuc is down. Pertap struggles to his feet, and turns to sell life dearly. But who is this that gallops up the trail? Pertap dashes the sweat and blood from his wearied eyes, and looks again, looks into the loving face of his brother. Prince Sukta hastily dismounts. With a few words of affection he lifts Pertap upon his own swift steed, and sends him safe away among the sheltering hills. Then sturdily, Sukta goes back to Akbar’s camp and confesses what he has done. And Akbar, most magnanimous, as he was most magnificent, of Eastern potentates, quietly ac¬ cepts the excuse of the man who had risked his life to save that of his brother. “DON’T GIVE UP THE SHIP!” CAPTAIN JAMES LAWRENCE, 1781-1813 During the War of 1812 Only half a pistol-shot’s distance between the two frigates lying yard-arm to yard-arm. The fearful broadsides of each blaze into the other with sulphurous flashes and thunderous roars. It is one of the brilliant naval duels fought in the War of 1812 between England and the United States. Still the age of sails, remem¬ ber. Our American frigate, the Chesapeake , is woefully short of officers, and her crew has never drilled together, as many of the sailors have only just come on board. Our gunners, stripped to the waist, fire frantically. They have named their cannons “ Raging Eagle,” “ Spitfire,” etc. Our opponent is the British frigate Shan¬ non , a model of efficiency, with a thoroughly organized crew. She is commanded by a gal¬ lant captain, Philip Bowes Vere. Captain James Lawrence of the Chesapeake 13 14 HISTORY’S MOST FAMOUS WORDS is adored by us all for his courageous and chivalric spirit. At the beginning of the fight, he points for our inspiration to our starry ban¬ ner floating at the fore. But, alas ! the odds are too much against us. It is only a question of time. By scores our brave men fall. Finally Captain Lawrence himself receives his death wound. Sinking to the deck, he cries aloud: “ Don’t give up the ship! Fight her till she sinks.” If anything could have carried us through, those words would have done so. But the British boarders are rushing in a dense column on our decks. Strange ! The Englishman, who hauls down the American flag, that very starry banner to which Captain Lawrence had pointed, is killed by a shot from his own ship! There is nothing left us but sullen surrender. Our only comfort, as we follow the Shannon towards the English port of Halifax, is that Captain Lawrence never regained conscious¬ ness to realize the loss of his ship to the enemy. Death of Captain Lawrence. “ THE DIE IS CAST ” JULIUS CAESAR, 102-44 b. c. Said on crossing the River Rubicon The tramp of the Roman Legions shakes the land. They are returning, bold, bloody, brazen, from conquests in Britain and Gaul. What of harm can touch them! Are they not led by Julius Ceesar, and is he not descended from the very gods — aye, from Venus herself? His per¬ sonal charm by which he holds his soldiers’ adoration proves this, and his commanding genius. On sweep his vanquishing legions to camp at the foot of the Alps. But what is this stern news which meets them? A bitter decree from the Roman Sen¬ ate, prompted by the enemies of Julius Csesar, that he must disband his army. This would make Caesar a private person and thus liable to be called to account for some few little deeds which captious people might call un¬ constitutional. Can this be allowed? Never! Away, to prevent it. 15 16 HISTORY’S MOST FAMOUS WORDS Caesar summons his war chariot and leaps upon its wooden floor. Its high, crescent¬ shaped guard, overlaid with bronze and ivory, shelters him from the flying dirt, as the chariot¬ eer, with reins tied about his waist, lashes the three fiery horses. Followed by a small com¬ pany, Caesar dashes for the River Rubicon, that outlines the frontier of Italy. Caesar knows that if he crosses the Rubicon with his soldiers, he is committed to hostile in¬ tent; if he does not, his enemies in Rome may ruin his career. 