November 21, 1695
— Henry Purcell, English composer, died, aged 35
See’st thou not how stiff, and wondrous old
Far unfit to bear the bitter cold,
I can scarcely move or draw my breath,
Let me, let me, freeze again to death.
— Song of Cold Genius, King Arthur
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3hGpjsgquqw [1]
To which end, two other Englishmen have added their special degree of honour in the face of the killing cold
“I am just going outside and may be some time”
— Titus Oates, Captain of the Inniskilling Dragoons, March 16, 1912