My verse translation into French of Invictus by William Ernest Henley (1849–1903), written in 1875 and first published in A Book of Verses (1888). The original is drawn from the Poetry Foundation.

French
Literal English
Henley's original
Au sein des nuits couvrant mes cieux L'abîme noir et sans issue, Je bénis quels que soient les dieux Pour l'âme à jamais invaincue.
In the midst of the nights covering my skies, the black abyss with no way out, I bless whatever gods there may be for the soul forever unconquered.
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.
Pris dans l'étau de circonstance, Je n'ai ni bronché ni crié. Sous le fléau de la malchance Mon front sanglant n'est pas plié.
Caught in the vice of circumstance, I have neither flinched nor cried out. Under the scourge of ill luck my bloodied brow is not bowed.
In the fell clutch of circumstance I have not winced nor cried aloud. Under the bludgeonings of chance My head is bloody, but unbowed.
Loin par-delà ce lieu de rage Ne rôde en l'ombre que l'Horreur, Mais la menace du long âge Me trouve et trouvera sans peur.
Far beyond this place of rage there prowls in the shadow only the Horror, but the menace of the long age finds me, and will find me, without fear.
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.
Qu'importe l'étroit seuil de mort, Et le rouleau chargé de blâme, Je suis le maître de mon sort, Le capitaine de mon âme.
No matter the narrow threshold of death, or the scroll laden with blame, I am the master of my fate, the captain of my soul.
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.