The Complete Poems of Cavafy

This Harcourt, Brace & World edition presents the complete poetic output of Constantine P. Cavafy, translated by Rae Dalven with an introduction by W.H. Auden. Dalven's translations capture both the poet's historical sensibility and intimate lyricism.

The collection presents Cavafy's unique blend of historical consciousness and personal emotion, featuring poems that move between ancient Alexandria and modern Greek life. Cavafy's work explores themes of love, loss, historical memory, and cultural identity through precise, understated language that achieves profound emotional impact.

Cavafy is considered one of the most important modern Greek poets and a significant influence on 20th-century poetry generally. His historical consciousness and technical precision influenced poets like Auden, who championed his work. The collection introduced English-speaking readers to a major European poet whose work bridges ancient and modern sensibilities.

Cavafy lived most of his life in Alexandria, Egypt, which deeply influenced his historical imagination and sense of cultural intersection. He published very few poems during his lifetime, preferring to circulate them privately among friends. W.H. Auden's introduction helped establish Cavafy's reputation among English-speaking readers and poets.