Ithaca
One of the great classics of all literature, Homer’s “Odyssey,” tells of the return of the hero Ulysses to the island of Ithaca
Many centuries later, another Greek poet, Constantine Cavafys , dealt with this homecoming in a different manner, creating one of the most beautiful metaphors of this journey in search of our dreams. While the drama of the “Odyssey” centers on the difficulties in arriving and in the suffering of the beloved wife, in Cavafys’ poetry exactly the opposite is asked of Ulysses: he should enjoy the journey and experience all that needs to be lived.
Below, the poem by Cavafis:
When you set out on your journey toIthaca
pray that the road is long,
Full of adventure, full of knowledge.
The Lestrygonians and the Cyclops,
the angry find such as these on your path
if your thoughts remain lofty, if a fine
emotion touches your sprit and your body.
The Lestrygonians and the Cyclops,
the fierce Poseidon you will never encounter,
if you do not carry them within your soul,if your heart does not set them up before you.
Pray that the road is long.
That the summer mornings are many, when,
with such pleasure, with such joy
you will enter ports seen for the first time;
stop at Phoenician markets,
and purchase fine merchandise,
mother-of-pearl and coral, amber and ebony,
and sensual perfumes of all kinds,
as many sensual perfumes as you can;
visit many Egyptian cities,
to learn and learn from scholars.
Always keepIthaca
To arrive there is your ultimate goal.
But do not hurry the voyage at all.
It is better to let it last for many years;
and to anchor at the island when you are old,
rich with all you have gained on the way,
not expecting thatIthaca
Ithaca
Without her you would never set out on the road.
She has nothing more to give you.
And if you find her poor,Ithaca
Wise as you have become, with so much experience.
you must already have understood whatIthaca
Constantine Cavafy “1863-1933"
Many centuries later, another Greek poet, Constantine Cavafys , dealt with this homecoming in a different manner, creating one of the most beautiful metaphors of this journey in search of our dreams. While the drama of the “Odyssey” centers on the difficulties in arriving and in the suffering of the beloved wife, in Cavafys’ poetry exactly the opposite is asked of Ulysses: he should enjoy the journey and experience all that needs to be lived.
Below, the poem by Cavafis:
When you set out on your journey to
pray that the road is long,
Full of adventure, full of knowledge.
The Lestrygonians and the Cyclops,
the angry find such as these on your path
if your thoughts remain lofty, if a fine
emotion touches your sprit and your body.
The Lestrygonians and the Cyclops,
the fierce Poseidon you will never encounter,
if you do not carry them within your soul,if your heart does not set them up before you.
Pray that the road is long.
That the summer mornings are many, when,
with such pleasure, with such joy
you will enter ports seen for the first time;
stop at Phoenician markets,
and purchase fine merchandise,
mother-of-pearl and coral, amber and ebony,
and sensual perfumes of all kinds,
as many sensual perfumes as you can;
visit many Egyptian cities,
to learn and learn from scholars.
Always keep
To arrive there is your ultimate goal.
But do not hurry the voyage at all.
It is better to let it last for many years;
and to anchor at the island when you are old,
rich with all you have gained on the way,
not expecting that
Without her you would never set out on the road.
She has nothing more to give you.
And if you find her poor,
Wise as you have become, with so much experience.
you must already have understood what
Constantine Cavafy “1863-1933"
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