The Rutland daily globe. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1873-1877, 1875-06-14
The "Sapphic Ode" on Bunker Hill.

On the arrival of the news of the battle
of Bunker Hill, Judge Nathaniel Niles of
Vermont wrote, by the light of his hearth
stone fire, "sapphic ode, which was sung
in all American churches during the revo-
luton, TO the tune called Bunker Hill"
1t became as great favorite among the
soldiers of the continental army az John
Browns Body" among those of the Union
army in the late war. There is OCCASION
ally an old person among us who heard it
sung years ago, and who never can forget
its stirring melody. At a revival of the
old tune in town centenary celebration
in Connecticut, some years ago, Governor
Buckingham remarked that the first i'm
preston on his mind of the battle of Bun
ker Hill was made by hearing sung this
ode. The words are as follows;
THE AMERICAN HERo-A sAPPnIC ODE.
BY NATHANIEL NILES or VERMONT
Why should vain mortals tremble at the sight
OF death and destruction In the field OF battle,
Where blood and carnage clothe the ground
sounding with death groans2
Death will invade us by the means appointed,
Ana we must all bow TO the king OF terrors
Nor am anxious II am prepared,
What shape he comes in.
Infinite goodness teaches us submission,
Bids us be quiet under all His dealings;
Never repinlng, but forever praisins
God our Creator.
Well may we praise Him; all His ways are per-
Though a respendence Infinitely glowing,
DaZzles In glory on the sight or lnortalS,
Struck blind by luster.
Good Is Jehovah In bestowlng sunshine;
Nor less His goodness in the storm and thun-
Mercies and judgments both proceed from
Infinite kindness!
oh then exult that God forever reignethl
Clouds which around Him hinder our percep-
ton
Bind US the stronger TO exalt His name and
Shout louder praises
Then to the wisdom OF my Lord and Master
| Will commit all that have or wish for;
Sweetly as babes sleep VIII give my life up
When call'd 10 yield 1t.
Now Mars, | dare thee. clad in smoky pillars,
Bursting from mUshcils, roaring from the
cannon,
Rafting in grapeshot, like storm OF hail.
Torturing Ether!
Up the bleak heavens let the spreading flames
Breaking like Etna through the smoking col.
umnS,
Low'rlng like Egypt DER the falling city,
| Wantonly burnt down.
While all their hearts quick palpitate for havoc,
Let slip your bloodhounds. namd the British
| lions;
Dauntless as death-sta nimble as the whlrl.
| wind,
| Dreadful as demons
| Let oceans watt on all your floating castles.
| Fraught with destruction horrible 10 nature;
| Then, with your sails ill'd by storm OF ven
| geance,
Bear down to battle
| From the dire caverns made by ghostly miners
| Let the explosion, dreadful as volcanoes
| Heaye the broad town. with all It's wealth and
| people,
Quick to destruction
stu shall the banner OF the King OF Heaven
| Never advance where I'm afraid TO follow;
| While that precedes me, with open bosom,
War, defy theel
| Fame and dear freedom lure me on TO battle,
| head,
Stings Inc with serpents, nercer than Mcdusa's
| To the encounter.
| Life for my country and the cause OF freedom
| Is but tribe for worm 10 part with;
| And II preserved In 80 great u contest,
| Life IL reQOuDled