destination that some have said that they have no need of pilot or rudder,
but that they move instinctively, self-directed, and know the minds of
their voyagers. Thus much, that you may not fear to trust yourself in one
of our Phaeacian ships. Tomorrow, if you please, you shall launch forth.
To-day spend with us in feasting, who never can do enough when the gods
send such visitors."

Ulysses acknowledged king Alcinous's bounty; and while these two royal
personages stood interchanging courteous expressions, the heart of the
princess Nausicaa was overcome: she had been gazing attentively upon her
father's guest as he delivered his speech; but when he came to that part
where he declared himself to be Ulysses, she blessed herself and her
fortune that in relieving a poor shipwrecked mariner, as he seemed no
better, she had conferred a kindness on so divine a hero as he proved; and
scarce waiting till her father had done speaking, with a cheerful
countenance she addressed Ulysses, bidding him be cheerful, and when he
returned home, as by her father's means she trusted he would shortly,
sometimes to remember to whom he owed his life, and who met him in the
woods by the river Callicoe.

"Fair flower of Phaeacia," he replied, "so may all the gods bless me with
the strife of joys in that desired day, whenever I shall see it, as I
shall always acknowledge to be indebted to your fair hand for the gift of
life which I enjoy, and all the blessings which shall follow upon my home-
return. The gods give thee, Nausicaa, a princely husband; and from you two
spring blessings to this state." So prayed Ulysses, his heart overflowing
with admiration and grateful recollections of king Alcinous's daughter.

Then at the king's request he gave them a brief relation of all the
adventures that had befallen him since he launched forth from Troy; during