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 Resistance

A 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.