Page:The Odyssey of Homer, with the Hymns, Epigrams, and Battle of the Frogs and Mice (Buckley 1853).djvu/134

98 although it is a great deal farther than Eubœa; for they, who of our people saw it, when they conducted auburn-haired Rhadamanthus to see Tityus, the son of Earth, say that it is most distant: and they arrived from hence, and accomplished it without labour in the same day, and brought him back home. And thou wilt thyself know how much my ships and youths are the best, to cast up the sea with the blade of the oar."

Thus he spoke; and much-enduring divine Ulysses rejoiced; and then praying he spoke and said a word, and called [on Jove] by name: "O father Jove, may Alcinous perform all the things, whatever he has said! then indeed his glory would be inextinguishable over the bounteous earth, and I should reach my country."

Thus they spoke to one another. But white-armed Arete had commanded her handmaidens to place couches under the portico, and to throw upon them beautiful purple rugs, and to strew tapestry above, and to place woollen cloaks upon them, to spread over him. And they went from the palace, holding a torch in their hands; but when they had strewn the thick bed, hastening, they urged Ulysses with words, standing near him: "Rise to go to rest, O stranger; thy bed is made."

Thus they spoke; and it appeared to him delightful to go to rest. Thus much-enduring divine Ulysses slept there in the compact beds, under the sounding portico. But Alcinous lay down in the recess of the lofty house; and near him his wife the queen prepared a couch and bed.