Book VI

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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 Cyclopes 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.

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