BOOK VII

The Welcome of Alcinouüs

Here, then, long-tried royal Odysseus made his prayer; but to the town the strong mules bore the maid. And when she reached her father’s famous palace, she stopped before the door-way, and round her stood her brothers, men like immortals, who from the cart unyoked the mules and carried the clothing in. The maid went to her chamber, where a fire was kindled for her by an old Apeiraean woman, the chamber-servant Eurymedousa, whom long ago curved ships brought from Apeira; her they had chosen from the rest to be the gift of honor for Alcinouäs, because he was the lord of all Phaeacians, and people listened to his voice as if he were a god. She was the nurse of white-armed Nausicaaä at the palace, and she it was who kindled her the fire and in her room prepared her supper.

And now Odysseus rose to go to the city; but Athene kindly drew thick clouds around Odysseus, for fear some bold Phaeacian meeting him might trouble him with talk and ask him who he was. And just as he was entering the pleasant town, the goddess, clear-eyed Athene, came to meet him, disguised as a young girl bearing a water-jar. She paused as she drew near, and royal Odysseus asked:

“My child, could you not guide me to the house of one Alcinouäs, who is ruler of this people? For I am a toil-worn stranger newly come from a distant foreign shore. Therefore I know not one among the men who own this city and this land.”

Then said to him the goddess, clear-eyed Athene: “Certainly, good old stranger, I will show the house for which you ask, for it is not far from my good father’s. But follow in silence; I will lead the way. Cast not a glance at any man and ask no questions; for our people do not well endure a stranger, nor courteously receive a man who comes from elsewhere. They trust in their swift ships and traverse the great deep, as the Earth-shaker allows them. Swift are their ships as wing or thought.”

Saying this, Pallas Athene led the way in haste, and he walked after in the footsteps of the goddess. So the Phaeacians, famed for shipping, did not observe him walking through the town among them, because Athene, the fair-haired powerful goddess, did not allow it, but in the kindness of her heart cast a magic mist about him. And now Odysseus admired the harbors, the trim ships, the meeting-places of the lords themselves, and the long walls that were so high, fitted with palisades, a marvel to behold. Then as they neared the famous palace of the king, the goddess, clear-eyed Athene, thus began:

“Here, good old stranger, is the house you bade me show. You will see heaven-descended kings sitting at table here. But enter, and have no misgivings in your heart; for the courageous man in all affairs better attains his end, come he from whence he may. First you shall find the Queen within the hall. Arete is her name; sprung from the self-same ancestry as King Alcinouäs. In early days earth-shaking Poseidon begot Nausithouäs by Periboea, the chief of womankind in beauty and youngest daughter of that bold Eurymedon who once was king of the presumptuous giants;²⁶ but he brought ruin on his impious tribe and on himself. By Periboea Poseidon had a son, sturdy Nausithouäs, who was king of the Phaeacians. Nausithouäs begot Rhexenor and Alcinouäs; but before Rhexenor had a son, Apollo of the silver bow smote him within his hall, soon after he was wed, and he left behind an only child, Arete. Alcinouäs took Arete for his wife, and he has honored her as no one else on earth is honored among the women who today keep houses for their husbands. Such heartfelt honor has she had, and has it still, from her own children, from Alcinouäs himself, and from the people also, who gaze on her as on a god and greet her with welcomes when she walks about the town. For of sound judgment, woman though she is, she has no lack; and those whom she regards, though men, find troubles clear away. If she regards you kindly in her heart, then there is hope that you may see your friends and reach your high-roofed house and native land.”

Saying this, clear-eyed Athene passed away, over the barren sea. She turned from pleasant Scheria, and came to Marathon and wide-wayed Athens and entered there the strong house of Erechtheus.^y Meanwhile Odysseus neared the lordly palace of Alcinouäs, and his heart was deeply stirred so that he paused before he crossed the brazen threshold; for a sheen as of the sun or moon played through the high-roofed house of proud Alcinouäs. On either hand ran walls of bronze from threshold to recess, and round about the ceiling was a cornice of dark metal. Doors made of gold closed in the solid building. The doorposts were of silver and stood on a bronze threshold, silver the lintel overhead, and gold the handle. On the two sides were gold and silver dogs; these had Hephaestus wrought with subtle craft to guard the house of proud Alcinouäs, creatures immortal, young forever. Within were seats planted against the wall on this side and on that, from threshold to recess, in long array; and over these were strewn light finespun robes, the work of women. Here the Phaeacian leaders used to sit, drinking and eating, holding constant cheer. And golden youths on massive pedestals stood and held flaming torches in their hands to light by night the palace for the feasters.

In the king’s house are fifty serving maids, some grinding at the mill the yellow corn, some plying looms or twisting yarn, who as they sit are like the leaves of a tall poplar; and from their close-spun linen liquid oil will fall. And as Phaeacian men are skilled beyond all others in speeding a swift ship along the sea, so are their women practiced at the loom; for Athene has given them in large measure skill in fair works and noble minds.

