Thus did he speak, and they all
held their peace throughout the covered room, enthralled by the charm
of his story, till presently Alkinoos began to speak.
"Odysseus," said he, "now that you
have reached my house I doubt not you will get home without further
misadventure no matter how much you have suffered in the past. To you
others, however, who come here night after night to drink my choicest
wine and listen to my bard, I would insist as follows. Our guest has
already packed up the clothes, wrought gold, and other valuables
which you have brought for his acceptance; let us now, therefore,
present him further, each one of us, with a large tripod and a
cauldron. We will recoup ourselves by the levy of a general rate
throughout the dêmos; for private individuals cannot be
expected to bear the burden of such a handsome present."
Every one approved of this, and
then they went home to bed each in his own abode. When the child of
morning, rosy-fingered Dawn, appeared, they hurried down to the ship
and brought their cauldrons with them. Alkinoos went on board and saw
everything so securely stowed under the ship's benches that
nothing could break adrift and injure the rowers. Then they went to
the house of Alkinoos to get dinner, and he sacrificed a bull for
them in honor of Zeus who is the lord of all. They set the meats to
grill and made an excellent dinner, after which the inspired bard,
Demodokos, who was a favorite with every one, sang to them; but
Odysseus kept on turning his eyes towards the sun, as though to
hasten his setting, for he was longing to be on his way. As one who
has been all day ploughing a fallow field with a couple of oxen keeps
thinking about his supper and is glad when night comes that he may go
and get it, for it is all his legs can do to carry him, even so did
Odysseus rejoice when the sun went down, and he at once said to the
Phaeacians, addressing himself more particularly to King
Alkinoos:
"Sir, and all of you, farewell.
Make your drink-offerings and send me on my way rejoicing, for you
have fulfilled my heart's desire by giving me an escort, and
making me presents, which heaven grant that I may turn to good
account [olbios]; may I find my admirable wife living
in peace among friends, and may you whom I leave behind me give
satisfaction to your wives and children; may heaven grant you every
good grace [aretê], and may no evil thing come
among your people."
Homer. The Odyssey. Rendered into English prose for the use of those who cannot read the original. Samuel Butler. Based on public domain edition, revised by Timothy Power and Gregory Nagy. A. C. Fifield, London. 1900 (?).
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