that I am daughter to Alcinous, who is king thereof."

Then she called to her maidens: "What mean ye to flee when ye see
a man? No enemy comes hither to harm us, for we are dear to the
gods, and also we live in an island of the sea, so that men may
not approach to work us wrong. If one cometh here overcome by
trouble, it is well to help him. Give this man, therefore, food
and drink, and wash him in the river, where there is shelter from
the wind."

So they brought him down to the river, and gave him clothing, and
also olive-oil in a flask of gold. Then, at his bidding, they
departed a little space, and he washed the salt from his skin and
out of his hair, and anointed himself, and put on the clothing.
And Athene made him taller and fairer to see, and caused the hair
to be thick on his head, in colour as a hyacinth. Then he sat down
on the seashore, right beautiful to behold, and the maiden said:--

"Not without the bidding of the gods comes this man to our land.
Before, indeed, I deemed him uncomely, but now he seems like to
the gods. I should be well content to have such a man for a
husband, and maybe he might will to abide in this land. Give him,
ye maidens, food and drink."

So they gave him, and he ate ravenously, having fasted long. Then
Nausicaa bade yoke the mules, and said to Ulysses:--

"Arise, stranger, come with me, that I may bring thee to the house
of my father. But do thou as I shall tell thee. So long as we
shall be passing through the fields, follow quickly with the