Boris Pasternak - Death

Death

Boris Pasternak died of lung cancer in his dacha in Peredelkino on the evening of 30 May 1960. He first summoned his sons, and in their presence said, "Who will suffer most because of my death? Who will suffer most? Only Oliusha will, and I haven't had time to do anything for her. The worst thing is that she will suffer." Pasternak's last words were, "I can't hear very well. And there's a mist in front of my eyes. But it will go away, won't it? Don't forget to open the window tomorrow."

Shortly before his death, a priest of the Russian Orthodox Church had given Pasternak the last rites. Later, in the strictest secrecy, an Orthodox funeral liturgy, or Panikhida, was offered in the family's dacha.

Read more about this topic:  Boris Pasternak

Famous quotes containing the word death:

    “As for death one gets used to it, even if it’s only other people’s death you get used to.”
    —Enid Bagnold (1889–1981)

    “So he with difficulty and labour hard
    Moved on, with difficulty and labour he;
    But he once passed, soon after when man fell,
    Strange alteration! Sin and Death amain
    Following his track, such was the will of Heaven,
    Paved after him a broad and beaten way
    Over the dark abyss, whose boiling gulf
    Tamely endured a bridge of wondrous length
    From hell continued reaching th’ utmost orb
    Of this frail world;”
    —John Milton (1608–1674)

    “Thou hast made me, and shall thy work decay?
    Repair me now, for now mine end doth haste;
    I run to death, and death meets me as fast,
    And all my pleasures are like yesterday.”
    —John Donne (1572–1631)