How interesting that this should come up just now -- or, to turn it around,
that I should have happened on 'Ithaca', Keeley & Sherrard version, in the
Bloodaxe 'Being Alive' anthology, only at the beginning of this week. I was
looking for journey poems, which I love.
As Rebecca said, the K&S versions clunk badly at times and move clumsily. I
don't read Greek either, but the Economou seems even in this one poem to be
far more the work of a poet, in either language. For instance, the S&K lines
'Hope your road is a long one' read to me a bit like postcardese (you know,
Wish you were here, hope the weather's good); obviously this wasn't
intentional, but it undercut the tone for me. Economou's 'Hope for a road
that will be long' has a more immediate clarity. I do find the rhythms
better throughout, as well, both to tongue and ear. Thanks for bringing this
version to my attention, Mark.
best joanna
----- Original Message -----
From: "Mark Weiss" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Saturday, January 15, 2005 12:12 AM
Subject: Cavafy Economou versions
George Economou sent me a few poems from his book of Cavafy translations.
The files were somewhat confused, so be aware that stanza spacing may be
off.
George says that the selection was the publisher's not his. It looks likely
that there will be another book, this time of George's choosing.
He threw in his translation of "Ithaca," which has never been published.
There are three other Cavafy translations in George's book Century Dead
Century, buried, with the rest of my belongings, in storage.
ITHACA
As you begin the journey to Ithaca,
hope for a road that will be long,
full of adventures, full of lessons.
Of Laistrygonians, of Cyclopes,
and livid Poseidon have no fear,
you'll never encounter such things on your course,
provided you hold your thoughts high, and a rare
kind of excitement touches your body and mind.
Laistrygonians and Cyclopes,
savage Poseidon you'll not meet up with,
unless you bear them in your soul,
unless your soul stands them up before you.
Hope for a road that will be long.
Let there be many a summer morning
in which with what pleasure, what joy
you'll enter harbors seen for the very first time;
may you stop at Phoenician marketplaces,
and acquire beautiful things,
mother-of-pearl and coral, amber and ebony,
and delightful perfumes of every kind,
delightful perfumes as profusely as you can;
may you go to many Egyptian cities,
to learn and learn from their scholars.
Always keep Ithaca in your mind.
Getting there is your destiny.
But by no means rush the journey.
Better to let it hold on for years;
and as an old man to drop anchor at the island,
rich with all you've won on the road,
not expecting Ithaca to make you wealthy.
Ithaca gave you the beautiful journey.
Without her you wouldn't have taken the road.
She has nothing more to give you.
And if you find she's poor, she hasn't deceived you.
In the way you have become wise, full of experience,
you'll understand now what Ithacas mean.
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