Letter by John Cavafy to C. P. Cavafy

GR-OF CA CA-SF02-S01-SS02-F20-SF001-0040 (415)

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[Alexandria] 11 March 1884

My dear Constantine,
     I was duly favoured with your valued letters of the 25 February and 3 March and thank you exceedingly. The news they contain is highly interesting and they are written in your best style. Peter has not taken out a license to wear his decoration, as the formality entails expense. The Temple Bar for March goes forward by this mail: as regards the Queen I am puzzled and disgusted with our friend Penasson: he promises to let me have the whole batch next mail. You will note the Temple Bar contains several pieces of versification: I say versification advisedly for I think they are hardly worthy the name of poetry: most infernal rubbish some of them. I am not neglecting the Muse and am going to appeal to the Temple Bar shortly ― The Soudan keeps us lively: an important and decisive battle is shortly expected: so far you will admit Chinese Gordon has been an Egyptian failure. This fanatical gentleman has done next to nothing towards amending matters. ― Much love to dear mother with my best wishes for her early and complete recovery ― we, three, are keeping well. Remember me kindly to Alexander and Paul and believe me ever
          Your affectionate
               Johannisberg
C.F. Cavafy Esquire
     “The Red Mouse”
     ―――――
     i
     Five years alas! but five short years ago.
          How beautiful wert thou!
     Under a lilac-tree, in the rich glow
     Of Autumn sunset … fair, exceeding fair!
     A dream incarnate: purer than the air
     That waved thy tresses: sweeter than the flower
     Upon thy heaving breast ….. and now
          The Red Mouse hath thee in his power.
     Five years, but five short years have wrought a change
     In this God’s-world of ours seldom deemed strange!
               x     x     x     x

(I have not written any more: the subject is taken from Goethe’s Faust ― I think it will do for a beginning
     “Nothing so difficult as a beginning” etc
          You know the lines ―
     Yours
          J.C.C.

[Alexandria] 11 March 1884

My dear Constantine,
     I was duly favoured with your valued letters of the 25 February and 3 March and thank you exceedingly. The news they contain is highly interesting and they are written in your best style. Peter has not taken out a license to wear his decoration, as the formality entails expense. The Temple Bar for March goes forward by this mail: as regards the Queen I am puzzled and disgusted with our friend Penasson: he promises to let me have the whole batch next mail. You will note the Temple Bar contains several pieces of versification: I say versification advisedly for I think they are hardly worthy the name of poetry: most infernal rubbish some of them. I am not neglecting the Muse and am going to appeal to the Temple Bar shortly ― The Soudan keeps us lively: an important and decisive battle is shortly expected: so far you will admit Chinese Gordon has been an Egyptian failure. This fanatical gentleman has done next to nothing towards amending matters. ― Much love to dear mother with my best wishes for her early and complete recovery ― we, three, are keeping well. Remember me kindly to Alexander and Paul and believe me ever
          Your affectionate
               Johannisberg
C.F. Cavafy Esquire
     “The Red Mouse”
     ―――――
     i
     Five years alas! but five short years ago.
          How beautiful wert thou!
     Under a lilac-tree, in the rich glow
     Of Autumn sunset … fair, exceeding fair!
     A dream incarnate: purer than the air
     That waved thy tresses: sweeter than the flower
     Upon thy heaving breast ….. and now
          The Red Mouse hath thee in his power.
     Five years, but five short years have wrought a change
     In this God’s-world of ours seldom deemed strange!
               x     x     x     x

(I have not written any more: the subject is taken from Goethe’s Faust ― I think it will do for a beginning
     “Nothing so difficult as a beginning” etc
          You know the lines ―
     Yours
          J.C.C.

PHOTO 1
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IDENTITY AREA

REFERENCE CODE:

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GR-OF CA CA-SF02-S01-SS02-F20-SF001-0040 (415)

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Letter by John Cavafy to C. P. Cavafy

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11/3/1884

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Item

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44 x 27.5 cm

FORMER REFERENCE CODE:

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F53_Φ1-32

CONTEXT AREA

NAME OF CREATOR(S):

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Cavafy, John

CONTENT AND STRUCTURE AREA

SCOPE AND CONTENT:

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Handwritten letter by John Cavafy to C. P. Cavafy, on the first and third pages of a double sheet letterhead of R. J. Moss & Co., Alexandria. The remaining pages are blank. Discussion on poetry. Comments on the Sudan and reference to the medal awarded to their brother Peter-John (Order of the Medjidie). Excerpt from John’s poem “The red Mouse” in the third page. (Alexandria)

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CC BY-SA 4.0 Cavafy Archive Onassis Foundation

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English

PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS AND TECHNICAL REQUIREMENTS:

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Writing in ink. Watermark: R. J. Moss & Co., Alexandria. Physical item wear: oxidations.

NOTES AREA

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The transcription and editing of the letters of John Constantine Cavafy addressed to C. P. Cavafy was first carried out by Katerina Ghika; said transcriptions were subsequently uploaded to the official website of the Cavafy Archive.

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS:

Literary annotation, providing additional information on the digital object.

The letter includes an excerpt from John’s poem “The red Mouse”, which, according to him, was based on Goethe’s Faust. John expresses his dislike for poems published in the Temple Bar.