Nausicaa, going to a river near that place to wash the clothes of her
father, mother, and brethren, while the clothes were drying played with
her maids at ball; and Odysseus coming forth is fed and clothed, and
led on his way to the house of her father, King Alcinous.
So there he lay asleep, the steadfast goodly Odysseus, fordone with
toil and drowsiness. Meanwhile Athene went to the land and the city of
the Phaeacians, who of old, upon a time, dwelt in spacious Hypereia;
near the Cyclôpes they dwelt, men exceeding proud, who harried them
continually, being mightier than they. Thence the godlike Nausithous
made them depart, and he carried them away, and planted them in
Scheria, far off from men that live by bread. And he drew a wall around
the town, and builded houses and made temples for the gods and meted
out the fields. Howbeit ere this had he been stricken by fate, and had
gone down to the house of Hades, and now Alcinous was reigning, with
wisdom granted by the gods. To his house went the goddess, grey-eyed
Athene, devising a return for the great-hearted Odysseus. She betook
her to the rich-wrought bower, wherein was sleeping a maiden like to
the gods in form and comeliness, Nausicaa, the daughter of Alcinous,
high of heart. Beside her on either hand of the pillars of the door
were two handmaids, dowered with beauty from the Graces, and the
shining doors were shut.
But the goddess, fleet as the breath of the wind, swept towards the
couch of the maiden, and stood above her head, and spake to her in the
semblance of the daughter of a famous seafarer, Dymas, a girl of like
age with Nausicaa, who had found grace in her sight. In her shape the
grey-eyed Athene spake to the princess, saying:
“Nausicaa, how hath thy mother so heedless a maiden to her daughter?
Lo, thou hast shining raiment that lies by thee uncared for, and thy
marriage day is near at hand, when thou thyself must needs go
beautifully clad, and have garments to give to them who shall lead thee
to the house of the bridegroom! And, behold, these are the things
whence a good report goes abroad among men, wherein a father and lady
mother take delight. But come, let us arise and go a-washing with the
breaking of the day, and I will follow with thee to be thy mate in the
toil, that without delay thou mayst get thee ready, since truly thou
art not long to be a maiden. Lo, already they are wooing thee, the
noblest youths of all the Phaeacians, among that people whence thou
thyself dost draw thy lineage. So come, beseech thy noble father
betimes in the morning to furnish thee with mules and a wain to carry
the men’s raiment, and the robes, and the shining coverlets. Yea and
for thyself it is seemlier far to go thus than on foot, for the places
where we must wash are a great way off the town.”
So spake the grey-eyed Athene, and departed to Olympus, where, as they
say, is the seat of the gods that standeth fast for ever. Not by winds
is it shaken, nor ever wet with rain, nor doth the snow come nigh
thereto, but most clear air is spread about it cloudless, and the white
light floats over it. Therein the blessed gods are glad for all their
days, and thither Athene went when she had shown forth all to the
maiden.
Anon came the throned Dawn, and awakened Nausicaa of the fair robes,
who straightway marvelled on the dream, and went through the halls to
tell her parents, her father dear and her mother. And she found them
within, her mother sitting by the hearth with the women her handmaids,
spinning yarn of sea-purple stain, but her father she met as he was
going forth to the renowned kings in their council, whither the noble
Phaeacians called him. Standing close by her dear father she spake,
saying: “Father, dear, couldst thou not lend me a high waggon with
strong wheels, that I may take the goodly raiment to the river to wash,
so much as I have lying soiled? Yea and it is seemly that thou thyself,
when thou art with the princes in council, shouldest have fresh raiment
to wear. Also, there are five dear sons of thine in the halls, two
married, but three are lusty bachelors, and these are always eager for
new-washen garments wherein to go to the dances; for all these things
have I taken thought.”
This she said, because she was ashamed to speak of glad marriage to her
father; but he saw all and answered, saying:
“Neither the mules nor aught else do I grudge thee, my child. Go thy
ways, and the thralls shall get thee ready a high waggon with good
wheels, and fitted with an upper frame.”
