God forbid that I should live as an Emperor without an Empire. As my city falls, I will fall with it. Whosoever wishes to escape, let him save himself if he can, and whoever is ready to face death, let him follow me
Constantine then sent a response to the sultan, the last communication between a Byzantine emperor and an Ottoman sultan:
As to surrendering the city to you, it is not for me to decide or for anyone else of its citizens; for all of us have reached the mutual decision to die of our own free will, without any regard for our lives.
According to Critobulus, the last words of Constantine before he charged at the Ottomans were
"the city is fallen and I am still alive".
I cry every morning.