My translation (to english) of a poem by Constantine Cavafy :)

[Kyriakos]

A new translation, Thermopylae

Thermopylae


Glory be to those who in their lives
tend to and protect Thermopylae.
Never to take leave from their duty;
just and forward in all of their actions,
but also with sadness and compassion;
brave while they are wealthy, and when
they are poor also brave to some smaller degree,
again coming to aid as much as they can;
always speaking the truth,
but without hatred for those who lie.


And even more glory to them is due
when they predict (and many of them do predict)
that Ephialtes will in the end appear,
and the Medes will finally pass.


Θερμοπύλες


Τιμή σ’ εκείνους όπου στην ζωή των
ώρισαν και φυλάγουν Θερμοπύλες.
Ποτέ από το χρέος μη κινούντες·
δίκαιοι κ’ ίσιοι σ’ όλες των τες πράξεις,
αλλά με λύπη κιόλας κ’ ευσπλαχνία·
γενναίοι οσάκις είναι πλούσιοι, κι όταν
είναι πτωχοί, πάλ’ εις μικρόν γενναίοι,
πάλι συντρέχοντες όσο μπορούνε·
πάντοτε την αλήθεια ομιλούντες,
πλην χωρίς μίσος για τους ψευδομένους.

Και περισσότερη τιμή τούς πρέπει
όταν προβλέπουν (και πολλοί προβλέπουν)
πως ο Εφιάλτης θα φανεί στο τέλος,
κ’ οι Μήδοι επί τέλους θα διαβούνε.

Btw, if there are any grammatical errors with the poems, pls tell, because maybe at some point i might send them to some publisher

[Kyriakos]

My new translation of a Cavafy poem

Whoever has failed



Whoever has failed, whoever deteriorated,

with what difficulty shall he learn the new language
and the new ways, of now being poor.



How shall he arrive to the pitiful houses of others!

With what heart shall he walk down the street

and upon reaching the door where will he find

the strength to reach for the door-bell.

For the gratification of the base need of bread,

and for having a roof above him, how will he be thankful!

How will he face the cruel glances

which will be revealing to him that he is a burden!

How will the proud lips now

start to be speaking humbly;

and the raised head how much will now bow down!

How will he listen to the speech which rips apart

his ears with its every new word – and still

you should act as if you don’t feel them.

As if you are a simpleton and don’t grasp anything at all.

[Alwyn]

A thought-provoking poem, thank you for the translation, nicely done!

[Kyriakos]

Thanks

[Kyriakos]

A new translation... this time of Cavafy's prose-poem "Julian's Initiation Ritual".
A rather Lovecraftian (if you'd excuse the anachronism) piece by Cavafy

[Alwyn]

I see what you mean, this poem creates a very Lovecraftian atmosphere!

[Kyriakos]

^I am glad you liked it