Page:The Iliad and Odyssey of Homer (IA iliadodysseyofho02home).pdf/158

150 Who, losing all his impious people, shared The same dread fate himself. Her Neptune lov'd, To whom she bore a son, the mighty prince Nausithoüs, in his day King of the land. Nausithoüs himself two sons begat, Rhexenor and Alcinoüs. Phoebus slew Rhexenor at his home, a bridegroom yet, Who, father of no son, one daughter left, Areta, wedded to Alcinoüs now, And whom the Sov'reign in such honour holds, As woman none enjoys of all on earth Existing, subjects of an husband's pow'r. Like veneration she from all receives Unfeign'd, from her own children, from himself Alcinoüs, and from all Phæacia's race, Who, gazing on her as she were divine, Shout when she moves in progress through the town. For she no wisdom wants, but sits, herself, Arbitress of such contests as arise Between her fav'rites, and decides aright. Her count'nance once and her kind aid secured, Thou may'st thenceforth expect thy friends to see, Thy dwelling, and thy native soil again. So Pallas spake, Goddess cærulean-eyed, And o'er the untillable and barren Deep Departing, Scheria left, land of delight, Whence reaching Marathon, and Athens next, She pass'd into Erectheus' fair abode.