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Originally Posted by Squaredancecalling Steve
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 (1911)
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Do not be tricked and never say
It was a dream or that your ears misled,
Leave cowards their entreaties and complaints,
Let all such useless hopes as these be shed,
And like a man long since pepared,
Deliberately, with pride, with resignation
Befitting you and worthy of such a city
Turn to the open window and look down
And drink past all deceiving as you say
Your last rapture from the mystical throng
Farewell to Alexandria as she is leaving.
Cavafy
As someone long prepared for the occassion:
In full command of every plan you wrecked-
Do not choose a coward's explanation
that hides behind the cause and the effect.
And you who were bewildered by a meaning:
Whose code was broken, crucifix uncrossed-
Say goodbye to Alexandria leaving.
Then say goodbye to Alexandria lost.
Leonard Cohen
Man, I love this stuff.