Constantine P. Cavafy. Poems by Manolis

Author:Manolis
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: philosophy, erotic poems, translation, cavafy, historical poems, modern greek poet
Publisher: Libros Libertad Publishing

SO THEY WILL COME

One candle is enough. Its dim light

will be more suitable hospitable

when the Shadows come the Shadows of Love.

One candle is enough. Tonight the room

should not have too much light. Deep in reverie,

in subjection, and in the low light—

completely in reverie I shall envisage

the coming of the Shadows, the Shadows of Love.

DAREIOS

The poet Fernazis composes

an important passage of his epic poem.

How Dareios son of Hystaspis took

over the kingdom of Persia. (Our glorious

King Mithridatis, called Dionysos and

Eupator descends from him). But here

he needs philosophy; he must analyze

the feelings Dareios must have had:

perhaps arrogance and intoxication; but no—

rather an understanding of the futility of grandeur.

The poet thinks seriously about this issue.

But he is interrupted by his servant who enters

running and announces the bad news.

The war against the Romans has started.

Most of our armies have crossed the border.

The poet is dumbfounded. What a catastrophe!

Because now our glorious king Mithridatis,

called Dionysos and Eupator, won’t care

to occupy himself with Greek poems—

in the midst of war—imagine, Greek poems.

Fernazis is impatient. Bad luck!

Just as he was certain that with “Dareios”

he would become famous and he would

be able to shut for good the mouths

of his most envious critics.

What an upset, what a setback up to his plans.

And if it was just the setback, it would still be okay.

But let us see whether we are going to have

security in Amisos. It is not a well fortified city.

The Romans are the most horrible enemies.

Can we, the Cappadokians get the best

of them? Is this possible?

Can we really fight against the legions now?

Great Gods, protectors of Asia, help us.—

But in all his agitation and distress,

the poetic idea persistently comes and goes—

the most probable, of course, is arrogance and intoxication;

yes, Dareios must have felt arrogance and intoxication.

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