"Look now to the lid, and tie a knot, that no man rob thee by the
way, when thou sleepest in the ship."

So Ulysses fixed well the lid, and tied it with a cunning knot
which Circe had taught him. After that he went to the bath. As he
came from the bath Nausicaa met him by the entering in of the
hall, and marvelled at him, so fair was he to look upon. And she
spake, saying: "Stranger, farewell. But when thou comest to thine
own country, think upon me once and again, for indeed thou owest
to me the price of thy life."

Ulysses made answer to her, "Nausicaa, if Zeus grant me safe
return to my home, I will do honour to thee as to a goddess,
forever; for indeed I owe thee my life."

Then he went into the hall, and sat down by the side of the King,
and the squire came leading the blind minstrel by the hand. Now
Ulysses had cut off a rich portion from the chine [Footnote:
chine, backbone.] of a boar that had been set before him, and he
said to the squire: "Take this and give it to Demodocus, for the
minstrel should be held in honour by men."

So the squire bare the dish, and set it on the knees of the
minstrel, rejoicing his heart.

When they all had had enough of food and drink, then Ulysses spake
to the minstrel, saying: "Demodocus, I know not whether the gods
have taught thee, but of a truth thou singest of all the toil and
trouble that the Greeks endured before the great city of Troy as
if thou hadst thyself been there. Come, now, sing to us of the