unguents in a golden vase, they retired, while the king, plunging in the pure element, cleansed himself from the impurities of the sea, and, having arrayed himself in the princely garments assigned him, came forward with majestic grace, his dark hair waving in the breeze; and so improved that the princess beheld him with amazement, and secretly said to her companions, that the stranger must be the favorite of heaven ; for late he appeared a sad spectacle of wo, but now he resembled a god. O' she exclaimed, that heaven would decree this man to be my spouse, or one of equal grace.'

Ulysses, charmed with the beauty and exalted sentiments of the princess, had extolled in glowing terms the feelings with which she had inspired him, and his surprise to find one so young influenced by the purest benevolence, and so ready to afford relief to a naked and defenceless stranger.

Nausicaa now prepared to return; and resuming the robes, mounted the glittering car, and, as she pressed the splendid seat, addressed the stranger, telling him, that she should immediately direct her way to the palace, where the nobles of the land attended in state her royal sire; but requested Ulysses to advance at a distance, till she had passed the plain where the golden grain waves in luxuriance. The princess next describes the city, surrounded by strong walls, enclosing two ample bays where ships may ride secure from every storm. Adjoining is the great fane of Neptune, and near it a forum flanked with marble, where Phaacian youths shape the broad sail, or form and smoothe the taper oar. The Phæacians are not a warlike

--

race; but are skilled in naval operations, rushing with eager joy into the deep, and defying the tempest. These are a proud, unpolished race, and, should she pass accompanied by a stranger of the other sex, so noble in appearance, she might be subjected to their rude censure for females should not only be pure, but avoid every appearance of indelicacy. Nausicaa directs Ulysses to wait embowered in a grove crowned with lofty poplars, sacred to Pallas; a lucid lake descends in fertilizing rills around this grove, and forms a beauteous scene. Near is the royal vineyard, abounding in grapes of the richest flavor, and here a garden, adorned with flowers of every hue, which shed a delicious perfume.

From thence the city is not far distant; and as soon as Ulysses supposed she had arrived at the palace, he was desired to follow, as the royal dome could with ease be distinguished from every other by its lofty situation and superior magnificence.

When arrived, he was told to enter, and seek the queen along the rooms of state, whom he would find employed on a wonderous work designed by herself; surrounded by a circle of bright damsels, part twisting the threads, and part disposing on the spindle the purple wool. Areté, the queen, was lineally descended from the same royal line with Alcinous, and was greatly honored and beloved by her royal spouse, and shared with him the regal sway.

In equal tenderness her sons conspire,

And all the children emulate their sire.

When through the streets she gracious deigns to move,
The public wonder, and the public love;

The tongues of all with transport sound her praise;
The eyes of all, as on a goddess, gaze.

She feels the triumph of a generous breast,
To heal divisions, to relieve the opprest;

In virtue rich; in blessing others, blest.*

Ulysses, when arrived at the lofty gates of the palace, paused, fixed in astonishment at the beauty and magnificence of the scene.

The front appear'd with radiant splendors gay,
Bright as the lamp of night, or orb of day.
The walls were massy brass; the cornice high
Blue metals crown'd, in colours of the sky;
Rich plates of gold the folding doors incase;
The pillars silver on a brazen base;
Silver the lintels, deep projecting o'er,
And gold the ringlets that command the door.
Two rows of stately dogs on either hand
In sculptur'd gold, and labor'd silver, stand;
These Vulcan form'd, with art divine, to wait
Immortal guardians at Alcinous' gate.
Alive each animated form appears,

And still to live beyond the power of years.'

Fair thrones within from space to space were rais'd,
Where various carpets with embroidery blaz'd,
The work of matrons; these the princes prest,

Day following day, a long continued feast.

Refulgent pedestals the walls surround,

Which boys of gold with flaming torches crown'd;
The polish'd ore, reflecting ev'ry ray,

Blaz'd on the banquets with a double day.*

The spacious gardens, adjoining the court, formed a counterpart to the palace. Here were trees of the finest growth, laden with delicious fruit; vines, clus

* Odyssey, Book vi. p. 172.

tering with grapes of the richest flavor; while flowers of various hues shed their delightful perfume over the enchanting scene; and to crown the whole, fountains of the purest water diffused perpetual verdure and coolness around.

Ulysses for a while admired in silence this fair assemblage; then hastily entering the magnificent vestibule, soon perceived the queen, who in the midst of all this splendor was busily employed with her maids in completing a beauteous tissue work, in which she displayed much skill and richness of fancy. Ulysses, advancing and bending low, immediately preferred his suit to the queen, imploring her, with her consort and the assembled peers, to have pity on a wretched exile, and grant him swift conveyance to his long-regretted home and beloved friends- this is what the happy owe to the unhappy.'

The claim of Ulysses was immediately recognised, as the rights of hospitality were deemed sacred; and Alcinous arising, graciously extended his hand, and Laodamas, his eldest and best beloved son, courteously resigned his splendid seat, next the king, to the stranger guest. A maiden then poured, from a golden ewer, pure water on his hands, and placed before him a polished table, which was supplied with glittering canisters of bread, and viands of the choicest flavor by a matron who served. Then the king bade the herald mingle wine, and bear it to his guests, that all might pour libations to Jove, the guardian of the stranger.

He said Pontonous heard the king's command:
The circling goblet moves from hand to hand;

Each drinks the juice that glads the heart of man.
Alcinous then, with aspect mild, began :-
Princes and peers, attend! while we impart
To you, the thoughts of no inhuman heart.
Now, pleas'd and satiate from the social rite,
Repair we to the blessings of the night;
But with the rising day, assembled here,
Let all the elders of the land appear,
Pious observe our hospitable laws,

And heaven propitiate in the stranger's cause:
Then, join'd in council, proper means explore
Safe to transport him to the wish'd-for shore.
(How distant that imports not us to know,
Nor weigh the labor, but relieve the wo.)
Meantime, nor harm nor anguish let him bear;
This inrerval, Heaven trusts him to our care!
But, to his native land our charge resign'd,

Heaven's is his life to come, and all the woes behind.*

The peers all applauded the speech of their sovereign, and unanimously advised the guest's conveyance home; then each departing to his mansion, sought repose. When all had retired, and Ulysses remained alone with the royal pair, the queen, whose wonder had been excited by observing the guest robed in garments wrought by herself and her maidens, questions the wonderous stranger, and asks whence he is, and whence that princely air, and how, coming from lands remote, are his garments so fair and fresh ?

Ulysses then relates in part his adventures, and the perils he had endured. How Jove in anger had scattered his fleet, and whelmed his followers in the sable deep; that he alone of all his companions had been

* Odyssey, Book vii. p. 178 and 179.