“While men are what they are; while they have bad
Passions to be roused up: while ruled by men;
While all the powers and treasures of a land
At beck of the ambitious, wrongs may be
Offered, with insult; yea, while rights are worth
Maintaining; freedom keeping, or life having,
So long dread I, the sword shall shine.”

Festus (1839)

Adopted from Wikiquote. Last update June 3, 2021. History

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Philip James Bailey19

British writer and poet 1816–1902

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The attribution of this poem to Barbour is considered doubtful.
Disputed