This is Oscar Wilde talking, taken down by Maurice
Gilbert
26/11/1900
Bring me some champagne, he says, there's a
good boy The
doctor has put leeches on his temples but he does not feel them
27/11/1900
There is something I want you to have, he tells me,
there is in my possession an engraving of Faust sitting hunched at his desk,
behind him there is a skeleton, a telescope and a mirror, do you think from
this description you will be able to find it Maurice
He is sleeping now
28/11/1900
When he woke up he was in good spirits When I die I
shall probably get three inches in the Times under a German army officer that
will no doubt be an extremely uncomfortable position He laughs with his high-pitched
laugh. He asks me about Père Lachaise where I had gone
with Mr Ross When you see three or
four people gathered together around a grave, you know that there is a spirit
within the world, Maurice. When God
arrives to take me to his bosom, I shall turn around and say, 'Leave me alone. I am thinking.' He closes his eyes now. I think he is sleeping for the laudanum is
very strong Well, things are as
they are, don't you agree, Maurice?
Perhaps I will have the pleasure of seeing myself die I tell him not to speak so I do not mind. I am only curious: I would like to know. It is the one sensation which has never been
perfectly expressed. I have always hated
that clock.
29/11/1900
The nurse has come to inject him - I think with morphia although the doctor says not to. He is muttering to himself and I do not think
it is right to write it down, these are his own thoughts to himself. He turns to me and seems to recognise me for
he points towards this book. I saw beauty only.
Without beauty there is nothing in the world, the beautiful is more than
the good. I tried to catch it but even
as I tried I fell deeper than any man
He is fading now.
Mr Turner does not think he can last much longer and has gone to find a
priest. Mr Wilde looks at me and
says I am ready, Maurice
I do not know if he wants me
to write or not I had fame without
it I am smoke in the air and foam in the water.
I am a great scandal, am I not?
he laughs There was a great carp in
30/11/1900
He is becoming delirious now but I will write it down
for his words have always been wonderful to me
It has been a hot summer has it not I tried to get a cab this morning but he
said it was too far out. You know, when
they found the body of Christ I
cannot follow what he is saying here and
then once more I shall be lord of language and lord of life, do you agree,
mother? he is laughing I knew I should create a great
sensation no more now
Mr Wilde died at ten minutes to two p.m. on Friday,
November 30.