Ithaca by C.P.Cavafy (with Sean Connery & Vangelis)

C.P.Cavafy's poem 'Ithaca', recited by Sir Sean Connery and with music specially composed by Vangelis.

ITHACA [1910, 1911]
As you set out for Ithaca
hope that your journey is a long one,
full of adventure, full of discovery.
Laistrygonians and Cyclops,
angry Poseidon-don't be afraid of them:
you'll never find things like that on your way
as long as you keep your thoughts raised high,
as long as a rare sensasion
touches your spirit and your body.
Laistrygonians and Cyclops,
wild Poseidon-you won't encounter them
unless you bring them along inside your soul,
unless your soul sets them up in front of you.

Hope that your journey is a long one.
May there be many summer mornings when,
with what pleasure, what joy,
you come into harbors you're seeing for the first time;
may you stop at Phoenician trading stations
to buy fine things,
mother of pearl and coral, amber and ebony,
sensual perfume of every kind-
as many sensual perfumes as you can;
and may you visit many Egyptian cities
to learn and learn again from those who know.

Keep Ithaka always in your mind.
Arriving there is what you're destined for.
But don't hurry the journey at all.
Better if it lasts for years,
so that you're old by the time you reach the island,
wealthy with all you've gained on the way,
not expecting Ithaca to make you rich.
Ithaca gave you the marvelous journey.
Without her you would have not set out.
She has nothing left to give you now.

And if you find her poor, Ithaca won't have fooled you.
Wise as you will have become, so full of experience,
you'll have understood by then what these Ithacas mean.

Category:

Travel & Events

Tags:

• poem
• ithaca
• ithaki
• ιθάκη
• καβάφης
• cavafy
• kavafis
• sean
• connery
• vangelis

[lynchmobb2000]

16 people have not bought as many perfumes as they can

[bluesacorn]

Contrary to what you say , i think the whole package is way very exellent.I am Greek and deeply inspired .

I think it is more wise and magnanimus to recognise the transepersonal impact of poetry rather than reminding us of the narrow perception of pride.Pride is a very expensive and dividing instrument when relating to art,Lets pretend that we are all in the land of laistrygonians and felt awakened with the poem.Everything else it's all Greek to me.

[flyer203]

@Uriel333

You mean Sean Connery..

[nuevaepoca]

wtf??? How could you possibly dislike this?

[AbovePerfect]

I hope you all knew Greek. In its original version this poem is even more magical.

[theseventhson95]

@thisisyourwakeup i agree. But his voice has something special , during the end it is pretty amazing id say.

[divisorplot]

I think this perfume might be of the light type Sir Issac Newton.Fishy in her little dishy.Ichthys Jesus Christ Son of God and Saviour.Saviour the light!

[thisisyourwakeup]

because I love this poem i mark it up but I dislike Sean Connerys voice , there were better choices

[theseventhson95]

Ithaka is end of life , the journey is life experience

to me...

[Uriel333]

I'm greek and I think this scottish guy (dont know his name) is unbelievably inspiring....

goosebumps....

[Dasoulman007]

One more masterpiece offered by a greek remaining in history of human culture. They can't destroy you, doesnt matter how hard they try. Thank you for giving the light to the world.

[Saphiramajka1]

Oww thats brilliant! Love Sean's voice (scottish accent <3)