Invictus by William Ernest Henley
Invictus
William Ernest HenleyOut of the night that covers me,
Black as the pit from pole to pole,
I thank whatever gods may be
For my unconquerable soul.In the fell clutch of circumstance
I have not winced nor cried aloud.
Under the bludgeonings of chance
My head is bloody, but unbowed.Beyond this place of wrath and tears
Looms but the Horror of the shade,
And yet the menace of the years
Finds and shall find me unafraid.It matters not how strait the gate,
How charged with punishments the scroll,
I am the master of my fate:
I am the captain of my soul.
MARGINALIA
Because my heart is full with so much love for the world I am living in, because I am thankful for the life that has been given to me, and because I know I will go on despite everything.
ABOUT WILLIAM ERNEST HENLEY
Born in Gloucester, England, poet, editor, and critic William Ernest Henley was educated at Crypt Grammar School, where he studied with the poet T.E. Brown, and the University of St. Andrews. At age 12, Henley was diagnosed with tubercular arthritis that necessitated the amputation of one of his legs just below the knee; the other foot was saved only through a radical surgery performed by Joseph Lister. As he healed in the infirmary, Henley began to write poems, including “Invictus,”… (more)
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ENDNOTES
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ruthnoakes
Been a long time I believe, refreshing to read again, best line being ‘I am the master of my fate: I am the captain of my soul.’
jun
I always remember my 3rd yr Literature teacher everytime I read this poem. I miss all the activities we had back then.