Out of the night that covers meBlack as the pit from pole to pole,I thank whatever gods may beFor my unconquerable soul. In the fell clutch of circumstance,I have not winced nor cried aloud.Under the bludgeonings of chanceMy head is bloody, but unbowed. Beyond this place of wrath and tearsLooms but the Horror of the … Continue reading Poem – “Invictus”
Poetry
Poetry – “Eclogue IV”
Muses of Sicily! on nobler themesI now will sing. Not all of us admireDense woods and groves; if sylvan joys we singLet them be fit for a great Consul's ear.Now dawns the last age of Cumæan song!Once more the circling centuries beg in—The Virgin reappears and Saturn reigns:From heav'n descends a novel progeny;Now to this … Continue reading Poetry – “Eclogue IV”
Poem – “Paul Revere’s Ride”
Listen, my children, and you shall hearOf the midnight ride of Paul Revere,On the eighteenth of April, in Seventy-Five:Hardly a man is now aliveWho remembers that famous day and year. He said to his friend,—"If the British marchBy land or sea from the town to-night,Hang a lantern aloft in the belfry-archOf the North-Church-tower, as a … Continue reading Poem – “Paul Revere’s Ride”
Poetry – “The Conscript”
I am a peaceful working man—I am not wise or strong—But I can follow Nature’s planIn labour, rest, and song. One day the men that rule us allDecided we must die,Else pride and freedom surely fallIn the dim bye and bye. They told me I must write my nameUpon a scroll of death;That some day … Continue reading Poetry – “The Conscript”
Poetry – “The Road Not Taken”
Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,And sorry I could not travel bothAnd be one traveler, long I stoodAnd looked down one as far as I couldTo where it bent in the undergrowth; Then took the other, as just as fair,And having perhaps the better claim,Because it was grassy and wanted wear;Though as for that … Continue reading Poetry – “The Road Not Taken”
Songs at the Heights of Empire
In 17 B.C., having brought peace and prosperity to the whole Roman Empire after centuries of non-stop war, revolution, and upheaval, having, indeed, brought peace to the Mediterranean world for the first time since man began to live there, Caesar Augustus decreed the holding of the Secular Games: six days of athletics, entertainment, and religious … Continue reading Songs at the Heights of Empire
Poem – “Solitude”
There is in stillness oft a magic powerTo calm the breast, when struggling passions lower;Touch'd by its influence, in the soul ariseDiviner feelings, kindred with the skies.By this the Arab's kindling thoughts expand,When circling skies inclose the desert sand;For this the hermit seeks the thickest grove,To catch th' inspiring glow of heavenly love.It is not … Continue reading Poem – “Solitude”
Poem – “A More Humane Mikado”
MIKADOA more humane Mikado neverDid in Japan exist,To nobody second,I'm certainly reckonedA true philanthropist. It is my very humane endeavourTo make, to some extent,Each evil liverA running riverOf harmless merriment. My object all sublimeI shall achieve in time—To let the punishment fit the crime—The punishment fit the crime;And make each prisoner pentUnwillingly representA source of … Continue reading Poem – “A More Humane Mikado”
Poem – “A Dream Within a Dream”
Take this kiss upon the brow!And, in parting from you now,Thus much let me avow—You are not wrong, who deemThat my days have been a dream;Yet if hope has flown awayIn a night, or in a day,In a vision, or in none,Is it therefore the less gone?All that we see or seemIs but a dream … Continue reading Poem – “A Dream Within a Dream”
“Six Honest Serving Men” – Poem
I keep six honest serving-men(They taught me all I knew);Their names are What and Why and WhenAnd How and Where and Who.I send them over land and sea,I send them east and west;But after they have worked for me,I give them all a rest. I let them rest from nine till five,For I am busy … Continue reading “Six Honest Serving Men” – Poem
Serpent's Den 