Arrival of Ulysses at Ithaca
Departure of Ulysses from the court of Alcinoüs—Arrival of the ship at Ithaca—Ulysses carried on shore by the Phaeacians while asleep, and left—His treasures landed also—The ship, while returning, transformed by Neptune into a rock—Dialogue between Pallas and Ulysses concerning the destruction of the suitors—Concealment of the treasures in a cave—Transformation of Ulysses into an old man.
He spake, and all within those shadowy halls Were silent; all were held in mute delight. Alcinoüs then took up the word and said:—
“Since thou hast come, Ulysses, as a guest, To this high pile and to these brazen rooms, So long a sufferer, thou must not depart Upon thy homeward way a wanderer still. And this let me enjoin on each of you Who in this palace drink at our repasts The choice red wine, and listen to the bard: Already in a polished chest are laid Changes of raiment, works of art in gold, And other gifts, which the Phaeacian chiefs Have destined for our guest; now let us each Bestow an ample tripod and a vase, And we in an assembly of the realm Will see the cost repaid, since otherwise Great would the burden be that each must bear.” So spake Alcinoüs; they approved, and sought Their homes to sleep, but when the child of Dawn, The rosy-fingered Morn, appeared, they came, All bringing to the ship their gifts of brass In honor of the guest. The mighty prince Alcinoüs, going through the ship, bestowed The whole beneath the benches, that no one Of those who leaned to pull the oar might thence Meet harm or hindrance. Then they all went back To the king’s palace, and prepared a feast.
The mighty prince Alcinoüs offered up For them an ox to cloud-compelling Jove, The son of Saturn, ruler over all. They burned the