ODYSSEY 7

Thus the long-suffering, godlike Odysseus prayed there, while the strength of the mules carried the maiden towards the city. And when at last she came to the glorious palace of her father, she halted the wagon in the gateway; and her brothers gathered around her, men like immortals to behold, who from the cart unyoked the mules and carried the garments inside. She, for her part, went to her chamber; and a fire was lit for her by an old Apeiraean woman, her chambermaid Eurymedusa, whom curving ships had once brought from Apeira. She had been chosen as a prize of honor for Alcinous, because he was king over all the Phaeacians, and the people hearkened to him as to a god. It was she who had reared the white-armed Nausicaa in the palace. She it was who now kindled a fire for her and prepared her supper within.

And then Odysseus arose to go to the city; and Athene, in her fond care for Odysseus, shrouded him in a thick mist, lest any of the great-hearted Phaeacians, meeting him, should taunt him with their words and ask him who he was. But just as he was about to enter the lovely city, there the goddess, bright-eyed Athene, came to meet him, in the guise of a young maiden carrying a water pitcher. She stood before him, and godlike Odysseus questioned her:

“My child, could you not guide me to the house of the man Alcinous, who is ruler among these people? For I am a long-suffering stranger who has come here from a distant and unknown land; thus I know no one among the people who inhabit this city and its lands.”

To him, in turn, the goddess, bright-eyed Athene, replied: “Indeed, good father stranger, the house you ask of I will show you, for it stands near my own noble father’s house. But come now, walk in silence, and I shall lead the way. Look at no one and ask no questions. For the men here do not readily welcome strangers, nor do they greet with affection one who comes from another land. They trust in their swift-sailing ships to traverse the great gulf of the sea, for the Earth-Shaker has granted them this gift. Their ships are as swift as a wing, or as a thought.”

So speaking, Pallas Athene led the way swiftly, and he followed in the footsteps of the goddess. And the Phaeacians, famed for their ships, did not perceive him as he passed through their midst into the city, for Athene of the lovely tresses, the awesome goddess, would not allow it; she who had shed a divine mist about him, out of the fondness in her heart. And Odysseus marveled at the harbors and the well-balanced ships, at the meeting places of the heroes themselves, and the long walls, lofty and crowned with palisades, a wonder to behold. But when they had come to the glorious palace of the king, the goddess, bright-eyed Athene, was the first to speak: “Here, good father stranger, is the house you bid me point out. You will find the Zeus-nurtured kings feasting at a banquet. Go you inside, and let your heart have no fear; for a bold man is better in all undertakings, even if he comes from another land. First, you shall approach the queen in the great hall. Arete is her name, and she is sprung from the same lineage as he who begot King Alcinous. Poseidon the Earth-Shaker first begot Nausithous with Periboea, a woman of surpassing beauty, the youngest daughter of great-hearted Eurymedon, who once was king over the prideful Giants. But he brought ruin upon his reckless people, and was himself destroyed. With her, Poseidon lay, and she bore a son, great-hearted Nausithous, who ruled among the Phaeacians. And Nausithous begot Rhexenor and Alcinous. The first of these, while still a bridegroom and without a male heir, was struck down by Apollo of the silver bow, leaving in his halls one only child, Arete; and Alcinous made her his wife, and he honors her as no other woman on earth is honored, of all those who nowadays keep house under their husbands’ rule. Such is the honor she has held, and still holds, in her heart, from her dear children, from Alcinous himself, and from the people, who look upon her as a goddess and greet her with reverence whenever she walks through the city. For she herself is not wanting in sound judgment, and for those she favors, she resolves disputes, even among men. If she should look upon you with a kindly heart, then there is hope for you to see your loved ones and to reach your high-roofed house and your own native land.”

So speaking, bright-eyed Athene departed over the barren sea, and left lovely Scheria behind. She came to Marathon and to wide-wayed Athens, and entered the well-built house of Erechtheus. But Odysseus went toward the famed palace of Alcinous; and his heart was full of many thoughts as he stood there, before reaching the bronze threshold. For a light as of the sun or the moon shone through the high-roofed house of great-hearted Alcinous. For walls of bronze ran along on either side, from the threshold to the innermost chamber, and around them ran a frieze of blue enamel. Golden doors enclosed the stout house within, and silver doorposts stood upon the bronze threshold, with a silver lintel above, and a golden handle. On either side were dogs of gold and silver, which Hephaestus had fashioned with his cunning skill to guard the house of great-hearted Alcinous, immortal they were, and ageless for all their days. Within, thrones were set against the wall on either side, stretching from the threshold to the far recess, and upon them were strewn robes of delicate, finely woven fabric, the work of women. There the leaders of the Phaeacians would take their seats, drinking and eating, for they had provisions in abundance. And golden youths upon well-built pedestals stood holding blazing torches in their hands, to light the banqueters through the house at night. And fifty serving women he had in the house; some of them grind the golden grain at the millstone, while others weave at the loom or sit and spin the yarn, their hands fluttering like the leaves of a tall poplar tree; and from the close-woven linen, soft oil drips down. For as much as the Phaeacian men are skilled above all others at sailing a swift ship upon the sea, so are their women deft at the loom; for Athene has given them surpassing knowledge of beautiful handiwork, and noble minds. Outside the courtyard, near the doors, is a great orchard

of four acres, and a fence runs around it on both sides. Therein grow tall and flourishing trees— pear trees and pomegranates and apple trees with glistening fruit, sweet fig trees and lusty olive trees. Of these the fruit never fails or runs short, winter or summer, but lasts the whole year through; for ever the West Wind, blowing, brings some to bud and ripens others. Pear upon pear comes to ripeness, apple upon apple, cluster upon cluster of grapes, and fig upon fig. There too a fruitful vineyard has been planted. One part of it, a level sun-drenched patch, is dried by the sun, while other grapes are being gathered, and others still are being trodden. In the forefront are unripe grapes that have cast off their blossoms, while others are just beginning to darken. And there, at the farthest end of the orchard, are tidy garden beds of every kind, blooming and lush year-round. In the garden are two springs: one is channeled throughout the whole garden, while the other runs from beneath the courtyard threshold towards the high house, and from it the townsfolk draw their water. Such were the glorious gifts of the gods in the house of Alcinous.

There long-suffering, godlike Odysseus stood and gazed. But when he had marveled at everything in his heart, he passed quickly over the threshold and into the house. He found the leaders and counselors of the Phaeacians pouring libations from their cups to the keen-eyed slayer of Argus, to whom they would pour the last offering when they thought of sleep. But long-suffering, godlike Odysseus went through the hall, shrouded in the thick mist Athene had poured about him, until he reached Arete and King Alcinous. Odysseus cast his hands about the knees of Arete, and at that very moment the divine mist dissolved from around him. They all fell silent throughout the hall upon seeing the man, and they gazed in wonder; and Odysseus made his plea:

“Arete, daughter of godlike Rhexenor, to your husband and to your knees I come, after many toils, and to these banqueters as well. May the gods grant them happy lives, and may each of them pass on to his children the treasures in his halls and the honors the people have bestowed. But for me, I pray you hasten my escort, that I may reach my homeland the sooner; for it has been long that I have suffered sorrows far from my own.”

