Cavafy 24grammata - Com Free Ebook 1

Classic Poetry Series
Constantine P Cavafy
- poems -
Publication Date:
2004
Publisher:
PoemHunter.Com-TheWorld'sPoetryArchive
According To The Formulas Of Ancient Grecosyrian Magi
"Whatdistillatecanbediscoveredfromherbs
ofawitchingbrew,"saidanaesthete,
"whatdistillatepreparedaccording
totheformulasofancientGrecosyrianmagi
whichforaday(ifnolonger
itspotencycanlast),orevenforashorttime
canbringmytwentythreeyearstome
again;canbringmyfriendoftwentytwo
tomeagain--hisbeauty,hislove.
"Whatdistillatepreparedaccording
which,inbringingbackthesethings,
canalsobringbackourlittleroom."
ConstantinePCavafy
www.PoemHunter.com-TheWorld'sPoetryArchive 2
According to the Formulas of the Ancient Grecosyrian Magi
"Whatdistillatecanbediscoveredfromherbs
ofawitchingbrew,"saidanaesthete,
"whatdistillatepreparedaccording
whichforaday(ifnolonger
itspotencycanlast),orevenforashorttime
canbringmytwentythreeyearstome
again;canbringmyfriendoftwentytwo
tomeagain--hisbeauty,hislove.
"Whatdistillatepreparedaccording
which,inbringingbackthesethings,
canalsobringbackourlittleroom."
ConstantinePCavafy
Addition
IdonotquestionwhetherIamhappyorunhappy.
YetthereisonethingthatIkeepgladlyinmind--
thatinthegreataddition(theiradditionthatIabhor)
thathassomanynumbers,Iamnotone
ofthemanyunitsthere.Inthefinalsum
Ihavenotbeencalculated.Andthisjoysufficesme.
ConstantinePCavafy
Aemilianus Monae, Alexandrian
Withwords,withcountenance,andwithmanners
Ishallbuildanexcellentpanoply;
andinthiswayIshallfaceevilmen
withouthavinganyfearorweakness.
Theywillwanttoharmme.Butofthose
whoapproachmenonewillknow
wheremywoundsare,myvulnerableparts,
underalltheliesthatwillcoverme.--
BoastfulwordsofAemilianusMonae.
Didheeverbuildthispanoply?
Inanycase,hedidnotwearitmuch.
HediedinSicily,attheageoftwenty-seven.
ConstantinePCavafy
Aemilianus Monae, Alexandrian, 628 - 655 A.D.
Withwords,withcountenance,andwithmanners
Ishallbuildanexcellentpanoply;
andinthiswayIshallfaceevilmen
withouthavinganyfearorweakness.
Theywillwanttoharmme.Butofthose
whoapproachmenonewillknow
wheremywoundsare,myvulnerableparts,
underalltheliesthatwillcoverme.--
BoastfulwordsofAemilianusMonae.
Didheeverbuildthispanoply?
Inanycase,hedidnotwearitmuch.
HediedinSicily,attheageoftwenty-seven.
ConstantinePCavafy
Alexandrian Kings
TheAlexandriansweregathered
toseeCleopatra'schildren,
Caesarion,andhislittlebrothers,
AlexanderandPtolemy,whomforthefirst
timetheyleadouttotheGymnasium,
theretoproclaimkings,
infrontofthegrandassemblyofthesoldiers.
Alexander--theynamedhimking
ofArmenia,Media,andtheParthians.
Ptolemy--theynamedhimking
ofCilicia,Syria,andPhoenicia.
Caesarionstoodmoretothefront,
dressedinrose-coloredsilk,
onhisbreastabouquetofhyacinths,
hisbeltadoublerowofsapphiresandamethysts,
hisshoesfastenedwithwhite
ribbonsembroideredwithrosepearls.
Himtheynamedmorethantheyoungerones,
himtheynamedKingofKings.
TheAlexandriansofcourseunderstood
thatthoseweretheatricalwords.
Butthedaywaswarmandpoetic,
theskywasalightazure,
theAlexandrianGymnasiumwas
atriumphantachievementofart,
theopulenceofthecourtierswasextraordinary,
Caesarionwasfullofgraceandbeauty
(sonofCleopatra,bloodoftheLagidae);
andtheAlexandriansrushedtotheceremony,
andgotenthusiastic,andcheered
ingreek,andegyptian,andsomeinhebrew,
enchantedbythebeautifulspectacle--
althoughtheyfullwellknewwhatallthesewereworth,
whathollowwordsthesekingshipswere.
ConstantinePCavafy
An Old Man
Atthenoisyendofthecafe,headbent
overthetable,anoldmansitsalone,
anewspaperinfrontofhim.
Andinthemiserablebanalityofoldage
hethinkshowlittleheenjoyedtheyears
whenhehadstrength,eloquence,andlooks.
Heknowshe'sagedalot:heseesit,feelsit.
Yetitseemshewasyoungjustyesterday.
Sobriefaninterval,sobrief.
AndhethinksofPrudence,howitfooledhim,
howhealwaysbelieved-whatmadness-
thatcheatwhosaid:"Tomorrow.Youhaveplentyoftime."
Heremembersimpulsesbridled,thejoy
hesacrificed.Everychancehelost
nowmockshissenselesscaution.
Butsomuchthinking,somuchremembering
makestheoldmandizzy.Hefallsasleep,
hisheadrestingonthecafetable.
ConstantinePCavafy
Anna Comnena
IntheprologuetoherAlexiad,
AnnaComnenalamentsherwidowhood.
Hersoulisdizzy."Andwithrivers
oftears,"shetellsus"Iwet
myeyes...Alasforthewaves"inherlife,
"alasfortherevolts."Painburnsher
"tothethebonesandthemarrowandthecleavingofthesoul."
Butitseemsthetruthis,thatthisambitiouswoman
knewonlyonegreatsorrow;
sheonlyhadonedeeplonging
(thoughshedoesnotadmitit)thishaughtyGreekwoman,
thatshewasneverable,despiteallherdexterity,
toacquiretheKingship;butitwastaken
almostoutofherhandsbytheinsolentJohn.
ConstantinePCavafy
Anna Dalassen
InthegoldenbullthatAlexiosComnenosissued
toprominentlyhonorhismother,
theverysagaciousLadyAnnaDalassen--
distinguishedinherworks,inherways--
therearemanywordsofpraise:
hereletusconveyofthem
abeautiful,noblephrase
"Thosecoldwords'mine'or'yours'wereneverspoken."
ConstantinePCavafy
Apollonius Of Tyana In Rhodes
Apolloniuswastalkingabout
propereducationandconductwithayoung
manwhowasbuildingaluxurious
houseinRhodes."Asforme"saidtheTyanian
atlast,"whenIenteratemple
howeversmallitmaybe,Iverymuchprefer
toseeastatueofivoryandgold
thanaclayandvulgaroneinalargetemple".--
The"clay"and"vulgar";thedetestable:
thatalreadysomepeople(withoutenoughtraining)
itdeceivesknavishly.Theclayandvulgar.
ConstantinePCavafy
As much as you can
Andifyoucan'tshapeyourlifethewayyouwant,
atleasttryasmuchasyoucan
nottodegradeit
bytoomuchcontactwiththeworld,
bytoomuchactivityandtalk.
Trynottodegradeitbydraggingitalong,
takingitaroundandexposingitsooften
tothedailysilliness
ofsocialeventsandparties,
untilitcomestoseemaboringhanger-on.
ConstantinePCavafy
Body Remember
Body,remembernotonlyhowmuchyouwereloved
notonlythebedsyoulayon.
butalsothosedesiresglowingopenly
ineyesthatlookedatyou,
tremblingforyouinvoices-
onlysomechanceobstaclefrustratedthem.
Nowthatit'sallfinallyinthepast,
itseemsalmostasifyougaveyourself
tothosedesirestoo-howtheyglowed,
remember,ineyesthatlookedatyou,
remember,body,howtheytrembledforyouinthosevoices.
