ITHACA

As you set out for Ithaca,
hope that your journey is a long one,
full of adventure full of discovery.
Lestrygonians and Cyclops,
angry Poseidon - do not be afraid of them:
You will 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.
Lestrygonians and Cyclops, wild Poseidon you won't 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 will come into harbours seen for the first time.
May you stop at Phoenician trading stations
to buy fine things,
mother-of-pearl, coral, amber, and ebony,
sensual perfume of every kind,
as many sensual 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 the journey at all.
It is 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 marvellous journey.
Without her you would not have set out.
She has nothing left to give you now;

and if you find her poor, Ithaca won't have fooled you.
Wise as you will have become, so full of experience,
you will have understood by then what these Ithacas mean.

C.P. Cavafy