Invictus

William Ernest Henley - 1849-1903

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.

Invictus is a poem that focuses on the human spirit and its ability to overcome adversity. It is a rallying cry for those who find themselves in dark and trying situations, who have to dig deep and fight for their lives. The poet certainly knew hard times and needed all his strength to battle against the disease.

Invictus, meaning unconquerable or undefeated in Latin

The central idea of a poem is the poem's theme or 'what it's about' if you like. Although many shy away from poems being 'about' something, at the end of the day, the poet had something in mind when it was written, and that something is the central idea, whatever it is or might have been.

Nelson Mandela “The Invictus” – An Unconquered Soul, An Unbeaten Man. ... While spending his days in Robben Island Prison, Nelson Mandela used to recite a poem by the 18th century English poet, William Ernest Henley. This poem inspired him and other prison mates to stay put and keep going through the hard times.

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/iYMp_s_Av0g?start=18" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Invictus* Kálnoky László fordítása

Az égből, mely úgy hull fölém,

mint földtekére zord pokol,

bármely istent csak áldok én

lelkemért, mely meg nem hajol.

Az élet ökle letepert,

s én nem jajgattam vergődve, nem,

a véletlen dorongja vert,

s véres, de büszke még fejem.

Túl a harag, s könnyek honán

csak a homály borzalma vár,

évek fenekednek reám,

de gyávának egy sem talál.

Nem baj, ha szűk a kapu, s ha

a tekercs bármit ró ki rám,

magam vagyok sorsom ura,

lelkem hajóján kapitány. 

*Le nem győzött