Therewith he called to his men, and they gave ear, and without the
palace they made ready the smooth-running mule-wain, and led the mules
beneath the yoke, and harnessed them under the car, while the maiden
brought forth from her bower the shining raiment. This she stored in
the polished car, and her mother filled a basket with all manner of
food to the heart’s desire, dainties too she set therein, and she
poured wine into a goat-skin bottle, while Nausicaa climbed into the
wain. And her mother gave her soft olive oil also in a golden cruse,
that she and her maidens might anoint themselves after the bath. Then
Nausicaa took the whip and the shining reins, and touched the mules to
start them; then there was a clatter of hoofs, and on they strained
without flagging, with their load of the raiment and the maiden. Not
alone did she go, for her attendants followed with her.
Now when they were come to the beautiful stream of the river, where
truly were the unfailing cisterns, and bright water welled up free from
beneath, and flowed past, enough to wash the foulest garments clean,
there the girls unharnessed the mules from under the chariot, and
turning them loose they drove them along the banks of the eddying river
to graze on the honey-sweet clover. Then they took the garments from
the wain, in their hands, and bore them to the black water, and briskly
trod them down in the trenches, in busy rivalry. Now when they had
washed and cleansed all the stains, they spread all out in order along
the shore of the deep, even where the sea, in beating on the coast,
washed the pebbles clean. Then having bathed and anointed them well
with olive oil, they took their mid-day meal on the river’s banks,
waiting till the clothes should dry in the brightness of the sun. Anon,
when they were satisfied with food, the maidens and the princess, they
fell to playing at ball, casting away their tires, and among them
Nausicaa of the white arms began the song. And even as Artemis, the
archer, moveth down the mountain, either along the ridges of lofty
Taygetus or Erymanthus, taking her pastime in the chase of boars and
swift deer, and with her the wild wood-nymphs disport them, the
daughters of Zeus, lord of the aegis, and Leto is glad at heart, while
high over all she rears her head and brows, and easily may she be
known,—but all are fair; even so the girl unwed outshone her maiden
company.
But when now she was about going homewards, after yoking the mules and
folding up the goodly raiment, then grey-eyed Athene turned to other
thoughts, that so Odysseus might awake, and see the lovely maiden, who
should be his guide to the city of the Phaeacian men. So then the
princess threw the ball at one of her company; she missed the girl, and
cast the ball into the deep eddying current, whereat they all raised a
piercing cry. Then the goodly Odysseus awoke and sat up, pondering in
his heart and spirit:
“Woe is me! to what men’s land am I come now? say, are they froward,
and wild, and unjust, or are they hospitable, and of God-fearing mind?
How shrill a cry of maidens rings round me, of the nymphs that hold the
steep hill-tops, and the river-springs, and the grassy water meadows!
It must be, methinks, that I am near men of human speech. Go to, I
myself will make trial and see.”
Therewith the goodly Odysseus crept out from under the coppice, having
broken with his strong hand a leafy bough from the thick wood, to hold
athwart his body, that it might hide his nakedness withal. And forth he
sallied like a lion mountain-bred, trusting in his strength, who fares
out blown and rained upon, with flaming eyes; amid the kine he goes or
amid the sheep or in the track of the wild deer; yea, his belly bids
him go even to the good homestead to make assay upon the flocks. Even
so Odysseus was fain to draw nigh to the fair-tressed maidens, all
naked as he was, such need had come upon him. But he was terrible in
their eyes, being marred with the salt sea foam, and they fled cowering
here and there about the jutting spits of shore. And the daughter of
Alcinous alone stood firm, for Athene gave her courage of heart, and
took all trembling from her limbs. So she halted and stood over against
him, and Odysseus considered whether he should clasp the knees of the
lovely maiden, and so make his prayer, or should stand as he was,
apart, and beseech her with smooth words, if haply she might show him
the town, and give him raiment. And as he thought within himself, it
seemed better to stand apart, and beseech her with smooth words, lest
the maiden should be angered with him if he touched her knees: so
straightway he spake a sweet and cunning word:
“I supplicate thee, O queen, whether thou art a goddess or a mortal! If
indeed thou art a goddess of them that keep the wide heaven; to
Artemis, then, the daughter of great Zeus, I mainly liken thee, for
beauty and stature and shapeliness. But if thou art one of the
daughters of men who dwell on earth, thrice blessed are thy father and
thy lady mother, and thrice blessed thy brethren. Surely their souls
ever glow with gladness for thy sake, each time they see thee entering
the dance, so fair a flower of maidens. But he is of heart the most
blessed beyond all other who shall prevail with gifts of wooing, and
lead thee to his home. Never have mine eyes beheld such an one among
mortals, neither man nor woman; great awe comes upon me as I look on
thee. Yet in Delos once I saw as goodly a thing: a young sapling of a
palm tree springing by the altar of Apollo. For thither too I went, and
much people with me, on that path where my sore troubles were to be.
