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Odysseus rose early the next morning and went with Alkinoös to the market-place, close to the sea, where all the Phæacians had assembled. The people gazed with admiration at their stranger-guest, for Athena lent him greater dignity and beauty, and she went among the crowds, moving their hearts to sympathy with him.
Alkinoös then addressed the assembled multitude: "Hear me, ye chiefs of the Phæacians," he said. "This stranger has come to our land after many wanderings and adventures. And he asks me to send him back to his own country. Let us fit out a ship for him quickly and launch it, and give him fifty-two young men from among our best sailors, who shall get everything ready for the long journey.
"She is greatly honored by the king, and all the people treat her as if she were a goddess, on account of her gentleness and virtue. In case the queen looks upon thee with favor, thou mayest be sure of safely reaching home." Having spoken these words, the goddess took a friendly leave of the hero, and he entered the outer hall of Alkinoös, where he was bewildered by the splendor.
While Odysseus lay in a deep sleep, the goddess Athena went to the royal dwelling of the king of the Phæacians, Alkinoös, in order to hasten the return of Odysseus to his native land. She entered the house, where she found Nausicaä, the king's daughter, sleeping in her beautiful chamber. Near her lay two maids who served her.
Odysseus told his kind host Alkinoos, whom he was never to see again, that he would be glad to receive farewell presents from him to cherish as a friendly memory? No, but "because they would make him look a finer fellow when he got home." The idea of a keepsake, of an emotional value attaching to some trifle, is a northern one.
When Odysseus had spoken these words he sat down amidst the ashes, close to the fire, and all the guests grew silent and looked at him with wonder. Then the oldest of the chiefs arose and said: "Alkinoös, this is not a royal seat for a stranger, among the cinders of the hearth.
I pray thee, raise him up and place him on a throne, and order the heralds to fill a cup with wine, that we may pour a libation to Zeus, the protector of suppliants, and bid the guest welcome to our good cheer." Then Alkinoös arose and took Odysseus by the hand. He led him to a splendid throne but little lower than his own, while the herald placed a table before him loaded with dainty food.
Let each one of us bring a fine cloak, and a tunic, and a talent of gold, that our guest may see them before he partakes of the evening banquet. And let Euryalos, who spoke such scoffing words to him, try to win back his friendship and bring a costly gift." All the chiefs approved the words of King Alkinoös, and each one sent a servant to his house to bring a valuable present.
I fear nothing unless it may be the foot-race, for I have lost my strength with want of food and being tossed by the waves." He ended, and King Alkinoös stepped forward, for the young men were all silent. "Stranger," he said, "thou art our dearly loved guest, and no one can doubt thy bravery. We do not boast that we are fine boxers or wrestlers.
Fifty-two youths were soon chosen from among the best seamen, and they launched a ship speedily and went up to the royal palace. Alkinoös now ordered a sumptuous feast in honor of his guest. When the table was spread, the herald who had gone for Demodokos came in leading the bard, who was blind. The gods had deprived him of sight, but had bestowed upon him the gift of song.
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