Alert icon
We're changing our privacy policy. This stuff matters.  Learn more  Dismiss

Ithaka

Loading...

Sign in or sign up now!
23,850
Loading...
Alert icon
Sign in or sign up now!
Alert icon

Uploaded by on Aug 20, 2006

I don't tend to read a lot of poems, (...) but to me this one is special! I wonder if a lot of people will recognize part of themselves in it. I did. You might (or might not) have read 'Ithaca' (by Constantine P. Cavafy) in the book 'The Zahir' by Paulo Coelho.
You can read the text down here in case it's a bit hard to read in the video.. - Sorry! :)

'Ithaca'

When you set out on your journey to Ithaca,
pray that the road is long,
full of adventure, full of knowledge.
The Lestrygonians and the Cyclops,
the angry Poseidon -- do not fear them:
You will never find such as these on your path,
if your thoughts remain lofty, if a fine
emotion touches your spirit 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 soul 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 Ithaca in your mind.
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 Ithaca will offer you riches.

Ithaca has given you the beautiful voyage.
Without her you would have never set out on the road.
She has nothing more to give you.

And if you find her poor, Ithaca has not deceived you.
Wise as you have become, with so much experience,
you must already have understood what Ithacas mean.

Category:

Film & Animation

Tags:

License:

Standard YouTube License

Link to this comment:

Share to:
see all

All Comments (22)

Sign In or Sign Up now to post a comment!
  • fantastic!!  I have found a website to download all the series of novel for free..try this digibooks4u[DOTT]info

  • magical

  • magical

  • Truly magical

  • very very good

  • Thank you for make this video and all the genuine information to find this text. Thank you very much.

  • A wonderful poem and a beautiful video!!

  • very beautiful vid.

  • one of favorite poems :-)

    nice video!

  • Thank you.

Loading...
0 / 00Unsaved Playlist Return to active list
    1. Your queue is empty. Add videos to your queue using this button:
      or sign in to load a different list.
    Loading...Loading...Saving...
    • Clear all videos from this list
    • Learn more