Tuesday 26 January 2010



Invictus

Out of the night that covers me,
Black as the pit from pole to pole,
I thank whatever Gods there 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.

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.




William Ernest Henley

6 comments:

l'optimiste said...

I LOVE that! Not sure about having a bloody head mind you, but the last two lines are great. A good thing to keep in my mind
x

Loopin said...

What a fantastic poem! Very inspiring - as is the photograph - a very unconquered looking mountain :)

Jinksy said...

My head is bloody, but unbowed.

It's the second time this week I've spotted the line in Blogland - I wonder why? Are bloggers feeling hard done by?

Gill - That British Woman said...

"I am the master of my Fate;
I am the captain of my Soul."

That is so true....

Gill in Canada

tmmb said...

I'm betting "Invictus" is making the rounds right now after the release of the movie- which I recommend, by the way. The poem is a little hard to catch on screen, but the story is a good one- about the end of apartheid in South Africa and the persistence of the rugby team. Great stuff!

lotusleaf said...

It was nice to read the poem again after so many years- I had read it in my college days. Interesting blog.
Cheers!