Envoys from Alexandria
They had not seen, for ages, such beautiful gifts in Delphias these that had been sent by the two brothers,the rival Ptolemaic kings.
After they had received themhowever, the priests were uneasy about the oracle.
They will needall their experience to compose it with astuteness,which of the two, which of such two will be displeased.
And they hold secret councils at nightand discuss the family affairs of the Lagidae.
But see, the envoys have returned.
They are bidding farewell.
They are returning to Alexandria, they say.
And they do not askfor any oracle.
And the priests hear this with joy(of course they will keep the marvellous gifts),but they also are utterly perplexed,not understandin g what this sudden indifference means.
For they are unaware that yesterday the envoys received grave news.
The oracle was given in Rome; the division took place there.
Original Greek:
Πρέσβεις απ' την
Δεν είδαν, επί αιώνας, τέτοια ωραία δώρα στους Δελφούςσαν τούτα που εστάλθησαν από τους δύο τους αδελφούς,τους αντιζήλους Πτολεμαίους βασιλείς.
Αφού τα πήρανόμως, ανησύχησαν οι ιερείς για τον χρησμό.
Την πείρανόλην των θα χρειασθούν το πώς με οξύνοιαν να συνταχθεί,ποιός απ' τους δυο, ποιός από τέτοιους δυο να δυσαρεστηθεί.
Και συνεδριάζουνε την νύχτα μυστικάκαι συζητούν των Λαγιδών τα οικογενειακά.
Αλλά ιδού οι πρέσβεις επανήλθαν.
Χαιρετούν.
Στην Αλεξάνδρεια επιστρέφουν, λεν.
Και δεν ζητούνχρησμό κανένα.
Κ' οι ιερείς τ' ακούνε με χαρά(εννοείται, που κρατούν τα δώρα τα λαμπρά,αλλ' είναι και στο έπακρον απορημένοι,μη νοιώθοντας τι η εξαφνική αδιαφορία αυτή σημαίνει.
Γιατί αγνοούν που χθες στους πρέσβεις ήλθαν νέα βαρυά.
Στη Ρώμη δόθηκε ο χρησμός· έγειν' εκεί η μοιρασιά.
Constantine P Cavafy
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