Reception of Ulysses by Alcinoüs
Return of Nausicaä to the city, followed by Ulysses—Palace and garden of Alcinoüs—Reception of Ulysses by the queen and her husband—Narrative given by Ulysses of his voyage and shipwreck.
So prayed Ulysses the great sufferer. The strong mules bore the damsel toward the town, And when she reached her father’s stately halls She stopped beneath the porch. Her brothers came Around her, like in aspect to the gods, And loosed the mules, and bore the garments in. She sought her chamber, where an aged dame Attendant there, an Epirote, and named Eurymedusa, lighted her a fire. She by the well-oared galleys had been brought Beforetime from Epirus, and was given To king Alcinoüs, ruler over all Phaeacia’s sons, who hearkened to his voice As if he were a god. ’Twas she who reared White-armed Nausicaä in the royal halls, Tended her hearth, and dressed her evening meal.
Now rose Ulysses up, and townward turned His steps, while friendly Pallas wrapt his way In darkness, lest someone among the sons Of the Phaeacians with unmannerly words Might call to him or ask him who he was. And just as he was entering that fair town The blue-eyed Pallas met him, in the form Of a young virgin with an urn. She stood Before him, and Ulysses thus inquired:—
“Wilt thou, my daughter, guide me to the house Where dwells Alcinoüs, he who rules this land? I am a stranger, who have come from far After long hardships, and of all who dwell Within this realm I know not even one.”
Pallas, the blue-eyed goddess, thus replied:— “Father and stranger, I will show the house; The dwelling of my own good father stands Close by it.