die in harness

Some thought that he ought to resign and leave the parish in younger hands, but it was more generally felt that the grief of leaving his work would be too much for him, and many believed that he would be allowed to die in harness: and so it was.

Har′ness-cask, a tub, a cask with rimmed cover on a ship's deck holding the salt meat for daily use.—Die in harness, to die at one's work.

������ inspired them to live and die in harness surrounded by dangers more formidable than the enchantments of malevolent sorcerers or than ever confronted knights-errant in the quest of mysterious castles?

No; Moli�re knew that his end was near, and, like the brave man he was, he preferred to die in harness, rather than, by taking to his bed, prolong his sufferings a few days longer.

They were all in a manner waifs, and they had nothing to hope for but that they might die in harness.