between an author whom I was researching and Hilaire Belloc reminded me of one of my favorite Belloc poems, from A Moral Alphabet:
B stands for Bear.
When Bears are seen
Approaching in the distance,Make up your mind at once between
Retreat and Armed ResistanceA Gentleman remained to fight —
With what result for him?The Bear, with ill-concealed delight,
Devoured him, Limb by Limb.Another Person turned and ran;
He ran extremely hard:
The Bear was faster than the Man,
And beat him by a yard.MORAL.
Decisive action in the hour of need
Denotes the Hero, but does not succeed.