When eros inspires

Observe how Eros works his magic spells,

And how all love-sick mortals he compels.

He quickens their desire and gives it might,

And teaches them to wrestle in the night.

He cheapens gold, to blemish he gives charm.

And to the weakling lends a warrior’s arm;

He makes the coward dare, the sluggard race,

The awkward he endows with every grace.

Love made Rotokritos to hold his ground

And to defy the ten who gathered round.

From EROTOCRITOS (lines543-552)

Vizentzos Cornaros (16th-17th Century)

Γρικήσετε του έρωτα θαμάσματα τα κάνει

κ' εισέ θανάτους εκατό, όσ' αγαπούν, τσι βάνει.

Πληθένει τως την όρεξι και δύναμι τως δίδει,

μαθαίνει τσι να πολεμού τη νύχτα στο σκοτείδι,

κάνει τον ακριβό φτηνό, τον άσκημο ερωτάρι

κάνει και τον ανήμπορο άντρα και παλληκάρι,

τον φοβιτσάριν άφοβο, πρόθυμο τον οκνιάρι

κάνει και τον ακάτεχο να ξέρη πάσα χάρι.

Η αγάπη το Ρωτόκριτο κάνει να πολεμήση

με δέκα, κ' εις τον έρωτα ολπίζει να νικήση.

Some days ago, a young student (16 years old) came into the library (where I work) and asked me if I had the book of "Erotocritos". I was a bit surprised by his choice. I told him: "Hey! Did you fall in love and you want to dedicate some poetic lines to your girl?" He smiled and nodded "yes"....

Isn't it astonishing? Emotions stay the same through the years, the centuries! Words that manage to capture these emotions can stay immortal.

EROTOCRITOS: The world of this work is the ideal Greek world of friendship, pure feelings, authentic Greek traditions. It is the world of the beauty of Athens and Crete which is "the throne of virtue and the river of wisdom."
The language of this work is authentic Greek and Cretan, a synthesis and conscious effort of the poet to express lofty human feelings and values with simplicity, directness and truth.
Erotokritos has been characterized as a masterpiece of the Greek language which unites the magic of myth and a deep understanding of everyday life. It expresses the "threefold ideal which is bravery, beauty and wisdom." A work rooted deeply in authentic Greek traditions, humanity, true feeling and pure love for life and freedom.