Thermopylae...

[fajrdrako]

Someone on one of my mailing lists posted this poem today because it made them think of Faramir. I'm copying it here because I liked its expression of classic heroism.

Thermopylae (C. Cavafy, tr. E. Keeley & R. Sherrard)

Honour to those who in the life they lead
define and guard a Thermopylae.
Never betraying what is right,
consistent and just in all they do,
but showing pity also, and compassion;
generous when they are rich, and when they're poor,
still generous in small ways,
still helping as much as they can;
always speaking the truth,
yet without hating those who lie.


And even more honour is due to them
when they foresee (as many do foresee)
that in the end Ephialtis will appear,
that the Medes will break through after all.

Comments

[lmondegreen.livejournal.com]

Wow - that's perfect!

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

I think so too. But I must look up who or what Ephialtis is!