ConstantinePCavafy
But Wise Men Perceive Approaching Things
Becausegodsperceivefuturethings,menwhatishappeningnow,
butwisemenperceiveapproachingthings.
Philostratus,LifeofApolloniusofTyana,VIII,7.
Menknowwhatishappeningnow.
Thegodsknowthethingsofthefuture,
thefullandsolepossessorsofalllights.
Ofthefuturethings,wisemenperceive
approachingthings.Theirhearing
issometimes,duringseriousstudies,
disturbed.Themysticalclamor
ofapproachingeventsreachesthem.
Andtheyheeditwithreverence.Whileoutside
onthestreet,thepeopleshearnothingatall.
ConstantinePCavafy
Caesarion
Partlytoverifyanera,
partlyalsotopassthetime,
lastnightIpickedupacollection
ofPtolemaicepigramstoread.
Theplentifulpraisesandflatteries
foreveryonearesimilar.Theyareallbrilliant,
glorious,mighty,beneficent;
eachoftheirenterprisesthewisest.
Ifyoutalkofthewomenofthatbreed,theytoo,
alltheBerenicesandCleopatrasareadmirable.
WhenIhadmanagedtoverifytheera
Iwouldhaveputthebookaway,hadnotasmall
andinsignificantmentionofkingCaesarion
immediatelyattractedmyattention.....
Behold,youcamewithyourvague
charm.Inhistoryonlyafew
linesarefoundaboutyou,
andsoImoldedyoumorefreelyinmymind.
Imoldedyouhandsomeandsentimental.
Myartgivestoyourface
adreamycompassionatebeauty.
AndsofullydidIenvisionyou,
thatlatelastnight,asmylamp
wasgoingout--Iletgooutonpurpose--
Ifanciedthatyouenteredmyroom,
itseemedthatyoustoodbeforeme;asyoumighthavebeen
invanquishedAlexandria,
paleandtired,idealisticinyoursorrow,
stillhopingthattheywouldpityyou,
thewicked--whowhispered"ToomanyCaesars."
ConstantinePCavafy
Candles
Thedaysofthefuturestandinfrontofus
Likealineofcandlesallalight----
Goldenandwarmandlivelylittlecandles.
Thedaysthatarepastareleftbehind,
Amournfulrowofcandlesthatareout;
Theneareronesarestillsmoking,
Candlescold,andmelted,candlesbent.,
Idontwanttoseethem;theirshapeshurtme,
Ithurtsmetorememberthelightofthematfirst.
Ilookbeforemeatmylightedcandles,
Idontwanttoturnaroundandseewithhorror
Howquicklythedarklineislengthening,
Howquicklythecandlesmultiplythathavebeenputout.
ConstantinePCavafy
Che Fece
Forsomepeoplethedaycomes
whentheyhavetodeclarethegreatYes
orthegreatNo.It'sclearatoncewhohastheYes
readywithinhim;andsayingit,
hegoesfromhonortohonor,stronginhisconviction.
Hewhorefusesdoesnotrepent.Askedagain,
he'dstillsayno.Yetthatno-therightno-
dragshimdownallhislife.
ConstantinePCavafy
Che Fece ... Il Gran Rifiuto
HiThere!Iseeyou'reenjoyingthesite,andjustwantedtoextendaninvitiationto
registerforourfreesite.Themembersofoldpoetrystrivetomakethisafunplaceto
learnandshare-hopeyoujoinus!-Kevin
ConstantinePCavafy
Dangerous Things
SaidMyrtias(aSyrianstudent
inAlexandria;inthereignof
AugustusConstansandAugustusConstantius;
inpartapagan,andinpartachristian);
"Fortifiedbytheoryandstudy,
Ishallnotfearmypassionslikeacoward.
Ishallgivemybodytosensualdelights,
toenjoymentsdreamt-of,
tothemostdaringamorousdesires,
tothelustfulimpulsesofmyblood,without
anyfear,forwheneverIwant--
andIshallhavethewill,fortified
asIshallbebytheoryandstudy--
atmomentsofcrisisIshallfindagain
myspirit,asbefore,ascetic."
ConstantinePCavafy
Darius
ThepoetPhernazisiscomposing
theimportantpartofhisepicpoem.
HowDarius,sonofHystaspes,
assumedthekingdomofthePersians.(Fromhim
isdescendedourgloriousking
Mithridates,DionysusandEupator).Buthere
philosophyisneeded;hemustanalyze
thesentimentsthatDariusmusthavehad:
maybearroganceanddrunkenness;butno--rather
likeanunderstandingofthevanityofgrandeurs.
Thepoetcontemplatesthematterdeeply.
Butheisinterruptedbyhisservantwhoenters
running,andannouncestheportendousnews.
ThewarwiththeRomanshasbegun.
Thebulkofourarmyhascrossedtheborders.
Thepoetisspeechless.Whatadisaster!
Notimenowforourgloriousking
Mithridates,DionysusandEupator,
tooccupyhimselfwithgreekpoems.
Inthemidstofawar--imagine,greekpoems.
Phernazisisimpatient.Misfortune!
Justwhenhewaspositivethatwith"Darius"
hewoulddistinguishhimself,andshutthemouths
ofhiscritics,theenviousones,forgood.
Whatadelay,whatadelaytohisplans.
Andifitwereonlyadelay,itwouldstillbeallright.
Butityetremainstobeseenifwehaveanysecurity
atAmisus.Itisnotastronglyfortifiedcity.
TheRomansarethemosthorribleenemies.
Canweholdagainstthem
weCappadocians?Itispossibleatall?
Itispossibletopitourselvesagainstthelegions?
MightyGods,protectorsofAsia,helpus.--
Butinallhisturmoilandtrouble,
thepoeticideatoocomesandgoespersistently--
themostprobable,surely,isarroganceanddrunkenness;
Dariusmusthavefeltarroganceanddrunkenness.
ConstantinePCavafy
Days of 1903
Ineverfoundthemagain--thethingssoquicklylost....
thepoeticeyes,thepale
face....intheduskofthestreet....
Ineverfoundthemagain--thethingsacquiredquitebychance,
thatIgaveupsolightly;
andthatlaterinagonyIwanted.
Thepoeticeyes,thepaleface,
thoselips,Ineverfoundagain.
ConstantinePCavafy
Days of 1908
Thatwastheyearwhenhestayed
Withoutwork,foralivingplayed
Cards,orbackgammon;orborrowedandneverpaid.
Hewasofferedaplaceatasmall
Stationers,threepoundsamonth.Itdidntsuithim.
Itwasnotdecentpayatall.
Herefuseditwithouthesitation;
Hewastwenty-five,andofgoodeducation.
Twoorthreeshillingshemade,moreorless.
Fromcardsandbackgammonwhatcouldaboyskim;
Atthecommonplaces,thecafsofhisgrade,
Althoughheplayedsharply,andpickedstupidplayers.
Asforborrowing,thatdidntalwayscomeoff.
Heseldomstruckadollar,oftenerhedfall
Tohalf,andsometimesaslowasashilling.
Sometimes,whenhegotawayfromthegrim
Night-sitting,foraweekatatimeormore,
Hewouldcoolhimselfatthebaths,withamorningswim.
Theshabbinessofhisclotheswastragical.
Healwaysworethesamesuit,alwaysdisplayed
Asuitofcinnamonbrowndiscolouredandfrayed.
Osummerdaysofnineteenhundredandeight,Irecall
Thepictureofyou,andoutofitseemstofade,
Harmoniously,thatcinnamonsuitdiscolouredandfrayed.
Thepictureofyouhaspreservedhim
Justashewouldtakeoff,wouldflingdown
Theunworthyclothes,themendedunderclothes,
Andremainallnaked;faultlesslybeautiful;awonder.
