Search the Perseus Catalog for:

View: By Book

← Previous Next →

By and by morning came, throned in splendor, and woke Nausicaa, who began wondering about her dream; [50] she therefore went to the other end of the house to tell her father and mother all about it, and found them in their own room. Her mother was sitting by the fireside spinning her purple yarn with her maids around her, and she happened to catch her father just as he was going out to attend a meeting of the town council, [55] which the proud Phaeacian aldermen had convened. She stopped him and said:

“Papa dear, could you manage to let me have a good big wagon? I want to take all our dirty clothes to the river and wash them. [60] You are the chief man here, so it is only right that you should have a clean khiton when you attend meetings of the council. Moreover, you have five sons at home, two of them married, while the other three are good-looking bachelors; you know they always like to have clean linen [65] when they go to a dance [ khoros], and I have been thinking about all this.”

She did not say a word about her own wedding, for she did not like to, but her father knew and said, “You shall have the mules, my love, and whatever else you have a mind for. Be off with you, and the men shall get you [70] a good strong wagon with a body to it that will hold all your clothes.”

Then he gave his orders to the servants, who got the wagon out, harnessed the mules, and put them to, while the girl brought the clothes down from the linen room [75] and placed them on the wagon. Her mother prepared her a basket of provisions with all sorts of good things, and a goat skin full of wine; the girl now got into the wagon, and her mother gave her also a golden cruse of oil, [80] that she and her women might anoint themselves. Then she took the whip and reins and lashed the mules on, whereon they set off, and their hoofs clattered on the road. They pulled without flagging, and carried not only Nausicaa and her wash of clothes, but the maids also who were with her.

[85]

Odyssey. Homer. Samuel Butler (Translator). London. 1898.

Current edition Experimental

English (Butler, rev. Nagy et al., 2020) (OCR draft) (English) (English (Butler, rev. Nagy et al., 2020))

Provisional text from uncorrected OCR; expect errors.

Editions (1)

Ὀδύσσεια Perseus (Homer. The Odyssey, Volume 1-2. Murray, A. T. (Augustus Taber), editor. London: William Heinmann; New York: G.P. Putnam's Sons, 1919.) — 6.48 focus

αὐτίκα δʼ Ἠὼς ἦλθεν ἐύθρονος, ἥ μιν ἔγειρε

Ναυσικάαν ἐύπεπλον· ἄφαρ δʼ ἀπεθαύμασʼ ὄνειρον,

βῆ δʼ ἰέναι διὰ δώμαθʼ, ἵνʼ ἀγγείλειε τοκεῦσιν,

πατρὶ φίλῳ καὶ μητρί· κιχήσατο δʼ ἔνδον ἐόντας·

ἡ μὲν ἐπʼ ἐσχάρῃ ἧστο σὺν ἀμφιπόλοισι γυναιξὶν

ἠλάκατα στρωφῶσʼ ἁλιπόρφυρα· τῷ δὲ θύραζε

ἐρχομένῳ ξύμβλητο μετὰ κλειτοὺς βασιλῆας

ἐς βουλήν, ἵνα μιν κάλεον Φαίηκες ἀγαυοί.

ἡ δὲ μάλʼ ἄγχι στᾶσα φίλον πατέρα προσέειπε·

πάππα φίλʼ, οὐκ ἂν δή μοι ἐφοπλίσσειας ἀπήνην

ὑψηλὴν ἐύκυκλον, ἵνα κλυτὰ εἵματʼ ἄγωμαι

ἐς ποταμὸν πλυνέουσα, τά μοι ῥερυπωμένα κεῖται;

καὶ δὲ σοὶ αὐτῷ ἔοικε μετὰ πρώτοισιν ἐόντα

βουλὰς βουλεύειν καθαρὰ χροΐ εἵματʼ ἔχοντα.

πέντε δέ τοι φίλοι υἷες ἐνὶ μεγάροις γεγάασιν,

οἱ δύʼ ὀπυίοντες, τρεῖς δʼ ἠίθεοι θαλέθοντες·

οἱ δʼ αἰεὶ ἐθέλουσι νεόπλυτα εἵματʼ ἔχοντες

ἐς χορὸν ἔρχεσθαι· τὰ δʼ ἐμῇ φρενὶ πάντα μέμηλεν.

ὣς ἔφατʼ· αἴδετο γὰρ θαλερὸν γάμον ἐξονομῆναι

πατρὶ φίλῳ. ὁ δὲ πάντα νόει καὶ ἀμείβετο μύθῳ·

οὔτε τοι ἡμιόνων φθονέω, τέκος, οὔτε τευ ἄλλου.

ἔρχευ· ἀτάρ τοι δμῶες ἐφοπλίσσουσιν ἀπήνην

ὑψηλὴν ἐύκυκλον, ὑπερτερίῃ ἀραρυῖαν.

ὣς εἰπὼν δμώεσσιν ἐκέκλετο, τοὶ δʼ ἐπίθοντο.

οἱ μὲν ἄρʼ ἐκτὸς ἄμαξαν ἐύτροχον ἡμιονείην

ὥπλεον, ἡμιόνους θʼ ὕπαγον ζεῦξάν θʼ ὑπʼ ἀπήνῃ·

κούρη δʼ ἐκ θαλάμοιο φέρεν ἐσθῆτα φαεινήν.