So he spoke, and sat down upon the hearth in the ashes by the fire, and they all fell into a hushed silence. At long last the aged hero Echeneus spoke out, who was the eldest of the Phaeacian men, and excelled in speech, knowing many things of ancient days. With kindly intent he addressed them and said:

“Alcinous, this is not the most seemly thing, nor is it fitting, that a stranger should sit upon the ground, at the hearth in the ashes. These men hold back, awaiting your word. Come now, raise the stranger and seat him upon a silver-studded throne, and bid the heralds to mix more wine, so that we may pour a libation also to Zeus who delights in thunder, he who watches over suppliants worthy of respect. And let the housekeeper give the stranger supper from what is within.”

When the hallowed prince Alcinous heard this, he took by the hand the wise and crafty Odysseus, raised him from the hearth and seated him on a shining throne, bidding his own valiant son, Laodamas, to rise, who sat next to him and whom he loved the most. A handmaiden brought water for washing in a pitcher, a beautiful golden one, and poured it over a silver basin, that he might wash; and she drew up a polished table beside him. And the revered housekeeper brought bread and set it before him, adding many dainties, giving freely of what she had. And so long-suffering, godlike Odysseus drank and ate. Then the prince Alcinous spoke to the herald:

“Pontonous, mix the wine in the crater and serve it to all in the hall, so that we may pour a libation also to Zeus who delights in thunder, he who watches over suppliants worthy of respect.”

So he spoke, and Pontonous mixed the honey-sweet wine, and served it to all, after pouring a few drops in each cup. And when they had poured their libations and had drunk to their hearts' content, Alcinous addressed them and said:

“Hear me, leaders and counselors of the Phaeacians, that I may speak what the heart in my breast commands. Now that you have feasted, go to your homes and rest. In the morning, having summoned more of the elders, we shall entertain the stranger in our halls and to the gods we shall make fine sacrifice. Then we shall also consider his journey home, so that the stranger, without toil or trouble, under our escort may reach his native land, rejoicing and swiftly, though he be from very far away, and that he suffer no harm or misfortune on the way, before he sets foot on his own soil. There, he shall then suffer whatever fate and the stern Fates spun for him with their thread on the day his mother gave him birth. But if he is one of the immortals come down from heaven, then this must be some new design the gods are contriving. For always in the past the gods have appeared to us in plain sight when we offer them glorious hecatombs, and they feast among us, sitting where we sit. And if a wayfarer traveling alone should meet them, they do not hide themselves, for we are near of kin to them, like the Cyclopes and the wild tribes of the Giants.”

Then resourceful Odysseus answered him and said: “Alcinous, let your heart be troubled by other thoughts; for I am in no way like the immortals who hold the wide heavens, neither in form nor in stature, but like mortal men. Whomever you know among men to have borne the heaviest burden of sorrow, to them I would liken myself in my sufferings. And I could tell of still more woes, the sum of all that I have endured by the will of the gods. But allow me to eat my supper, despite my grief. For there is nothing more shameless than the wretched belly, which bids a man to be mindful of it, by force, even when he is worn out and bears sorrow in his heart, just as I now bear sorrow in my heart, yet my belly ever bids me to eat and to drink, and makes me forget all that I have suffered, and commands me to take my fill. But as for you, make haste when the dawn appears, so that you may set me, ill-fated man that I am, upon my native soil, even after my many sorrows. Let life itself abandon me, once I have seen my possessions, my servants, and my great, high-roofed house.”

So he spoke, and they all gave their assent and urged that the stranger be sent on his way, for he had spoken fittingly. And when they had poured libations and drunk to their hearts' content, they went, each to his own home, to take their rest. But godlike Odysseus was left behind in the great hall, and beside him sat Arete and godlike Alcinous, while the handmaidens cleared away the dishes from the feast. Then white-armed Arete was the first to speak, for she recognized the cloak and tunic when she saw the fine garments, which she herself had made with her serving women. And raising her voice, she spoke these winged words:

“Stranger, I myself will be the first to question you. Who are you, and from where? Who gave you these clothes? Did you not say you came here wandering over the sea?”

Then resourceful Odysseus answered her and said: “It is a hard task, O Queen, to tell the tale of my sorrows from end to end, for the heavenly gods have given me many. But this I will tell you, which you ask and inquire of me. There is an island, Ogygia, that lies far off in the sea. There dwells the daughter of Atlas, the wily Calypso of the lovely tresses, an awesome goddess; and no one keeps her company, neither of gods nor of mortal men. But as for me, ill-fated man, some divinity brought me to her hearth, all alone, for Zeus had struck my swift ship with his gleaming thunderbolt and smashed it to pieces in the midst of the wine-dark sea. There all my other noble comrades perished, but I clasped the keel of my curved ship in my arms and was carried for nine days; and on the tenth black night the gods brought me to the isle of Ogygia, where Calypso of the lovely tresses dwells, an awesome goddess. She took me in, cared for me with devotion and fed me, and said she would make me immortal and ageless for all my days. But she never persuaded the heart within my breast. There I remained for seven years without cease, and forever I

wet with my tears the immortal garments Calypso had given me. But when the eighth year came round in its turning, she at last urged and commanded me to depart, either because of a message from Zeus, or because her own mind had changed. She sent me on a well-bound raft, and gave me many things, food and sweet wine, and clothed me in immortal garments, and sent forth a gentle and harmless breeze. For seventeen days I sailed, journeying over the sea, and on the eighteenth, the shadowy mountains of your land appeared, and my own heart rejoiced, ill-fated that I was. For I was yet to encounter the great misery that Poseidon the Earth-Shaker sent upon me. He roused the winds against me and blocked my path, and stirred up the sea to a monstrous height, and the waves would not allow me to be carried on my raft, groaning heavily as I was. Then the storm shattered it to pieces; but I, swimming, made my way through this gulf of the sea, until the wind and water drove me and brought me to your shore. There, as I tried to climb out, the waves would have dashed me against the land, hurling me against great rocks and a forbidding place. But I drew back and swam on again, until I came to a river, where the place seemed best to me, smooth of rocks, and there was shelter from the wind. I struggled out, gathering my spirit, and ambrosial night drew on. I went apart from the heaven-fed river, and climbing into a thicket, lay down to sleep, and I heaped leaves about me; and a god poured down a boundless sleep. There among the leaves, my spirit in grief, I slept all night, through the dawn and until midday. The sun was setting when sweet sleep released me. And I saw the handmaidens of your daughter on the shore, at their play, and among them was she, like unto the goddesses. I pleaded with her; and she in no way fell short of sound judgment, acting in a way you would not expect a younger person you met to behave; for the young are ever thoughtless. She gave me bread in plenty, and sparkling wine, and bathed me in the river, and gave me these clothes. This, though in sorrow, is the truth I have told you.”

