neither shaken by the winds,[1] nor is it ever bedewed by the shower, nor does the snow approach it: but a most cloudless serenity is spread out; and white splendour runs over it; in which the blessed gods are delighted all their days. To this place Minerva departed, when she had admonished the damsel.
Immediately the beautiful-throned morning came, which roused well-clad Nausicaa; but she marvelled at her dream. And she hastened through the house, that she might tell it to her parents, her dear father and mother; and she found them within. Her mother was sitting upon the hearth with her female attendants turning her sea-purpled threads [of wool]; but her father she met at the door, going to the illustrious princes, to a council, where the noble Phæacians had invited him. She therefore, standing very near, addressed her dear father:
"My dear father, wouldst thou prepare[2] a lofty chariot with good wheels for me, that I may take my beautiful garments to the river to wash them, which lie begrimed? And it is fit for thee thyself, when going amongst the chiefs, to consult counsels, having clean garments on thy body; and five dear sons are born to thee in thy palace, of whom two are married, but three unmarried, in the bloom of life: but they always desire to go to the dance having their garments fresh washed; and all these things are a care to my mind."
Thus she spoke; for she was ashamed to mention to her dear father her blooming marriage; but he understood all, and answered her with words: "I grudge thee not the mules, my child, nor any thing else; go, and the servants shall prepare for thee a lofty, well-wheeled chariot, fitted with a covering."
Thus having spoken, he commanded the servants; and they obeyed. They without prepared the swift chariot drawn by mules, and led the mules under, and yoked them under the chariot; and the damsel brought out her beautiful shining vesture from the chamber, and placed it in the well-wrought
- ↑ These verses are splendidly expressed by Lucret. iii. 18.
"Apparet Divôm numen, sedesque quietæ,
Quas neque concutiunt venti, neque nubila nimbis
Aspergunt, neque nix acri concreta pruina
Cana cadens violat, semperque innubilus æther
Integit, et large diffuso lumine ridet." - ↑ Cf. Thiersch, Gk. Gr. § 352, 6, 6, referred to by Loewe.
