Grice on 'fell on his sword' -- a much better example

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Is 'turn pale' an action?

Is 'melt' an action?

-- Never mind.

Is 'fell on his sword' an action?

Grice writes:

(PPQ, vol. 67, p. 12):

"One Roman soldier fell on his sword. He
lost his legion. He could not face the
disgrace which, to his mind, attended
his responsibility for the deaths of
so many people."

"ANOTHER Froman solider fell on his sword. He
lost his legion. Matter of fact, he tripped
on his sword in the dark. As a result,
he knocked himself out. When he regained
consciousness, his legion had moved on, and
he was unable to find it."

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---- This does NOT, really compare with 'caught in the grip of a'.