William Ernest Henley Invictus Poetry T-Shirt
Wear a reminder of an unconquerable spirit. This Invictus poetry T-shirt from GAS T Shirts celebrates William Ernest Henley’s enduring poem about courage, resilience and self-determination. It’s a thoughtful choice for poetry lovers and readers who want their everyday clothing to carry a little meaning.
Pair this literary T-shirt with your favourite jeans for a bookshop visit, a weekend coffee or a quiet afternoon reading. Henley’s words give it a story beyond a plain tee, making it a considered gift for someone who finds strength in poetry. Choose from 14 colours and sizes Small to 3XL.
The story behind Invictus
William Ernest Henley (1849–1903) wrote Invictus in 1875. It was published in 1888 in his first collection, Book of Verses, in the section Life and Death (Echoes). Henley wrote the verses while recovering from treatment under surgeon Joseph Lister in Edinburgh, after years of illness. The poem’s message of fortitude in adversity continues to resonate with readers.
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
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.
Garment Details
Material: 100% ringspun cotton
Weight: 153 g/m²
- Preshrunk jersey knit
- Seamless twin-needle 1.9 cm collar
- Taped neck and shoulders
- Rolled-forward shoulder
- Twin-needle sleeve and bottom hems
- High stitch-density fabric
SINGLE JERSEY
Size Guide
Chest-to-fit and body-length measurements are in inches.
| Size | Chest (to fit) | Body Length |
|---|---|---|
| S | 34–36" | 27" |
| M | 38–40" | 28" |
| L | 42–44" | 29" |
| XL | 46–48" | 30" |
| 2XL | 50–52" | 31" |
| 3XL | 54–56" | 32" |
Care Instructions
Wash similar colours together. Wash and iron inside out. Do not iron on the print.