Of the Sixth and Seventh Century by C.P. Cavafy

Of the Sixth and Seventh Century

by C.P. Cavafy

It's very interesting and moving,

the Alexandria of the sixth century, or early in the seventh

before the coming of the mighty Arab nation.

She still speaks Greek, officially;

perhaps without much verve, yet, as is only fitting,

she speaks our language still.

Throughout the Greek world it's destined to fade away;

but here it's still holding up as best it can.

It's not unnatural if we have looked upon

this particular era so feelingly,

we who now have once more borne

the sound of Greek speech back to her soil.