Page:The Odyssey of Homer, with the Hymns, Epigrams, and Battle of the Frogs and Mice (Buckley 1853).djvu/127

61—98. himself was destroyed. But with her Neptune had intercourse, and begat a strong-hearted son, Nausithoüs, who reigned amongst the Phæacians. But Nausithoüs begat Rexenor and Alcinous. The former silver-bowed Apollo smote, being without male offspring, a bridegroom in the palace, leaving only one daughter, Arete: but her Alcinous made his wife, and honoured her as no other [woman] is honoured on the earth, whatsoever women at least now keep house under husbands, as she has been honoured in heart and is still, both by her dear children and by Alcinous himself, and the people, who, looking upon her as a goddess, welcome her with words, when she goes through the city. For she herself is by no means in want of good understanding, and she settles disputes amongst men, to whom she wishes well. If then indeed she shall be kindly disposed towards thee in her mind, there is a hope for thee hereafter to behold thy friends, and come to thy lofty-roofed house, and thine own paternal land."

Thus having spoken, blue-eyed Minerva departed over the barren sea; and left lovely Scheria: and she came to Marathon, and wide-stretched Athens, and she entered the compact house of Erectheus. But Ulysses went to the illustrious dwellings of Alcinous; and his heart meditated many things, as he stood before he arrived at the brazen threshold: for it was as the shining of the sun or moon, through the lofty-roofed house of strong-hearted Alcinous. For brazen walls were firmly built each way, to the recess from the threshold; and around it a cornice of blue colour; and golden doors enclosed the firm house within; and silver pillars stood on the brazen threshold, and there was a silver lintel over it, and a golden ring. And on each side there were golden and silver dogs, which Vulcan made with his skilful mind, to guard the house of magnanimous Alcinous, being immortal and free from old age all their days. But within thrones were firmly set here and there around the wall, throughout, from the threshold to the recess: there were thrown over them slender well-woven mantles, the works of women. Here the leaders of the Phæa-