“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. Follow silently, I pray, And I will lead. Look not on any man Nor ask a question; for the people here Affect not strangers, nor do oft receive With kindly welcome him who comes from far. They trust in their swift barques, which to and fro, By Neptune’s favor, cross the mighty deep. Their galleys have the speed of wings or thought.”
Thus Pallas spake, and quickly led the way. He followed in her steps. They saw him not— Those trained Phaeacian seamen—for the power That led him, Pallas of the amber hair, Forbade the sight, and threw a friendly veil Of darkness over him. Ulysses saw, Wondering, the haven and the gallant ships, The marketplace where heroes thronged, the walls Long, lofty, and beset with palisades, A marvel to the sight. But when they came To the king’s stately palace, thus began The blue-eyed goddess, speaking to the chief:—
“Father and stranger, here thou seest the house Which thou hast bid me show thee. Thou wilt find The princes, nurslings of the gods, within, Royally feasting. Enter, and fear not; The bold man ever is the better man, Although he come from far. Thou first of all Wilt see the queen. Aretè is the name The people give her. She is of a stock The very same from which Alcinoüs The king derives his lineage.
For long since Nausithoüs, its founder, was brought forth To Neptune, the great Shaker of the shores, By Peribaea, fairest of her sex, And