Invictus, William Ernest Henley Options

[Guest_Pygmalion_*]

INVICTUS
William Ernest Henley

                                     

Out 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.

[jgdittier]

Dear Pygmalion,
I'm not an advocate of modern style poetry where the message is prime and its
presentation most terse matters most. I'll go for the simplistic beauty of Longfellow's "The Day Is Done".
However, I'd vote for "Invictus" as top notch where message reigns.
Cheers, Ron jgd