Then Alcinous answered him in turn and said: “Stranger, in this one thing my child did not show proper judgment, in that she did not bring you to our house along with her serving women, since she was the first one to whom you made your plea.”

Then resourceful Odysseus answered him and said: “Hero, do not for my sake rebuke your blameless daughter. For she did bid me follow along with her handmaidens, but I was unwilling, out of fear and shame, lest perhaps your own heart might grow vexed at the sight; for we tribes of men upon the earth are given to suspicion.”

Then Alcinous answered him in turn and said: “Stranger, the heart in my breast is not of such a kind as to be angered for no reason; in all things, measure is best. By father Zeus, Athene, and Apollo, I wish that, being the man you are, and thinking as I do, you would take my daughter to wife and be called my son-in-law, remaining here. A house and possessions I would give you, if you were willing to stay. But against your will, no one of the Phaeacians shall keep you; may that not be pleasing to father Zeus. As for your passage, so you may be assured, I appoint it for tomorrow. Then, you shall lie down, subdued by sleep, and my men will row you over the calm sea, until you reach your homeland and your house, or wherever else you please, even if it be much farther than Euboea, which our people who have seen it say is the most distant of lands, that time they took fair-haired Rhadamanthus to visit Tityos, son of Gaia. They went there, and without wearying they accomplished the journey in a single day and returned home again. You will see for yourself how far my ships and my young men excel at tossing the sea with their oars.”

So he spoke, and long-suffering, godlike Odysseus rejoiced, and making a prayer, he spoke, and called out and said:

“Father Zeus, may Alcinous accomplish all that he has said. Then his fame upon the grain-giving earth would be unquenchable, and I would reach my native land.”

Thus they spoke such things to one another, while white-armed Arete bade her handmaidens to place a bedstead under the portico, and to lay upon it fine purple blankets, and spread tapestries over them, and to put fleecy cloaks on top for warmth. The maidens went from the hall holding torches in their hands. And when, bustling, they had spread the sturdy bed, they stood beside Odysseus and urged him with their words: “Arise to go to sleep, stranger; your bed is made.” So they spoke, and to him it seemed a welcome thing to go to rest.

So there he slept, the long-suffering, godlike Odysseus, on a corded bedstead beneath the echoing portico. But Alcinous lay down in the innermost room of the high house, and beside him the lady his wife prepared his bed and his rest.

ὈΔΎΣΣΕΙΑ 7

Ὣς ὁ μὲν ἔνθ' ἠρᾶτο πολύτλας δῖος Ὀδυσσεύς,
κούρην δὲ προτὶ ἄστυ φέρεν μένος ἡμιόνοιϊν.
ἡ δ' ὅτε δὴ οὗ πατρὸς ἀγακλυτὰ δώμαθ' ἵκανε,
στῆσεν ἄρ' ἐν προθύροισι· κασίγνητοι δέ μιν ἀμφὶς
ἵσταντ' ἀθανάτοισ' ἐναλίγκιοι, οἵ ῥ' ὑπ' ἀπήνης
ἡμιόνους ἔλυον ἐσθῆτά τε ἔσφερον εἴσω.
αὐτὴ δ' ἐς θάλαμον ἑὸν ἤϊε· δαῖε δέ οἱ πῦρ
γρηῢς Ἀπειραίη, θαλαμηπόλος Εὐρυμέδουσα,
τήν ποτ' Ἀπείρηθεν νέες ἤγαγον ἀμφιέλισσαι,
Ἀλκινόῳ δ' αὐτὴν γέρας ἔξελον, οὕνεκα πᾶσι
Φαιήκεσσιν ἄνασσε, θεοῦ δ' ὣς δῆμος ἄκουεν·
ἣ τρέφε Ναυσικάαν λευκώλενον ἐν μεγάροισιν.
ἥ οἱ πῦρ ἀνέκαιε καὶ εἴσω δόρπον ἐκόσμει.

καὶ τότ' Ὀδυσσεὺς ὦρτο πόλινδ' ἴμεν· ἀμφὶ δ' Ἀθήνη
πολλὴν ἠέρα χεῦε φίλα φρονέουσ' Ὀδυσῆϊ,
μή τις Φαιήκων μεγαθύμων ἀντιβολήσας
κερτομέοι τ' ἐπέεσσι καὶ ἐξερέοιθ' ὅτις εἴη.
ἀλλ' ὅτε δὴ ἄρ' ἔμελλε πόλιν δύσεσθαι ἐραννήν,
ἔνθα οἱ ἀντεβόλησε θεὰ γλαυκῶπις Ἀθήνη
παρθενικῇ εἰκυῖα νεήνιδι κάλπιν ἐχούσῃ.
στῆ δὲ πρόσθ' αὐτοῦ· ὁ δ' ἀνείρετο δῖος Ὀδυσσεύς·

«ὦ τέκος, οὐκ ἄν μοι δόμον ἀνέρος ἡγήσαιο
Ἀλκινόου, ὃς τοῖσδε μετ' ἀνθρώποισιν ἀνάσσει;
καὶ γὰρ ἐγὼ ξεῖνος ταλαπείριος ἐνθάδ' ἱκάνω
τηλόθεν ἐξ ἀπίης γαίης· τῶ οὔ τινα οἶδα
ἀνθρώπων, οἳ τήνδε πόλιν καὶ ἔργα νέμονται.»

τὸν δ' αὖτε προσέειπε θεὰ γλαυκῶπις Ἀθήνη·
«τοιγὰρ ἐγώ τοι, ξεῖνε πάτερ, δόμον, ὅν με κελεύεις,
δείξω, ἐπεί μοι πατρὸς ἀμύμονος ἐγγύθι ναίει.
ἀλλ' ἴθι σιγῇ τοῖον, ἐγὼ δ' ὁδὸν ἡγεμονεύσω,
μηδέ τιν' ἀνθρώπων προτιόσσεο μηδ' ἐρέεινε.
οὐ γὰρ ξείνους οἵ γε μάλ' ἀνθρώπους ἀνέχονται
οὐδ' ἀγαπαζόμενοι φιλέουσ', ὅς κ' ἄλλοθεν ἔλθῃ.
νηυσὶ θοῇσιν τοί γε πεποιθότες ὠκείῃσι
λαῖτμα μέγ' ἐκπερόωσιν, ἐπεί σφισι δῶκ' ἐνοσίχθων·
τῶν νέες ὠκεῖαι ὡς εἰ πτερὸν ἠὲ νόημα.»