Uncombedandlifteduphishairwas;
Hislimbsalittlesunburnt
Fromthemorningnakednessatthebathsandonthebeach.
ConstantinePCavafy
Desires
Likebeautifulbodiesofthedead,whohadnotgrownold
andtheyshutthemwithtears,inamagnificentmausoleum,
withrosesattheheadandjasmineatthefeet--
thatishowdesireslookthathavepassed
withoutfultillment;withoutoneofthemhavingachieved
anightofsensualdelight,oramoonlitmorn.
ConstantinePCavafy
Envoys from Alexandria
Theyhadnotseen,forages,suchbeautifulgiftsinDelphi
asthesethathadbeensentbythetwobrothers,
therivalPtolemaickings.Aftertheyhadreceivedthem
however,thepriestswereuneasyabouttheoracle.Theywillneed
alltheirexperiencetocomposeitwithastuteness,
whichofthetwo,whichofsuchtwowillbedispleased.
Andtheyholdsecretcouncilsatnight
anddiscussthefamilyaffairsoftheLagidae.
Butsee,theenvoyshavereturned.Theyarebiddingfarewell.
TheyarereturningtoAlexandria,theysay.Andtheydonotask
foranyoracle.Andthepriestshearthiswithjoy
(ofcoursetheywillkeepthemarvellousgifts),
buttheyalsoareutterlyperplexed,
notunderstandingwhatthissuddenindifferencemeans.
Fortheyareunawarethatyesterdaytheenvoysreceivedgravenews.
TheoraclewasgiveninRome;thedivisiontookplacethere.
ConstantinePCavafy
Exiles
ItgoesonbeingAlexandriastill.Justwalkabit
alongthestraightroadthatendsattheHippodrome
andyou'llseepalacesandmonumentsthatwillamazeyou.
Whateverwar-damageit'ssuffered,
howevermuchsmallerit'sbecome,
it'sstillawonderfulcity.
Andthen,whatwithexcursionsandbooks
andvariouskindsofstudy,timedoesgoby.
Intheeveningswemeetontheseafront,
thefiveofus(all,naturally,underfictitiousnames)
andsomeofthefewotherGreeks
stillleftinthecity.
Sometimeswediscusschurchaffairs
(thepeoplehereseemtoleantowardRome)
andsometimesliterature.
TheotherdaywereadsomelinesbyNonnos:
whatimagery,whatrhythm,whatdictionandharmony!
Allenthusiasm,howweadmiredthePanopolitan.
Sothedaysgoby,andourstayhere
isn'tunpleasantbecause,naturally,
it'snotgoingtolastforever.
We'vehadgoodnews:ifsomethingdoesn'tcome
ofwhat'snowafootinSmyrna,
theninAprilourfriendsaresuretomovefromEpiros,
soonewayoranother,ourplansaredefinitelyworkingout,
andwe'lleasilyoverthrowBasil.
Andwhenwedo,atlastourturnwillcome.
ConstantinePCavafy
Far Off
Ishouldliketorelatethismemory...
butitissofadednow...scarecelyanthingisleft--
becauseitliesfaroff,intheyearsofmyearlymanhood.
Askinasifmadeofjasmine...
thatnightinAugust--wasitAugust?--thatnight...
Icanjustbarelyremembertheeyes;theywere,Ithink,blue...
Ahyes,blue;asapphireblue.
ConstantinePCavafy
Finalities
Amidfearandsuspicions,
withagitatedmindandfrightenedeyes,
wemeltandplanhowtoact
toavoidthecertain
dangerthatsohorriblythreatensus.
Andyetweerr,thiswasnotinourpaths;
themessageswerefalse
(orwedidnothear,orfullyunderstandthem).
Anothercatastrophe,oneweneverimagined,
sudden,precipitous,fallsuponus,
andunprepared--thereisnomoretime--carriesusoff.
ConstantinePCavafy
Footsteps
Onanebonybeddecorated
withcoraleagles,soundasleeplies
Nero---unconscious,quiet,andblissful;
thrivinginthevigorofflesh,
andinthesplendidpowerofyouth.
Butinthealabasterhallthatencloses
theancientshrineoftheAenobarbi
howrestivearehisLares.
Thelittlehouseholdgodstremble,
andtrytohidetheirinsignificantbodies.
Fortheyheardahorribleclamor,
adeathlyclamorascendingthestairs,
ironfootstepsrattlingthestairs.
AndnowinafaintthemiserableLares,
burrowinthedepthoftheshrine,
onetumblesandstumblesupontheother,
onelittlegodfallsovertheother
fortheyunderstandwhatsortofclamorthisis,
theyarealreadyfeelingthefootstepsoftheFuries.
ConstantinePCavafy
Grey
Lookingatanopal,ahalf-greyopal,
Irememberedtwobeautifulgreyeyes
Ihadseenitmusthavebeentwentyyearsbefore...
Foramonthwelovedeachother
Thenhewentaway,IthinktoSmyrna,
Toworkthere;weneversaweachotheragain.
Thegreyeyes----ifhelives----havelosttheirbeauty;
Thebeautifulfacewillhavebeenspoiled.
OMemory,preservethemastheywere.
And,Memory,allyoucanofthisloveofmine
Whateveryoucanbringbacktometonight.
ConstantinePCavafy
Half an Hour
Ineverhadyou,norwillIeverhaveyou
Isuppose.Afewwords,anapproach
asinthebaryesterday,andnothingmore.
Itis,undeniably,apity.ButwewhoserveArt
sometimeswithintensityofmind,andofcourseonly
forashortwhile,wecreatepleasure
whichalmostseemsreal.
Sointhebarthedaybeforeyesterday--themercifulalcohol
wasalsohelpingmuch--
Ihadaperfectlyerotichalf-hour.
Anditseemstomethatyouunderstood,
andstayedsomewhatlongeronpurpose.
Thiswasverynecessary.Because
foralltheimaginationandthewizardalcohol,
Ineededtoseeyourlipsaswell,
Ineededtohaveyourbodyclose.
ConstantinePCavafy
He Came to Read
Hecametoread.Twoorthreebooks
areopen;historiansandpoets.
Butheonlyreadfortenminutes,
andgavethemup.Heisdozing
onthesofa.Heisfullydevotedtobooks
butheistwenty-threeyearsold,andhe'sveryhandsome;
andthisafternoonlovepassed
throughhisidealflesh,hislips.
Throughhisfleshwhichisfullofbeauty
theheatoflovepassed;
withoutanysillyshamefortheformoftheenjoyment.....
ConstantinePCavafy
He Swears
Heswearsfromtimetotimeto
Beginabetterlife
Wheneverthoughthenightcomes
Withitsowncounsellings,
Withitsowncompromises
Anditsownundertakings;
Butwheneverthenightcomes
Withitsowndomination,
Ofthebodythatwillsandwants,tothatsame
Fatalenjoyment,lost,hegoesagain.
ConstantinePCavafy
He vows
Everysooftenhevowstostartabetterlife.
Butwhennightcomeswithherowncounsels,
withhercompromises,andwithherpromises;
butwhennightcomeswithherownpower
ofthebodythatwantsanddemands,hereturns,
forlorn,tothesamefataljoy.
ConstantinePCavafy
Hidden
FromallI'vedoneandallI'vesaid
letthemnotseektofindwhoI'vebeen.
Anobstaclestoodandtransformed
myactsandwayofmylife.
Anobstaclestoodandstoppedme
manyatimeasIwasgoingtospeak.
Mymostunobservedacts,
andmywrititingsthemostcovered--
thenceonlytheywillfeelme.
Butmayhapsitisnotworthtospend
thismuchcareandthismuchefforttoknowme.
For--inthemoreperfectsociety--
someoneelselikemecreated
willcertainlyappearandfreelyact.
ConstantinePCavafy
Hidden Things
LetthemnotseektodiscoverwhoIwas
fromallthatIhavedoneandsaid.
Anobstaclewastherethattransformed
thedeedsandthemannerofmylife.
