Gifts for the Guest

1He spoke, and all within those shadowy halls
Were silent; all were held in mute delight.
Alcinous then took up the word and said: —

2“Since you have come, Odysseus, as a guest,
To this high pile and to these brazen rooms,
So long a sufferer, you must not depart
Upon your homeward way a wanderer still.
And this let me enjoin on each of you
Who in this palace drink at our repasts
The choice red wine, and listen to the bard:
Already in a polished chest are laid
Changes of raiment, works of art in gold,
And other gifts, which the Phaeacian chiefs
Have destined for our guest; now let us each
Bestow an ample tripod and a vase,
And we in an assembly of the realm
Will see the cost repaid, since otherwise
Great would the burden be that each must bear.”
So spoke Alcinous; they approved, and sought
Their homes to sleep, but when the child of dawn,
The rosy-fingered Eos, appeared, they came,
All bringing to the ship their gifts of brass
In honor of the guest. The mighty prince
Alcinous, going through the ship, bestowed
The whole beneath the benches, that no one
Of those who leaned to pull the oar might thence
Meet harm or hindrance. Then they all went back
To the king’s palace, and prepared a feast.