sun set;[1] and sweet sleep left me.[2] And I perceived the handmaidens of thy daughter, playing on the shore; and amongst them she herself was like unto goddesses. I supplicated her. And she by no means failed of an excellent disposition, (so as thou wouldst not expect a younger one meeting you would do; for the younger are ever foolish,) who gave to me plenty of food and dark wine, and washed me in the river, and gave me these garments. Thus, although grieving, I have told thee the truth."
But him Alcinous answered and addressed in turn: "O guest, certainly my daughter did not consider this properly, because she by no means brought thee to my house with her women attendants; thou, however, didst supplicate her first."
But him much-planning Ulysses addressed in answer: "Hero, do not on that account reprove thy spotless daughter: for she commanded me to follow with her women attendants. But I was not willing, fearing and being ashamed, lest by chance thy mind should be angered when thou didst behold me: for we tribes of men upon the earth are suspicious."
But him Alcinous answered and addressed in turn: "Guest, I have not such a heart within my breast, so as to be wrath in vain; but all things that are proper are better. Would that, O father Jove, and Minerva, and Apollo, being such a one as thou art, and thinking the things which I do, thou wouldst have my daughter, and be called my son-in-law, remaining here; and I would give thee both a house and possessions, if thou wouldst remain willingly; but no one of the Phæacians shall detain thee against thy will; let not this be acceptable to father Jove. But as to this I intend thy voyage to-morrow, that thou mayest be well assured; but until then thou mayest lie down overcome with sleep; and they will quietly row thee, until thou comest to thy country, and house, and if it is any where else agreeable to thee:
- ↑ Observe that δύσετό τ' ἠέλιος refers to εὗδον παννύχιος, the intermediate words describing the time during which he slept. See the following note.
- ↑ I have punctuated this passage to agree with Loewe's explanation. He well remarks, that although the sun had set, yet extreme darkness might not have yet come on, so that it was still necessary for Minerva to envelope him in a shade (cf. vii. 14). He also cautions us against joining the words δύσετό τ' ἠέλιος with the following ones, as being repugnant to vi. 110, sqq.
