Page 220 - the-odyssey

might come and steal them before Ulysses awoke; and then
they made the best of their way home again.
But Neptune did not forget the threats with which he
had already threatened Ulysses, so he took counsel with
Jove. ‘Father Jove,’ said he, ‘I shall no longer be held in any
sort of respect among you gods, if mortals like the Phaea-
cians, who are my own flesh and blood, show such small
regard for me. I said I would let Ulysses get home when he
had suffered sufficiently. I did not say that he should never
get home at all, for I knew you had already nodded your
head about it, and promised that he should do so; but now
they have brought him in a ship fast asleep and have land-
ed him in Ithaca after loading him with more magnificent
presents of bronze, gold, and raiment than he would ever
have brought back from Troy, if he had had his share of the
spoil and got home without misadventure.’
And Jove answered, ‘What, O Lord of the Earthquake,
are you talking about? The gods are by no means wanting in
respect for you. It would be monstrous were they to insult
one so old and honoured as you are. As regards mortals,
however, if any of them is indulging in insolence and treat-
ing you disrespectfully, it will always rest with yourself to
deal with him as you may think proper, so do just as you
please.’
‘I should have done so at once,’ replied Neptune, ‘if I
were not anxious to avoid anything that might displease
you; now, therefore, I should like to wreck the Phaeacian
ship as it is returning from its escort. This will stop them
from escorting people in future; and I should also like to

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