Protestantism in Switzerland - James Aitken Wylie

the ablest of its pastors.
But there is one death that affects us more than
all the others. Zwingli, though present on the field,
did not draw sword: he restricted himself to his
duties as chaplain. When the murderous assault
was made from the forest, and many were falling
around him, he stooped down to breathe a few
words into the ear of a dying man. While thus
occupied he was struck with a stone upon the head,
and fell to the earth. Recovering in a little he rose,
but received two more blows. As he lay on the
ground a hostile spear dealt him a fatal stab, and
the blood began to trickle from the wound.
"What matters it?" said he; "they may kill the
body, but they cannot kill the soul." These were the
last words he uttered.[7]
The darkness fell, the stars came out, the night
was cold. Zwingli had fallen at the foot of a peartree,
and lay extended on the earth. His hands were
clasped, his eyes were turned to heaven, and his
lips moved in prayer. The camp-followers were
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