Of thronging multitudes the shore rebounds:

At once the seats they fill; and every eye

Glazed, as before some brother of the sky.

Pallas with grace divine his form improves,

More high he treads, and more enlarged he moves:

She sheds celestial bloom, regard to draw;

And gives a dignity of mien, to awe;

With strength, the future prize of fame to play,

And gather all the honours of the day.


Then from his glittering throne Alcinous rose;

“Attend (he cried) while we our will disclose.

Your present aid this godlike stranger craves,

Toss’d by rude tempest through a war of waves;

Perhaps from realms that view the rising day,

Or nations subject to the western ray.

Then grant, what here all sons of woe obtain

(For here affliction never pleads in vain);

Be chosen youth prepared, expert to try

The vast profound and bid the vessel fly;

Launch the tall back, and order every oar;

Then in our court indulge the genial hour.

Instant, you sailors to this task attend;

Swift to the palace, all ye peers ascend;

Let none to strangers honours due disclaim:

Be there Demodocus the bard of fame,

Taught by the gods to please, when high he sings

The vocal lay, responsive to the strings.”


Thus spoke the prince; the attending peers obey;

In state they move; Alcinous heads the way

Swift to Demodocus the herald flies,

At once the sailors to their charge arise;

They launch the vessel, and unfurl the sails,

And stretch the swelling canvas to the gales;

Then to the palace move: a gathering throng,

Youth, and white age, tumultuous pour along.

Now all accesses to the dome are fill’d;

Eight boars, the choicest of the herd, are kill’d;

Two beeves, twelve fatlings, from the flock they bring

To crown the feast; so wills the bounteous king.

The herald now arrives, and guides along

The sacred master of celestial song;

Dear to the Muse! who gave his days to flow

With mighty blessings, mix’d with mighty woe;