September 17, 2006

Afterword (12 Kingdoms)


In the penultimate sentence of Youko's speech, I'm paraphrasing the last line of "Invictus" by William Ernest Henley, which is actually quite close to the original Japanese (lit. "We are each the one and only ruler of the domain that is the self"). It is certainly a nice note to end on.

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 circumstances
I have not winced nor cried aloud.
Under the bludgeonings of change
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 year
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.

posted by Eugene  # 8:41 AM  
Comments:

# posted by Anonymous
Great story! Thanks for the translation

What's next! What's next! (jumps up and down with hands clasped in anticipation)

9/17/2006 9:22 AM
 

# posted by bowbiter
Thanks for the translation!!!!!!!

9/17/2006 5:12 PM
 

# posted by Jillster
Thank you for another wonderful translation! I became a huge fan of 12 Kingdoms when I randomly rented the DVDs of the anime series from my local video store. Being able to read the novels in English has been a real treat, and I hope you are willing and able to keep up the good work! I have also enjoyed the opportunity to read your other writings on your website, so no matter what, I'll visit again!

9/18/2006 8:06 AM
 

# posted by Teschi
Great thanks for your work. \(^o^)\ /(^o^)/

I really awaited the day when it's done and I can start reading it in one go (I knew that I wouldn't be able to stop).
What a nice coincidence that a Bank Holiday is coming up over here in Germany :)

9/27/2006 2:17 PM
 

# posted by Anonymous
congratulations on doing a job well done!!!
it was (i believe) a very good translation... :)
i am very much looking forward for what's coming! (and i hope it will be this interesting)

so what's next?

thanks once again!!!

***ph

9/30/2006 7:37 AM
 

# posted by Anonymous
Can I suggest "The Shore in Twilight, the Sky in Daybreak"? The other site isn't going to finish it so you wouldn't be duplicating their work. Thanks for great stories! :-)

10/01/2006 7:41 PM
 

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