Anobstaclewastherethatstoppedme
manytimeswhenIwasabouttospeak.
Onlyfrommymostimperceptibledeeds
andmymostcovertwritings--
fromthesealonewilltheyunderstandme.
Butperhapsitisn'tworthexerting
suchcareandsucheffortforthemtoknowme.
Later,inthemoreperfectsociety,
surelysomeotherpersoncreatedlikeme
willappearandactfreely.
ConstantinePCavafy
I Went
Iwasnotbound.Iletmyselfgocompletely;went
Tothoseindulgences,halfactual,
Andhalfwereturnedaboutinmyownbrain;
Wentintotheilluminatednight;
Anddrankstrongwines,aswhen
Thechampionsofpleasuredrinkstrongwine.
ConstantinePCavafy
In 200 B.C.
"AlexandersonofPhilip,andtheGreeksexcepttheLacedaemonians--"
Wecanverywellimagine
thattheywereutterlyindifferentinSparta
tothisinscription."ExcepttheLacedaemonians",
butnaturally.TheSpartanswerenot
tobeledandorderedabout
aspreciousservants.Besides
apanhelleniccampaignwithout
aSpartankingasaleader
wouldnothaveappearedveryimportant.
O,ofcourse"excepttheLacedaemonians."
Thistooisastand.Understandable.
Thus,excepttheLacedaemoniansatGranicus;
andthenatIssus;andinthefinal
battle,wheretheformidablearmywassweptaway
thatthePersianshadmassedatArbela:
whichhadsetoutfromArbelaforvictory,andwassweptaway.
Andoutoftheremarkablepanhelleniccampaign,
victorious,brilliant,
celebrated,glorious
asnootherhadeverbeenglorified,
theincomparable:weemerged;
agreatnewGreekworld.
We;theAlexandrians,theAntiocheans,
theSeleucians,andthenumerous
restoftheGreeksofEgyptandSyria,
andofMedia,andPersia,andthemanyothers.
Withourextensiveterritories,
withthevariedactionofthoughtfuladaptations.
AndtheCommonGreekLanguage
wecarriedtotheheartofBactria,totheIndians.
AsifweweretotalkofLacedaemoniansnow!
ConstantinePCavafy
In Church
Ilovethechurch:itslabara,
itssilvervessels,itscandleholders,
thelights,theikons,thepulpit.
WheneverIgothere,intoachurchoftheGreeks,
withitsaromaofincense,
itsliturgicalchantingandharmony,
themajesticpresenceofthepriests,
dazzlingintheirornatevestments,
thesolemnrhythmoftheirgestures-
mythoughtsturntothegreatgloriesofourrace,
tothesplendorofourByzantineheritage.
ConstantinePCavafy
In Despair
Hehaslosthimcompletely.Andnowheisseeking
onthelipsofeverynewlover
thelipsofhisbeloved;intheembrace
ofeverynewloverheseekstobedeluded
thatheisthesamelad,thatitittohimheisyielding.
Hehaslosthimcopmletely,asifhehadneverbeenatall.
Forhewanted--sohesaid--hewantedtobesaved
fromthestigmatized,thesicksensualdelight;
fromthestigmatized,sensualdelightofshame.
Therewasstilltime--ashesaid--tobesaved.
Hehaslosthimcompletely,asifhehadneverbeenatall.
Inhisimagination,inhisdelusions,
onthelipsofothersitishislipsheisseeking;
heislongingtofeelagainthelovehehasknown.
ConstantinePCavafy
In The Harbor
Emis-young,twenty-eight-
reachedthisSyrianharborinaTenianship,
hisplantolearntheincensetrade.
Butillduringthevoyage,
hediedassoonashewasputashore.
Hisburial,thepoorestpossible,tookplacehere.
Afewhoursbeforedyinghewhisperedsomething
about'home',about'veryoldparents.'
Butnobodyhecalledhome
inthegreatpanHellenicworld.
Betterthatway;becauseasitis,
thoughheliesburiedinthisharbor,
hisparentswillalwayshavethehopehe'sstillalive.
ConstantinePCavafy
In the Same Space
Environment,ofhouse,ofcitycentres,cityquarters
WhichIlookuponandwhereIwalk;yearsandyears.
Ihavecreatedyouinthemidstofjoyandinthemidstofsorrows;
Withsomanycircumstances,withsomanythings.
Andyouhavebeenmadesensation,thewholeofyou,forme.
ConstantinePCavafy
Interruption
Weinterrupttheworkofthegods,
hastyandinexperiencedbeingsofthemoment.
InthepalacesofEleusisandPhthia
DemeterandThetisstartgoodworks
amidhighflamesanddensesmoke.But
alwaysMetaneirarushesfromtheking's
chambers,disheveledandscared,
andalwaysPeleusisfearfulandinterferes.
ConstantinePCavafy
Ionian
Justbecausewe'vetorntheirstatuesdown,
andcastthemfromtheirtemples,
doesn'tforamomentmeanthegodsaredead.
LandofIonia,theyloveyouyet,
theirspiritsstillrememberyou.
WhenanAugustmorningbreaksuponyou
avigourfromtheirlivesstabsthroughyourair;
andsometimesanetherealandyouthfulform
inswiftestpassage,indistinct,
passesupaboveyourhills.
ConstantinePCavafy
Ithaca
WhenyousetoutforIthaka
askthatyourwaybelong,
fullofadventure,fullofinstruction.
TheLaistrygoniansandtheCyclops,
angryPoseidon-donotfearthem:
suchastheseyouwillneverfind
aslongasyourthoughtislofty,aslongasarare
emotiontouchyourspiritandyourbody.
TheLaistrygoniansandtheCyclops,
angryPoseidon-youwillnotmeetthem
unlessyoucarrytheminyoursoul,
unlessyoursoulraisethemupbeforeyou.
Askthatyourwaybelong.
AtmanyaSummerdawntoenter
withwhatgratitude,whatjoy-
portsseenforthefirsttime;
tostopatPhoeniciantradingcentres,
andtobuygoodmerchandise,
motherofpearlandcoral,amberandebony,
andsensuousperfumesofeverykind,
sensuousperfumesaslavishlyasyoucan;
tovisitmanyEgyptiancities,
togatherstoresofknowledgefromthelearned.
HaveIthakaalwaysinyourmind.
Yourarrivalthereiswhatyouaredestinedfor.
Butdon'tintheleasthurrythejourney.
Betteritlastforyears,
sothatwhenyoureachtheislandyouareold,
richwithallyouhavegainedontheway,
notexpectingIthakatogiveyouwealth.
Ithakagaveyouasplendidjourney.
Withoutheryouwouldnothavesetout.
Shehasn'tanythingelsetogiveyou.
Andifyoufindherpoor,Ithakahasn'tdeceivedyou.
Sowiseyouhavebecome,ofsuchexperience,
thatalreadyyou'llhaveunderstoodwhattheseIthakasmean.
ConstantinePCavafy
Ithaka
AsyousetoutforIthaka
hopeyourroadisalongone,
fullofadventure,fullofdiscovery.
Laistrygonians,Cyclops,
angryPoseidon-don'tbeafraidofthem:
you'llneverfindthingslikethatonyourway
aslongasyoukeepyourthoughtsraisedhigh,
aslongasarareexcitement
stirsyourspiritandyourbody.
Laistrygonians,Cyclops,
wildPoseidon-youwon'tencounterthem
unlessyoubringthemalonginsideyoursoul,
unlessyoursoulsetsthemupinfrontofyou.
Hopeyourroadisalongone.
Maytherebemanysummermorningswhen,
withwhatpleasure,whatjoy,
youenterharborsyou'reseeingforthefirsttime;
mayyoustopatPhoeniciantradingstations
tobuyfinethings,
motherofpearlandcoral,amberandebony,
sensualperfumeofeverykind-
asmanysensualperfumesasyoucan;
andmayyouvisitmanyEgyptiancities
tolearnandgoonlearningfromtheirscholars.
