And ever in the dance they need attire New from the wash. All this must I provide.”
She ended, for she shrank from saying aught Of her own hopeful marriage. He perceived Her thought and said: “Mules I deny thee not, My daughter, nor aught else. Go then; my grooms Shall make a carriage ready with high sides And sturdy wheels, and a broad rack above.”
He spake, and gave command. The grooms obeyed, And, making ready in the outer court The strong-wheeled chariot, led the harnessed mules Under the yoke and made them fast; and then Appeared the maiden, bringing from her bower The shining garments. In the polished car She piled them, while with many pleasant meats And flavoring morsels for the day’s repast Her mother filled a hamper, and poured wine Into a goatskin. As her daughter climbed The car, she gave into her hands a cruse Of gold with smooth anointing oil for her And her attendant maids. Nausicaä took The scourge and showy reins, and struck the mules To urge them onward. Onward with loud noise They went, and with a speed that slackened not, And bore the robes and her—yet not alone, For with her went the maidens of her train. Now when they reached the river’s pleasant brink, Where lavers had been hollowed out to last Perpetually, and freely through them flowed Pure water that might cleanse the foulest stains, They loosed the mules, and drove them from the wain To browse the sweet grass by the eddying stream; And took the garments out, and flung them down In the dark water, and with hasty feet Trampled them there in frolic rivalry. And when the task was done, and all the stains Were cleansed away, they spread the garments out Along the beach and where the stream had washed The gravel cleanest. Then they bathed, and gave Their limbs the delicate oil, and took their meal Upon the river’s border—while the robes Beneath the sun’s warm rays were growing dry. And now, when they were all refreshed by food, Mistress and maidens laid their veils aside And played at ball. Nausicaä the white-armed Began a song. As when the archer-queen Diana, going