What is the rhyme scheme of the fourth stanza in "Invictus" by William Ernest Henley?

The fourth stanza of the poem "Invictus" by William Ernest Henley conforms to the rhyme scheme of ABAB. Each stanza in the poem has four lines (quatrains), and in the fourth stanza, the first and third lines rhyme with each other, and the second and fourth lines rhyme with each other. The words at the end of each line determine this scheme.

Here is the fourth stanza for reference:

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.

In this stanza, "gate" and "fate" make up the 'A' rhyme, while "scroll" and "soul" make up the 'B' rhyme.

"Invictus" is a Victorian poem that is often noted for its themes of resilience and self-determination. The rhyme scheme throughout the poem is consistent, following the ABAB structure for each of its four stanzas. This regularity in rhyme contributes to the poem's rhythmic quality and memorability.

In poetry, the rhyme scheme is a pattern by which end words of lines rhyme with each other, typically marked by letters to indicate which lines rhyme. For school students learning about poetry, recognizing rhyme schemes is an important step in analyzing a poem's structure and form. A consistent rhyme scheme often adds to the musicality of a poem and can emphasize particular ideas or feelings. Additionally, rhymes schemes can create or enhance the mood of the poem and often make it easier to remember. The powerful, affirmative words of the final lines of "Invictus" are underscored by their place in the poem's unwavering rhythm and rhyme, which mirrors the unyielding determination Henley expresses through his verses.