Cavafy 128: A Priest of Serapis

This is my adaptation of Cavafy's poem Ιερεύς του Σεραπίου
128. A PRIEST OF SERAPIS

(A christian convert mourns the death of his father, a pagan priest.)

My dear old dad so constant in his love.
I mourn my beloved father.
He died two days ago, before the dawn.

Christ Jesus in thy keeping may I stay
constant in word and deed in every way
walking in thy light from day to day.
Smite the unbeliever holy Lord
with all the power of thy triumphant word.
But allow me, Lord, a little while to mourn.
Loving Jesus permit my moan of pity and remorse
at the death of my dear father, dear old dad
who had been - please forgive me, I must say it -
a pagan priest of the temple of Serapis,
of the accursed, the Alexandrian Serapis.

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[NuovoPiero]

I particularly love the flourish of emotion in your voice at the end !

The Christian convert need not fret. St. Peter's Basilica on Vatican Hill was the original site of the Temple of Attis, whose Devotee's and Priests emasculated themselves and wore flouncy, lacy dresses.

Le plus ça change, c'est plus la même chose.

Charles, my greatest regret is that my intellect and erudition are microscopic next to yours and, therefore, you and I will never truly KNOW each other.

Je t'adore ....

[cavafyinenglish]

@NuovoPiero Haha, thanks Pierino meo. I particularly like your second para! But nah, if you was as fick as you pretend you wouldn't understand nuffink :) xxxx

[1zangelique]

Charles--if Cavafy could be conjured, it is you who could do it, and he would first praise your adaptations of his work. Be very proud of yourself, my friend! Love, Gare

[cavafyinenglish]

@1zangelique Beloved Gare, I feel as if I conjure him every time I lay hands on his work! But I sense that he's sympathetic :)

[andrewnorris2]

Charles, you bring the full force of the drama into play here. The emotional strain of the convert who had, perhaps, become estranged from his father yet felt deep sadness for his passing. A little gem.

[PoetLina]

You bring enlightenment and skilful craft to this poem - it is an enlightened Christian who can mourn the passing of the pagan, " died...,before the dawn.", super line!

[NuovoPiero]

@cavafyinenglish HA !!! My favorite para was my third, referring to the second..... Have you SEEN Maledict's Dolce and Gabanna get-ups lately ?

[NuovoPiero]

@1zangelique Well Said !