Ithaca
When you set out for Ithaca
hope your road is long
full of adventure and discovery.
I Lestrigoni and the Cyclops, the angry Poseidon do not worry,
not be the sort of meetings
if your thoughts remain lofty, and the feeling
stirs your spirit and your body.
Cyclops, Lestrigoni, not Neptune or incurring the wrath
if you do not carry them within
soul if you do not set them up.
Pray that the road is long
that there be many summer mornings when
ports - and what a joy to finally touch the ground-you for the first time in
Phoenician trading stations to linger and buy
pearl and coral, amber and ebony
all fine merchandise, even
penetrating aromas of all kinds, the most intoxicating aroma
you can, go in many Egyptian cities
learn many things from products.
But do you think of Ithaca-Arriving there is the constant thought.
But do not hurry the journey;
if it lasts long, for years, and that old
you reach the island, you, rich
treasures gained on the way
without expect wealth to Ithaca.
Ithaca gave you the marvelous journey, without her you would never put
travel: what else do you expect?
And if you find her poor, Ithaca you will be disappointed.
Done wise now, with so much experience on
you already have understood what Ithaca mean.
Constantinos Cavafy
When you set out for Ithaca
hope your road is long
full of adventure and discovery.
I Lestrigoni and the Cyclops, the angry Poseidon do not worry,
not be the sort of meetings
if your thoughts remain lofty, and the feeling
stirs your spirit and your body.
Cyclops, Lestrigoni, not Neptune or incurring the wrath
if you do not carry them within
soul if you do not set them up.
Pray that the road is long
that there be many summer mornings when
ports - and what a joy to finally touch the ground-you for the first time in
Phoenician trading stations to linger and buy
pearl and coral, amber and ebony
all fine merchandise, even
penetrating aromas of all kinds, the most intoxicating aroma
you can, go in many Egyptian cities
learn many things from products.
But do you think of Ithaca-Arriving there is the constant thought.
But do not hurry the journey;
if it lasts long, for years, and that old
you reach the island, you, rich
treasures gained on the way
without expect wealth to Ithaca.
Ithaca gave you the marvelous journey, without her you would never put
travel: what else do you expect?
And if you find her poor, Ithaca you will be disappointed.
Done wise now, with so much experience on
you already have understood what Ithaca mean.
Constantinos Cavafy
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