Yea, and when I looked thereupon, long time I marvelled in spirit,—for
never grew there yet so goodly a shoot from ground,—even in such wise
as I wonder at thee, lady, and am astonied and do greatly fear to touch
thy knees, though grievous sorrow is upon me. Yesterday, on the
twentieth day, I escaped from the wine-dark deep, but all that time
continually the wave bare me, and the vehement winds drave, from the
isle Ogygia. And now some god has cast me on this shore, that here too,
methinks, some evil may betide me; for I trow not that trouble will
cease; the gods ere that time will yet bring many a thing to pass. But,
queen, have pity on me, for after many trials and sore to thee first of
all am I come, and of the other folk, who hold this city and land, I
know no man. Nay show me the town, give me an old garment to cast about
me, if thou hadst, when thou camest here, any wrap for the linen. And
may the gods grant thee all thy heart’s desire: a husband and a home,
and a mind at one with his may they give—a good gift, for there is
nothing mightier and nobler than when man and wife are of one heart and
mind in a house, a grief to their foes, and to their friends great joy,
but their own hearts know it best.”
Then Nausicaa of the white arms answered him, and said: “Stranger,
forasmuch as thou seemest no evil man nor foolish—and it is Olympian
Zeus himself that giveth weal to men, to the good and to the evil, to
each one as he will, and this thy lot doubtless is of him, and so thou
must in anywise endure it:—and now, since thou hast come to our city
and our land, thou shalt not lack raiment, nor aught else that is the
due of a hapless suppliant, when he has met them who can befriend him.
And I will show thee the town, and name the name of the people. The
Phaeacians hold this city and land, and I am the daughter of Alcinous,
great of heart, on whom all the might and force of the Phaeacians
depend.”
Thus she spake, and called to her maidens of the fair tresses: “Halt,
my maidens, whither flee ye at the sight of a man? Ye surely do not
take him for an enemy? That mortal breathes not, and never will be
born, who shall come with war to the land of the Phaeacians, for they
are very dear to the gods. Far apart we live in the wash of the waves,
the outermost of men, and no other mortals are conversant with us. Nay,
but this man is some helpless one come hither in his wanderings, whom
now we must kindly entreat, for all strangers and beggars are from
Zeus, and a little gift is dear. So, my maidens, give the stranger meat
and drink, and bathe him in the river, where withal is a shelter from
the winds.”
So she spake, but they had halted and called each to the other, and
they brought Odysseus to the sheltered place, and made him sit down, as
Nausicaa bade them, the daughter of Alcinous, high of heart. Beside him
they laid a mantle, and a doublet for raiment, and gave him soft olive
oil in the golden cruse, and bade him wash in the streams of the river.
Then goodly Odysseus spake among the maidens, saying: “I pray you stand
thus apart, while I myself wash the brine from my shoulders, and anoint
me with olive oil, for truly oil is long a stranger to my skin. But in
your sight I will not bathe, for I am ashamed to make me naked in the
company of fair-tressed maidens.”
Then they went apart and told all to their lady. But with the river
water the goodly Odysseus washed from his skin the salt scurf that
covered his back and broad shoulders, and from his head he wiped the
crusted brine of the barren sea. But when he had washed his whole body,
and anointed him with olive oil, and had clad himself in the raiment
that the unwedded maiden gave him, then Athene, the daughter of Zeus,
made him greater and more mighty to behold, and from his head caused
deep curling locks to flow, like the hyacinth flower. And as when some
skilful man overlays gold upon silver—one that Hephaestus and Pallas
Athene have taught all manner of craft, and full of grace is his
handiwork—even so did Athene shed grace about his head and shoulders.
Then to the shore of the sea went Odysseus apart, and sat down, glowing
in beauty and grace, and the princess marvelled at him, and spake among
her fair-tressed maidens, saying:
“Listen, my white-armed maidens, and I will say somewhat. Not without
the will of all the gods who hold Olympus hath this man come among the
godlike Phaeacians. Erewhile he seemed to me uncomely, but now he is
like the gods that keep the wide heaven. Would that such an one might
be called my husband, dwelling here, and that it might please him here
to abide! But come, my maidens, give the stranger meat and drink.”
