CHAPTER VII

NAUSICAA [Footnote: Nau-sic'-a-a.]


Meanwhile Athene went to the city of Phaeacians, to the palace of
Alcinous [Footnote: Al-cin'-o-us.], their King. There she betook
her to the chamber where slept Nausicaa, daughter of the King, a
maiden fair as are the gods. The goddess stood above the maiden,
in the likeness of a girl that was of equal age with her, and had
found favour in her sight.

Athene spake, saying: "Why hath thy mother so careless a child,
Nausicaa? Lo! thy raiment lieth unwashed, and yet the day of thy
marriage is at hand, when thou must have fair clothing for
thyself, and to give to them that shall lead thee to thy
bridegroom's house; for thus doth a bride win good repute. Do thou
therefore arise with the day, and go to wash the raiment, and I
will go with thee. Ask thy father betimes in the morning to give
thee mules and a wagon to carry the raiment and the robes. Also it
is more becoming for thee to ride than to go on foot, for the
washing places are far from the city."

And when the morning was come, Nausicaa awoke, marvelling at the
dream, and went seeking her parents. Her mother she found busy
with her maidens at the loom, spinning yarn dyed with purple of