KeepIthakaalwaysinyourmind.
Arrivingthereiswhatyou'redestinedfor.
Butdon'thurrythejourneyatall.
Betterifitlastsforyears,
soyou'reoldbythetimeyoureachtheisland,
wealthywithallyou'vegainedontheway,
notexpectingIthakatomakeyourich.
Ithakagaveyouthemarvelousjourney.
Withoutheryouwouldn'thavesetout.
Shehasnothinglefttogiveyounow.
Andifyoufindherpoor,Ithakawon'thavefooledyou.
Wiseasyouwillhavebecome,sofullofexperience,
you'llhaveunderstoodbythenwhattheseIthakasmean.
TranslatedbyEdmundKeeley&PhilipSherrard
ConstantinePCavafy
I've Brought To Art
Isitinamoodofreverie.
I'vebroughttoArtdesiresandsensations:
thingshalf-glimpsed,
facesorlines,certainindistinctmemories
ofunfulfilledloveaffairs.
LetmesubmittoArt:
ArtknowshowtoshapeformsofBeauty,
almostimperceptiblycompletinglife,
blendingimpressions,blendingdaywithday.
ConstantinePCavafy
Manuel Comninos
OnedrearySeptemberday
EmperorManuelKomninos
felthisdeathwasnear.
Thecourtastrologers-bribed,ofcourse-wentonbabbling
abouthowmanyyearshestillhadtolive.
Butwhiletheywerehavingtheirsay,
heremeberedanoldreligiouscustom
andorderedecclesiasticalvestments
tobebroughtfromamonastery,
andheputthemon,gladtoassume
themodestimageofapriestormonk.
Happyallthosewhobelieve,
andlikeEmperorManuelendtheirlives
dressedmodestlyintheirfaith.
ConstantinePCavafy
Manuel Komninos
OnedrearySeptemberday
EmperorManuelKomninos
felthisdeathwasnear.
Thecourtastrologers-bribed,ofcourse-wentonbabbling
abouthowmanyyearshestillhadtolive.
Butwhiletheywerehavingtheirsay,
herememberedanoldreligiouscustom
andorderedecclesiasticalvestments
tobebroughtfromamonastery,
andheputthemon,gladtoassume
themodestimageofapriestormonk.
Happyallthosewhobelieve,
andlikeEmperorManuelendtheirlives
dressedmodestlyintheirfaith.
TranslatedbyE.KeeleyandP.Sherrard
ConstantinePCavafy
Monotony
Onemonotonousdayisfollowed
byanothermonotonous,identicalday.Thesame
thingswillhappen,theywillhappenagain--
thesamemomentsfindusandleaveus.
Amonthpassesandushersinanothermonth.
Oneeasilyguessesthecomingevents;
theyaretheboringonesofyesterday.
Andthemorrowendsupnotresemblingamorrowanymore.
ConstantinePCavafy
Morning Sea
Letmestophere.Letme,too,lookatnatureawhile.
Thebrilliantblueofthemorningsea,ofthecloudlesssky,
theyellowshore;alllovely,
allbathedinlight.
Letmestandhere.AndletmepretendIseeallthis
(IreallydidseeitforaminutewhenIfirststopped)
andnotmyusualday-dreamsheretoo,
mymemories,thoseimagesofsensualpleasure.
ConstantinePCavafy
Nero's Term
Nerowasnotworriedwhenheheard
theprophecyoftheDelphicOracle.
"Lethimfeartheseventythreeyears."
Hestillhadampletimetoenjoyhimself.
Heisthirty.Morethansufficient
isthetermthegodallotshim
toprepareforfutureperils.
NowhewillreturntoRomeslightlytired,
butdelightfullytiredfromthisjourney,
fullofdaysofenjoyment--
atthetheaters,thegardens,thegymnasia...
eveningsatcitiesofAchaia...
Ahthedelightofnudebodies,aboveall...
ThusfaredNero.AndinSpainGalba
secretlyassemblesanddrillshisarmy,
theoldmanofseventythree.
ConstantinePCavafy
Nero's Turn
Nerowasnotworriedwhenheheard
theprophecyoftheDelphicOracle.
"Lethimfeartheseventythreeyears."
Hestillhadampletimetoenjoyhimself.
Heisthirty.Morethansufficient
isthetermthegodallotshim
toprepareforfutureperils.
NowhewillreturntoRomeslightlytired,
butdelightfullytiredfromthisjourney,
fullofdaysofenjoyment--
atthetheaters,thegardens,thegymnasia...
eveningsatcitiesofAchaia...
Ahthedelightofnudebodies,aboveall...
ThusfaredNero.AndinSpainGalba
secretlyassemblesanddrillshisarmy,
theoldmanofseventythree.
ConstantinePCavafy
Of The Shop
Hewrappedthemcarefully,neatly
incostlygreensilk.
Rosesofruby,liliesofpearl,
violetsofamethyst.Ashehimselfjudged,
ashewantedthem,theylookbeautifultohim;notashesaw
orstudiedtheminnature.Hewillleavetheminthesafe,
asampleofhisdaringandskillfulcraft.
Whenabuyerenterstheshop
hetakesfromthecasesotherwaresandsells--superbjewels--
bracelets,chains,necklaces,andrings.
ConstantinePCavafy
On an Italian Shore
Kimos,sonofMenedoros,ayoungGreek-Italian,
devoteshislifetoamusinghimself,
likemostyoungmeninGreaterGreece
broughtupinthelapofluxury.
Buttoday,inspiteofhisnature,
heispreoccupied,dejected.Neartheshore
hewatched,deeplydistressed,astheyunload
shipswithbootytakenfromthePeloponnese.
Greekloot:bootyfromCorinth.
Todaycertainlyitisnotright,
itisnotpossiblefortheyoungGreek-Italian
towanttoamusehimselfinanyway.
ConstantinePCavafy
On the shop
Hewrappedthemcarefully,neatly
incostlygreensilk.
Rosesofruby,liliesofpearl,
violetsofamethyst.Ashehimselfjudged,
ashewantedthem,theylookbeautifultohim;notashesaw
orstudiedtheminnature.Hewillleavetheminthesafe,
asampleofhisdaringandskillfulcraft.
Whenabuyerenterstheshop
hetakesfromthecasesotherwaresandsells--superbjewels--
bracelets,chains,necklaces,andrings.
ConstantinePCavafy
One Night
Theroomwaspenuriousandcommon,
Hiddenoveradisreputabletavern,
Thealleycouldbeseenfromthewindow,
Uncleanandnarrow.Frombelow
Camethevoicesofafewworkmen
Whowereplayingcardsandhavingagoodtime.
Thereonthevulgaronthehumblebed
Ihadthebodyoflove,Ihadthelips,
Thesensuous,therosylipsofwine,
Rosywithsuchawine,thatevennow
HereasIwrite,aftersomanyyears,
Inmysolitaryhouse,Iamdrunkagain.
ConstantinePCavafy
One of Their Gods
Whenoneofthempassedthroughthemarketplace
ofSeleucia,towardthehourthatnightfalls
asatallandperfectlyhandsomeyouth,
withthejoyofimmortalityinhiseyes,
withhisscentedblackhair,
thepassers-bywouldstareathim
andonewouldasktheotherifheknewhim,
andifhewereaGreekofSyria,orastranger.Butsome,
whowatchedwithgreaterattention,
wouldunderstandandstandaside;
andashevanishedunderthearcades,
intotheshadowsandintothelightsoftheevening,
headingtowardthedistrictthatlives
onlyatnight,withorgiesanddebauchery,
andeverysortofdrunkennessandlust,
theywouldponderwhichofThemhemightbe,
andforwhatsuspectenjoyment
hehaddescendedtothestreetsofSeleucia
fromtheVenerable,MostHallowedHalls.
