almost 150 years ago in 1875 the late Victorian poet William Ernest Henley born in Gloucester England wrote the following while suffering from recurring illness the poem has ever since inspired courage and strength in hearts Invictus by William Ernest Henley out of the night that covers me black as the pit from pole to pole I thank whatever God's 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 year's 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
