Lines from Conrad? Invictus?

[holmesdamon]

Did Conrad write a poem "Invictus"? I remember some lines..."Dark as the night that covers me. Black as a pit from pole to pole. I thank whatever Gods may be for my unconquerable soul." "It matters not how straight the gate, how charged with punishments the scroll. I am the master of my fate. I am the captain of my soul".

[Selkie]

The poem is by W.E Henley. He did publish something of Conrad's so maybe that's where you got the connection. It's a great poem. Apparently he wrote it while he was sick in hospital with tuberculosis.

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.

[Homyrrh]

Hah! A timeless favorite of mine! Stanza two is immortal...

[Homyrrh]

And yes, it is by William Ernest Henley.