ConstantinePCavafy
Picture of a 23-year-old Youth Painted by His Friend of the Same Age, an
Amature
Hefinishedthepaintingyesterdaynoon.Now
hestudiesitindetail.Hehaspaintedhimina
grayunbuttonedcoat,adeepgray;without
anyvestoranytie.Witharose-coloredshirt;
openatthecollar,sosomethingmightbeseen
alsoofthebeautyofhischest,ofhisneck.
Therighttempleisalmostentirely
coveredbyhishair,hisbeautifulhair
(partedinthemannerheperfersitthisyear).
Thereisthecompletelyvoluptuoustone
hewantedtoputintoitwhenhewasdoingtheeyes,
whenhewasdoingthelips....Hismouth,thelips
thataremadeforconsummation,forchoicelove-making.
ConstantinePCavafy
Pictured
Mywork,I'mverycarefulaboutit,andIloveit.
ButtodayI'mdiscouragedbyhowslowlyit'sgoing.
Thedayhasaffectedmymood.
Itgetsdarkeranddarker.Endlesswindandrain.
I'mmoreinthemoodforlookingthanforwriting.
Inthispicture,I'mnowgazingatahandsomeboy
whoislyingdownclosetoaspring,
exhaustedfromrunning.
Whatahandsomeboy;whataheavenlynoon
hascaughthimupinsleep.
Isitandgazelikethisforalongtime,
recoveringthroughartfromtheeffortofcreatingit.
ConstantinePCavafy
Poseidonians
ThePoseidoniansforgottheGreeklanguage
aftersomanycenturiesofmingling
withTyrrhenians,Latins,andotherforeigners.
Theonlythingsurvivingfromtheirancestors
wasaGreekfestival,withbeautifulrites,
withlyresandflutes,contestsandwreaths.
Anditwastheirhabittowardthefestival'send
totelleachotherabouttheirancientcustoms
andonceagaintospeakGreeknames
thatonlyfewofthemstillrecognized.
Andsotheirfestivalalwayshadamelancholyending
becausetheyremeberedthattheytoowereGreeks,
theytooonceuponatimewerecitizensofMagnaGraecia;
andhowlowthey'dfallennow,whatthey'dbecome,
livingandspeakinglikebarbarians,
cutoffsodisastrouslyfromtheGreekwayoflife.
ConstantinePCavafy
Priest at the Serapeum
Mydearoldfather,
whoalwayslovedmethesame;
mydearoldfatherIlament
whodiedthedaybeforeyesterday,justbeforedawn.
JesusChrist,itismydailyeffort
toobservetheprecepts
ofThymostholychurchinallmyacts,
inallwords,inallthoughts.
AndallthosewhorenounceThee
Ishun.--ButnowIlament;
Ibewail,Christ,formyfather
althoughhewas--ahorriblethingtosay--
apriestattheaccursedSerapeum.
ConstantinePCavafy
Remember, Body...
Body,remembernotonlyhowmuchyouwereloved,
notonlythebedsonwhichyoulay,
butalsothosedesireswhichforyou
plainlyglowedintheeyes,
andtrembledinthevoice--andsome
chanceobstaclemadethemfutile.
Nowthatallbelongstothepast,
itisalmostasifyouhadyielded
tothosedesirestoo--remember,
howtheyglowed,intheeyeslookingatyou;
howtheytrembledinthevoice,foryou,remember,body.
ConstantinePCavafy
Return
Returnoftenandtakeme,
belovedsensation,returnandtakeme--
whenthememoryofthebodyawakens,
andanolddesirerunsagainthroughtheblood;
whenthelipsandtheskinremember,
andthehandsfeelasiftheytouchagain.
Returnoftenandtakemeatnight,
whenthelipsandtheskinremember...
ConstantinePCavafy
Sensual Pleasures
Mylife'sjoyandincense:recollectionofthosehours
whenIfoundandcapturedpleasureasIwantedit.
Mylife'sjoyandincense:thatIrefused
allindulgenceinroutineloveaffairs.
ConstantinePCavafy
Since Nine O'Clock
Halfpasttwelve.Timehasgonebyquickly
sincenineo'clockwhenIlitthelamp
andsatdownhere.I'vebeensittingwithoutreading,
withoutspeaking.Completelyaloneinthehouse,
whomcouldItalkto?
Sincenineo'clockwhenIlitthelamp
theshadeofmyyoungbody
hascometohauntme,toremindme
ofshutscentedrooms,
ofpastsensualpleasure-whatdaringpleasure.
Andit'salsobroughtbacktome
streetsnowunrecognizable,
bustlingnightclubsnowclosed,
theatresandcafesnolongerhere.
Theshadeofmyyoungbody
alsobroughtbackthethingsthatmakeussad:
familygrief,separations,
thefeelingsofmyownpeople,feelings
ofthedeadsolittleacknowledged.
Halfpasttwelve.Howthetimehasgoneby.
Halfpasttwelve.Howtheyearshavegoneby.
ConstantinePCavafy
Since Nine O'Clock -
Halfpasttwelve.Thetimehaspassedquickly
sincenineo'clockwhenIlitthelamp,
andsatdownhere.Isatwithoutreading,
andwithoutspeaking.WithwhomcouldIspeak
allaloneinthishouse.
Sincenineo'clockwhenIlitthelamp,
thevisionofmyyouthfulbody
hasappearedandfoundmeandremindedme
ofclosedheavilyscentedrooms,
andpleasurelongpast--whataudaciouspleasure!
Anditalsobroughtbeforemyeyes
streetsthathavenowbecomeunrecognizable,
centersfullofmovementthatareended,
andtheatersandcafesthatonceusedtobe.
Thevisionofmyyouthfulbody
appearedandbroughtmealsothesadmemories;
familymournings,separations,
feelingsofmydearones,feelings
ofthedeadsolittleesteemed.
Halfpasttwelve.Howthetimehaspassed.
Halfpasttwelve.Howtheyearshavepassed.
ConstantinePCavafy
So Much I Gazed
SomuchIgazedonbeauty,
thatmyvisionisrepletewithit.
Contoursofthebody.Redlips.Voluptuouslimbs.
Hairasiftakenfromgreekstatues;
alwaysbeautiful,evenwhenuncombed,
anditfalls,slightly,overwhiteforeheads.
Facesoflove,asmypoetry
wantedthem....inthenightsofmyyouth,
inmynights,secretly,met....
ConstantinePCavafy
Supplication
Theseatookasailortoitsdepths.--
Hismother,unsuspecting,goesandlights
atallcandlebeforetheVirginMary
forhisspeedyreturnandforfineweather--
andalwayssheturnshereartothewind.
Butwhileshepraysandimplores,
theiconlistens,solemnandsad,
knowingthatthesonsheexpectswillnolongerreturn.
ConstantinePCavafy
The Bandaged Shoulder
Hesaidthathehadhurthimselfonawallorthathehadfallen.
Buttherewasprobablyanotherreason
forthewoundedandbandagedshoulder.
Withasomewhatabruptmovement,
tobringdownfromashelfsome
photographsthathewantedtoseeclosely,
thebandagewasuntiedandalittlebloodran.
Ibandagedtheshoulderagain,andwhilebandagingit
Iwassomewhatslow;becauseitdidnothurt,
andIlikedtolookattheblood.That
bloodwasapartofmylove.
Whenhehadleft,Ifoundinfrontofthechair,
abloodyrag,fromthebandages,
aragthatlookedinbelongedingarbage;
whichIbroughtuptomylips,
andwhichIheldthereforalongtime--
thebloodofloveonmylips.
ConstantinePCavafy
The City
Yousaid,"Iwillgotoanotherland,Iwillgotoanothersea.
Anothercitywillbefound,abetteronethanthis.
Everyeffortofmineisacondemnationoffate;
andmyheartis--likeacorpse--buried.
Howlongwillmymindremaininthiswasteland.
