Materialistic Idealist's blog: "Poetry I like"

Douglas Hyde. 1860– 34. I Shall Not Die for Thee FOR thee, I shall not die, Woman of high fame and name; Foolish men thou mayest slay I and they are not the same. Why should I expire 5 For the fire of an eye, Slender waist or swan-like limb, Is't for them that I should die? The round breasts, the fresh skin, Cheeks crimson, hair so long and rich; 10 Indeed, indeed, I shall not die, Please God, not I, for any such. The golden hair, the forehead thin, The chaste mien, the gracious ease, The rounded heel, the languid tone,— 15 Fools alone find death from these. Thy sharp wit, thy perfect calm, Thy thin palm like foam o' the sea; Thy white neck, thy blue eye, I shall not die for thee. 20 Woman, graceful as the swan, A wise man did nurture me. Little palm, white neck, bright eye, I shall not die for ye.

William Ernest Henley. 1849–1903 7. Invictus 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 5 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, 10 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: 15 I am the captain of my soul.