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| Subject: Ithaka - Constantine Cavafy - a Greek Alexandrian (c. 1933) | |
Author: Christine | [ Next Thread |
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] Date Posted: 23:49:04 10/31/07 Wed When you set out for Ithaka, Pray that your way be long; Full of adventure and experience. The Laestrygones, the Cyclops, And Angry Poseidon--do not fear them. If your thoughts be high and Love knows your body and spirit, You will never meet them; Unless you carry them in your soul And your soul raises them up before you. Pray that your way be long. Have many summer mornings Filled with pleasure and delight When you enter harbours never before seen. You must stop at Phoenician trading stations And buy excellent merchandise; Mother of pearl, coral, ivory and ebony, And sensuous perfumes; You must buy many sensuous perfumes. You must dock in port-cities of Egypt To learn from those who know. Ithaka must always be in your mind. Your arrival there is predestined, But do not hurry the journey. Better that it last many years. Be old when you raise the island; Be rich with all you have gained on the way. Do not expect to find riches on Ithaka. Ithaka has given you your lovely journey. Without Ithaka you would not have set out. Ithaka has no more to give to you. Poor though you may find it, Ithaka has not cheated you. With all your experience you have become wise And now will understand the meaning of an Ithaka. [ Next Thread | Previous Thread | Next Message | Previous Message ] |