WhereverIturnmyeyes,whereverImaylook
Iseeblackruinsofmylifehere,
whereIspentsomanyyearsdestroyingandwasting."
Youwillfindnonewlands,youwillfindnootherseas.
Thecitywillfollowyou.Youwillroamthesame
streets.Andyouwillageinthesameneighborhoods;
andyouwillgrowgrayinthesesamehouses.
Alwaysyouwillarriveinthiscity.Donothopeforanyother--
Thereisnoshipforyou,thereisnoroad.
Asyouhavedestroyedyourlifehere
inthislittlecorner,youhaveruindeditintheentireworld.
ConstantinePCavafy
The First Step
TheyoungpoetEvmenis
complainedonedaytoTheocritus:
"I'vebeenwritingfortwoyearsnow
andI'vecomposedonlyoneidyll.
It'smysinglecompletedwork.
Isee,sadly,thattheladder
ofPoetryistall,extremelytall;
andfromthisfirststepI'mstandingonnow
I'llneverclimbanyhigher."
Theocritusretorted:"Wordslikethat
areimproper,blasphemous.
Justtobeonthefirststep
shouldmakeyouhappyandproud.
Tohavereachedthispointisnosmallachievement:
whatyou'vedonealreadyisawonderfulthing.
Eventhisfirststep
isalongwayabovetheordinaryworld.
Tostandonthisstep
youmustbeinyourownright
amemberofthecityofideas.
Andit'sahard,unusualthing
tobeenrolledasacitizenofthatcity.
ItscouncilsarefullofLegislators
nocharlatancanfool.
Tohavereachedthispointisnosmallachievement:
whatyou'vedonealreadyisawonderfulthing."
ConstantinePCavafy
The God Abandons Anthony
Whensuddenly,atmidnight,youhear
aninvisibleprocessiongoingby
withexquisitemusic,voices,
don'tmournyourluckthat'sfailingnow,
workgonewrong,yourplans
allprovingdeceptive--don'tmournthemuselessly.
Asonelongprepared,andgracedwithcourage,
saygoodbyetoher,theAlexandriathatisleaving.
Aboveall,don'tfoolyourself,don'tsay
itwasadream,yourearsdeceivedyou:
don'tdegradeyourselfwithemptyhopeslikethese.
Asonelongprepared,andgracedwithcourage,
asisrightforyouwhoweregiventhiskindofcity,
gofirmlytothewindow
Andlistenwithdeepemotion,butnot
withwhining,thepleasofacoward;
listen--yourfinaldelectation--tothevoices,
totheexquisitemusicofthatstrangeprocession,
andsaygoodbyetoher,totheAlexandriayouarelosing.
ConstantinePCavafy
The Grave of the Grammarian Lysias
Veryclosetoyou,asyouenterontheright,intheBeirut
library,weburiedthesageLysias,
thegrammarian.Thespotisbeautifullyright.
Weplacedhimnearthosethingsofhisthatheperhaps
rememberseventhere--scholia,texts,grammars,
scriptures,numerouscommentariesintomesonhellenisms.
Thisway,hisgravewillalsobeseenandhonored
byus,whenwepassamongthebooks.
ConstantinePCavafy
The Mirror in the Hall
Therichhousehadinthehall
Anenormousmirror,veryold;
Boughtatleasteightyyearsago.
Averyhandsomeboy,assistantatatailors
(OnSundaysanamateurathlete),
Wasstandingtherewithaparcel.Hehandedit
Tosomeoneofthehouse,andhetookitinside
Tofetchthereceipt.Thetailorsassistant
Wasleftalone,andwaited.
Hewentuptothemirrorandbegantolookathimself
Andputhistiestraight.Afterfiveminutes
Theybroughthimthereceipt.Hetookitandwentaway.
Buttheoldmirrorwhichhadseen,andseen,
Inthemanyyearsithadbeen
Inexistence,thousandsofthingsandfaces;
Theoldmirrorwasgladnow
Andwasproudtohavereceiveduponitself
Thatentirebeautyforafewminutes.
ConstantinePCavafy
The Satrapy
Whatamisfortune,althoughyouaremade
forfineandgreatworks
thisunjustfateofyoursalways
deniesyouencouragementandsuccess;
thatbasecustomsshouldblockyou;
andpettinessandindifference.
Andhowterriblethedaywhenyouyield
(thedaywhenyougiveupandyield),
andyouleaveonfootforSusa,
andyougotothemonarchArtaxerxes
whofavorablyplacesyouinhiscourt,
andoffersyousatrapiesandthelike.
Andyouacceptthemwithdespair
thesethingsthatyoudonotwant.
Yoursoulseeksotherthings,weepsforotherthings;
thepraiseofthepublicandtheSophists,
thehard-wonandinestimableWellDone;
theAgora,theTheater,andtheLaurels.
HowcanArtaxerxesgiveyouthese,
wherewillyoufindtheseinasatrapy;
andwhatlifecanyoulivewithoutthese.
ConstantinePCavafy
The Town
Yousaid:Illgotoanotherland,tootherseawayswandering,
Someothertownmayyetbefoundbetterthanthis,
Whereeveryeffortofmineisawritofguiltiness;
Andmyheartseemsburiedlikeacorpse.Mymind---
Howlongisittobeinthisdecayconfined?
WhereverIturn,whereverIliftmyeyes,
Theblackeningruinsofmylifearise,
hereIhavespentsomanyyearsspoilingandswquandering.
Youllfindnootherplaces,nonewseasinallyourwanderings,
Thetownwillfollowyouabout.Youllrange
Inthesamestreets.Inthesamesuburbschange
Fromyouthtoage;innthissamehousegrowwhite.
Nohopeofanothertown;thisiswhereyoullalwaysalight.
Thereisnoroadtoanother,thereisnoship
Totakeyouthere.Ashereinthissmallstrip
Youspoiledyourlife,thewholeearthfeltyoursquanderings.
ConstantinePCavafy
The Windows
Inthesedarkchambersherewhatwearydays
Ispend,walkupanddownasinamaze
Tofindthewindows.----Onlytounclose
Oneofthesewindowswillbesomerelief.---
Butsomehowwindowsthisroomhasntgot,
OrIcantfindthem.PerhapsIbetternot.
Perhapsthelightwouldbeanothergrief.
Whatfreshsurprisesthermightbe,whoknows?
ConstantinePCavafy
Their Beginning
Theirillicitpleasurehasbeenfulfilled.
Theygetupanddressquickly,withoutaword.
Theycomeoutofthehouseseparately,furtively;
andastheymoveoffdownthestreetabitunsettled,
itseemstheysensethatsomethingaboutthembetrays
whatkindofbedthey'vejustbeenlyingon.
Butwhatprofitforthelifeoftheartist:
tomorrow,thedayafter,oryearslater,he'llgivevoice
tothestronglinesthathadtheirbeginninghere.
ConstantinePCavafy
Theodotus
Ifyouaretrulyoneoftheselectfew,
watchhowyouacquireyourpower.
Howevermuchyouareglorified,howevermuch
thecitiesinItalyandinThessaly
acclaimyourachievements,
howevermanydecreesinyourhonor
youradmirersmayhaveissuedinRome,
neitheryourjoynoryourtriumphwilllast,
norwillyoufeellikeasuperior--whatdoyoumeansuperior?--man
wheninAlexandria,Theodotusbringsyou,
uponabloodstainedtray,
theheadofthewretchedPompey.
Anddonotrelyonthefactthatinyourlife,
circumscribed,regulated,andprosaic,
therearenosuchspectacularandterrifyingthings.
Perhapsatthisveryhour,Theodotusisentering
thewell-appointedhouseofoneofyourneighbors--
invisible,bodiless--
carryingsuchahideoushead.
ConstantinePCavafy
Thermopylae
Honourtothosewhointheirlives
arecommittedandguardtheirThermopylae.
