The king wrote: "Certainly Sir Henry Vane is too dangerous a man to let live, if we can honestly put him out of the way." Though he could not be honestly put out of the way, it was resolved that he should die.

The day before his execution his friends were admitted to his prison, and sought to cheer his drooping spirits.

He calmly reviewed his political career, and in conclusion said: "I have not the least recoil in my heart as to matter or manner of what I have done.

Why should we fear death?
I find it rather shrinks from me than I from it." His children gathered around him, and he stopped to embrace them, mingling consolation with his kisses.

"The Lord will be a better father to you than I could have been.