THE TOMB OF THE BRUCE.
Yon old temple pile, where the moon dimly flashes
O'er gray roof, tall window, sloped buttress, and base,
O'erarches the ashes, the now silent ashes,
Of the noblest, the bravest, of Scotia's race.
How hallow'd yon spot where a hero is lying,
Embalm'd in the holiness worship bedews,
The lamb watching over the sleep of the lion,
Religion enthroned on the tomb of the Bruce!
Far other and fiercer the moments that crown'd him,
Than those that now creep o'er yon old temple pile,
And sterner the music that storm'd around him,
Than the anthem that peals through the long-sounding aisle,
When his bugle's fierce tones with the war-hum was blending,
And, with claymores engirdled, and banners all loose,
His rough-footed warriors, to battle descending,
Peal'd up to the heavens the war-cry of Bruce.
I hear him again, with deep voice proclaiming—
Let our country be free, or with freedom expire;
I see him again, with his great sword o'erflaming
The plume-nodding field, like a banner of fire.
Still onward it blazes, that red constellation,
In its passage no pause, to its flashing no truce:
Oh, the pillar of glory that led forth our nation
From shackles and chains, was the sword of the Bruce.
But now he is sleeping in darkness; the thunder
Of battle to him is now silent and o'er,
And the sword, that, like threads, sever'd shackles asunder,
Shall gleam in the vanguard of Scotland no more.
Yet, oh, though his banner for ever be furled,
Though his great sword be rusted and red with disuse,
Can freemen, when tyrants would handcuff the world—
Can freemen be mute at the Tomb of the Bruce?
JAMES PRINGLE.
James Pringle was born in the parish of Collessie, Fifeshire, on the 11th December 1803. At the parochial school of Kettle having received an ordinary education, he was in his seventeenth year apprenticed to a mill-wright. For many years he has prosecuted this occupation in the district of his nativity. His present residence is in the Den of Lindores, in the parish of Abdie. From his youth he has cherished an enthusiastic love of poetry, and composed verses. In 1853, he published a duodecimo volume, entitled "Poems and Songs on Various Subjects."