No winds blow there, no rain wets it, no snow falls, but the wide air is clear and cloudless, and over it shines a radiant brightness: there the blessed gods are always happy. With this, the goddess, bright-eyed Athene, left for Olympus, where they say the gods have their everlasting home. And you yourself should ride rather than travelling on foot, since the washing-pools are far from the city.’
Come, early in the morning: ask your noble father to order a mule team and wagon for you, to carry the robes and sashes and bright coverlets. Even now you have suitors, the noblest of Phaeacians, men of your own lineage. Let’s go and wash the garments at daybreak: I will go with you to help, so you can have it done without delay, for you won’t be long unwed. From such things we gain good reputation among men, and our father and dear mother rejoice. The goddess flew to the girl’s bed like a breath of air, and taking the form of the famed ship owner, Dymas’s daughter, a girl of similar age to Nausicaa, and dear to her heart, she leant over her, and said: ‘Nausicaa, how come your mother bore such a careless daughter? Your lovely clothes are neglected, yet your marriage will soon be here, when you’ll not only need to be dressed in lovely clothes yourself, but provide for those who accompany you. She went to the richly-made room where a girl like an immortal goddess in looks and form, Nausicaa, daughter of noble Alcinous, slept, with her two handmaids by her, blessed with beauty by the Graces, one on each side of the doorway, and the shining doors were closed.
Bright-eyed Athene came to his house, planning valiant Odysseus’ return. He ringed the city with a wall, built houses and temples for the gods, and divided the land into fields, but he had long since died and gone to the House of Hades, and now Alcinous was king, his wisdom inspired by the gods. Godlike Nausithous led the Phaeacians from there to settle in Scheria far from men. They had once lived in broad Hypereia, neighbours to the Cyclopes, arrogant men, more powerful than they, who continually attacked them. So noble long-suffering Odysseus lay there, conquered by weariness and sleep, while Athene came to the island and city of the Phaeacians. Bk VI:251-315 Nausicaa gives Odysseus direction.Bk VI:149-197 Odysseus and Nausicaa speak.Bk VI:110-148 Odysseus emerges from hiding.Bk VI:48-109 Nausicaa and her maids wash the clothes.
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