Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, THE AMERICAN HERO (A SAPPHIC ODE), by NATHANIEL NILES


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

THE AMERICAN HERO (A SAPPHIC ODE), by                    
First Line: Why should vain mortals tremble at the sight of death and destruction
Last Line: Life is redoubled.
Subject(s): American Revolution; Bunker Hill, Battle Of; Freedom; Liberty


Why should vain mortals tremble at the sight of
Death and destruction in the field of battle,
Where blood and carnage clothe the ground in crimson,
Sounding in death groans!

Death will invade us by the means appointed,
And we must all bow to the King of Terrors;
Nor am I anxious, if I am prepared,
What shape he comes in.

Infinite Goodness teaches us submission,
Bids us be quiet under all his dealings—
Never repining, but forever praising
God, our Creator!

Then to the wisdom of my Lord and Master
I will commit all that I have or wish for;
Sweetly as babes sleep will I give my life up,
When called to yield it.

Now, Mars, I dare thee, clad in smoky pillars
Bursting from bomb-shells—roaring from cannon—
Rattling in grape-shot, like a storm of hail-stones,—
Torturing ether!

Up the black heavens let the spreading flames rise,
Breaking, like Aetna, through the smoky columns,
Lowering like Egypt o'er the falling City,
Wantonly burnt down.

While all their hearts quick palpitate for havoc,
Let slip your blood-hounds, named the British Lions,
Dauntless Death stares, nimble as the whirlwind,
Dreadful as demons!

Let ocean waft on all your floating castles,
Fraught with destruction, horrible to Nature!
Then, with your sails filled by a storm of vengeance,
Bear down to battle!

From the dire caverns made by ghostly miners,
Let the explosion, dreadful as volcanoes,
Heave the broad town, with all its wealth and people,
Quick to destruction!

Still shall the banner of the King of Heaven
Never advance where I'm afraid to follow:
While that precedes me, with an open bosom,
War, I defy thee!

Fame and dear Freedom lure me on to battle;
While a fell despot, grimmer than a death's head,
Stings me with serpents fiercer than Medusa,
To the encounter.

Life for my Country and the cause of Freedom
Is but a trifle for a worm to part with;
And if preserved in so great a contest,
Life is redoubled.





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