Out of the night that covers me,
聽聽聽聽聽聽Black as the pit from pole to pole,
I thank whatever gods may be
聽聽聽聽聽聽For my unconquerable soul.
In the fell clutch of circumstance
聽聽聽聽聽聽I have not winced nor cried aloud.
Under the bludgeonings of chance
聽聽聽聽聽聽My head is bloody, but unbowed.
Beyond this place of wrath and tears
聽聽聽聽聽聽Looms but the Horror of the shade,
And yet the menace of the years
聽聽聽聽聽聽Finds and shall find me unafraid.
It matters not how strait the gate,
聽聽聽聽聽聽How charged with punishments the scroll,
I am the master of my fate,
聽聽聽聽聽聽I am the captain of my soul.聽
WILLIAM ERNEST HENLEY