When out on your journey to Ithaca
Pray that the road is long, Full of
adventure, full of discovery.
Laistrygonians, Cyclops, angry Poseidon
-no items:
never find such things in your way, never as senior
are your thoughts,
While a strange emotion
Encourage your soul and your body.
Laistrygonians, Cyclops, wild Poseidon
never find
Except as bring them along inside your soul,
unless your soul sets them up to you.
Pray that the road is long.
there be many summer mornings when,
with great pleasure and joy,
come into harbors;
Could you stop at Phoenician trading stations to buy fine
things
Coral and pearl, amber and ebony,
All sorts of sensual perfumes
Get as many as you can;
could
visit many Egyptian cities
And never stop learning from their scholars.
Keep Ithaka always in your mind.
Getting there is your destiny.
But do not hurry the journey.
Better if it lasts years,
because you're old when you reach the island,
Rico with all you've gained on the road,
not expecting Ithaca to make you rich.
Ithaka gave you the marvelous journey.
Without it you would have not
She has nothing more to give.
And if you find her poor, Ithaka will not think you cheated.
Wise as you have become, so full of experience,
You will have understood what is meant by Ithaca.
Constantine Cavafy
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