‘A Greek gentleman in a straw hat, standing absolutely motionless at a slight angle to the universe’ E. M. Forster

E. M. Forster's description of C. P. Cavafy (1863-1933) perfectly captures the unique perspective Cavafy brought to history and geography, sexuality, and language in his poems. Cavafy writes about people on the periphery, whose religious, ethnic, and cultural identities are ambiguous, and he was a pioneer in expressing a defined homosexual sensibility. His poems present brief and vivid portrayals of historic scenes and sensual moments, often filled with his unique sense of irony.

This volume presents the most authentic Greek text of the 154 authorized poems that have been published, along with a new English translation that conveys the emphasis and rhythm of Cavafy's unique voice.

SERIES: For over 100 years, Oxford World’s Classics has provided the widest range of literature from around the globe. Each affordable volume reflects Oxford's commitment to scholarship, providing the most accurate text and a wealth of other valuable features, including expert introductions by leading scholars, helpful notes to clarify the text, up-to-date bibliographies for further study, and much more.