“O King Alcinoüs, mightiest of our race, I will obey thee, and will seek to appease Our guest. This sword of brass will I bestow, With hilt of silver, and an ivory sheath New wrought, which he may deem a gift of price.”
He spake, and gave the silver-studded sword Into his hand, and spake these winged words:—
“Stranger and father, hail! If any word That hath been uttered gave offence, may storms Sweep it away forever. May the gods Give thee to see thy wife again, and reach Thy native land, where all thy sufferings And this long absence from thy friends shall end!”
Ulysses, the sagacious, thus replied:—
“Hail also, friend! and may the gods confer On thee all happiness, and may the time Never arrive when thou shalt miss the sword Placed in my hands with reconciling word!”
He spake, and slung the silver-studded sword Upon his shoulders. Now the sun went down, And the rich presents were already brought. The noble heralds came and carried them Into the palace of Alcinoüs, where His blameless sons received and ranged them all In fair array before the queenly dame Their mother. Meantime had the mighty king Alcinoüs to his palace led the way, Where they who followed took the lofty seats, And thus Alcinoüs to Aretè said:—
“Bring now a coffer hither, fairly shaped, The best we have, and lay a well-bleached cloak And tunic in it; set upon the fire A brazen cauldron for our guest, to warm The water of his bath, that having bathed And viewed the gifts which the Phaeacian chiefs Have brought him, ranged in order, he may sit Delighted at the banquet and enjoy The music. I will give this beautiful cup Of gold, that he, in memory of me, May daily in his palace pour to Jove Libations, and to all the other gods.”