A King’s Promise and the Longed-For Departure (Homer’s The Odyssey, Book 13 – Part 1)

Music Music Book 13, Odysseus sleeping, is set ashore at Ithaca by the Phaeacians, and waking knows it not.

Pallas, in the form of a shepherd, helps to hide his treasure.

The ship that conveyed him is turned into a rock, and Odysseus by Pallas is instructed what to do, and transformed into an old beggar-man.

So he spake, and dead silence fell on all, and they were spellbound throughout the shadowy halls.

Thereupon Alcinous answered him, and spake, saying, Odysseus, now that thou hast come to my high house with floor of bronze, never, methinks, shalt thou be driven from thy way ere thou returnest, though thou hast been sore afflicted.

And for each man among you, that in these halls of mine drink evermore the dark wine of the elders, and hearken to the minstrel, that is my word and command.

Garments for the stranger are already laid up in a polished coffer.

with gold curiously wrought, and all other such gifts as the counselors of the Veations bear hither.

Come now, let each of us give him a great tripod and a cauldron, and we in turn will gather goods among the people and get us recompense, for it were hard that one man should give without repayment.

So spake Alcinous, and the saying pleased him well, and then they went each one to his house to lay him down to rest.

But so soon as early dawn shone forth, the rosy fingered, they hasted to the ship and bare the bronze, the joy of men.

And the mighty king Alcinous himself went about the ship and diligently bestowed the gifts beneath the benches, that they might not hinder any of the crew in their rowing, when they labored at their oars.

Then they betook them of the house of Alcinous and fell to feasting.

And the mighty king Alcinous sacrificed before them an ox to Zeus, the son of Kronos, that dwells in the dark clouds, who is lord of all.

And when they had burnt the pieces of the thighs, they shared the glorious feast and made merry.

And among them harped the divine minstrel Demodocus, whom the people honored.

But Odysseus would never turn his head toward the splendor of the sun as one fain to hasten his setting.

for verily he was most eager to return.

And as when man longs for his supper, for whom all day long two dark oxen drag through the fallow field the jointed plough, yea, and welcome to such an one the sunlight sinketh, that so he may get him to supper, for his knees wax faint by the way, even so welcome was the sinking of the sunlight to Odysseus.

Then straight he spake among the Phaeacians, masters of the ore, and to Alcinous in chief he made known his word, saying, By Lord Alcinous, most notable of all the people, Pour ye drink offering, and send me safe upon my way, and as for you, fare ye well.

For now I have all that my heart desired, an escort and loving gifts.

May the gods of heaven give me good fortune with them, and may I find my noble wife in my home with my friends unharmed.

While ye, for your part, abide here and make glad your wedded wives and children, and may the God vouchsafe all manner of good, and may no evil come nigh the people.