The Passion (II), A selection from Odysseus Elytis' Axion Esti

II

Greek the language they gave me;

poor the house on Homer’s shores.

            My only care my language on Homer’s shores.

There bream and perch

            windbeaten verbs,

green sea currents in the blue,

            all I saw light up my entrails,

sponges, jellyfish

            with first words of the Sirens,

rosy shells with the first black shivers.

            My only care my language with the first black shivers.

There pomegranates, quinces,

            swarthy gods, uncles and cousins

emptying oil into giant jars;

            and breathes from the ravine fragrant

with osier and terebinth

            broom and ginger root

with the first chirping finches,

            sweet psalms with the first Glory Be to Thee.

My only care my language with the first Glory Be to Thee!

            There laurel and palm leaves

censer and incense

            blessing the swords and the muskets.

On soil spread with vine scarves,

            the smell of roasting lamb, Paschal eggs cracking,

and “Christ is Risen,”

            with the first salvos of the Greeks.

Secret loves with the first words of the Hymn.

            My only care my language with the firs words of the Hymn!

Translated by Edmund Keeley & George Savidis