The God Abandons Antony

…It is said that about the middle of the night, while the city was quiet and downcast through fear and anticipation of what was about to come, suddenly the sounds of various instruments were heard and the shouting of a crowd, as if a throng of Bacchic revelers were going out through the middle of the city toward the gate facing the enemy, and there the noise became greatest and went out. It seemed to those considering this sign that the god was deserting Antony. (Plutarch)

Hearing at midnight the unseen procession
that passes you by, with voices and music,
don’t mourn your fortune that passes away,
your work come to nothing, the plans that deceived you.
Like one given courage, like one long prepared,
you must bid her farewell now, this fair Alexandria,
bid her farewell, she is leaving you now.
Most important of all, don’t laugh or make light of it,
don’t call it a dream, or your ears playing tricks on you,
don’t comfort yourself with vain hopes such as these.
With courage, like one long prepared, as befits you,
like one who is worthy of so great a city,
steady yourself at the window and listen,
with proper emotion, and not as a coward,
enjoy for the last time these sounds you are hearing,
the exquisite sounds of this mystic procession,
and bid her farewell now, this fair Alexandria,
bid her farewell, you are losing her now.

Translated from the Greek of Constantine Cavafy