καὶ τὴν μὲν κατέθηκεν ἐυξέστῳ ἐπʼ ἀπήνῃ,

μήτηρ δʼ ἐν κίστῃ ἐτίθει μενοεικέʼ ἐδωδὴν

παντοίην, ἐν δʼ ὄψα τίθει, ἐν δʼ οἶνον ἔχευεν

ἀσκῷ ἐν αἰγείῳ· κούρη δʼ ἐπεβήσετʼ ἀπήνης.

δῶκεν δὲ χρυσέῃ ἐν ληκύθῳ ὑγρὸν ἔλαιον,

ἧος χυτλώσαιτο σὺν ἀμφιπόλοισι γυναιξίν.

ἡ δʼ ἔλαβεν μάστιγα καὶ ἡνία σιγαλόεντα,

μάστιξεν δʼ ἐλάαν· καναχὴ δʼ ἦν ἡμιόνοιιν.

αἱ δʼ ἄμοτον τανύοντο, φέρον δʼ ἐσθῆτα καὶ αὐτήν,

οὐκ οἴην, ἅμα τῇ γε καὶ ἀμφίπολοι κίον ἄλλαι.

Translations (8)

Odyssey Perseus (Homer. The Odyssey, Volume 1-2. Murray, A. T. (Augustus Taber), translator. London: William Heinmann; New York: G.P. Putnam's Sons, 1919.) — 6.48 focus

At once then came fair-throned Dawn and awakened Nausicaa of the beautiful robes, and straightway she marvelled at her dream, 50 and went through the house to tell her parents, her father dear and her mother; and she found them both within. The mother sat at the hearth with her handmaidens, spinning the yarn of purple dye, and her father she met as he was going forth to join the glorious kings 55 in the place of council, to which the lordly Phaeacians called him. But she came up close to her dear father, and said: “Papa dear, wilt thou not make ready for me a wagon, high and stout of wheel, that I may take to the river for washing the goodly raiment of mine which is lying here soiled? 60 Moreover for thyself it is seemly that when thou art at council with the princes thou shouldst have clean raiment upon thee; and thou hast five sons living in thy halls—two are wedded, but three are sturdy bachelors—and these ever wish to put on them freshly-washed raiment, 65 when they go to the dance. Of all this must I take thought.” So she spoke, for she was ashamed to name gladsome¹ marriage to her father; but he understood all, and answered, saying: “Neither the mules do I begrudge thee, my child, nor aught beside. Go thy way; the slaves shall make ready for thee the wagon, 70 high and stout of wheel and fitted with a box above.”² With this he called to the slaves, and they hearkened. Outside the palace they made ready the light-running mule wagon, and led up the mules and yoked them to it; and the maiden brought from her chamber the bright raiment, 75 and placed it upon the polished car, while her mother put in a chest food of all sorts to satisfy the heart. Therein she put dainties, and poured wine in a goat-skin flask; and the maiden mounted upon the wagon. Her mother gave her also soft olive oil in a flask of gold, 80 that she and her maidens might have it for the bath. Then Nausicaa took the whip and the bright reins, and smote the mules to start them; and there was a clatter of the mules as they sped on a main, bearing the raiment and the maiden; neither went she alone, for with her went her handmaids as well.

Odyssey Perseus (Homer. The Odyssey: rendered into English prose for the use of those who cannot read the original. Butler, Samuel, 1835-1902, translator. Revised by Timothy Power and Gregory Nagy. London: A.C. Fifield, 1900.) — 6.48 focus

48 By and by morning came and woke Nausicaa, who began wondering about her dream; she therefore went to the other end of the house to tell her father and mother all about it, and found them in their own room. Her mother was sitting by the fireside spinning her purple yarn with her maids around her, and she happened to catch her father just as he was going out to attend a meeting of the town council, which the Phaeacian aldermen had convened. She stopped him and said:

57 "Papa dear, could you manage to let me have a good big wagon? I want to take all our dirty clothes to the river and wash them. You are the chief man here, so it is only right that you should have a clean shirt when you attend meetings of the council. Moreover, you have five sons at home, two of them married, while the other three are good-looking bachelors; you know they always like to have clean linen when they go to a dance [ khoros], and I have been thinking about all this."

66 She did not say a word about her own wedding, for she did not like to, but her father knew and said, "You shall have the mules, my love, and whatever else you have a mind for. Be off with you, and the men shall get you a good strong wagon with a body to it that will hold all your clothes."

71 On this he gave his orders to the servants, who got the wagon out, harnessed the mules, and put them to, while the girl brought the clothes down from the linen room and placed them on the wagon. Her mother prepared her a basket of provisions with all sorts of good things, and a goat skin full of wine; the girl now got into the wagon, and her mother gave her also a golden cruse of oil, that she and her women might anoint themselves. Then she took the whip and reins and lashed the mules on, whereon they set off, and their hoofs clattered on the road. They pulled without flagging, and carried not only Nausicaa and her wash of clothes, but the maids also who were with her.

English (William Cullen Bryant, 1873) (OCR draft) Experimental (English (William Cullen Bryant, 1873)) — 6.48 focus

Soon the bright morning came. Nausicaä rose,

Clad royally, as marvelling at her dream

She hastened through the palace to declare

Her purpose to her father and the queen.

