Men may scoff, and men may pray, but they pay every pleasure with a pain.
—William Ernest Henley
Topics: Pleasure
In the clutch of circumstance, I have not winced or cried aloud; under the bludgeoning of chance, my head is bloody but unbowed.
—William Ernest Henley
Topics: Perseverance, Persistence, Endurance, Resolve
A late lark twitters from the quiet skies:
And from the west,
Where the sun, his day’s work ended,
Lingers as in content,
There falls on the old, gray city
An influence luminous and serene,
A shining peace.
—William Ernest Henley
Topics: Birds
Madam, Life’s a piece in bloom death goes dogging everywhere: She’s the tenant of the room he’s the ruffian on the stair.
—William Ernest Henley
Topics: Dying, Death
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 unbow’d.
Beyond this place of wrath and tears
Lies 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.
—William Ernest Henley
Topics: Fate, Freedom, Self-reliance, Self-Control, Adversity, Soul
Open your heart and take us in,
Love – love and me.
—William Ernest Henley
Topics: Love
Wondering Whom to Read Next?
- Coventry Patmore English Writer
- George Jean Nathan American Drama Critic
- F. L. Lucas English Literary Critic
- Nathaniel Parker Willis American Poet, Playwright
- Jeremy Collier English Anglican Clergyman
- Persius Roman Poet
- Remy de Gourmont French Poet, Writer
- Samuel Taylor Coleridge English Poet
- John Dryden English Poet
- Edwin Arnold English Poet
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