Neverstirringfromduty;
justanduprightinalltheirdeeds,
butwithpityandcompassiontoo;
generouswhenevertheyarerich,andwhen
theyarepoor,againalittlegenerous,
againhelpingasmuchastheyareable;
alwaysspeakingthetruth,
butwithoutrancorforthosewholie.
Andtheymeritgreaterhonor
whentheforesee(andmanydoforesee)
thatEphialteswillfinallyappear,
andintheendtheMedeswillgothrough.
ConstantinePCavafy
They Should Have Provided
Ihavealmostbeenreducedtoahomelesspauper.
Thisfatalcity,Antioch,
hasconsumedallmymoney;
thisfatalcitywithitsexpensivelife.
ButIamyoungandinexcellenthealth.
MycommandofGreekissuperb
(IknowallthereisaboutAristotle,Plato;
orators,poets,younameit.)
Ihaveanideaofmilitaryaffairs,
andhavefriendsamongthemercenarychiefs.
Iamontheinsideofadministrationaswell.
LastyearIspentsixmonthsinAlexandria;
Ihavesomeknowledge(andthisisuseful)ofaffairsthere:
intentionsoftheMalefactor,andvillainies,etcetera.
ThereforeIbelievethatIamfully
qualifiedtoservethiscountry,
mybelovedhomelandSyria.
InwhatevercapacitytheyplacemeIshallstrive
tobeusefultothecountry.Thisismyintent.
Thenagain,iftheythwartmewiththeirmethods--
weknowthoseablepeople:needwetalkaboutitnow?
iftheythwartme,Iamnottoblame.
First,IshallapplytoZabinas,
andifthismorondoesnotappreciateme,
IshallgotohisrivalGrypos.
Andifthisidiotdoesnothireme,
IshallgostraighttoHyrcanos.
Oneofthethreewillwantmehowever.
Andmyconscienceisnottroubled
aboutnotworryingaboutmychoice.
AllthreeharmSyriaequally.
But,aruinedman,whyisitmyfault.
Wretchedman,Iamtryingtomakeendsmeet.
Thealmightygodsshouldhaveprovided
andcreatedafourth,goodman.
GladlywouldIhavejoinedhim.
ConstantinePCavafy
Those Who Fought for the Achaean League
Valiantareyouwhofoughtandfellgloriously;
fearlessofthosewhowereeverywherevictorious.
Blameless,evenifDiaeosandCritolaoswereatfault.
WhentheGreekswanttoboast,
"Ournationturnsoutsuchmen"theywillsay
ofyou.Andthusmarvellouswillbeyourpraise.--
WritteninAlexandriabyanAchaean;
intheseventhyearofPtolemyLathyrus.
ConstantinePCavafy
Tomb of Iases
IaseshereIlie.Towhomthisproud
Cityforyouthandbeautygavemuchfame.
Thelearnedwiseadmiredme,andthecrowd
Ofsimpletons.FrombothIhadthesame
Joy.ButtheHermesandNarcissusfashion
Wastedandkilledme.Traveller,youwillnotblame,
IfAlexandrian.Youknowthepassion
Ofourlifehere,thepleasureandtheflame.
ConstantinePCavafy
Trojans
Oureffortsarethoseoftheunfortunate;
oureffortsarelikethoseoftheTrojans.
Somewhatwesucceed;somewhat
weregainconfidence;andwestart
tohavecourageandhighhopes.
Butsomethingalwayshappensandstopsus.
Achillesinthetrenchbeforeus
emergesandwithloudcriesterrifiesus.--
OureffortsarelikethoseoftheTrojans.
Webelievethatwithresolutionanddaring
wewillaltertheblowsofdestiny,
andwestandoutsidetodobattle.
Butwhenthegreatcrisiscomes,
ourdaringandourresolutionvanish;
oursoulisagitated,paralyzed;
andwerunaroundthewalls
seekingtosaveourselvesinflight.
Nevertheless,ourfalliscertain.Above,
onthewalls,themourninghasalreadybegun.
Thememoriesandthesentimentsofourdaysweep.
BitterlyPriamandHecubaweepforus.
ConstantinePCavafy
Understanding
Theyearsofmyyouth,mysensuallife--
howclearlyIseetheirmeaningnow.
Whatneedlessrepentances,howfutile....
ButIdidnotunderstandthemeaningthen.
Inthedissolutelifeofmyyouth
thedesiresofmypoetrywerebeingformed,
thescopeofmyartwasbeingplotted.
Thisiswhymyrepentanceswereneverstable.
Andmyresolutionstocontrolmyself,tochange
lastedfortwoweeksattheverymost.
ConstantinePCavafy
Very Seldom
He'sanoldman.Usedupandbent,
crippledbytimeandindulgence,
heslowlywalksalongthenarrowstreet.
Butwhenhegoesinsidehishousetohide
theshamblesofhisoldage,hismindturns
totheshareinyouththatstillbelongstohim.
Hisverseisnowrecitedbyyoungmen.
Hisvisionscomebeforetheirlivelyeyes.
Theirhealthysensualminds,
theirshapelytautbodies
stirtohisperceptionofthebeautiful.
ConstantinePCavafy
Voices
Idealandbelovedvoices
ofthosewhoaredead,orofthose
whoarelosttouslikethedead.
Sometimestheyspeaktousinourdreams;
sometimesinthoughtthemindhearsthem.
Andwiththeirsoundforamomentreturn
othersoundsfromthefirstpoetryofourlife--
likedistantmusicthatdiesoffinthenight.
ConstantinePCavafy
Waiting for the Barbarians
Whatarewewaitingfor,assembledintheforum?
Thebarbariansaredueheretoday.
Whyisn'tanythinghappeninginthesenate?
Whydothesenatorssittherewithoutlegislating?
Becausethebarbariansarecomingtoday.
Whatlawscanthesenatorsmakenow?
Oncethebarbariansarehere,they'lldothelegislating.
Whydidouremperorgetupsoearly,
andwhyishesittingatthecity'smaingate
onhisthrone,instate,wearingthecrown?
Becausethebarbariansarecomingtoday
andtheemperoriswaitingtoreceivetheirleader.
Hehasevenpreparedascrolltogivehim,
repletewithtitles,withimposingnames.
Whyhaveourtwoconsulsandpraetorscomeouttoday
wearingtheirembroidered,theirscarlettogas?
Whyhavetheyputonbraceletswithsomanyamethysts,
andringssparklingwithmagnificentemeralds?
Whyaretheycarryingelegantcanes
beautifullyworkedinsilverandgold?
andthingslikethatdazzlethebarbarians.
Whydon'tourdistinguishedoratorscomeforwardasusual
tomaketheirspeeches,saywhattheyhavetosay?
andthey'reboredbyrhetoricandpublicspeaking.
Whythissuddenrestlessness,thisconfusion?
(Howseriouspeople'sfaceshavebecome.)
Whyarethestreetsandsquaresemptyingsorapidly,
everyonegoinghomesolostinthought?
Becausenighthasfallenandthebarbarianshavenotcome.
Andsomewhohavejustreturnedfromthebordersay
therearenobarbariansanylonger.
Andnow,what'sgoingtohappentouswithoutbarbarians?
Theywere,thosepeople,akindofsolution.
ConstantinePCavafy
Walls
Withnoconsideration,nopity,noshame,
theyhavebuiltwallsaroundme,thickandhigh.
AndnowIsitherefeelinghopeless.
Ican'tthinkofanythingelse:thisfategnawsmymind-
becauseIhadsomuchtodooutside.
Whentheywerebuildingthewalls,howcouldInothavenoticed!
ButIneverheardthebuilders,notasound.
Imperceptiblytheyhaveclosedmeofffromtheoutsideworld.
ConstantinePCavafy

Cavafy 24grammata - Com Free Ebook 1

Uploaded by

Document Information

Original Title

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

Cavafy 24grammata - Com Free Ebook 1

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Classic Poetry Series

You might also like