Poetry Explorer


Classic and Contemporary Poetry


METHOD AND DEED by AMOS RUSSEL WELLS

First Line: TWO MEN THERE ARE IN PRESENCE OF A NEED
Last Line: THE MAN OF DEED HAS DONE IT LONG AGO.

Two men there are in presence of a need,
The man of method and the man of deed.

The method man debates the why and how,
And thoughtful furrows ornament his brow.

He studies books, and long he meditates
On wise procedures, while the duty -- waits.

What men have done he passes in review,
The skilled, the crude, the ancient and the new.

He classifies the plans and weighs them each,
And learns the varied lessons that they teach.
Perhaps he writes a book, and forthwith he
Is reckoned as a High Authority.

Then turns he to the waiting task, but lo!
The man of deed has done it long ago.



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