from A Tale of Two Cities - Charles Dickens
(Sidney Carlton soliloquizes as he substitutes for Charles Darnay, husband of his beloved Lucy Manette, at the Guillotine.)

I see that I hold a sanctuary in their hearts, and in the hearts of generations hence.  I see her, an old woman, weeping for me on the anniversary of this day.  I see her and her husband, their course done, lying side by side in their last earthly bed, and I know that each was not more honoured and not held more sacred in the other's soul, than I was in the souls of both.

I see that child who lay upon her bosom and who bore my name, a man, winning his way up in that path of life which once was mine.  I see him winning it so well, that my name is made illustrious there by the light of his...

It is a far, far better thing that I do, than I have ever done;  it is a far, far better rest that I go to, than I have ever known.