Page 124 - the-odyssey

BOOK VIII

BANQUET IN THE

HOUSE OF ALCINOUS—

THE GAMES.

ow when the child of morning, rosy-fingered Dawn,
Nappeared, Alcinous and Ulysses both rose, and Alci-
nous led the way to the Phaeacian place of assembly, which
was near the ships. When they got there they sat down side
by side on a seat of polished stone, while Minerva took
the form of one of Alcinous’ servants, and went round the
town in order to help Ulysses to get home. She went up to
the citizens, man by man, and said, ‘Aldermen and town
councillors of the Phaeacians, come to the assembly all of
you and listen to the stranger who has just come off a long
voyage to the house of King Alcinous; he looks like an im-
mortal god.’
With these words she made them all want to come, and
they flocked to the assembly till seats and standing room
were alike crowded. Every one was struck with the appear-
ance of Ulysses, for Minerva had beautified him about the
head and shoulders, making him look taller and stouter
than he really was, that he might impress the Phaeacians fa-

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