Invictus
by William Ernest Henley
Out of the night that covers me,
In the fell clutch of circumstance
Beyond this place of wrath and tears
It matters not how strait the gate,
Black as the Pit from pole to pole,
I thank whatever gods may beFor my unconquerable soul.
In the fell clutch of circumstance
I have not winced nor cried aloud.
Under the bludgeonings of chanceMy 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 yearsFinds, 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.
7 comments:
Because you posted about it, I'm assuming you liked it. But, did you???
This movie is on my "to do" list this Christmas break.
Okay LOVE the poem. Hadn't read or heard of it before. What does that say about me? Hmmm, anyway I'm with Laura, does that mean yes you loved it?
I totally loved the movie!! Wish I had taken tissue though. It's even worth me leaving a comment, I liked it that much! :)
Orson F. Whitney of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles wrote a poetic response to "Invictus" entitled "The Soul's Captain" many years ago. President Hinckley quoted 3 of the verses in his 2000 Christmas Devotional address. (Gordon B. Hinckley, Thomas S. Monson, and James E. Faust, “First Presidency Christmas Devotional: ‘My Redeemer Lives’,” Ensign, Feb 2001, 70–73).
"Art thou in truth? Then what of him
Who bought thee with his blood
Who plunged into devouring seas
And snatched thee from the flood?
"Free will is thine—free agency,
To wield for right or wrong;
But thou must answer unto him
To whom all souls belong.
"Bend to the dust that head 'unbowed,'
Small part of life’s great whole!
And see in him, and him alone,
The Captain of thy soul."
(Improvement Era, May 1926, 611)
(President Hinckley did mention that he likes the original poem too.)
I love both poems and have used them in teaching Gospel Doctrine.
Is this the poem that is quoted in the "Dead Poet's Society"? Oh, Captain, My Captain.
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