the river-side; and after the meal they played at ball, singing as
they played, and Nausicaa led the song. And Nausicaa was fairer
than all the maidens. And when they had ended their play, and were
yoking the mules, and folding up the raiment, then Athene
contrived that the princess, throwing the ball to one of her
maidens, cast it so wide that it fell into the river. Thereupon
they all cried aloud, and Ulysses awoke. And he said to himself:
"What is this land to which I have come? Are they that dwell
therein fierce or kind to strangers? Just now I seemed to hear the
voice of nymphs [Footnote: nymphs, spirits of the woods and
waters], or am I near the dwellings of men?"

Then he twisted a leafy bough about his loins, and rose up and
went towards the maidens, who were frightened to see him (for he
was wild-looking), and fled hither and thither. But Nausicaa stood
and fled not. Then Ulysses cried, saying:--

"O Queen, whether thou art a goddess, I know not. But if thou art
a mortal, happy are thy father and mother, and happy thy brothers,
and happiest of all he who shall win thee in marriage. Never have
I seen man or woman so fair. Thou art like a young palm tree that
but lately I saw springing by the temple of the god. But as for
me, I have been cast on this shore, having come from the island of
Ogygia. Pity me, then, and lead me to the city, and give me
something, a wrapper of this linen, maybe, to put about me. So may
the gods give thee all blessings!"

And Nausicaa made answer: "Thou seemest, stranger, to be neither
evil nor foolish. Thou shalt not lack clothing or food, and I will
take thee to the city. Know also that this land is Phaeacia, and