Caesarion
July 5, 2023The Room
July 5, 2023But Wise Men Perceive Approaching Things
Because gods perceive future things, men what is happening now,
but wise men perceive approaching things.
Philostratus, Life of Apollonius of Tyana, VIII, 7.
Men know what is happening now.
The gods know the things of the future,
the full and sole possessors of all lights.
Of the future things, wise men perceive
approaching things. Their hearing
is sometimes, during serious studies,
disturbed. The mystical clamor
of approaching events reaches them.
And they heed it with reverence. While outside
on the street, the peoples hear nothing at all.
Constantine Cavafy
Constantine Cavafy (1863-1933) was a Greek poet who wrote in both Greek and English. His poetry was known for its rich imagery, historical allusions, and melancholic themes. Cavafy's notable works include "Ithaca," "The God Abandons Antony," and "Waiting for the Barbarians."