She found them both within. Her mother sat

Beside the hearth with her attendant maids,

And turned the distaff loaded with a fleece

Dyed in sea-purple. On the threshold stood

Her father, going forth to meet the chiefs

Of the Phæacians in a council where

Their noblest asked his presence. Then the maid,

Approaching her beloved father, spake :

" I pray, dear father, give command to make

A chariot ready for me, with high sides

And sturdy wheels, to bear to the river-brink,

There to be cleansed, the costly robes that now

Lie soiled. Thee likewise it doth well beseem

At councils to appear in vestments fresh

And stainless. Thou hast also in these halls

Five sons, two wedded, three in boyhood's bloom,

And ever in the dance they need attire

New from the wash. All this must I provide."

She ended, for she shrank from saying aught

Of her own hopeful marriage. He perceived

Her thought and said: "Mules I deny thee not,

My daughter, nor aught else. Go then; my grooms

Shall make a carriage ready with high sides

And sturdy wheels, and a broad rack above."

He spake, and gave command. The grooms obeyed,

And, making ready in the outer court

The strong-wheeled chariot, led the harnessed mules

Under the yoke and made them fast; and then

Appeared the maiden, bringing from her bower

The shining garments. In the polished car

She piled them, while with many pleasant meats

And flavoring morsels for the day's repast

Her mother filled a hamper, and poured wine

Into a goatskin. As her daughter climbed

100

The car, she gave into her hands a cruse

Of gold with smooth anointing oil for her

And her attendant maids. Nausicaä took

The scourge and showy reins, and struck the mules

To urge them onward. Onward with loud noise

105

They went, and with a speed that slackened not,

And bore the robes and her, - yet not alone,

For with her went the maidens of her train.

English (Alexander Pope, 1726, ed. Watson, 1858) (OCR draft) Experimental (English (Alexander Pope, 1726, ed. Watson, 1858)) — 6.48 focus

Now from her rosy car Aurora shed

The dawn, and all the orient flam'd with red.

Up rose the virgin with the morning light,

Obedient to the vision of the night.

The queen she sought: the queen her hours bestow'd

In curious works; the whirling spindle glow'd

With crimson threads, while busy damsels cull

The snowy fleece, or twist the purpled wool.¹

Meanwhile Phaeacia's peers in council sate;

From his high dome the king descends in state,

Then with a filial awe the royal maid

Approach'd him passing, and submissive said:

Nausicaa

"Will my dread sire his ear regardful deign,

And may his child the royal car obtain?
70

Say, with thy garments shall I bend my way,

Where through the vales the mazy waters stray?

A dignity of dress adorns the great,

And kings draw lustre from the robe of state.

Five sons thou hast; three wait the bridal day,
75

And spotless robes become the young and gay:

So when with praise amid the dance they shine,

By these my cares adorn'd, that praise is mine."

Thus she: but blushes ill-restrain'd betray

Her thoughts intentive on the bridal day:

The conscious sire the dawning blush survey'd,

And, smiling, thus bespoke the blooming maid:

Alcinous

"My child, my darling joy, the car receive;

That, and whate'er our daughter asks, we give."

Swift at the royal nod th' attending train

The car prepare, the mules incessant reign.

The blooming virgin with despatchful cares

Tunics, and stoles, and robes imperial, bears.

The queen, assiduous, to her train assigns

The sumptuous viands, and the flavorous wines.

The train prepare a cruse of curious mould,

A cruse of fragrance, form'd of burnish'd gold;

Odour divine! whose soft refreshing streams

Sleek the smooth skin, and scent the snowy limbs.

Now mounting the gay seat, the silken reins

Shine in her hand; along the sounding plains

Swift fly the mules: nor rode the nymph alone;

Around, a bevy of bright damsels shone.

English (Thomas Hobbes, 1667, ed. Molesworth 1843) (OCR draft) Experimental (English (Thomas Hobbes, 1667, ed. Molesworth 1843)) — 6.48 focus

Thither went Pallas. Then Nausicaa

Awak'd, and through the house went to relate

Unto her parents what a dream she saw.

Her mother by the fire-side spinning sate

With distaff laden with fine purple wool.

Her father going out, she met i' th' hall,

Call'd by the lords sitting in council full,

And waiting for him to consult withal.

And to him said: Pray, father, shall not I

Allowed be a coach your clothes to bear

(Which in the house sullied and spotted lie)

Unto the river side to wash them there ;

For you yourself when you to council go

Would gladly have your garments clean and sweet.

Your five sons, whereof two be wedded now,

Would fain with clean clothes at the dancings meet.

So said Nausicaa. But to her father

To talk of wedding she forbore for shame,

Yet what she thought on he could eas'ly gather,

However she dissembled had the same.

Dear child, then said her father, you shall have

Both mules and coach with handsome covering.

Unto his servants then command he gave

To see it done. And out the coach they bring,

And to it set the mules. Then came her mother,

And laid in things to eat, of relish fine,

And such as eaten are with bread, much other;

And in a bag of goat-skin pleasant wine.

When in the coach the garments all were plac'd,

Nausicaa went up into her seat,

And with her took (when their toil should be past)

A cruse of oil to help wash off the sweat.

Then out, with whip and reins in hand, did drive.

And then, with strained limbs and clattering feet,

English (George Chapman, 1667, ed. Hooper 1857) (OCR draft) Experimental (English (George Chapman, 1667, ed. Hooper 1857)) — 6.48 focus

Straight rose the lovely Morn, that up did raise

Fair-veil'd Nausicaa, whose dream her praise

To admiration took; who no time spent

To give the rapture of her vision vent

To her lov'd parents, whom she found within.

