C.P. Cavafy
(1863-1933)
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Other poems of Cavafy...
Thermopylae
Translated by Edmund Keeley & Philip Sherrard
Honor to those who in the life they lead
define and guard a Thermopylae.
Never betraying what is right,
consistent and just in all they do
but showing pity also, and compassion;
generous when they're rich, and when they're poor,
still generous in small ways,
still helping as much as they can;
always speaking the truth,
yet without hating those who lie.
And even more honor is due to them
when they foresee (as many do foresee)
that Ephialtis will turn up in the end,
that the Medes will break through after all.
Notes:
Written January 1901.
Published November 30, 1903..
In 11-syllable unrhymed lines.
Ephialtis was the Greek traitor who guided a section of the Medes (i.e the Persian Army) over a mountain path in order to attack the rear of the Greek forces which were protecting the pass of Thermopylae under the Spartan king Leonidas (480 B.C.)