ὣς ἄρα φωνήσασ' ἡγήσατο Παλλὰς Ἀθήνη
καρπαλίμως· ὁ δ' ἔπειτα μετ' ἴχνια βαῖνε θεοῖο.
τὸν δ' ἄρα Φαίηκες ναυσικλυτοὶ οὐκ ἐνόησαν
ἐρχόμενον κατὰ ἄστυ διὰ σφέας· οὐ γὰρ Ἀθήνη
εἴα ἐϋπλόκαμος, δεινὴ θεός, ἥ ῥά οἱ ἀχλὺν
θεσπεσίην κατέχευε φίλα φρονέουσ' ἐνὶ θυμῷ.
θαύμαζεν δ' Ὀδυσεὺς λιμένας καὶ νῆας ἐΐσας,
αὐτῶν θ' ἡρώων ἀγορὰς καὶ τείχεα μακρά,
ὑψηλά, σκολόπεσσιν ἀρηρότα, θαῦμα ἰδέσθαι.
ἀλλ' ὅτε δὴ βασιλῆος ἀγακλυτὰ δώμαθ' ἵκοντο,
τοῖσι δὲ μύθων ἦρχε θεὰ γλαυκῶπις Ἀθήνη·
«οὗτος δή τοι, ξεῖνε πάτερ, δόμος, ὅν με κελεύεις
πεφραδέμεν. δήεις δὲ διοτρεφέας βασιλῆας
δαίτην δαινυμένους· σὺ δ' ἔσω κίε μηδέ τι θυμῷ
τάρβει· θαρσαλέος γὰρ ἀνὴρ ἐν πᾶσιν ἀμείνων
ἔργοισιν τελέθει, εἰ καί ποθεν ἄλλοθεν ἔλθοι.
δέσποιναν μὲν πρῶτα κιχήσεαι ἐν μεγάροισιν·
Ἀρήτη δ' ὄνομ' ἐστὶν ἐπώνυμον, ἐκ δὲ τοκήων
τῶν αὐτῶν, οἵ περ τέκον Ἀλκίνοον βασιλῆα.
Ναυσίθοον μὲν πρῶτα Ποσειδάων ἐνοσίχθων
γείνατο καὶ Περίβοια, γυναικῶν εἶδος ἀρίστη,
ὁπλοτάτη θυγάτηρ μεγαλήτορος Εὐρυμέδοντος,
ὅς ποθ' ὑπερθύμοισι Γιγάντεσσιν βασίλευεν.
ἀλλ' ὁ μὲν ὤλεσε λαὸν ἀτάσθαλον, ὤλετο δ' αὐτός·
τῇ δὲ Ποσειδάων ἐμίγη καὶ ἐγείνατο παῖδα
Ναυσίθοον μεγάθυμον, ὃς ἐν Φαίηξιν ἄνασσε·
Ναυσίθοος δ' ἔτεκεν Ῥηξήνορά τ' Ἀλκίνοόν τε.
τὸν μὲν ἄκουρον ἐόντα βάλ' ἀργυρότοξος Ἀπόλλων
νυμφίον, ἐν μεγάρῳ μίαν οἴην παῖδα λιπόντα,
Ἀρήτην· τὴν δ' Ἀλκίνοος ποιήσατ' ἄκοιτιν
καί μιν ἔτισ' ὡς οὔ τις ἐπὶ χθονὶ τίεται ἄλλη,
ὅσσαι νῦν γε γυναῖκες ὑπ' ἀνδράσιν οἶκον ἔχουσιν.
ὣς κείνη περὶ κῆρι τετίμηταί τε καὶ ἔστιν
ἔκ τε φίλων παίδων ἔκ τ' αὐτοῦ Ἀλκινόοιο
καὶ λαῶν, οἵ μίν ῥα θεὸν ὣς εἰσορόωντες
δειδέχαται μύθοισιν, ὅτε στείχῃσ' ἀνὰ ἄστυ.
οὐ μὲν γάρ τι νόου γε καὶ αὐτὴ δεύεται ἐσθλοῦ,
οἷσί τ' ἐῢ φρονέῃσι, καὶ ἀνδράσι νείκεα λύει.
εἴ κέν τοι κείνη γε φίλα φρονέῃσ' ἐνὶ θυμῷ,
ἐλπωρή τοι ἔπειτα φίλους ἰδέειν καὶ ἱκέσθαι
οἶκον ἐς ὑψόροφον καὶ σὴν ἐς πατρίδα γαῖαν.»

ὣς ἄρα φωνήσασ' ἀπέβη γλαυκῶπις Ἀθήνη
πόντον ἐπ' ἀτρύγετον, λίπε δὲ Σχερίην ἐρατεινήν,
ἵκετο δ' ἐς Μαραθῶνα καὶ εὐρυάγυιαν Ἀθήνην,
δῦνε δ' Ἐρεχθῆος πυκινὸν δόμον. αὐτὰρ Ὀδυσσεὺς
Ἀλκινόου πρὸς δώματ' ἴε κλυτά· πολλὰ δέ οἱ κῆρ
ὥρμαιν' ἱσταμένῳ, πρὶν χάλκεον οὐδὸν ἱκέσθαι.
ὥς τε γὰρ ἠελίου αἴγλη πέλεν ἠὲ σελήνης
δῶμα καθ' ὑψερεφὲς μεγαλήτορος Ἀλκινόοιο.
χάλκεοι μὲν γὰρ τοῖχοι ἐληλέδατ' ἔνθα καὶ ἔνθα,
ἐς μυχὸν ἐξ οὐδοῦ, περὶ δὲ θριγκὸς κυάνοιο·
χρύσειαι δὲ θύραι πυκινὸν δόμον ἐντὸς ἔεργον·
ἀργύρεοι δὲ σταθμοὶ ἐν χαλκέῳ ἕστασαν οὐδῷ,
ἀργύρεον δ' ἐφ' ὑπερθύριον, χρυσέη δὲ κορώνη.
χρύσειοι δ' ἑκάτερθε καὶ ἀργύρεοι κύνες ἦσαν,
οὓς Ἥφαιστος ἔτευξεν ἰδυίῃσι πραπίδεσσι
δῶμα φυλασσέμεναι μεγαλήτορος Ἀλκινόοιο,
ἀθανάτους ὄντας καὶ ἀγήρως ἤματα πάντα.
ἐν δὲ θρόνοι περὶ τοῖχον ἐρηρέδατ' ἔνθα καὶ ἔνθα
ἐς μυχὸν ἐξ οὐδοῖο διαμπερές, ἔνθ' ἐνὶ πέπλοι
λεπτοὶ ἐΰννητοι βεβλήατο, ἔργα γυναικῶν.
ἔνθα δὲ Φαιήκων ἡγήτορες ἑδριόωντο
πίνοντες καὶ ἔδοντες· ἐπηετανὸν γὰρ ἔχεσκον.
χρύσειοι δ' ἄρα κοῦροι ἐϋδμήτων ἐπὶ βωμῶν
ἕστασαν αἰθομένας δαΐδας μετὰ χερσὶν ἔχοντες,
φαίνοντες νύκτας κατὰ δώματα δαιτυμόνεσσι.
πεντήκοντα δέ οἱ δμῳαὶ κατὰ δῶμα γυναῖκες
αἱ μὲν ἀλετρεύουσι μύλῃσ' ἔπι μήλοπα καρπόν,
αἱ δ' ἱστοὺς ὑφόωσι καὶ ἠλάκατα στρωφῶσιν
ἥμεναι, οἱά τε φύλλα μακεδνῆς αἰγείροιο·
καιρουσσέων δ' ὀθονέων ἀπολείβεται ὑγρὸν ἔλαιον.
ὅσσον Φαίηκες περὶ πάντων ἴδριες ἀνδρῶν
νῆα θοὴν ἐνὶ πόντῳ ἐλαυνέμεν, ὣς δὲ γυναῖκες
ἱστὸν τεχνῆσσαι· περὶ γάρ σφισι δῶκεν Ἀθήνη
ἔργα τ' ἐπίστασθαι περικαλλέα καὶ φρένας ἐσθλάς.
ἔκτοσθεν δ' αὐλῆς μέγας ὄρχατος ἄγχι θυράων

