Two Young Men, 23 to 24 Years Old
He’d been sitting in the café since ten-thirty expecting him to turn up any minute. Midnight went by, and he was still waiting for him. It was now after one-thirty, and the café was almost deserted. He’d grown tired of reading newspapers mechanically. Of his three lonely shillings only one was left: waiting that long, he’d spent the others on coffees and brandy. He’d smoked all his cigarettes. So much waiting had worn him out. Because alone like that for so many hours, he’d also begun to have disturbing thoughts about the immoral life he was living. But when he saw his friend come in— His friend brought unexpected news. Their good looks, their exquisite youthfulness, Now all joy and vitality, feeling and charm, And when the expensive drinks were finished |
![]() |
Translated by Edmund Keeley/Philip Sherrard |
(C.P. Cavafy, Collected Poems. Translated by Edmund Keeley and Philip Sherrard. Edited by George Savidis. Revised Edition. Princeton University Press, 1992) |
– Original Greek Poem |