Thus she spake, and they gave ready ear and hearkened, and set beside
Odysseus meat and drink, and the steadfast goodly Odysseus did eat and
drink eagerly, for it was long since he had tasted food.
Now Nausicaa of the white arms had another thought. She folded the
raiment and stored it in the goodly wain, and yoked the mules strong of
hoof, and herself climbed into the car. Then she called on Odysseus,
and spake and hailed him: “Up now, stranger, and rouse thee to go to
the city, that I may convey thee to the house of my wise father, where,
I promise thee, thou shalt get knowledge of all the noblest of the
Phaeacians. But do thou even as I tell thee, and thou seemest a
discreet man enough. So long as we are passing along the fields and
farms of men, do thou fare quickly with the maidens behind the mules
and the chariot, and I will lead the way. But when we set foot within
the city,—whereby goes a high wall with towers, and there is a fair
haven on either side of the town, and narrow is the entrance, and
curved ships are drawn up on either hand of the mole, for all the folk
have stations for their vessels, each man one for himself. And there is
the place of assembly about the goodly temple of Poseidon, furnished
with heavy stones, deep bedded in the earth. There men look to the gear
of the black ships, hawsers and sails, and there they fine down the
oars. For the Phaeacians care not for bow nor quiver, but for masts,
and oars of ships, and gallant barques, wherein rejoicing they cross
the grey sea. Their ungracious speech it is that I would avoid, lest
some man afterward rebuke me, and there are but too many insolent folk
among the people. And some one of the baser sort might meet me and say:
‘Who is this that goes with Nausicaa, this tall and goodly stranger?
Where found she him? Her husband he will be, her very own. Either she
has taken in some shipwrecked wanderer of strange men,—for no men dwell
near us; or some god has come in answer to her instant prayer; from
heaven has he descended, and will have her to wife for evermore. Better
so, if herself she has ranged abroad and found a lord from a strange
land, for verily she holds in no regard the Phaeacians here in this
country, the many men and noble who are her wooers.’ So will they
speak, and this would turn to my reproach. Yea, and I myself would
think it blame of another maiden who did such things in despite of her
friends, her father and mother being still alive, and was conversant
with men before the day of open wedlock. But, stranger, heed well what
I say, that as soon as may be thou mayest gain at my father’s hands an
escort and a safe return. Thou shalt find a fair grove of Athene, a
poplar grove near the road, and a spring wells forth therein, and a
meadow lies all around. There is my father’s demesne, and his fruitful
close, within the sound of a man’s shout from the city. Sit thee down
there and wait until such time as we may have come into the city, and
reached the house of my father. But when thou deemest that we are got
to the palace, then go up to the city of the Phaeacians, and ask for
the house of my father Alcinous, high of heart. It is easily known, and
a young child could be thy guide, for nowise like it are builded the
houses of the Phaeacians, so goodly is the palace of the hero Alcinous.
But when thou art within the shadow of the halls and the court, pass
quickly through the great chamber, till thou comest to my mother, who
sits at the hearth in the light of the fire, weaving yarn of sea-purple
stain, a wonder to behold. Her chair is leaned against a pillar, and
her maidens sit behind her. And there my father’s throne leans close to
hers, wherein he sits and drinks his wine, like an immortal. Pass thou
by him, and cast thy hands about my mother’s knees, that thou mayest
see quickly and with joy the day of thy returning, even if thou art
from a very far country. If but her heart be kindly disposed toward
thee, then is there hope that thou shalt see thy friends, and come to
thy well-builded house, and to thine own country.”
She spake, and smote the mules with the shining whip, and quickly they
left behind them the streams of the river. And well they trotted and
well they paced, and she took heed to drive in such wise that the
maidens and Odysseus might follow on foot, and cunningly she plied the
lash. Then the sun set, and they came to the famous grove, the sacred
place of Athene; so there the goodly Odysseus sat him down. Then
straightway he prayed to the daughter of mighty Zeus: “Listen to me,
child of Zeus, lord of the aegis, unwearied maiden; hear me even now,
since before thou heardest not when I was smitten on the sea, when the
renowned Earth-shaker smote me. Grant me to come to the Phaeacians as
one dear, and worthy of pity.”
So he spake in prayer, and Pallas Athene heard him; but she did not yet
appear to him face to face, for she had regard unto her father’s
brother, who furiously raged against the godlike Odysseus, till he
should come to his own country.