On Day 656 of the daily poems our poet-translator Timothy Adès speaks of Greek lyric poet Angelos Sikelianós thinking to rouse John Keats from dreams of glaucous ivory, and fabled silver, and ponderous amber. A beautiful translation by Adès. “On Pylos’ broad and shining shore I pondered that you would be my friend …”
John Keats
From a long poem by Angelos Sikelianós (1884-1951)
translated from Greek by Timothy Adès
The two poets make a Homeric journey to Pylos and Sparta … and on to Rome.
I thought to urge you with my foot, and wake you,
at the night’s abating,
lest we lose the very hour, when the shining vehicle
was yoked and waiting.
All day, unspeaking, or in plain discourses,
now hither, now thither
we’d range, and steer the swaying yoke of horses
to one side or other.
But more than this, I thought your gaze would fall,
your eyes being like a fawn’s,
oblivious on Menelaus’ hall,
sinking bright gold and bronze
to depths of no return, unmoved observer,
in memory’s sea-chamber,
with glaucous ivory, and fabled silver,
and ponderous amber.
Angelos Sikelianós
translated from Greek by Timothy Adès