When you set sail for Ithaca, wish for the road to be long, full of adventures, full of knowledge.
Body, remember not only how much you were loved, not only the beds you lay on, but also those desires glowing openly in eyes that looked at you, trembling for you in voices.
Have Ithaka always in your mind. Your arrival there is what you are destined for. But don’t in the least hurry the journey.
A month passes by and brings another month. Easy to guess what lies ahead: all of yesterday’s boredom. And tomorrow ends up no longer like tomorrow.
On hearing about powerful love, respond, be moved like an aesthete. Only, fortunate as you’ve been, remember how much your imagination created for you.
What are we waiting for, assembled in the forum? The barbarians are due here today.
Roses by the head, jasmine at the feet so appear the longings that have passed without being satisfied, not one of them granted a night of sensual pleasure, or one of its radiant mornings.
From my most unnoticed actions, my most veiled writing from these alone will I be understood.