Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1829-08-03
ROBERT BRUCE AND THE SPIDER.
n. R--oo~I Qorfo,a.

ROBERT BRUCE AND TIE SPIDER.
By Bernard Barton.
Not in Prosperity's broad light
Can Reason justly scan
The sterling worth which, view'd Alright,
Most tlign,6es the man:
Favor'd AT once by wind and tide,
A skilless pilot well may guide
The bark in safety on;
Yet, when his hsrbor he has gain'd,
He who no conflict hath sustain'd
No need has fairly won.
But in Adversity's dark hour
OF peril and of fear,
When clouds above the vessel iow'r,
With scarce one star to cheers
When winds are loud and waves are high,
And ocean to a timid eye
Appears the seaman's grave;
Amid the conflict calm, unmoved,
BY Truths unerring test is proved
The skllful and the brave.
For scotland's and for Freedoms right
The Bruce his part had play'd:
In FIVE successive fields fight
Been conquered and dismay'd;
Once more against the English host
His band he led, and once more lost
The need for which he fought;
And now, from battle faint and worn,
The homeless fugitive forlorn
A hut's lone shelter sought.
And cherries was that resting place
For him who claim'd throne;
dis canopy, devoid of grace,
The rude rough beams alone;
The heather couch his only bed
Yet well I ween had slum5er fed
From couch of elder down;
Through darksome night TO dawn Of day,
Immersed in wakeful thought he lay
Of Scotland and her crown.
The sun rose brightly, sndits CLEAN
Fell on that hapless bed,
And tinsed with light each shspeless beam
Which roof'd the lowly shed;
When, looking up with witful eye,
rhe-BRrcE beheld SP try
hi, film, thread to fling
From beam 10 beam of that rude cot:
Aud we'll the s.----As- A:i~---rS ivs
Taught scotland's future king.
Six times his gossamery thread
The wary spider threw;
In vain the flmy line was spedi
For powerless or untrue
Each aim appear'd, and back recoiPd
The patient insect, six umesfo
And vet uncopquer'd still'
And soon the BaucE, with eager eye,
Saw him prepare once more to Try
His courage, strength, and skill.
One effort more, its seventh, and last!
The hero hsiPd the sign!
And ON the wish'd for beam hung fast
That slender, silky line;
Sigh, AS it was. his spirit caught
The more than omen, for his thought
The lesson well could trace
Which even "he who runs may read,
That Per everance gains its need,
And Patience wins the race.
fsta tale ofmere romance!
Its moral is the same;
A light and trivial circumstance
Some thought il still may claim.
Art thou a Father Teach Thy son
Never To deem that all is done,
While aught remains untried;
To hope, though every hope SEEM crost;
And when his bark is tempesttost,
Still calmly to conhde.
Hast thou been long and often fold
Nv adverse winds and seas,
And vainly struggled. vainly toipd,
For uhst some win with ease!
Yet bear up heart. and hope, and will,
Nobly resolved to struggle still,
With patti, nee persevere;
Knowing when darkest seems the night,
The dawning If norn's glorious light
Is swiftly drawing near
Art thou Christian Shall the frown
OF Fortune cause dismay'
The BnucS but won an earthly crown,
which long hath passed. away,
For thee heavenly crown awaits,
For thee are ope'd the pesriy gates.
Prepared the deathless palm;-
But bear in mind, that only those
. who persevere unto the close,
Can Join in victory's psalm
Furniture, etc.