Without the court and close beside its gate is a large garden, covering four acres; around it runs a hedge on either side. Here grow tall thriving trees—pears, pomegranates, apples with shining fruit, sweet figs and thriving olives. On them fruit never fails; it is not gone in winter or in summer, but lasts throughout the year; for constantly the west wind’s breath brings some to bud and mellows others. Pear ripens upon pear, apple on apple, cluster on cluster, fig on fig. Here too a teeming vineyard has been planted, one part of which, the drying place, lying on level ground, is heating in the sun; elsewhere men gather grapes; and elsewhere still they tread them. In front, the grapes are green and shed their flower, but a second row are now just turning dark. And here trim garden-beds, along the outer line, spring up in every kind and all the year are gay. Near by, two fountains rise, one scattering its streams throughout the garden, one bounding by another course beneath the court-yard gate toward the high house; from this the townsfolk draw their water. Such at the palace of Alcinouäs were the gods’ splendid gifts.

Here long-tried royal Odysseus stood and gazed. Then after he had gazed to his heart’s fill on all, he quickly crossed the threshold and came within the house. He found the Phaeacian captains and councilors pouring libations from their cups to the clear-sighted killer of Argus, to whom they always offer a last cup when they prepare for bed. Along the hall went long-tried royal Odysseus, still clad in the thick cloud which Athene cast about him, until he came to Arete and to King Alcinouäs. About Arete’s knees Odysseus threw his arms, and then the magic cloud retreated. Seeing the man, the people of the house were hushed and marveled as they gazed, and thus Odysseus made his supplication:

“Arete, daughter of divine Rhexenor, to your husband I am come, and to your knees, through many toils, and to these feasters too. The gods bestow upon them the blessing of long life, and to his children may each leave the wealth within his hall and every honor men have given. But quickly grant me aid to reach my native land; for long cut off from friends I have been meeting hardship.”

When he had spoken thus, he sat down on the hearth among the ashes by the fire, while all were hushed to silence. At last the old lord Echeneuäs spoke, the oldest man of the Phaeacian race, preeäm inent in speech and full of knowledge of the past. He with good will addressed them thus, and said:

“Alcinouäs, this is not quite honorable for you; it is unseemly that a stranger should be sitting on the hearth among the ashes. Awaiting words of yours, these men hold back. Come then, raise up the stranger, seat him on a silver-studded chair, and bid the pages mix more wine, that we may also pour to Zeus, the Thunderer, who waits on worthy suppliants. And let the housekeeper give supper to the stranger from what she has in store.”

Now when revered Alcinouäs heard his word, he took by the hand Odysseus, keen and crafty, raised him from the hearth and placed him on a shining chair, making his son arise, manly Laodamas, who sat beside his father, for his father loved him best. And water for the hands a servant brought in a beautiful pitcher made of gold, and poured it out over a silver basin for their washing, and spread a polished table by their side. And the grave housekeeper brought bread and placed before them, setting out food of many a kind, freely giving of her store. So long-tried royal Odysseus drank and ate. And now to the page revered Alcinouäs said:

“Pontonouäs, mix a bowl and pass the wine to all within the hall, that we may also pour to Zeus, the Thunderer, who waits on worthy suppliants.”

He spoke; Pontonouäs stirred the bracing wine and served to all, with a first pious portion for the cup. So after they had poured and drunk as their hearts would, then thus Alcinouäs addressed them, saying:

“Listen, Phaeacian captains and councilors, and let me tell you what the heart within me bids. After the feast is over, go to your homes and rest; and in the morning we will call more elders here, and entertain the stranger at the hall, and make fit offering to the gods. Then afterwards we will take thought about his going, so that the stranger, free from toil and trouble, may by our guidance reach his land in gladness and with speed, although he comes from far. So shall he, meanwhile, meet no ill or harm till he set foot in his own land; there, in the days to come, he shall receive whatever fate and the stern spinners wove in his birth-thread when his mother bore him. But if he be some deathless one come from above, then do the gods herein deal with us strangely; for heretofore the gods have always shown themselves without disguise, and when we offer splendid hecatombs they sit beside us at the feast, even like ourselves. And if a man, walking alone, meet them upon his way, they do not hide; for we are of their kin, as are the Cyclops and the wild tribes of Giants.”

Then wise Odysseus answered him and said: “Alcinouäs, other thoughts of me be yours! I am not like the deathless ones who hold the open sky, either in form or bearing, but on the contrary I am like men that die; and whomsoever you have known bearing most grief among mankind, his sorrows I could equal. Yes, even more distresses still I might relate which first and last I bore at the gods’ bidding. But let me now, though sick at heart, take food; for nothing is more brutal than an angry belly. Perforce it bids a man attend, sadly though he be worn, though grief be on his mind. Even so, I too have grief upon my mind, and yet this eternally calls me to eat and drink; all I have borne it makes me quite forget, and bids me take my fill. But do you hasten at the dawn of day to land unhappy me in my own country, much though I still must bear; and let life cease when once I have beheld my goods, my slaves, and my great high-roofed house.”

