John Bartlett (1820–1905). Familiar Quotations, 10th ed. 1919.
William Ernest Henley 1849-1903 John Bartlett
| 1 |
| 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. |
| To R. T. H. B. |
| 2 |
| 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. 1 |
| To R. T. H. B. |
| 3 |
| Life is (I think) a blunder and a shame. |
| In Hospital. |
| 4 |
| Far in the stillness a cat Languishes loudly. |
| In Hospital. |
| 5 |
| From the winter’s gray despair, From the summer’s golden languor, Death, the lover of Life, Frees us for ever. |
| In Hospital. |
| Note 1. Arise, O Soul, and gird thee up anew, Though the black camel Death kneel at thy gate; No beggar thou that thou for alms shouldst sue: Be the proud captain still of thine own fate. James Benjamin Kenyon. [back] |