Page:The Odyssey of Homer, with the Hymns, Epigrams, and Battle of the Frogs and Mice (Buckley 1853).djvu/123

262—301. there is a lofty turret, and a fair port on each side of the city, and a narrow entrance; and on the way the ships rowed on both sides are drawn up; for in each there is a station for all; and there is their forum, around the beautiful temple of Neptune, fitted with large stones dug out of the earth. There they take care of the tackle of the black ships, the ropes, and the cables, and they sharpen the oars. For neither the bow nor the quiver are a care to the Phæacians, but masts and oars of ships, and the equal ships, rejoicing in which, they pass over the hoary sea. Their harsh report I shun, lest some one should blame me behind my back; for they are very overbearing amongst the people. And perchance some worse one meeting us would say, 'Who is this handsome and portly stranger who follows Nausicaa? where did she find him? will he now indeed be her husband? She has either brought from her own ship some one of men from a far country who was wandering; for there are none near. Or some much-prayed-for god, descending from heaven, has come to her at her entreaty; and she will have him all her days. It were better for her, if she herself had, departing, found a husband elsewhere; for she despises these Phæacians amongst the people, who woo her, numerous and excellent.' So they will say, and these things would be reproaches against me: but I should be indignant with another, who should do such things, who should have intercourse with men against the will of her dear father and mother still alive, before her nuptials came openly. Do thou, O stranger, thus attend to my word, that thou mayest as quickly as possible obtain a conduct and return from my father. We shall find a beautiful grove of Minerva, near the way of poplars: and in it a fountain flows, and round it there is a meadow. There is the allotted estate of my father, and the flourishing orchard, so far from the city as one shouting out makes [others] hear; sit down there and wait for some time, until we come to the city, and reach the house of my father. But when thou thinkest that we have come to the house, then go to the city of the Phæacians, and inquire for the house of my strong-hearted father, Alcinous. But it is easily known, and even a boy would lead thee: for the houses of the