- When you set out on your journey to Ithaca,
- pray that the road is long,
- full of adventure, full of knowledge.
- The Lestrygonians and the Cyclops,
- the angry Poseidon -- do not fear them:
- You will never find such as these on your path,
- if your thoughts remain lofty, if a fine
- emotion touches your spirit and your body.
- The Lestrygonians and the Cyclops,
- the fierce Poseidon you will never encounter,
- if you do not carry them within your soul,
- if your soul does not set them up before you.
- Pray that the road is long.
- That the summer mornings are many, when,
- with such pleasure, with such joy
- you will enter ports seen for the first time;
- stop at Phoenician markets,
- and purchase fine merchandise,
- mother-of-pearl and coral, amber and ebony,
- and sensual perfumes of all kinds,
- as many sensual perfumes as you can;
- visit many Egyptian cities,
- to learn and learn from scholars.
- Always keep Ithaca in your mind.
- To arrive there is your ultimate goal.
- But do not hurry the voyage at all.
- It is better to let it last for many years;
- and to anchor at the island when you are old,
- rich with all you have gained on the way,
- not expecting that Ithaca will offer you riches.
- Ithaca has given you the beautiful voyage.
- Without her you would have never set out on the road.
- She has nothing more to give you.
- And if you find her poor, Ithaca has not deceived you.
- Wise as you have become, with so much experience,
- you must already have understood what Ithacas mean.
- Constantine P. Cavafy
