Deeds Endure

If you look back to cent’ries past
To names of great renown
We know the words ascribed to them
Are ones they did not sound.

It’s deeds we know for deeds endure
From one age to the next
And those who will do naught but talk
Will vanish as though hexed.

Qin Shi Huang, Napoleon,
Great Caesar and the rest
All of their words now naught but dust,
By their deeds know them best.

Your own deeds may reverberate
Down through the coming years.
And though your name is long forgot
Of your deeds some child hears,

Then what you’ve done, not what you’ve said,
Your acts though base or just.
May shape the course they take in life
Though all your words are dust.

Cheers,