Letter by John Cavafy to C. P. Cavafy

GR-OF CA CA-SF02-S01-SS02-F20-SF001-0072 (1183)

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Helouan 24.1.’20,
Σάββατο, 9 μμ.

Αγαπητέ μου Κωστή,
     Σ’ ευχαριστώ πολύ για το χθεσινό γράμμα σου: τόλαβα προ λίγων λεπτών.
     I quite understand όσα με γράφεις για τον Catraro και τους άλλους ξυπνούς νέους που κηρύττουν την εκτίμησί τους για το έργο σου. Tου Catraro η μεταφράσεις δεν είναι χωρίς αξία, αλλά βρίσκω ότι δεν είναι καλά reproductions of the originals, και γνωρίζω αρκετά τα ιταλικά to perceive that the work was done without long and careful research after the approximation to Greek that present-day Italian affords.
     Xαίρομαι που πήρα το τεύχος τα Γράμματα: εμπεριέχει πολλά που μ’ ενδιαφέρουν.
     Nαι, θα επιστρέψω την 12ην Φεβρ., αν θελήσει ο Θεός: και, καθώς γράφεις,
θάχουμε πολλά να πούμε when we meet.
     Όσο για την υγεία μου, τι να πω; αισθάνομαι miserable both physically and morally. «A man’s soul is sometime wont to bring him tidings», ― and my soul announces that my life is over and finished, and what appals me is the meagre result I have to show for the many years I have lived…. But don’t let me sadden you: you are my brother, and that is no small thing, for I am proud of you and of your work, and I do my best to make the value of that work known among my small circle of English-speaking acquaintances.
     Η Xαρί… είναι καλά: καϋμός μου είναι that, owing to my decrepitude, the poor little girl (who is also most uncomplaining and brave) has had and is having such a very dull time.
     My love εις την Marie.
     Very sorry to hear of the grievous affliction that has befallen L. Palli. «God’s in His heaven, and His ways are indeed inscrutable».

         Yours affectionately
                  John.

Helouan 24.1.’20,
Σάββατο, 9 μμ.

Αγαπητέ μου Κωστή,
     Σ’ ευχαριστώ πολύ για το χθεσινό γράμμα σου: τόλαβα προ λίγων λεπτών.
     I quite understand όσα με γράφεις για τον Catraro και τους άλλους ξυπνούς νέους που κηρύττουν την εκτίμησί τους για το έργο σου. Tου Catraro η μεταφράσεις δεν είναι χωρίς αξία, αλλά βρίσκω ότι δεν είναι καλά reproductions of the originals, και γνωρίζω αρκετά τα ιταλικά to perceive that the work was done without long and careful research after the approximation to Greek that present-day Italian affords.
     Xαίρομαι που πήρα το τεύχος τα Γράμματα: εμπεριέχει πολλά που μ’ ενδιαφέρουν.
     Nαι, θα επιστρέψω την 12ην Φεβρ., αν θελήσει ο Θεός: και, καθώς γράφεις,
θάχουμε πολλά να πούμε when we meet.
     Όσο για την υγεία μου, τι να πω; αισθάνομαι miserable both physically and morally. «A man’s soul is sometime wont to bring him tidings», ― and my soul announces that my life is over and finished, and what appals me is the meagre result I have to show for the many years I have lived…. But don’t let me sadden you: you are my brother, and that is no small thing, for I am proud of you and of your work, and I do my best to make the value of that work known among my small circle of English-speaking acquaintances.
     Η Xαρί… είναι καλά: καϋμός μου είναι that, owing to my decrepitude, the poor little girl (who is also most uncomplaining and brave) has had and is having such a very dull time.
     My love εις την Marie.
     Very sorry to hear of the grievous affliction that has befallen L. Palli. «God’s in His heaven, and His ways are indeed inscrutable».

         Yours affectionately
                  John.

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DIGITAL OBJECT DESCRIPTION

IDENTITY AREA

REFERENCE CODE:

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GR-OF CA CA-SF02-S01-SS02-F20-SF001-0072 (1183)

TITLE:

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Letter by John Cavafy to C. P. Cavafy

DATE(S):

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24/1/1920

LEVEL OF DESCRIPTION:

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Item

EXTENT AND MEDIUM:

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26.5 x 21 cm

FORMER REFERENCE CODE:

Records the former identifier of the item as given by the Historical G. P. Savvidis Catalogue.

Χ.φ., Φ Ζ’-Η’

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 in the first three pages of a bifolio. The last page is blank. Comments on the Italian translation by Atanasio Catraro of poems by C. P. Cavafy. Reference to his health and his bad mood. (Heluan)

CONDITIONS OF ACCESS AND USE AREA

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CC BY-SA 4.0 Cavafy Archive Onassis Foundation

LANGUAGE AND SCRIPT NOTES:

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English

PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS AND TECHNICAL REQUIREMENTS:

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Writing in ink. Watermark: Mercury Mill GB. Physical item wear: oxidations.

NOTES AREA

NOTE:

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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.

John comments on the translations by Catraro, which he considers inferior to the originals. He also mentions his effort to make Cavafy’s work known in his circles.