Bruce and the Spider

Bruce and the Spider by Bernard Barton.

For Scotland's and for freedom's right
The Bruce his part had played,
in five successive fields of fight
been conquered and dismayed;
Once more against the English host
his band he led, and once more lost
the meed for which he fought;
And now from battle, faint and worn,
the homeless fugitive forlorn
a hut's lone shelter sought.
And cheerless was that resting place
for him who claimed a throne;
His canopy, devoid of grace,
the rude, rough beams alone;
The heather couch his only bed,
yet well I ween had slumber fled
from couch of eiderdown!
THrough darksome night till dawn of day,
absorbed in wakeful thoughts he lay
of Scotland and her crown.

The sun rose brightly, and it's gleam
fell on that hapless bed,
and tinged with light each shapeless beam
which roofed the loly shed;
When, looking up with wistful eye,
THe Bruce he held a spider try,
His filmy thread to fling,
from beam to beam of that rude cot;
And well the insect's toilsome lot,
taught Scotland's future King.

Six times his gossamery thread
the wary spider threw;
In vain the filmy line was sped,
each aim appeared, and back recoiled
the patient insect, six times foiled,
and yet unconquered still;
And soon The Bruce, with eager eye,
saw him prepare once more try
his courage, strength, and skill.
One effort more, his seventh and last-
The hero hailed the sign!-
And on the wished for beam hungfast
that slender, silken line!
Slight 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 perseverance gains it's meed,
and patience wins the race.