Ino Gives a Magic Veil

30Ino Leucothea saw him clinging there —
The delicate-footed child of Cadmus, once
A mortal, speaking with a mortal voice,
Though now within the ocean gulfs she shares
The honors of the gods. With pity she
Beheld Odysseus struggling thus distressed,
And, rising from the abyss below, in form
A cormorant, the sea-nymph took her perch
On the well-banded raft, and thus she said: —

31“Ah, luckless man! how have you angered thus
Earthshaking Poseidon, that he visits you
With these disasters? Yet he cannot take,
Although he seek it earnestly, your life.
Now do my bidding, for you seem wise.
Laying aside your garments, let the raft
Drift with the winds, while you, by strength of arm,
Make your way in swimming to the land
Of the Phaeacians, where your safety lies.
Receive this veil, and bind its heavenly woof
Beneath your breast, and have no further fear
Of hardship or of danger. But, as soon
As you shall touch the island, take it off,
And turn away your face, and fling it far
From where you stand into the black deep.”