S.A. Bent, comp. Familiar Short Sayings of Great Men. 1887.
Prince of Anhalt-Dessau
[Leopold, called the “Old Dessauer,” composer of the “Dessauer March;” a general in the Prussian service, born 1676; commanded the Prussian forces under Prince Eugene in Italy and Flanders, 1706–1712; accompanied Frederick the Great in his campaigns, and gained the victory of Kesseldorf, 1745; died 1747.]
O God, assist our side: at least, avoid assisting the enemy, and leave the result to me.
His prayer on entering battle, “reverently doffing his hat,” says Carlyle, “before going in; prayer mythically true; mythically, not otherwise.”—Life of Frederick the Great, Book XV. chap. 14.
Somewhat similar was that of Lord Ashley, a royalist general, who had served under Gustavus Adolphus, and commanded the last remnant of the army of Charles I.: “God, thou knowest how much I have to do to-day: if I forget thee, do not forget me.”
The “Old Dessauer” called Luther’s hymn, Ein’ feste Burg ist unser Gott, “God Almighty’s Grenadier March.”—Ibid., IV. 2.