Her mother set at fire, who had to spin

A rock, whose tincture with sea-purple shin'd;

Her maids about her. But she chanced to find

Her father going abroad, to council call'd

By his grave Senate. And to him exhaled

Her smother'd bosom was: "Lov'd sire," said she,

" Will you not now command a coach for me,

Stately and complete, fit for me to bear

To wash at flood the weeds I cannot wear

Before repurified? Yourself it fits

To wear fair weeds, as every man that sits

¹²

In place of council. And five sons you have,

Two wed, three bachelors, that must be brave

In every day's shift, that they may go dance;

For these three last with these things must advance

Their states in marriage, and who else but I,

Their sister, should their dancing rites supply?"

This general cause she show'd, and would not name

Her mind of nuptials to her sire, for shame.

He understood her yet, and thus replied:

"Daughter! nor these, nor any grace beside,

I either will deny thee, or defer,

Mules, nor a coach, of state and circular,

Fitting at all parts. Go, my servants shall

Serve thy desires, and thy command in all."

100

The servants then commanded soon obey'd,

Fetch'd coach, and mules join'd in it. Then the Maid

Brought from the chamber her rich weeds, and laid

All up in coach; in which her mother plac'd

A maund of victuals, varied well in taste,

105

And other junkets. Wine she likewise fill'd

Within a goat-skin bottle, and distill'd

Sweet and moist oil into a golden cruse,

Both for her daughter's, and her handmaid's, use,

To soften their bright bodies, when they rose

110

Cleans'd from their cold baths. Up to coach then goes

Th' observed Maid, takes both the scourge and reins,

And to her side her handmaid straight attains.

Nor these alone, but other virgins, grac'd

³⁴

The nuptial chariot. The whole bevy plac'd,

115

Nausicaa scourg'd to make the coach-mules run,

That neigh'd, and pac'd their usual speed, and soon

Both maids and weeds brought to the river side,

Where baths for all the year their use supplied,

Whose waters were so pure they would not stain,

120

But still ran fair forth, and did more remain

Apt to purge stains, for that purg'd stain withın,

Which by the water's pure store was not seen.

English (William Cowper, 1791, ed. Southey) (OCR draft) Experimental (English (William Cowper, 1791, ed. Southey)) — 6.48 focus

Now came Aurora bright enthroned, whose rays

Awaken'd fair Nausicaa; she her dream

Remember'd wondering, and her parents sought

Anxious to tell them. Them she found within.

Beside the hearth her royal mother sat,

Spinning soft fleeces with sea-purple dyed

Among her menial maidens, but she met

Her father whom the Nobles of the land

Had summon'd, issuing abroad to join

The illustrious Chiefs in council. At his side

She stood, and thus her filial suit preferr'd.

Sir! wilt thou lend me of the royal wains

A sumpter-carriage? for I wish to bear

My costly cloaths but sullied and unfit

For use, at present, to the river-side.

It is but seemly that thou should'st repair

Tholf to consultation with the Chiefs

Of all Phæacia, clad in pure attire;

And my own brothers five, who dwell at home,

Two wedded, and the rest of age to wed,

Are all desirous, when they dance, to wear

Raiment new bleach'd; all which is my concern.

So spake Nausicaa; for she dared not name

Her own glad nuptials to her father's ear,

Who, conscious yet of all her drift, replied.

I grudge thee neither mules, my child, nor aught

That thou canst ask beside. Go, and my train

Shall furnish thee a sumpter-carriage forth

High-built, strong-wheel'd, and of gaping size.

So saying, he issued his command, whom quick

His grooms obey'd. They in the court prepared

The sumpter-carriage, and adjoin'd the mules.

And now the virgin from her chamber, charged

With raiment, came, which on the car she placed,

And in the carriage-chest, meantime, the Queen,

Her mother, viands of all kinds disposed,

And fill'd a skin with wine. Nausicaa rose

Into her seat; but, ere she went, received

A golden cruse of oil from the Queen's hand

For unction of herself and of her maids.

Then, seizing scourge and reins, she lash'd the mules.

They trampled loud the soil, straining to draw

100

Herself with all her vesture; nor alone

She went, but follow'd by her virgin train.

English (H. B. Cotterill, 1911) (OCR draft) Experimental (English (H. B. Cotterill, 1911)) — 6 focus

ODYSSEY BOOK VI

HERE then slumbering lay long-suffering godlike Odysseus

All o'ermastered by sleep and by weariness, while that Athene

Hastened to visit the land Phaeacia's city and people.

These once dwelt in the city of spacious squares Hypereia,

Near the Cyclopian people, a race that with pride overweening

Harried them ever and spoiled them and proved more mighty in warfare.

Godlike Nausithöus thence moved them and found them an island,

Scheria, distant from all bread-nourished races of mortals.

Here did he circle a city with ramparts and builded the houses;

Shrines for the gods he erected and meted the bounds of the corn-lands.

Conquered howbeit by Fate had he gone to the mansion of Hades.

Now reigned Alcinous, who was wise by the counsels of heaven.

His was the mansion she entered, the grey-eyed goddess Athene,

Planning to bring once more to his home great-hearted Odysseus.

Straight to a rich-wrought chamber she went, wherein was a maiden

Slumbering, like to a goddess immortal in form and in feature,

Nausicäa, sole daughter of Alcinous great-hearted.

