Letter by John Cavafy to C. P. Cavafy
[Alexandria] 19 January 1885
My dear Constantine,
I have your letter 10th instant with postscript of the 13th and thank you for the cutting out of the Times ― I anxiously await “the something more interesting next week”, though I cannot picture to myself of what nature this something is likely to be. “Cinque-pace” I have unwillingly given up as a bad job ― The mystery therein concealed has baffled all my exorcisms, and I am equally disappointed to have to write that I am unable to give you any idea how to put in Greek the phrase: “The pleasure you may find on a knife’s point” etc. The thought is so transcendentallyoriginal that I can hardly say I understand it ― You might translate word for word as I have tried but the sum total is thus reduced to mere jargon, incoherent of sense and all. As far as trouble is concerned you offend me by using the word ― Trouble, what trouble? how can pleasure be trouble? and I feel no greater pleasure than to be of some use to you.
Poor Albrecht is dead! A good, honest and gentlemanly person, whom I liked sincerely, and who had always a kind word for me, apart from any business relations I had with him, and which he ever succeeded in making pleasant and easy. I mourn him in heartfelt sorrow. ―You will be pleased to hear I have again appeared in the Public Opinion with some verses rejoicing in the title of “The Poetry of Song” ― I have only one copy of the paper and that I have sent to George, knowing it will please him, ― but I shall send you a number of the paper within two weeks as Mr. Moss has ordered half a dozen. I may mention the verses have been appreciated a good deal and figuratively speaking have walked Ramlé from one end to the other ―
Excuse this hurried and brief letter and believe me ever
Your affectionate
Johannisberg
DIGITAL OBJECT DESCRIPTION
IDENTITY AREA
26.5 x 22 cm
CONTEXT AREA
CONTENT AND STRUCTURE AREA
Handwritten letter by John Cavafy to C. P. Cavafy on the recto of a letterhead and on both sides of a second letterhead of R. J. Moss & Co., Alexandria. John announces the publication of a second poem of his in the Public Opinionl. Reference to the translation effort of C. P. Cavafy. (Alexandria)
CONDITIONS OF ACCESS AND USE AREA
English
Writing in ink. Watermark: R. J. Moss & Co., Alexandria.
NOTES AREA
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.
Publication of John Cavafy’s poem “The Poetry of Song” in the Public Opinion.