τετράγυος· περὶ δ' ἕρκος ἐλήλαται ἀμφοτέρωθεν.
ἔνθα δὲ δένδρεα μακρὰ πεφύκασι τηλεθάοντα,
ὄγχναι καὶ ῥοιαὶ καὶ μηλέαι ἀγλαόκαρποι
συκέαι τε γλυκεραὶ καὶ ἐλαῖαι τηλεθόωσαι.
τάων οὔ ποτε καρπὸς ἀπόλλυται οὐδ' ἀπολείπει
χείματος οὐδὲ θέρευς, ἐπετήσιος· ἀλλὰ μάλ' αἰεὶ
ζεφυρίη πνείουσα τὰ μὲν φύει, ἄλλα δὲ πέσσει.
ὄγχνη ἐπ' ὄγχνῃ γηράσκει, μῆλον δ' ἐπὶ μήλῳ,
αὐτὰρ ἐπὶ σταφυλῇ σταφυλή, σῦκον δ' ἐπὶ σύκῳ.
ἔνθα δέ οἱ πολύκαρπος ἀλῳὴ ἐῤῥίζωται,
τῆς ἕτερον μέν θ' εἱλόπεδον λευρῷ ἐνὶ χώρῳ
τέρσεται ἠελίῳ, ἑτέρας δ' ἄρα τε τρυγόωσιν,
ἄλλας δὲ τραπέουσι· πάροιθε δέ τ' ὄμφακές εἰσιν
ἄνθος ἀφιεῖσαι, ἕτεραι δ' ὑποπερκάζουσιν.
ἔνθα δὲ κοσμηταὶ πρασιαὶ παρὰ νείατον ὄρχον
παντοῖαι πεφύασιν, ἐπηετανὸν γανόωσαι.
ἐν δὲ δύω κρῆναι ἡ μέν τ' ἀνὰ κῆπον ἅπαντα
σκίδναται, ἡ δ' ἑτέρωθεν ὑπ' αὐλῆς οὐδὸν ἵησι
πρὸς δόμον ὑψηλόν, ὅθεν ὑδρεύοντο πολῖται.
τοῖ' ἄρ' ἐν Ἀλκινόοιο θεῶν ἔσαν ἀγλαὰ δῶρα.

ἔνθα στὰς θηεῖτο πολύτλας δῖος Ὀδυσσεύς.
αὐτὰρ ἐπεὶ δὴ πάντα ἑῷ θηήσατο θυμῷ,
καρπαλίμως ὑπὲρ οὐδὸν ἐβήσετο δώματος εἴσω.
εὗρε δὲ Φαιήκων ἡγήτορας ἠδὲ μέδοντας
σπένδοντας δεπάεσσιν ἐϋσκόπῳ Ἀργεϊφόντῃ,
ᾧ πυμάτῳ σπένδεσκον, ὅτε μνησαίατο κοίτου.
αὐτὰρ ὁ βῆ διὰ δῶμα πολύτλας δῖος Ὀδυσσεὺς
πολλὴν ἠέρ' ἔχων, ἥν οἱ περίχευεν Ἀθήνη,
ὄφρ' ἵκετ' Ἀρήτην τε καὶ Ἀλκίνοον βασιλῆα.
ἀμφὶ δ' ἄρ' Ἀρήτης βάλε γούνασι χεῖρας Ὀδυσσεύς,
καὶ τότε δή ῥ' αὐτοῖο πάλιν χύτο θέσφατος ἀήρ.
οἱ δ' ἄνεω ἐγένοντο δόμον κάτα φῶτα ἰδόντες,
θαύμαζον δ' ὁρόωντες· ὁ δ' ἐλλιτάνευεν Ὀδυσσεύς·

«Ἀρήτη, θύγατερ Ῥηξήνορος ἀντιθέοιο,
σόν τε πόσιν σά τε γούναθ' ἱκάνω πολλὰ μογήσας,
τούσδε τε δαιτυμόνας, τοῖσιν θεοὶ ὄλβια δοῖεν,
ζωέμεναι, καὶ παισὶν ἐπιτρέψειεν ἕκαστος
κτήματ' ἐνὶ μεγάροισι γέρας θ', ὅ τι δῆμος ἔδωκεν.
αὐτὰρ ἐμοὶ πομπὴν ὀτρύνετε πατρίδ' ἱκέσθαι
θᾶσσον, ἐπεὶ δὴ δηθὰ φίλων ἄπο πήματα πάσχω.»

ὣς εἰπὼν κατ' ἄρ' ἕζετ' ἐπ' ἐσχάρῃ ἐν κονίῃσι
πὰρ πυρί· οἱ δ' ἄρα πάντες ἀκὴν ἐγένοντο σιωπῇ.
ὀψὲ δὲ δὴ μετέειπε γέρων ἥρως Ἐχένηος,
ὃς δὴ Φαιήκων ἀνδρῶν προγενέστερος ἦεν
καὶ μύθοισι κέκαστο, παλαιά τε πολλά τε εἰδώς·
ὅ σφιν ἐῢ φρονέων ἀγορήσατο καὶ μετέειπεν·

«Ἀλκίνο', οὐ μέν τοι τόδε κάλλιον οὐδὲ ἔοικε
ξεῖνον μὲν χαμαὶ ἧσθαι ἐπ' ἐσχάρῃ ἐν κονίῃσιν·
οἵδε δὲ σὸν μῦθον ποτιδέγμενοι ἰσχανόωνται.
ἀλλ' ἄγε δὴ ξεῖνον μὲν ἐπὶ θρόνου ἀργυροήλου
ἕσσον ἀναστήσας, σὺ δὲ κηρύκεσσι κέλευσον
οἶνον ἐπικρῆσαι, ἵνα καὶ Διὶ τερπικεραύνῳ
σπείσομεν, ὅς θ' ἱκέτῃσιν ἅμ' αἰδοίοισιν ὀπηδεῖ·
δόρπον δὲ ξείνῳ ταμίη δότω ἔνδον ἐόντων.»

