“You may sleep the whole voyage if you like. My men will row you over smooth water to your home or wherever you please — even farther than Euboea, which my people call the farthest place when they took yellow-haired Rhadamanthus to see Gaia’s son Tityus, and they did that trip in a day without strain. You will see how my ships and rowers excel.”
Odysseus prayed aloud: “Father Zeus, let Alcinous do all he has promised. So he will win a name that does not die among men, and I will reach my country.” Arete told the maids to make a bed in the gatehouse with red rugs, coverlets, and wool cloaks.
So the promise of convoy was spoken where the Phaeacian counselors could hear it, and the stranger lay down at last under a roof, no longer alone on the shore.
They went with torches, made the bed, and called him. Glad of rest, Odysseus slept over the echoing gateway. Alcinous lay in the inner house with Arete beside him.