Two Famous Poems - Two Worldviews - Invictus - William Ernest Henley Vs My Captain - Dorthea Day

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.

MY CAPTAIN 

Dorothea Day 

(Christian)

Out of the night that dazzles me, 

Bright as the sun from pole to pole, 

I thank the God I know to be 

For Christ the conqueror of my soul. 

  

Since His the sway of circumstance, 

I would not wince nor cry aloud. 

Under that rule which men call chance 

My head with joy is humbly bowed. 

  

Beyond this place of sin and tears 

That life with Him! And His the aid, 

Despite the menace of the years, 

Keeps, and shall keep me, unafraid.

I have no fear, though strait the gate, 

He cleared from punishment the scroll. 

Christ is the Master of my fate, 

Christ is the Captain of my soul.