αὐτὰρ ἐπεὶ τό γ' ἄκουσ' ἱερὸν μένος Ἀλκινόοιο,
χειρὸς ἑλὼν Ὀδυσῆα δαΐφρονα ποικιλομήτην
ὦρσεν ἀπ' ἐσχαρόφιν καὶ ἐπὶ θρόνου εἷσε φαεινοῦ,
υἱὸν ἀναστήσας ἀγαπήνορα Λαοδάμαντα,
ὅς οἱ πλησίον ἷζε, μάλιστα δέ μιν φιλέεσκε.
χέρνιβα δ' ἀμφίπολος προχόῳ ἐπέχευε φέρουσα
καλῇ χρυσείῃ, ὑπὲρ ἀργυρέοιο λέβητος,
νίψασθαι· παρὰ δὲ ξεστὴν ἐτάνυσσε τράπεζαν.
σῖτον δ' αἰδοίη ταμίη παρέθηκε φέρουσα,
εἴδατα πόλλ' ἐπιθεῖσα, χαριζομένη παρεόντων.
αὐτὰρ ὁ πῖνε καὶ ἦσθε πολύτλας δῖος Ὀδυσσεύς.
καὶ τότε κήρυκα προσέφη μένος Ἀλκινόοιο·

«Ποντόνοε, κρητῆρα κερασσάμενος μέθυ νεῖμον
πᾶσιν ἀνὰ μέγαρον, ἵνα καὶ Διὶ τερπικεραύνῳ
σπείσομεν, ὅς θ' ἱκέτῃσιν ἅμ' αἰδοίοισιν ὀπηδεῖ.»

ὣς φάτο, Ποντόνοος δὲ μελίφρονα οἶνον ἐκίρνα,
νώμησεν δ' ἄρα πᾶσιν ἐπαρξάμενος δεπάεσσιν.
αὐτὰρ ἐπεὶ σπεῖσάν τε πίον θ', ὅσον ἤθελε θυμός,
τοῖσιν δ' Ἀλκίνοος ἀγορήσατο καὶ μετέειπε·

«κέκλυτε, Φαιήκων ἡγήτορες ἠδὲ μέδοντες,
ὄφρ' εἴπω, τά με θυμὸς ἐνὶ στήθεσσι κελεύει.
νῦν μὲν δαισάμενοι κατακείετε οἴκαδ' ἰόντες,
ἠῶθεν δὲ γέροντας ἐπὶ πλέονας καλέσαντες
ξεῖνον ἐνὶ μεγάροις ξεινίσσομεν ἠδὲ θεοῖσι
ῥέξομεν ἱερὰ καλά, ἔπειτα δὲ καὶ περὶ πομπῆς
μνησόμεθ', ὥς χ' ὁ ξεῖνος ἄνευθε πόνου καὶ ἀνίης
πομπῇ ὑφ' ἡμετέρῃ ἣν πατρίδα γαῖαν ἵκηται
χαίρων καρπαλίμως, εἰ καὶ μάλα τηλόθεν ἐστί,
μηδέ τι μεσσηγύς γε κακὸν καὶ πῆμα πάθῃσι
πρίν γε τὸν ἧς γαίης ἐπιβήμεναι· ἔνθα δ' ἔπειτα
πείσεται, ἅσσα οἱ αἶσα κατὰ Κλῶθές τε βαρεῖαι
γεινομένῳ νήσαντο λίνῳ, ὅτε μιν τέκε μήτηρ.
εἰ δέ τις ἀθανάτων γε κατ' οὐρανοῦ εἰλήλουθεν,
ἄλλο τι δὴ τόδ' ἔπειτα θεοὶ περιμηχανόωνται.
αἰεὶ γὰρ τὸ πάρος γε θεοὶ φαίνονται ἐναργεῖς
ἡμῖν, εὖθ' ἕρδωμεν ἀγακλειτὰς ἑκατόμβας,
δαίνυνταί τε παρ' ἄμμι καθήμενοι ἔνθα περ ἡμεῖς.
εἰ δ' ἄρα τις καὶ μοῦνος ἰὼν ξύμβληται ὁδίτης,
οὔ τι κατακρύπτουσιν, ἐπεί σφισιν ἐγγύθεν εἰμέν,
ὥς περ Κύκλωπές τε καὶ ἄγρια φῦλα Γιγάντων.»

τὸν δ' ἀπαμειβόμενος προσέφη πολύμητις Ὀδυσσεύς·
«Ἀλκίνο', ἄλλο τί τοι μελέτω φρεσίν· οὐ γὰρ ἐγώ γε
ἀθανάτοισιν ἔοικα, τοὶ οὐρανὸν εὐρὺν ἔχουσιν,
οὐ δέμας οὐδὲ φυήν, ἀλλὰ θνητοῖσι βροτοῖσιν.
οὕς τινας ὑμεῖς ἴστε μάλιστ' ὀχέοντας ὀϊζὺν
ἀνθρώπων, τοῖσίν κεν ἐν ἄλγεσιν ἰσωσαίμην·
καὶ δ' ἔτι κεν καὶ πλείον' ἐγὼ κακὰ μυθησαίμην,
ὅσσα γε δὴ ξύμπαντα θεῶν ἰότητι μόγησα.
ἀλλ' ἐμὲ μὲν δορπῆσαι ἐάσατε κηδόμενόν περ·
οὐ γάρ τι στυγερῇ ἐπὶ γαστέρι κύντερον ἄλλο
ἔπλετο, ἥ τ' ἐκέλευσεν ἕο μνήσασθαι ἀνάγκῃ
καὶ μάλα τειρόμενον καὶ ἐνὶ φρεσὶ πένθος ἔχοντα,
ὡς καὶ ἐγὼ πένθος μὲν ἔχω φρεσίν, ἡ δὲ μάλ' αἰεὶ
ἐσθέμεναι κέλεται καὶ πινέμεν, ἐκ δέ με πάντων
ληθάνει, ὅσσ' ἔπαθον, καὶ ἐνιπλησθῆναι ἀνώγει.
ὑμεῖς δ' ὀτρύνεσθε ἅμ' ἠόϊ φαινομένηφιν,
ὥς κ' ἐμὲ τὸν δύστηνον ἐμῆς ἐπιβήσετε πάτρης,
καί περ πολλὰ παθόντα· ἰδόντα με καὶ λίποι αἰὼν
κτῆσιν ἐμὴν δμῶάς τε καὶ ὑψερεφὲς μέγα δῶμα.»