He spoke, and all approved and bade send forth the stranger, for rightly had he spoken. Then after they had poured and drunk as their hearts would, desiring rest, they each departed homeward. So in the hall was royal Odysseus left behind; Arete, too, and godlike Alcinouäs sat beside him, while servants cleared away the dishes of the meal. Then thus began white-armed Arete; for when she saw Odysseus she knew his robe and tunic to be the beautiful clothing which she herself had made—she and her waiting-women; and speaking in winged words, she said:

“Stranger, I will myself first ask you this: Who are you? Of what people? Who gave this clothing to you? Did you not say you came to us when lost at sea?”

Then wise Odysseus answered her and said: “Hard it were, Queen, fully to tell my woes, because the gods of heaven have given me many; still, what you ask and seek to know I will declare. Ogygia is an island lying far out at sea, where the daughter of Atlas dwells, crafty Calypso, a fair-haired, powerful goddess. Her no one visits, neither god nor mortal man; but hapless me some heavenly power brought to her hearth, and all alone, for Zeus with a gleaming bolt smote my swift ship and wrecked it in the middle of the wine-dark sea. There all the rest of my good comrades perished, but I myself caught in my arms the keel of my curved ship and drifted for nine days. Upon the tenth, in the dark night, gods brought me to the island of Ogygia, where dwells Calypso, the fair-haired, powerful goddess. Receiving me, she loved and cherished me, and often said that she would make me an immortal, young forever; but she never beguiled the heart within my breast. Here for seven years I lingered, and often with my tears bedewed the immortal robes Calypso gave. But when the eighth revolving year was come, she bade me, even urged me, to depart, whether through message sent from Zeus or that her own mind changed. Upon a strong-built raft she sent me forth, giving abundant food, bread and sweet wine; she clad me in immortal robes and sent along my course a fair and gentle breeze. For seventeen days I sailed across the sea; on the eighteenth there came in sight the dim heights of your coast, and I was glad at heart—ill-fated I, who yet must meet the sore distress which earth-shaking Poseidon sent on me. For he awoke the winds and barred my progress, stirred marvelously the waters, and the waves did not suffer me, despite my many groans, to ride my raft. This soon the tempest shattered, but I by swimming forced my way through the flood, till at your coast the wind and water brought me in. Here, as I tried to land, the waves upon the shore might well have overcome me, casting me on great rocks and on forbidding ground; but I turned back and swam until I reached a stream where the ground seemed most fit, all clear of stones and sheltered from the breeze. Gathering my strength, I staggered out, and the immortal night drew near. Off to a distance from the heaven-descended stream I walked, and fell asleep among the bushes, heaping the leaves around; and here God poured upon me a slumber without end. For lying among the leaves and sad at heart, I slept all night till morning, then till noon; the sun was going down as the sweet slumber left me. And now upon the shore I saw your daughter’s maids, playing a game, and she among them seemed a goddess. To her I made entreaty, and she did not lack sound judgment, such as you could not think that a young person meeting you would show; for usually the young are giddy. She gave me bread enough and sparkling wine, she bathed me in the river and gave to me these clothes. Thus, though in trouble, I have told you all the truth.”

Then answered him Alcinouäs and said: “Stranger, in this my child behaved not rightly, in that she did not bring you hither with her maids. Yet it was she from whom you first sought aid.”

Then wise Odysseus answered him and said: “Sir, do not for this reproach the blameless girl. For she instructed me to follow with the maids; but I would not, for fear and very shame, lest possibly your heart might be offended at the sight. Suspicious creatures are we sons of men on earth.”

Then answered him Alcinouäs and said: “Stranger, the heart within my breast is not one lightly troubled. Better, good sense in all things. O father Zeus, Athene, and Apollo, that such a man as you, so like in mind to me, might take my child, be called my son-in-law, and here abide! For I would give you house and goods if you would like to stay. Against your wish, shall no Phaeacian hold you. That, father Zeus forbid! Nay, I will fix your setting forth, and you may rest secure; tomorrow shall it be. And you shall be lying all the time wrapt in a sleep, while my men speed you onward over calm seas until you reach your land and home or anywhere you please—yes, though it were beyond Euboea, which is called the farthest shore by those among our people who once saw it when they carried light-haired Rhadamanthus to visit Tityus, the son of Gaia.^z So far they went, without fatigue performing all, and on the selfsame day finished the journey home. But you yourself shall judge how excellent my ships and young men are in tossing up the water with the oar.”

He spoke, and glad was long-tried royal Odysseus, who, making his prayer, uttered these words and said:

“O father Zeus, all that Alcinouäs has said may he fulfill. Then on the fruitful earth his name shall never die, and I shall reach my home.”

So they conversed together. Meantime white-armed Arete bade her maids to set a bed beneath the portico, to lay upon it beautiful purple rugs, spread blankets over these, and then place woolen mantles on the outside for a covering. So the maids left the hall, with torches in their hands. And after they had spread the comfortable bed with busy speed, they summoned Odysseus, drawing near and saying: “Up, stranger, come to sleep. Your bed is ready.” So did they speak, and to him rest seemed delightful. Thus long-tried royal Odysseus lay down to sleep upon the well-bored bedstead beneath the echoing portico. But Alcinouäs slept in the recess of his high hall; his wife, the queen, making her bed beside him.