"Not like the Egyptian tyrants--consecrate, Unmixt with others shall my dust remain; But mouldering, blended, melting into earth, Mine shall give form and colour to the rose; And while its vivid blossoms cheer mankind, Its perfum'd odour shall ascend to heaven."
MOHAMMED (The name signified "the praised," and was assumed by the founder of Islam. He was originally called Halabi), about 570-632. "_O Allah, be it so! Henceforth among the glorious host of paradise._" Some give his last words thus, "O Allah, pardon my sins. Yes, I come, among my fellow labourers on high."
In his last wanderings he only spoke of angels and heaven. He died in the lap of Ayeshah, about noon of Monday, the twelfth (eleventh) of the third month, in the year 11 of the Hedyrah (June 8, 632). His death caused an immense excitement and distress among the faithful, and Omar, who himself would not believe in it, tried to persuade the people of his still being alive. But Abu Bekr said to the assembled multitude:--"Whoever among you has served Mohammed, let him know that Mohammed is dead; but he who has served the god of Mohammed, let him continue in his service, for he is still alive and never dies." _Chambers' Encyclopædia._
MONTCALM (Saint-Véran de Marquis), 1712-1759. "_So much the better! I shall not then live to see the surrender of Quebec_," on being told that he was dying.
MONTEFIORE (Sir Moses, wealthy and distinguished Jewish philanthropist), 1785-1885. "_Thank God! Thank Heaven!_"
MONTEZUMA II (Monteçumatin, "the sad or severe man"--the last of the Aztec emperors), about 1470-1520. "_I confide to your care my beloved children, the most precious jewels I can leave you. The great monarch beyond the ocean will interest himself to see that they come into their inheritance, if you present before him their just claims. I know your master will do this, if for no other reason, then for the kindness I have shown the Spaniards, though it has occasioned my ruin. For all my misfortunes, Malinche,[34] I bear you no ill will._" Some give his last words thus: "And do you think I, then, am taking pleasure in my bath?"
[34] _Malinche_, Montezuma's name for Cortes, was borrowed from the original name of the conqueror's mistress and interpreter, known in the Spanish records as Marina. See "_Death of Montezuma_," in Prescott's "_Conquest of Mexico_."