ὣς ἔφαθ', οἱ δ' ἄρα πάντες ἐπῄνεον ἠδ' ἐκέλευον
πεμπέμεναι τὸν ξεῖνον, ἐπεὶ κατὰ μοῖραν ἔειπεν.
αὐτὰρ ἐπεὶ σπεῖσάν τε πίον θ', ὅσον ἤθελε θυμός,
οἱ μὲν κακκείοντες ἔβαν οἶκόνδε ἕκαστος,
αὐτὰρ ὁ ἐν μεγάρῳ ὑπελείπετο δῖος Ὀδυσσεύς,
πὰρ δέ οἱ Ἀρήτη τε καὶ Ἀλκίνοος θεοειδὴς
ἥσθην· ἀμφίπολοι δ' ἀπεκόσμεον ἔντεα δαιτός.
τοῖσιν δ' Ἀρήτη λευκώλενος ἤρχετο μύθων·
ἔγνω γὰρ φᾶρός τε χιτῶνά τε εἵματ' ἰδοῦσα
καλά, τά ῥ' αὐτὴ τεῦξε σὺν ἀμφιπόλοισι γυναιξί·
καί μιν φωνήσασ' ἔπεα πτερόεντα προσηύδα·

«ξεῖνε, τὸ μέν σε πρῶτον ἐγὼν εἰρήσομαι αὐτή·
τίς πόθεν εἰς ἀνδρῶν; τίς τοι τάδε εἵματ' ἔδωκεν;
οὐ δὴ φῂς ἐπὶ πόντον ἀλώμενος ἐνθάδ' ἱκέσθαι;»

τὴν δ' ἀπαμειβόμενος προσέφη πολύμητις Ὀδυσσεύς·
«ἀργαλέον, βασίλεια, διηνεκέως ἀγορεῦσαι,
κήδε' ἐπεί μοι πολλὰ δόσαν θεοὶ Οὐρανίωνες·
τοῦτο δέ τοι ἐρέω, ὅ μ' ἀνείρεαι ἠδὲ μεταλλᾷς.
Ὠγυγίη τις νῆσος ἀπόπροθεν εἰν ἁλὶ κεῖται·
ἔνθα μὲν Ἄτλαντος θυγάτηρ, δολόεσσα Καλυψώ,
ναίει ἐϋπλόκαμος, δεινὴ θεός· οὐδέ τις αὐτῇ
μίσγεται οὔτε θεῶν οὔτε θνητῶν ἀνθρώπων.
ἀλλ' ἐμὲ τὸν δύστηνον ἐφέστιον ἤγαγε δαίμων
οἶον, ἐπεί μοι νῆα θοὴν ἀργῆτι κεραυνῷ
Ζεὺς ἐλάσας ἐκέασσε μέσῳ ἐνὶ οἴνοπι πόντῳ.
ἔνθ' ἄλλοι μὲν πάντες ἀπέφθιθεν ἐσθλοὶ ἑταῖροι,
αὐτὰρ ἐγὼ τρόπιν ἀγκὰς ἑλὼν νεὸς ἀμφιελίσσης
ἐννῆμαρ φερόμην· δεκάτῃ δέ με νυκτὶ μελαίνῃ
νῆσον ἐς Ὠγυγίην πέλασαν θεοί, ἔνθα Καλυψὼ
ναίει ἐϋπλόκαμος, δεινὴ θεός· ἥ με λαβοῦσα
ἐνδυκέως ἐφίλει τε καὶ ἔτρεφεν ἠδὲ ἔφασκε
θήσειν ἀθάνατον καὶ ἀγήραον ἤματα πάντα·
ἀλλ' ἐμὸν οὔ ποτε θυμὸν ἐνὶ στήθεσσιν ἔπειθεν.
ἔνθα μὲν ἑπτάετες μένον ἔμπεδον, εἵματα δ' αἰεὶ

δάκρυσι δεύεσκον, τά μοι ἄμβροτα δῶκε Καλυψώ·
ἀλλ' ὅτε δὴ ὄγδοόν μοι ἐπιπλόμενον ἔτος ἦλθε,
καὶ τότε δή μ' ἐκέλευσεν ἐποτρύνουσα νέεσθαι
Ζηνὸς ὑπ' ἀγγελίης, ἢ καὶ νόος ἐτράπετ' αὐτῆς.
πέμπε δ' ἐπὶ σχεδίης πολυδέσμου, πολλὰ δ' ἔδωκε,
σῖτον καὶ μέθυ ἡδύ, καὶ ἄμβροτα εἵματα ἕσσεν,
οὖρον δὲ προέηκεν ἀπήμονά τε λιαρόν τε.
ἑπτὰ δὲ καὶ δέκα μὲν πλέον ἤματα ποντοπορεύων,
ὀκτωκαιδεκάτῃ δ' ἐφάνη ὄρεα σκιόεντα
γαίης ὑμετέρης, γήθησε δέ μοι φίλον ἦτορ,
δυσμόρῳ· ἦ γὰρ μέλλον ἔτι ξυνέσεσθαι ὀϊζυῖ
πολλῇ, τήν μοι ἐπῶρσε Ποσειδάων ἐνοσίχθων,
ὅς μοι ἐφορμήσας ἀνέμους κατέδησε κέλευθον,
ὤρινεν δὲ θάλασσαν ἀθέσφατον, οὐδέ τι κῦμα
εἴα ἐπὶ σχεδίης ἁδινὰ στενάχοντα φέρεσθαι.
τὴν μὲν ἔπειτα θύελλα διεσκέδασ'· αὐτὰρ ἐγώ γε
νηχόμενος τόδε λαῖτμα διέτμαγον, ὄφρα με γαίῃ
ὑμετέρῃ ἐπέλασσε φέρων ἄνεμός τε καὶ ὕδωρ.
ἔνθα κέ μ' ἐκβαίνοντα βιήσατο κῦμ' ἐπὶ χέρσου,
πέτρῃς πρὸς μεγάλῃσι βαλὸν καὶ ἀτερπέϊ χώρῳ,
ἀλλ' ἀναχασσάμενος νῆχον πάλιν, εἷος ἐπῆλθον
ἐς ποταμόν, τῇ δή μοι ἐείσατο χῶρος ἄριστος,
λεῖος πετράων, καὶ ἐπὶ σκέπας ἦν ἀνέμοιο.
ἐκ δ' ἔπεσον θυμηγερέων, ἐπὶ δ' ἀμβροσίη νὺξ
ἤλυθ'· ἐγὼ δ' ἀπάνευθε διιπετέος ποταμοῖο
ἐκβὰς ἐν θάμνοισι κατέδραθον, ἀμφὶ δὲ φύλλα
ἠφυσάμην· ὕπνον δὲ θεὸς κατ' ἀπείρονα χεῦεν.
ἔνθα μὲν ἐν φύλλοισι, φίλον τετιημένος ἦτορ,
εὗδον παννύχιος καὶ ἐπ' ἠῶ καὶ μέσον ἦμαρ·
δύσετό τ' ἠέλιος, καί με γλυκὺς ὕπνος ἀνῆκεν.
ἀμφιπόλους δ' ἐπὶ θινὶ τεῆς ἐνόησα θυγατρὸς
παιζούσας, ἐν δ' αὐτὴ ἔην εἰκυῖα θεῇσι.
τὴν ἱκέτευσ'· ἡ δ' οὔ τι νοήματος ἤμβροτεν ἐσθλοῦ,
ὡς οὐκ ἂν ἔλποιο νεώτερον ἀντιάσαντα
ἑρξέμεν· αἰεὶ γάρ τε νεώτεροι ἀφραδέουσιν.
ἥ μοι σῖτον δῶκεν ἅλις ἠδ' αἴθοπα οἶνον
καὶ λοῦσ' ἐν ποταμῷ καί μοι τάδε εἵματ' ἔδωκε.
ταῦτά τοι, ἀχνύμενός περ, ἀληθείην κατέλεξα.»