Near to her two of her damsels, of beauty endowed by the Graces,

Lay by the post of the door, and shut was the glittering portal,

Yet as a breath of the air to the couch of the maiden the goddess

Glided, and standing anigh to her head these words she addressed her,

Taking the form of the daughter of Dymas, mariner famous,

One that in age was her equal and dear to the soul of the maiden;

Such was the form, as she spake, of the grey-eyed goddess Athene:

"Nausicaa, how comes it thy mother has borne thee so heedless?

Lo, still wholly neglected thy glistering raiment is lying

While that thy wedding is nigh and thou needst right beautiful garments

Both for thyself and to give a supply to the friends that escort thee.

Yea too, such is the way in the which one's good reputation

Spreadeth abroad, and a daughter rejoiceth her father and mother.

So come, go we a-washing as soon as the daylight appeareth!

Lo, I will come as thy comrade and share in the labour, that quickly

All shall be ready; for soon we shall see thee a maiden no longer,

Since thou art woo'd by the best of the whole Phaeacian people,

Chiefs of the race from the which thou also thy lineage drawest.

Come and solicit thy father renown'd, that betimes in the morning

Mules and a wagon be harnessed in readiness, such as to carry

Girdles and garments and all our bundles of glistering bedding.

Yea, and for thee 'twere better to drive than wearily wend it

All upon foot; for the place of the washing is far from the city."

Thus did she speak, and departing the grey-eyed goddess Athene

Won to Olympus; for here, it is said, the abode everlasting

Stands of the gods, which winds ne'er shake nor ever a rain-storm

Wetteth, and never a snowflake falleth, but cloudless the aether

Spreadeth above, and over it floateth a radiant whiteness.

Here dwell happy the blesséd immortals for ever and ever.

Hither the goddess betook her whenas she had counselled the maiden.

Now in her glory enthroned came Morning, and soon she awakened

Fair-robed Nausicaa, who marvelling much at the vision

Passed to the outer apartment to make all known to her parents,

Even her father beloved and her mother; and soon did she find them.

Nigh to the hearth was her mother, amidst of the women her handmaids,

Spinning a wool of the rich sea-purple. Her father she happed on

Issuing forth of the palace to join the illustrious chieftains

Met in a council, to which Phaeacian nobles had called him.

Nigh to her well-loved father she stood while thus she addressed him :

"Father beloved, say, wouldst thou not bid them prepare me a wagon

Lofty and strong on the wheels, our beautiful clothing to carry

Down to the river—whatever is soiled? I am wishful to wash it.

Yea and for thee it is seemly, whene'er thou consortest with nobles,

Sitting at counsellor meetings, to wear clean clothes on thy body.

Five dear brothers moreover of mine were born in thy palace.

Two are wedded indeed; but the three are younger and lusty,

Clamouring alway to have their garments fresh from the washing

Ere to the dances they go. — Which things were ever my duty."

Thus did she speak, for her gladsome marriage it irked her to mention

E'en to her father beloved; but he noticed it all, and he answered:

"Neither the mules do I grudge thee, my child, nor anything other.

Go, an thou wilt and the servants shall soon make ready a wagon

Lofty and strong on the wheels, well fitted besides with an awning."

Thus did he speak and commanded the servants, who quickly obeying

Out in the court made ready a wain smooth-running, a wagon

Harnessed for mules and the mules were brought and yoked to the carriage.

Carrying then from her chamber the glistering garments the maiden

Carefully stowed them away in the smooth-wrought car of the wagon.

Then in a box were placed by her mother provisions delightsome,

Every kind, and the relish she added, and wine she decanted

Into the skin of a goat; and the maiden ascended the wagon.

Then in a vial of gold soft oil of the olive she gave her,

Bidding her bathe and anoint her, and also the women her handmaids.

So with the whip in her hand and the glistering reins did the maiden

Whip to a start; and a clatter arose, and the two mules tugging

Strained unflaggingly forward and carried the clothes and the maiden.

Neither alone did she fare: she was followed by others, her women.

Now when at last they arrived at the beautiful stream of the river,

Here the perennial basins they found where waters abundant

Welled up brightly enough for the cleansing of dirtiest raiment.

So their mules they unloosened from under the yoke of the wagon,

Letting them wander at will on the bank of the eddying river,

Browsing on clover as sweet as the honey, and then from the carriage

Bearing within their arms to the deep dark water the garments

Cast them in trenches and trod them in rivalry one with another.

So, when the raiment was washed and was thoroughly cleansed of the dirt-stains,

All on the shore of the ocean in order they spread on the shingle

Where it is washed by the tides of the sea as they sweep to the dry land.

Then did they bathe, and anointing themselves with the oil of the olive

Sat them adown to the midday meal on the bank of the river,

Leaving the garments to dry on the beach in the glare of the sunlight.

Now when in food they had fully delighted, both she and her maidens,

Casting aside their scarfs with a ball they betook them to playing,

100

White-armed Nausicaa with the choral melody leading.

E'en as descending a height moves Artemis, darter of arrows,

Either on Taygetus long-ridged or on huge Erymanthus,

Taking delight in the chase of the boar and of timorous roe-deer,

Whilst all round her the daughters of Zeus who beareth the aegis,

105

Nymphs of the woodland, play—and Leto sees it rejoicing;

Even as over the rest uplifting her brows and her forehead

Easily known in her beauty she stands, though fair be the others,

Thus shone forth in her beauty the maiden amidst her attendants.

Now when at last it was come to the moment of homeward returning,

110

After the mules were yoked and folded the beautiful garments,

Other was then the device of the grey-eyed goddess Athene,

E'en that Odysseus awaking and seeing the fair-faced maiden

Her might follow as guide and reach Phaeacia's city.

