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Literary
June 12, 1834
Martinsburg Gazette
Martinsburg, Berkeley County, West Virginia
What is this article about?
King Robert Bruce, hiding in a barn, watches a spider fail twelve times before succeeding in climbing a beam, inspiring him with perseverance. This leads to his victory at the Battle of Bannockburn against Edward II, restoring Scottish independence.
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OCR Quality
98%
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Full Text
Perseverance taught by a Spider.
King Robert Bruce, the restorer of the Scottish monarchy, being out one day reconnoitering the enemy, lay at night in a barn belonging to a loyal cottager. In the morning, still reclining his head on the pillow of straw, he beheld a spider climbing up a beam of the roof. The insect fell to the ground; but immediately made a second essay to ascend. This attracted the notice of the hero, who with regret saw the spider fall a second time from the same eminence. It made a third unsuccessful attempt. Not without a mixture of concern and curiosity, the monarch twelve times beheld the insect baffled in its aim; but the thirteenth essay was crowned with success; it gained the summit of the barn. When the King, starting from his couch, exclaimed—"This despicable insect has taught me perseverance—I will follow its example! Have I not been twelve times defeated by the enemy's superior force? on one fight more hangs the independence of my country! In a few days, his anticipations were fully realized by the glorious result to Scotland of the battle of Bannockburn and the total defeat of Edward the 2d,
[Scottish history.]
King Robert Bruce, the restorer of the Scottish monarchy, being out one day reconnoitering the enemy, lay at night in a barn belonging to a loyal cottager. In the morning, still reclining his head on the pillow of straw, he beheld a spider climbing up a beam of the roof. The insect fell to the ground; but immediately made a second essay to ascend. This attracted the notice of the hero, who with regret saw the spider fall a second time from the same eminence. It made a third unsuccessful attempt. Not without a mixture of concern and curiosity, the monarch twelve times beheld the insect baffled in its aim; but the thirteenth essay was crowned with success; it gained the summit of the barn. When the King, starting from his couch, exclaimed—"This despicable insect has taught me perseverance—I will follow its example! Have I not been twelve times defeated by the enemy's superior force? on one fight more hangs the independence of my country! In a few days, his anticipations were fully realized by the glorious result to Scotland of the battle of Bannockburn and the total defeat of Edward the 2d,
[Scottish history.]
What sub-type of article is it?
Fable
Prose Fiction
What themes does it cover?
Moral Virtue
Liberty Freedom
War Peace
What keywords are associated?
Perseverance
Spider
Robert Bruce
Bannockburn
Scottish Independence
Edward Ii
Literary Details
Title
Perseverance Taught By A Spider.
Subject
Lesson Of Perseverance For Scottish Independence
Key Lines
This Despicable Insect Has Taught Me Perseverance—I Will Follow Its Example! Have I Not Been Twelve Times Defeated By The Enemy's Superior Force? On One Fight More Hangs The Independence Of My Country!
The Thirteenth Essay Was Crowned With Success; It Gained The Summit Of The Barn.
The Glorious Result To Scotland Of The Battle Of Bannockburn And The Total Defeat Of Edward The 2d