Cavafy Poem 32: Ithaka

This is one of the jewels in Cavafy's poetic crown, or at least one of a handful of his best known poems. It is No 32 in the canon.

32. ITHAKA


If, like Odysseus, you try to get home to Ithaka,
be lucky in your journey - let it be a long one
packed with fascination.

Don't be aghast at giants or fear the one-eyed man
or the angry sea-god:
these are only fables.

Your mind exalted,
your spirit and body purified through thought,
you need not witness these monsters
unless you carry them with you
locked in imagination.

This wonderful Ithacan journey -
pray it may be long
full of happy summer mornings
when you enter new harbours never seen before
tense with excitement, your heart thudding heavily.

Do not omit to visit those trading stations
set up by peripatetic Phoenicians
who in their wanderings to fabulous regions
amass the most beautiful pearl and coral
heaped up with amber and ebony
in dark shops redolent with sensuous perfumes.

Do not forget to study at great Egyptian
centres of learning, to extend your wisdom
by the words of the wise.

Your destination, Ithaka, keep always in mind:
that's where you're heading; that's your purpose.
But better that your journey is not hurried
(Ithaka is always waiting)
better if it takes you years to get there;
better if you're old when you reach the island
enriched beyond expectation with experience

- then Ithaka, your goal, on coming home
will not disappoint you.

It was for this you wandered,
for this you came.
Having seen so many wonders,
you accept her: this is your home, your island.
You come with full hands; and you were not fooled,
wise with experience, into thinking
Ithaka other than she is.

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[katcatgr88]

Oh and also I wanted to ask if you have translated 'Longings'.There are several translations of it on the web but I'd be very keen to read yours. :)

Katerina

[cavafyinenglish]

@katcatgr88 The first poem in the collected works of 1935? Yes indeed, it is here - I called it 'Desires.' I adapt, rather than translate the poems, and no I do not speak Greek! (See details in my profile.) Thanks for watching Katerina.

[gorkon87]

this is fantastic thank you for posting it

[cavafyinenglish]

& thanks for commenting :)

[cavafyinenglish]

Thank you. Having already been in Ithaca, you know what he's talking about :)

[greg1lewin]

I also wanted to say that I do find your concluding line stunning...."you were not fooled, wise with experience, into thinking Ithaca other than she is." Sublime!

Your reading is magnificent, too.

[greg1lewin]

Is this your translation? It's beautiful in many ways. I really appreciate it. But it does differ--sometimes considerably--from early version I had heard. Three lines that I find achingly beautiful have been eliminated in your version. They are:

"Ithaka gave you the marvelous journey.

Without her you wouldn't have set out.

She has nothing left to give you now."

Could you enlighten me as to why?

[katcatgr88]

Hey!I really like your channel!Cavafy is my favourite poet and I think your translations convey the essence of the Greek version of his poems. I'm sorry if I'm being intrusive but I really want to ask you if you speak Greek!?

Many thanks!

Katerina

[Liveris91]

Congratulations on your way of presenting it!

An Ithacan currently living in London!

Thank you very much