As our English courses have been brought to a close, I
feel that it is the right moment to thank you all for your participation in
this trip to knowledge. For us, the teachers, it has been a worthwile
experience and we are looking forward to meeting you in September.
Wishing you a beautiful and relaxing summer, we are
sending our farewell along with the words of C. Cavafy.
Ithaca
As you set out
for Ithaca
hope that your journey is a long one,
full of adventure, full of discovery.
The Laistrygonians and the Cyclops,
angry Poseidon - do not 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
sensation touches your spirit and your body.
The Laistrygonians and the Cyclops,
wild Poseidon - you will not 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 a harbour seen for the first time;
may you stop at Phoenician trading stations,
to buy fine things,
mother of pearl and coral, amber and ebony,
and sensuous perfumes of every kind,
as many sensuous perfumes as you can;
and may you visit many Egyptian cities,
to learn and learn again from those who know.
Keep Ithaca always in your mind.
Arriving there is what you are destined for.
But do not hurry in the journey at all.
Better if it lasts for years,
so that you are old by the time you reach the island,
wealthy with all you have gained on the way,
not expecting Ithaca to make you rich.
Ithaca gave you the marvelous journey.
Without her you would not have set out.
She has nothing left to give you now.
And if you find her poor, Ithaca wouldn’t have fooled you.
hope that your journey is a long one,
full of adventure, full of discovery.
The Laistrygonians and the Cyclops,
angry Poseidon - do not 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
sensation touches your spirit and your body.
The Laistrygonians and the Cyclops,
wild Poseidon - you will not 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 a harbour seen for the first time;
may you stop at Phoenician trading stations,
to buy fine things,
mother of pearl and coral, amber and ebony,
and sensuous perfumes of every kind,
as many sensuous perfumes as you can;
and may you visit many Egyptian cities,
to learn and learn again from those who know.
Keep Ithaca always in your mind.
Arriving there is what you are destined for.
But do not hurry in the journey at all.
Better if it lasts for years,
so that you are old by the time you reach the island,
wealthy with all you have gained on the way,
not expecting Ithaca to make you rich.
Ithaca gave you the marvelous journey.
Without her you would not have set out.
She has nothing left to give you now.
And if you find her poor, Ithaca wouldn’t have fooled you.
Wise as you
will have become, so full of experience,
you will have understood by then,
what all these Ithacas mean.
you will have understood by then,
what all these Ithacas mean.
Constantine P. Cavafy
And
here is a link to YouTube where Son Connery recites “Ithaca”.
Enjoy!
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