τὸν δ' αὖτ' Ἀλκίνοος ἀπαμείβετο φώνησέν τε·
«ξεῖν', ἦ τοι μὲν τοῦτό γ' ἐναίσιμον οὐκ ἐνόησε
παῖς ἐμή, οὕνεκά σ' οὔ τι μετ' ἀμφιπόλοισι γυναιξὶν
ἦγεν ἐς ἡμετέρου· σὺ δ' ἄρα πρώτην ἱκέτευσας.»

τὸν δ' ἀπαμειβόμενος προσέφη πολύμητις Ὀδυσσεύς·
«ἥρως, μή μοι τοὔνεκ' ἀμύμονα νείκεε κούρην·
ἡ μὲν γάρ μ' ἐκέλευε σὺν ἀμφιπόλοισιν ἕπεσθαι,
ἀλλ' ἐγὼ οὐκ ἔθελον δείσας αἰσχυνόμενός τε,
μή πως καὶ σοὶ θυμὸς ἐπισκύσσαιτο ἰδόντι·
δύσζηλοι γάρ τ' εἰμὲν ἐπὶ χθονὶ φῦλ' ἀνθρώπων.»

τὸν δ' αὖτ' Ἀλκίνοος ἀπαμείβετο φώνησέν τε·
«ξεῖν', οὔ μοι τοιοῦτον ἐνὶ στήθεσσι φίλον κῆρ
μαψιδίως κεχολῶσθαι· ἀμείνω δ' αἴσιμα πάντα.
αἲ γάρ, Ζεῦ τε πάτερ καὶ Ἀθηναίη καὶ Ἄπολλον,
τοῖος ἐών, οἷός ἐσσι, τά τε φρονέων ἅ τ' ἐγώ περ,
παῖδά τ' ἐμὴν ἐχέμεν καὶ ἐμὸς γαμβρὸς καλέεσθαι,
αὖθι μένων· οἶκον δέ κ' ἐγὼ καὶ κτήματα δοίην,
εἴ κ' ἐθέλων γε μένοις· ἀέκοντα δέ σ' οὔ τις ἐρύξει
Φαιήκων· μὴ τοῦτο φίλον Διὶ πατρὶ γένοιτο.
πομπὴν δ' ἐς τόδ' ἐγὼ τεκμαίρομαι, ὄφρ' ἐῢ εἰδῇς,
αὔριον ἔς· τῆμος δὲ σὺ μὲν δεδμημένος ὕπνῳ
λέξεαι, οἱ δ' ἐλόωσι γαλήνην, ὄφρ' ἂν ἵκηαι
πατρίδα σὴν καὶ δῶμα, καὶ εἴ πού τοι φίλον ἐστίν,
εἴ περ καὶ μάλα πολλὸν ἑκαστέρω ἔστ' Εὐβοίης·
τὴν γὰρ τηλοτάτω φάσ' ἔμμεναι οἵ μιν ἴδοντο
λαῶν ἡμετέρων, ὅτε τε ξανθὸν Ῥαδάμανθυν
ἦγον ἐποψόμενον Τιτυόν, Γαιήϊον υἱόν.
καὶ μὲν οἱ ἔνθ' ἦλθον καὶ ἄτερ καμάτοιο τέλεσσαν
ἤματι τῷ αὐτῷ καὶ ἀπήνυσαν οἴκαδ' ὀπίσσω.
εἰδήσεις δὲ καὶ αὐτὸς ἐνὶ φρεσίν, ὅσσον ἄρισται
νῆες ἐμαὶ καὶ κοῦροι ἀναῤῥίπτειν ἅλα πηδῷ.»

ὣς φάτο, γήθησεν δὲ πολύτλας δῖος Ὀδυσσεύς,
εὐχόμενος δ' ἄρα εἶπεν ἔπος τ' ἔφατ' ἔκ τ' ὀνόμαζε·

«Ζεῦ πάτερ, αἴθ', ὅσα εἶπε, τελευτήσειεν ἅπαντα
Ἀλκίνοος· τοῦ μέν κεν ἐπὶ ζείδωρον ἄρουραν
ἄσβεστον κλέος εἴη, ἐγὼ δέ κε πατρίδ' ἱκοίμην.»

ὣς οἱ μὲν τοιαῦτα πρὸς ἀλλήλους ἀγόρευον,
κέκλετο δ' Ἀρήτη λευκώλενος ἀμφιπόλοισι
δέμνι' ὑπ' αἰθούσῃ θέμεναι καὶ ῥήγεα καλὰ
πορφύρε' ἐμβαλέειν στορέσαι τ' ἐφύπερθε τάπητας,
χλαίνας τ' ἐνθέμεναι οὔλας καθύπερθεν ἕσασθαι.
αἱ δ' ἴσαν ἐκ μεγάροιο δάος μετὰ χερσὶν ἔχουσαι·
αὐτὰρ ἐπεὶ στόρεσαν πυκινὸν λέχος ἐγκονέουσαι,
ὤτρυνον Ὀδυσῆα παριστάμεναι ἐπέεσσιν·
«ὄρσο κέων, ὦ ξεῖνε· πεποίηται δέ τοι εὐνή.»
ὣς φάν· τῷ δ' ἀσπαστὸν ἐείσατο κοιμηθῆναι.

ὣς ὁ μὲν ἔνθα καθεῦδε πολύτλας δῖος Ὀδυσσεὺς
τρητοῖσ' ἐν λεχέεσσιν ὑπ' αἰθούσῃ ἐριδούπῳ·
Ἀλκίνοος δ' ἄρα λέκτο μυχῷ δόμου ὑψηλοῖο,
πὰρ δὲ γυνὴ δέσποινα λέχος πόρσυνε καὶ εὐνήν.


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