THE LAST SCENE.
The most beautiful moments in Edith Cavell’s life were those which
preceded her martyrdom. At eleven o’clock the British chaplain in
Brussels, the Rev. H. S. T. Gahan, was admitted to the cell in which
she had spent the past ten weeks.
He found her calm and resigned. She told him that she wished all her
friends to know that she gave her life willingly for her country. And
then she used these imperishable words:--
_I have no fear nor shrinking. I have seen death so often that it is
not strange or fearful to me._
_I thank God for this ten weeks’ quiet before the end. Life has always
been hurried and full of difficulty. This time of rest has been a
great mercy._
_They have all been very kind to me here. But this I would say,
standing as I do in view of God and eternity, I realise that
patriotism is not enough. I must have no hatred or bitterness to
anyone._
After this the chaplain administered the Holy Communion. The clergyman
repeated the words of “Abide with me.” She joined in at the words:
Hold Thou Thy cross before my closing eyes;
Shine through the gloom, and point me to the skies;
Heaven’s morning breaks, and earth’s vain shadows flee.
In life, in death, O Lord, abide with me.
At two o’clock in the morning they led her out with bandaged eyes
to the place of execution. The firing party stood ready with loaded
rifles. At this last moment her physical strength was not a match for
her heroic spirit. She fell in a swoon. The officer in charge of the
soldiers stepped forward and shot her as she lay unconscious.
Before the day dawned her body was laid to rest in the land occupied by
her enemies, whom with her last breath she forgave.