NetNews Usenet Archive 1993 #3/NN_1993_3.iso/spool/soc/culture/europe/11458

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From: [e-mail] (George Theodoropoulos)
Newsgroups: soc.culture.europe,soc.culture.greek,alt.news.macedonia
Subject: KAVAFIS
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Date: 26 Jan 93 16:14:43 GMT
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                ALEXANDREIA

When suddenly at the hour of midnight there is heard
An invisible company going by
With exquisite music, with voices-
Do not uselessly lament
Your luck that is giving way, your work that has failed,
Your life's plans that have all ended in despair.
Like a man long prepared, like a man of courage,
Bid her farewell, the Alexandreia that leaves you.

Above all, do not deceive yourself, do not say that it was
A dream, that your hearing was mistaken;
To such empty hopes you must not condescend.
As befits you, who were found worthy of so great a city,
Go firmly to the window,
And listen with emotion, but without
The complains and entreaties of a coward,
As a last rapture listen to the sounds,
To the exquisite instruments of the mysterious company,
And bid her farewell, the Alexandreia that you are losing.

                             K. KAVAFIS
                         Alexandreia, 1911.