The poem was first published in 1875 in a book called Book of Verses, where it was number four in several poems called Life and Death (Echoes).[3] At the beginning it bore no title.[3] Early printings contained only the dedication To R. T. H. B.—a reference to Robert Thomas Hamilton Bruce (1846–1899), a successful Scottish flour merchant and baker who was also a literary patron.[4] The title "Invictus" (Latin for "unconquered"[5]) was added by editor Arthur Quiller-Couch when the poem was included in The Oxford Book of English Verse .[6][7] Text 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.
Posted on: Sat, 22 Jun 2013 23:10:31 +0000
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