Whose wit in the combat, as gentle as bright,

Ne'er carried a heart-stain away on its blade.

Thomas Moore (1779-1852): On the Death of Sheridan.

Terrible he rode alone,

With his Yemen sword for aid;

Ornament it carried none

But the notches on the blade.

The Death Feud. An Arab War-song.

This hand, to tyrants ever sworn the foe,

For Freedom only deals the deadly blow;

Then sheathes in calm repose the vengeful blade,

For gentle peace in Freedom's hallowed shade.

John Quincy Adams (1767-1848): Written in an Album, 1842.

The trenchant blade, Toledo trusty,

For want of fighting was grown rusty,

And ate into itself, for lack

Of somebody to hew and hack.

Samuel Butler (1600-1680): Hudibras. Part i. Canto i. Line 359.