Nausicaa drove home to her father’s house. Her brothers unyoked the mules and carried the wash indoors while she went to her room. Old Eurymedusa, once a prize for King Alcinous and the girl’s nurse, lit the fire and brought her supper.
Her brothers gathered at the gateway — handsome as gods — took the mules from the wagon, and carried the wash into the house. Nausicaa went to her room. Old Eurymedusa of Apeira, once a prize for Alcinous and long the girl’s nurse, lit the fire and set supper beside her.
She answered that she would lead him — Alcinous lived near her father’s house — but he must walk in silence and ask no questions. The people disliked strangers and lived by the sea under Poseidon’s favor.
Odysseus rose and set out for the city. Athena wrapped him in a thick mist so no proud Phaeacian would mock him or demand his name. At the edge of town she met him as a young girl with a water jar and blocked his path.
“Child,” he said, “will you show me King Alcinous’s house? I am a stranger in trouble and know no one here.” She said she would lead him — Alcinous lived near her father’s place — but he must walk in silence and ask no one anything.
“These people dislike strangers,” she warned. “They live by the sea and sail by Poseidon’s gift in ships that move like thought, or like a bird through the air.” She went ahead; Odysseus followed. No Phaeacian saw him through Athena’s mist.
“They are a seafaring folk,” Athena said, “and sail by Poseidon’s grace in ships that glide like thought, or like a bird through the air. Ask no man anything as you go.” Odysseus nodded and followed in silence through streets he could mark but where no one could mark him.