FREEDOM

John Barbour (1316? - 1395)

Ah! Fredome is a noble thing! Fredome mayse man to haif liking;1 Fredome all solace to man giffis, He livis at ese2 that freely livis! A noble hart may haif nane ese, Na ellys nocht3 that may him plese, Gif fredome fail'th; for free liking Is yharnit4 ouer all othir thing. Na he that ay has livit free May nocht knaw well the property, The anger, na the wretchit doom That is couplit to foul thraldome. But gif he had assayit it, Then all perquer he suld it wit;5 And suld think fredome mar to prise Than all the gold in warld that is. 1Liberty 2Ease 3Nor aught else 4to be desired 5Learn it thoroughly