Barneveld, finding it impossible to sleep, asked his servant to read to him from the Prayer-book.  The soldier called in a clergyman however, another one named Hugo Bayerus, who had been sent to the prison, and who now read to him the Consolations of the Sick.  As he read, he made exhortations and expositions, which led to animated discussion, in which the Advocate expressed himself with so much fervour and eloquence that all present were astonished, and the preacher sat mute a half-hour long at the bed-side.

“Had there been ten clergymen,” said the simple-hearted sentry to the valet, “your master would have enough to say to all of them.”

Barneveld asked where the place had been prepared in which he was to die.

“In front of the great hall, as I understand,” said Bayerus, “but I don’t know the localities well, having lived here but little.”

“Have you heard whether my Grotius is to die, and Hoogerbeets also?” he asked?

“I have heard nothing to that effect,” replied the clergyman.

“I should most deeply grieve for those two gentlemen,” said Barneveld, “were that the case.  They may yet live to do the land great service.  That great rising light, de Groot, is still young, but a very wise and learned gentleman, devoted to his Fatherland with all zeal, heart, and soul, and ready to stand up for her privileges, laws, and rights.  As for me, I am an old and worn-out man.  I can do no more.  I have already done more than I was really able to do.  I have worked so zealously in public matters that I have neglected my private business.  I had expressly ordered my house at Loosduinen” [a villa by the seaside] “to be got ready, that I might establish myself there and put my affairs in order.  I have repeatedly asked the States of Holland for my discharge, but could never obtain it.  It seems that the Almighty had otherwise disposed of me.”

He then said he would try once more if he could sleep.  The clergyman and the servant withdrew for an hour, but his attempt was unsuccessful.  After an hour he called for his French Psalm Book and read in it for some time.  Sometime after two o’clock the clergymen came in again and conversed with him.  They asked him if he had slept, if he hoped to meet Christ, and if there was anything that troubled his conscience.

“I have not slept, but am perfectly tranquil,” he replied.  “I am ready to die, but cannot comprehend why I must die.  I wish from my heart that, through my death and my blood, all disunion and discord in this land may cease.”

He bade them carry his last greetings to his fellow prisoners.  “Say farewell for me to my good Grotius,” said he, “and tell him that I must die.”

The clergymen then left him, intending to return between five and six o’clock.

He remained quiet for a little while and then ordered his valet to cut open the front of his shirt.  When this was done, he said, “John, are you to stay by me to the last?”