He spake; Aretè bade her maidens haste To place an ample tripod on the fire. Forthwith upon the blazing fire they set A laver with three feet, and in it poured Water, and heaped fresh fuel on the flames. The flames crept up the vessel’s swelling sides, And warmed the water. Meantime from her room Aretè brought a beautiful chest, in which She laid the presents destined for her guest— Garments and gold which the Phaeacians gave— And laid the cloak and tunic with the rest, And thus in winged words addressed the chief:—
“Look to the lid thyself, and cast a cord Around it, lest, upon thy voyage home, Thou suffer loss, when haply thou shalt take A pleasant slumber in the dark-hulled ship.”
Ulysses, the sagacious, heard, and straight He fitted to its place the lid, and wound And knotted artfully around the chest A cord, as queenly Circè long before Had taught him. Then to call him to the bath The housewife of the palace came.