Ithaka – The Reformed Dealer

As you set out for Ithaka
hope the voyage is a protracted one,
filled with journey, filled with discovery.
Laistrygonians and Cyclops,
offended Poseidon—don’t be afraid of them:
you’ll by no means discover issues like that in your approach
so long as you retain your ideas raised excessive,
so long as a uncommon pleasure
stirs your spirit and your physique.
Laistrygonians and Cyclops,
wild Poseidon—you received’t encounter them
except you convey them alongside inside your soul,
except your soul units them up in entrance of you.

Hope the voyage is a protracted one.
Could there be many a summer season morning when,
with what pleasure, what pleasure,
you come into harbors seen for the primary time;
could you cease at Phoenician buying and selling stations
to purchase fantastic issues,
mom of pearl and coral, amber and ebony,
sensual fragrance of each form—
as many sensual perfumes as you may;
and will you go to many Egyptian cities
to assemble shops of data from their students.

Preserve Ithaka all the time in your thoughts.
Arriving there’s what you’re destined for.
However don’t hurry the journey in any respect.
Higher if it lasts for years,
so you’re previous by the point you attain the island,
rich with all you may have gained on the best way,
not anticipating Ithaka to make you wealthy.

Ithaka gave you the marvelous journey.
With out her you wouldn’t have set out.
She has nothing left to provide you now.

And when you discover her poor, Ithaka received’t have fooled you.
Clever as you’ll have turn into, so filled with expertise,
you’ll have understood by then what these Ithakas imply.

C.P. Cavafy, 1911