Laughing All The Way

Ithaca

Constantine P. Cavafy

When you set out for Ithaka

Ask that your way be long,

Full of adventure, full of instruction. The Laistrygonians and the Cyclops,

Angry Poseidon-do not fear them:

Such as these you will never find

As long as your thought is lofty, as long as a rare

Emotion touch your spirit and body.

The Laistrygonians and the Cyclops,

Angry Poseidon-you will not meet them

Unless you carry them in your soul,

Unless your soul raise them up before you.

Ask that your way be long.

And many a summer dawn to enter

With what gratitude, what joy-

Ports seen for the first time

To stop at Phoenician trading centers,

And to but good merchandise,

Mother of pearl and coral, amber and ebony

And sensuous perfumes of every kind,

Sensuous perfumes as lavishly as you can;

To visit many Egyptian cities,

To gather stores of knowledge from the learned

Better it last for years

So that when you reach the island you are old,

Rich with all you have gained on the way,

Not expecting Ithaka to give you wealth.

Ithaka gave you a splendid journey. Without her you would not have set out

She hasn't anything else to give you.

And if you find her poor, Ithaka hasn't deceived you

So wise you have become, of such experience,

That already you'll have understood what these Ithakas mean

What a journey I've had