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Joseph Addison, "The Spectator."
The Spectator No. 349, April 10, 1712.

The story of Don Sebastian Story was taken from the “History of the Revolutions in Portugal” (1689) by Abbot de Vertot. This is perhaps a translated quotation copied directly from that text by Addison. Addison includes this story because it "seems to me to have shown more intrepidity and greatness of soul in his dying movements, than what we meet with among any of the most celebrated Greeks and Romans." This story concludes Addison's essay on how one can evaluate a man only in his death. Addison writes: “Death only closes a man’s reputation, and determines it as good or bad. This, among other motives, may be one reason why we are naturally averse to the launching out into man’s praise till his head is laid in the dust […] In short, as the life of any man cannot be called happy or unhappy, so neither can it be pronounced vicious or virtuous before the conclusion of it.”

When Don Sebastian, King of Portugal, had invaded the territories of Muli Moluc, Emperor of Morocco, in order to dethrone him, and set his crown upon the head of his nephew, Moluc was wearing away with a distemper which he himself knew was incurable. However, he prepared for the reception of so formidable an enemy. He was indeed so far spent with his sickness, that he did not expect to live out the whole day, when the last decisive battle was given; but knowing the fatal consequences that would happen to his children and people, in case he should die before he put an end to that war, he commanded his principal officers that if he died during the engagement, they should conceal his death from the army, and that they should ride up to the litter in which his corpse was carried, under presence of receiving orders from him as usual. Before the battle begun, he was carried through all the ranks of his army in an open litter, as they stood drawn up in array encouraging them to fight valiantly, in defense of their religion and country. Finding afterwards the battle go against him, tho’ he was very near his last agonies, he there himself out of his litter, rallied his army, and led them on to the charge; which afterwards ended in a complete victory on the side of the Moors. He had no sooner brought his men to the engagement, but finding himself utterly spend, he was again replaced in his litter, where laying his finger on his mouth, to enjoin secrecy to his officers, who stood about him, he died a few moments after in that posture.

April 10, 1712

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