Seizing the ball, at a maiden among her attendants the princess

115

Flung it, but missing the maiden it fell in a bottomless eddy.

Piercingly all of them shrieked; and godlike Odysseus, awakened,

Sat straight up and pondered thereon in his heart and his spirit:

"Ah me! what is the folk whose country I now am arrived at ?

Dwell here savages wanton and wild, despisers of justice?

120

Have they a love for the stranger and hearts that revere the immortals?

Lo, how piercing a cry as of maidens ringeth around me,

Nymphs peradventure that dwell on precipitous summits of mountains,

Or by the fountain springs of the rivers and leas of the lowlands;

Else, maybe, I am near to a folk of articulate language.

125

Nay, go to, I will test for myself this matter and view it."

These words uttered, from under the bushes the godlike Odysseus

Issued, and breaking a branch with his powerful hand from the thicket

Girdled his body with leaves, its nakedness striving to cover.

Thus in the pride of his strength from his lair in the mountain a lion

130

Stalks forth soaked with the rain and battered with wind, and his two eyes

Flame as he prowleth abroad midst droves of the sheep and the oxen

Or on the track of the deer, and often his belly will bid him

Making assay on the flocks e'en strong-built granges to enter;

So to the fair-tressed maidens Odysseus was fain to betake him,

135

Though all naked his body—on such distress was he fallen.

Sight terrific he seemed to the maidens, disfigured with sea-brine.

Hastily hither and thither in panic they fled to the sand-spits.

Sole stood firmly the daughter of Alcinous; for Athene

Gave to her courage of heart and took from her limbs all trembling;

140

Facing him calmly she stood; and Odysseus pondered within him

Whether as suppliant clasping the knees of the beautiful maiden,

Or as he was, at a distance, to speak soft words of entertainment,

Begging her show him the city and grant him the gift of a garment.

Thus as he pondered thereon, this plan seemed surely the better,

145

Holding apart, from a distance, to speak soft words of entreaty,

Since that by clasping her knees he was fearful to anger the maiden.

Straightway therefore a word both gentle and cunning he uttered:

"Thee, O Queen, I implore. O.. whether a goddess or mortal!

Art thou a goddess of those who inhabit the infinite heaven—

150

Then it is Artemis surely, the daughter of Zeus the Almighty,

Both in thy form and thy stature and beauty to whom thou art likest.

Art thou a daughter of man, and dwellest on earth as a mortal,

Happy I deem, yea three times happy, thy mother and father,

PATTEN WILSON.
NAUSICAA AND ODYSSEUS

Happy and three times happy thy brothers; for surely exultant

155

Gloweth in gladness the spirit within them, whene'er they behold thee

Entering into the dance, so lovely a flower of girlhood.

Yet, ah, how in his heart more happy than every other

He that with gifts shall prevail and homeward lead thee as lover!

Never till now have seen mine eyes such beauty in mortal,

160

Man nor woman : amazement possesseth me while I behold it.

Suchlike wonder indeed by Apollo's altar in Delos

Once I beheld—uprearing its column a sapling of date-palm;

(Yea, e'en thither I came, and was followed by many a fighter,

Holding a course whereon sore sorrow was fated to meet us).

165

Even as then this wonder beholding I marvelled in spirit,

Long time gazing—for ne'er such shaft from the earth shot upward—

Thus, O lady, I marvel at thee and am greatly astonished,

Fearing thy knees to approach, though sorrow hath fallen upon me.

Yester-e'en to the shore I escaped from the wine-dark ocean.

170

Nineteen days from the isle Ogygia billows and storm-blasts

Ceaselessly bore me, and hither at last some deity cast me,

Planning, meseemeth, that still I shall suffer; for never, I fear me,

All of my travail shall end till the gods much more shall accomplish.

Nay, O Queen, have pity! To thee, outworn with my labours,

175

Lo, as a suppliant first I am come, and of others I know not

Any, of all of the folk that inhabit this town or the country.

Show me the city, and give me a garment, to cast it about me,

Even a rag, or the wrapper perchance that thou broughtst for the linen!

So shall the gods all blessings bestow that thy soul desireth—

180

Husband and home; and oneness of heart may heaven vouchsafe thee,

Blessing supreme—since nought can be wished that is greater and better

While united in heart and in mind are dwelling together

Husband and wife. 'Tis a sight brings sorrow to wishers of evil,

Joy to the wishers of good; but the joy in their hearts is the loudest."

185

Then spake white-armed Nausicaa, and addressed him in answer:

"Stranger, for truly thou seemest a man nor evil nor foolish—

Zeus, our Father in heaven, alone allotteth to mortals,

Unto the good as the evil, to each as he willeth, his fortune.

He, as I doubt not, hath given thee this thou wilt have to endure it.

190

Lo, now—since thou art come and hast reached our country and city,

Neither of clothes shalt thou fear to be lacking nor aught that thou needest,

Such as is due to the poor and the wretched from those that he meeteth.

Gladly the town will I show thee, and tell thee the name of the people:

Folk Phaeacian dwell in the land and inhabit the city.

195

I myself am the daughter of Alcinous great-hearted,

Even the king who upholds Phaeacia's might and dominion."

Thus did she speak, and exhorted the fair-tressed girls, her attendants:

"Tarry, my girls! Why thus at the sight of a man do ye scatter?

