was a grove of alders and poplars and cypresses, wherein many
birds, falcons and owls and sea crows, were wont to roost; and all
about the mouth of the cave was a vine with purple clusters of
grapes; and there were four fountains which streamed four ways
through meadows of parsley and violet. Very fair was the place, so
that even a god might marvel at it, and Hermes stood and
marvelled. Then went he into the cave, and Calypso knew him when
she saw him face to face, for the gods know each other, even
though their dwellings be far apart. But Ulysses was not there,
for he sat, as was his wont, on the seashore, weeping and
groaning, because he might not see wife and home and country.

Then Calypso said to Hermes: "Wherefore hast thou come hither,
Hermes of the golden wand? Welcome thou art, but it is long since
thou hast visited me. Tell me all thy thought, that I may fulfil
it if I may, but first follow me, that I may set food before
thee."

So she spread a table with ambrosia, and set it by him, and mixed
the ruddy nectar [Footnote: nectar, the drink of the gods.]for
him, and the messenger ate and drank. So, when he had comforted
his soul with food, he spake, saying:--

"Thou questionest of my coming, and I will tell thee the truth. It
is by no wish of mine own that I come, for who would of his free
will pass over a sea so wide, wherein is no city of men that do
sacrifice to the gods? Zeus bade me come, and none may go against
the commands of Zeus. He saith that thou hast with thee a man more
wretched than all his companions who fought against Troy for nine
years and in the tenth year departed homeward. All the rest of his