In this spot My father has his country-grounds, and here His garden flourishes, as far from town As one could hear a shout. There sit thou down And wait till we are in the city’s streets And at my father’s house. When it shall seem That we are there, arise and onward fare To the Phaeacian city, and inquire Where dwells Alcinoüs the large-souled king, My father; ’tis not hard to find; a child Might lead thee thither. Of the houses reared By the Phaeacians there is none like that In which Alcinoüs the hero dwells. When thou art once within the court and hall, Go quickly through the palace till thou find My mother where she sits beside the hearth, Leaning against a column in its blaze, And twisting threads, a marvel to behold, Of bright sea-purple, while her maidens sit Behind her. Near her is my father’s throne, On which he sits at feasts, and drinks the wine Like one of the immortals. Pass it by And clasp my mother’s knees; so mayst thou see Soon and with joy the day of thy return, Although thy home be far. For if her mood Be kindly toward thee, thou mayst hope to greet Thy friends once more, and enter yet again Thy own fair palace in thy native land.”
Thus having said, she raised the shining scourge And struck the mules, that quickly left behind The river. On they went with easy pace And even steps. The damsel wielded well The reins, and used the lash with gentle hand, So that Ulysses and her train of maids On foot could follow close. And now the sun Was sinking when they came to that fair grove Sacred to Pallas. There the noble chief Ulysses sat him down, and instantly Prayed to the daughter of imperial Jove:—
“O thou unconquerable child of Jove The Aegis-bearer! hearken to me now, Since late thou wouldst not listen to my prayer, What time the mighty shaker of the shores Pursued and wrecked me! Grant me to receive Pity and kindness from Phaeacia’s sons.”
So prayed he, supplicating. Pallas heard The prayer, but came not to him openly. Awe of her father’s brother held her back; For he would still pursue with violent hate Ulysses, till he reached his native land.