Cavafy Poem 100: Demaratos

(Demaratos, king of Sparta 510-491BC had ruled jointly with Cleomenes I who, with the help of a certain Leotychides, corrupted the Delphic Oracle into a declaration of Demaratos' illegitimacy. Demaratos was deposed and fled to the Persian court. He later accompanied Xerxes in his invasion of Greece.)

100. DEMARATOS

Porphyry the neoplatonist,
in pedagogic mode,
proposed that his pupil, a young sophist,
should prepare an outline of the character
of the deposed king of Sparta, Demaratos.
The sophist produced this precis,
in preparation for a later speech:-

'Demaratos was at the court of Darius;
then, when Darius died, became attached
to the circle of his son the warlike Xerxes,
Persian king. With Xerxes and his mighty army
he seeks his vindication and quietus.

'Who could blame him? The Spartans
well and truly stitched him up -
he had to grant them that.
Was he not King Ariston's lawful son?
The traitors bribed the Delphic Oracle
to declare him illegitimate: a lie!
Not satisfied with slander, deposition,
they subjected him to gross humiliation.
No wonder he welcomed a situation
at the opposing belligerent Persian court -
that made him a traitor too; oh yes he knew;
of that he was too painfully aware.

'Nonetheless he's happy with King Xerxes.
He'll follow the Persian armies into Sparta,
regain his rightful place, be re-crowned king.
When he rules once more he'll make damned sure
the vermin Leotychides, most arch of all arch enemies,
is satisfactorily expelled; shamed and expelled.

'Anticipating this, he's on the razor's edge
in his efforts to ensure the Persian king
should conquer and subdue the whole of Greece.
Brain work and brain ache harry Demaratos,
darken his impatient, waiting days.
He knows he should be contented; but he can't.
The thought of revenge awaiting his firm grasp
(feels his fingertips tingling in expectation)
is blanked out by the growing realisation
(he really can't shake off this grim conclusion)
that after all the Greeks will be triumphant!'

___________________________________________

The film clip is from 'Triumph of the Son of Hercules' starring Kirk Morris and was taken from the peplumz channel on You Tube, see http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VLpk_5zkBYE with the permission of the originator. I have used the clip in such a way that 'the young sophist' actually becomes Demaratos and both are of course Kirk Morris. One could do much more with this sort of inner referencing which would add an extra layer of meaning to the poem. Hopefully I shall explore this sort of scenario as I proceed.

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[peplumz]

Nice work!

[cavafyinenglish]

Many thanks for the Kirk Morris clip!

[PoetLina]

"Gesamt" ? If as in meisterwerk, then perhaps you're there, but if in the literal then you're just about two thirds through! Time to be thinking of your next project... :)

[cavafyinenglish]

In the Wagnerian sense Halina! The complete artwork which embraces ALL the arts - but with poetry slightly dominating of course! Seriously, YouTube holds out hope for this sort of concept, as you have found yourself with your expanding use of the visual medium. I've completed all 154 Cavafys, but can't stop rewriting ;)

[sfkcbf]

Fascinating both in regard to history and also human nature, with the added romantic element, absent from modern-day machinations. I appreciate also the accompanying illustrations and music which enhance your work.

[cavafyinenglish]

Thank you Stephen - it seems I am attempting more and more to create the perfect gesamtkunstwerk!!

[ronwelker8]

this is one i have never seen before with the kirk morris clip......thanks

[andrewnorris1]

I love this combination of film and words, this seems to be a further step in your visual creativity. Another educative poem with a personal touch that I am coming to recognize as your own. Beautiful musical clip too.

[cavafyinenglish]

Many thanks David :)

[twinnumber3]

Another one of your wonderful gifts to us- I am most appreciative. Thank you.