Page:The Odyssey of Homer, with the Hymns, Epigrams, and Battle of the Frogs and Mice (Buckley 1853).djvu/124

88 Phæacians are not made like it, such is the house of the hero Alcinous. But when the house and the hall conceal thee, go very quickly through the palace, until thou comest to my mother: but she sits on the hearth in the beam of the fire, turning the sea-purple threads of wool, wondrous to behold, reclining against a pillar, and her handmaidens sit behind her. There the throne of my father is reclined near her; in this he sitting, as an immortal, drinks wine; passing by him, place thine hands upon the knees of my mother, that rejoicing thou mayest behold the day of thy return, quickly, although thou art very far off. If indeed she shall be kindly disposed in her mind, then there is a hope that thou wilt see thy friends, and come to thy well-built house, and to thy paternal land."

Thus having spoken, she lashed the mules with the shining scourge, and they quickly left the streams of the river: they ran well, and curvetted briskly with their feet. She also drove well, in order that the handmaidens and Ulysses might follow together on foot; and she threw the lash with skill. And the sun set, and they came to the illustrious grove, sacred to Minerva, where divine Ulysses sat down: then he immediately prayed to the daughter of mighty Jove:

"Hear me, O thou unsubdued daughter of Ægis-bearing Jove, now at length listen to me, since thou hast never before listened to me being shipwrecked, when illustrious Neptune shipwrecked me. Grant that I may come friendly and an object of pity to the Phæacians."

Thus he spoke praying, but Pallas Minerva heard him; but she did not yet appear before him; for she had an awe of her father's brother; for he was vehemently wrathful with godlike Ulysses, before he arrived at his own land.