Surely ye never can hold him for one of a nation of foemen!

200

Not on the earth there's living the mortal, nor ever shall live one,

Such as shall come to the shores of the great Phaeacian people

Bringing the ravage of war; for the gods everlasting befriend us;

Yea, and apart do we dwell, far over the foam of the ocean,

Furthest of races, nor ever doth visit us other of mortals.

205

Lo—it is some poor wight that is come in his wanderings hither.

Him it is right that we help. It is Zeus our Father that sendeth

Strangers and beggars; and e'en though small, some gift will be grateful.

Therefore give to the stranger to eat and to drink, O maidens;

Bathe him too in the stream where 'gainst all wind is a covert."

210

Thus did she speak, and they halted and called each one to the other;

Then in a covert they seated Odysseus for so had commanded

Nausicaa, fair daughter of Alcinous great-hearted.

Also beside him they laid for his raiment a mantle and tunic,

While in a vial of gold soft oil of the olive they gave him,

215

Bidding him thoroughly cleanse him and bathe in the stream of the river.

Then forthwith to the maidens the godlike Odysseus addressed him :

"Handmaids, stand ye apart so long, until I shall wash me

Off from my shoulders the brine, and well with the oil of the olive

Rub me for truly anointing is long to my body a stranger.

220

Here in your presence I never will bathe, since shyness forbids me

Thus to divest me in front of the faces of fair-tressed maidens."

So did he speak, and returning again to the lady they told it.

Then in the stream of the river his body the godlike Odysseus

Cleansed of the brine all over his back and his shoulders encrusted,

225

Rinsing his hair from the foam of the barren expanses of ocean.

So when at last he was bathed and anointed with oil of the olive,

After himself he had clad in the garments, the gift of the maiden,

Then by Athena the goddess, the daughter of Zeus the Almighty,

Taller and stronger to view he was made, while down from his head fell

230

Clustering thickly the locks of his hair, as the flower hyacinthine.

Even as gold o'er silver is poured by an artist—a craftsman

Taught in his art by the god Hephaestus and Pallas Athene

Manifold skill, and of beauty is every work that he fashions;

Thus did she pour forth grace on the shoulders and head of Odysseus.

235

Then withdrawing he sat him adown on the shore of the ocean

Gleaming in beauty and grace, and with marvel the maiden beheld him,

Nausicaa; and she spake to the fair-tressed girls, her attendants:

"Hearken, my white-armed maidens, attend to the words that I utter!

Verily nought but the will of immortals that dwell in Olympus

240

Granteth this stranger to reach Phaeacia's glorious nation.

Erstwhile truly methought he was right ill-favoured in person;

Now he is like to the gods who the infinite heaven inhabit.

Would that a man like this might win him the name of my husband,

Should he be pleased to remain in the land and to settle amongst us!

245

Therefore give to the stranger to eat and to drink, O maidens!"

Thus did she speak, and attentive they listened and followed her bidding

Quickly they set both viands and drink by the side of the stranger.

Then did he drink and eat, long-suffering godlike Odysseus,

Eagerly—seeing in truth no food long while he had tasted.

250

White-armed Nausicaa in the meanwhile plotted it elsewise :

Folding the clothes, in the car of the beautiful wagon she laid them,

Ordered the strong-hoofed mules to be yoked, then, mounting the carriage,

Unto Odysseus she turned and thus she addressed him, and urged him :

"Rouse thee, stranger, to come to the city, that now I may bring thee

255

Unto my home; for my father is wise, and there in his palace

Soon thou shalt make thee acquainted with all Phaeacia's princes.

Lo now, thus shalt thou act and thou seemst not lacking in wisdom.

While in the fields and the meadows we pass and the tillage of farmers

Keep thee anigh to the maidens, and after the mules and the wagon

260

Hasten thy steps and follow us closely the way I shall guide thee.

After we enter the city around it a battlement runneth

Lofty, and lying to left and to right is a beautiful harbour.

Narrow the mouth of the port, and the mole is defended by vessels,

Twy-beaked galleys that lie on the slip, each one at its station.

265

Next is the square, that environs the beautiful shrine of Poseidon,

Fitted with flags hauled down from the quarries and deeply embedded.

Here one busily works at the black ships' tackle and rigging,

Cables and sails, and here one planes and tapers the oar-blades;

Since Phaeacian men care nothing for bows and for quivers;

270

Only for masts and for oarage they care and for well-built vessels,

Proudly rejoicing in which on the grey-green ocean they voyage.

Their rough slanderous speech will I shun, lest any hereafter

Utter reproach—and in truth right insolent folk are among them.

Ay, now too peradventure a clown might meet us and mutter :

275

Lo there, Nausicaa! Who follows her, burly and handsome ?

Plainly a foreigner! Where did she find him? 'Tis clearly a bridegroom!

Either she's got for a guest a deserter from one of the vessels,

One of a far-off race—since nobody liveth anigh us—

Or at her urgent entreaty a longed-for god is descended

280

Down from the heights of the heaven to have and to hold her for ever.

Better in sooth if she wanders abroad and procures her a husband

Elsewhere, seeing she holds in dishonour the men of her country,

All Phaeacian youths, so many and noble, that woo her.'

So will they speak; and for me such words might turn to dishonour;

285

Yea and myself would censure another for doing this action,

One that in spite of her friends, with her father and mother alive still,

Mingled with men, till come was the day of her open espousals.

