Of The Shop
He wrapped them carefully, neatlyin costly green silk.
Roses of ruby, lilies of pearl,violets of amethyst.
As he himself judged,as he wanted them, they look beautiful to him; not as he sawor studied them in nature.
He will leave them in the safe,a sample of his daring and skillful craft.
When a buyer enters the shophe takes from the cases other wares and sells — superb jewels —bracelets, chains, necklaces, and rings.
Greek Original:
Του
Τα τύλιξε προσεκτικά, με τάξισε πράσινο πολύτιμο μετάξι.
Από ρουμπίνια ρόδα, από μαργαριτάρια κρίνοι,από αμεθύστους μενεξέδες.
Ως αυτός τα κρίνει,τα θέλησε, τα βλέπει ωραία· όχι όπως στην φύσιτα είδεν ή τα σπούδασε.
Μες στο ταμείον θα τ'αφίσει,δείγμα της τολμηρής δουλειάς του και ικανής.
Στο μαγαζί σαν μπει αγοραστής κανείςβγάζει απ' τες θήκες άλλα και πουλεί -- περίφημα στολίδια --βραχιόλια, αλυσίδες, περιδέραια, και δαχτυλίδια.
Constantine P Cavafy
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