ABC Wednesday
The letter is H for William Ernest Henley

1849-1903

Probably known best for his poem "Invictus"

which reflects his resilient struggle with the deadly disease,

tuberculosis of the bone.

"I am and Master of my fate

I am the Captain of my Soul"

Henley lost his left leg below the knee when he was in his teens.

In 1873 his other leg was affected by tuberculosis

but thanks to the innovative treatment of Dr. Joseph Lister it

was not amputated.  

Henley stayed almost two years under Dr. Lister's care

and during this time he turned to writing poetry 

about his hospital experiences.

These poems are probably the most interesting of all for the present day reader,

as they depart from the traditional themes and imagery

of Victoria poetry and have an affinity in form

with Gerald Manley Hopkins and T.S. Eliot.

'In spite of his illness Henley was a strong and sociable man with boundless energy, 

excellent memory, enthusiasm and versatile mind.'

As much as I admire his poem Invictus

probably my favourite Henley poem is

"O Gather Me the Rose"

lovely words with a gentle admonishment

to gather joy as we find it and whenever we can.

O gather me the rose, the rose,

While yet in flower we find it

For summer smiles, but summer goes,

And winter waits behind it.

For with the dream foregone, foregone,

The deed foreborn forever,

The worm Regret will canker on,

And time will turn him never.

So were it well to love, my love,

And cheat of any laughter

The fate beneath us, and above,

The dark before and after.

The myrtle and the rose, the rose,

The sunshine and the swallow

The dream that comes, the wish that goes

The memories that follow!

William Ernest Henley fell from a railway carriage in 1902

and the accident caused the latent tuberculosis germ

to awaken.  He died on he 11th of July, 1903, a the age of 53.

For more interesting Hs visit here at ABC Wednesday

with thanks for Roger, Denise and Leslie

and all Helpers