Give now heed to my words, O stranger, that quickly as may be

Escort safe and return to thy country my father shall grant thee.

290

Nigh to the road thou'lt find a luxuriant grove of Athene,

Where amid poplars welleth a fount; and around is a meadow.

Near to the place is my father's domain with a flourishing orchard,

Lying as far from the town as the voice of a shouter will carry.

Here shalt thou seat thee and rest thee awhile, till into the city

295

I and my maidens be come and arrived at the house of my father.

Now when at last thou shalt deem us assuredly come to the palace,

Start once more, and passing within Phaeacia's city

Ask for the house of my sire, King Alcinous great-hearted.

Easily known is the palace, and even a boy will direct thee,

300

Even a child, since like to the house none other is builded,

No Phaeacian dwelling—so goodly the home of the hero

Alcinous. Now, passing the shade of the court and the outhouse,

Hastily traverse the hall, until to my mother thou comest.

Here doth she sit at the side of the hearth in the glow of the firelight

305

Spinning a wool of the deep-sea purple, a wonder to gaze at.

Leaning her chair on a pillar she sitteth with maidens behind her.

Close to the chair of the queen there leaneth the throne of my father.

Here doth he sit when he draineth his wine-cup like an immortal.

Him pass hastily by, but my mother approach, and entreat her

310

Clasping her knees with thy hands; and the joyous day of returning

Soon shalt thou see—yea, though far distant lieth thy country.

Shouldst thou be able to gain of my mother her heart and her favour,

Then good hope will be thine to revisit thy friends and in safety

Win to thy well-built home once more and the land of thy fathers."

315

Thus did she speak, then raising above her the glistering whip-lash

Smote at the mules, and they left right quickly the streams of the river.

Briskly they trotted and briskly with paces inwoven they ambled,

While with the rein she withheld them, applying the lash with discretion,

So that the maids and Odysseus behind might easily follow.

320

Now was a-setting the sun, and they came to the glorious coppice,

Grove of Athena; and here did he seat him, the godlike Odysseus.

Forthwith then did he pray to the daughter of Zeus the Almighty:

"Daughter of Zeus who beareth the aegis, thou Maiden unwearied,

List, O list to me now—though never thou heardst me aforetime

325

Smit by the billows of ocean, when smote me the King Earth-shaker.

Grant me to win of the folk Phaeacian favour and pity!"

So did he speak in his prayer, and she hearkened, the goddess Athene,

Though not yet to his eyes she appeared in a manifest vision,

Fearing the brother of Zeus, who still in his furious anger

330

Raged at the godlike Odysseus—until he arrived at his homeland.

New Alexandria Commentaries

Gregory Nagy

Nausicaa, princess of the Phaeacians, makes her appearance as a potential but unattainable love-interest for Odysseus—and as a delight for all who find themselves irresistibly drawn into the story of her girlish but principled encounter with the enthralled hero.

draft js image error “Nausicaa” (1878), Frederick Leighton (English, 1830–1896). Image via Wikimedia Commons.

This Rhapsody belongs to Nausicaa. I spell her name in its familiar latinized form, with a c, since her fame extends far beyond the ancient Greek world, where she appears as Ναυσικάα. In any case, the name has a certain primacy of place. I have no idea who said it first, but I first heard it from the long-departed Sterling Dow in the early 1960s: if you look up all surviving ancient Greek names in reverse alphabetical order, the first one you see is Nausicaa = Ναυσικάα, while the very last of them all is Calypso = Καλυψώ. Surely we see here a coincidence, not some mysterious signal emanating from some grand cosmic plan, but the coincidence itself seems just as lovely as Nausicaa is lovely. Some critics view her as a youthful love-interest for Odysseus, matching Calypso as the hero’s divine love-interest. But such a view detracts from the loveliness: Nausicaa is meant to be a love-interest for all who hear her story—just as Calypso is a universal love-interest in her own story as told in Rhapsody 5. In the story of Nausicaa as told in Rhapsody 6, she is pictured as the perfect bride for any man fortunate enough to succeed in marrying her—and she knows it. The self-awareness of Nausicaa is shaped by the poetry that idealizes her eligibility by animating her beauty and her charm to the point where she becomes comparable to the goddess Artemis. Odysseus himself initiates the comparison and, by comparing the girl to the goddess, he is signaling to himself that Nausicaa, even if she does not know it yet, is for him enticingly unattainable.

source

The Cyclopes, when they were neighboring enemies of the Phaeacians, O.06.005, are said to have been superior because of their biē ‘force, violence, strength’, O.06.006.

source

Homer Odyssey 6.48

Samuel Butler (Translator)

Search the Perseus Catalog for:

Current edition Experimental

Alcinous

"My child, my darling joy, the car receive;

That, and whate'er our daughter asks, we give."

ODYSSEY BOOK VI

PATTEN WILSON.
NAUSICAA AND ODYSSEUS

New Alexandria Commentaries

Stable identifiers

Search the Perseus Catalog for:

Search the Perseus Catalog for:

Current edition Experimental

Alcinous "My child, my darling joy, the car receive; That, and whate'er our daughter asks, we give."

ODYSSEY BOOK VI

PATTEN WILSON. NAUSICAA AND ODYSSEUS

New Alexandria Commentaries

Stable identifiers

Alcinous

"My child, my darling joy, the car receive;

That, and whate'er our daughter asks, we give."

PATTEN WILSON.
NAUSICAA AND ODYSSEUS