swept me, groaning, from the raft, Whose planks they scattered. Still I labored through The billowy depth, and swam, till wind and wave Drove me against your coast. As there I sought To land, I found the surges hurrying me Against huge rocks that lined the frightful shore, But, turning back, I swam again and reached A river and the landing-place I wished. Smooth, without rocks, and sheltered from the wind. I swooned, but soon revived. Ambrosial night Came on. I left the Jove-descended stream And slept among the thickets, drawing round My limbs the withered leaves, while on my lids A deity poured bounteously the balm Of slumber. All night long, among the leaves, I slept, with all that sorrow in my heart, Till morn, till noon. Then as the sun went down The balmy slumber left me, and I saw Thy daughter’s handmaids sporting on the shore, And her among them, goddess-like. To her I came a suppliant, nor did she receive My suit unkindly as a maid so young Might do, for youth is foolish. She bestowed Food and red wine abundantly, and gave, When I had bathed, the garments I have on. Thus is my tale of suffering truly told.”
And then Alcinoüs answered him and said:— “Stranger, one duty hath my child o’erlooked— To bid thee follow hither with her maids, Since thou didst sue to her the first of all.”
Ulysses, the sagacious, thus replied:— “Blame not for that, O hero, I entreat, Thy faultless daughter. She commanded me To follow with her maids, but I refrained For fear and awe of thee, lest, at the sight, Thou mightest be displeased; for we are prone To dark misgivings—we, the sons of men.” Again Alcinoüs spake: “The heart that beats Within my bosom is not rashly moved To wrath, and better is the temperate mood. This must I say, O Father Jupiter, And Pallas and Apollo! I could wish That, being as thou art, and of like mind With me, thou wouldst receive to be thy bride My daughter, and be called my son-in-law, And here abide. A palace I would give, And riches, shouldst thou willingly remain. Against thy will let no Phaeacian dare To keep thee here. May Father Jove