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tree that grows at the head of it; [near it is the cave sacred
to the Naiads;] {122} here too is the overarching cavern in
which you have offered many an acceptable hecatomb to the
nymphs, and this is the wooded mountain Neritum.’
As she spoke the goddess dispersed the mist and the land
appeared. Then Ulysses rejoiced at finding himself again in
his own land, and kissed the bounteous soil; he lifted up his
hands and prayed to the nymphs, saying, ‘Naiad nymphs,
daughters of Jove, I made sure that I was never again to see
you, now therefore I greet you with all loving salutations,
and I will bring you offerings as in the old days, if Jove’s re-
doubtable daughter will grant me life, and bring my son to
manhood.’
‘Take heart, and do not trouble yourself about that,’ re-
joined Minerva, ‘let us rather set about stowing your things
at once in the cave, where they will be quite safe. Let us see
how we can best manage it all.’
Therewith she went down into the cave to look for the saf-
est hiding places, while Ulysses brought up all the treasure
of gold, bronze, and good clothing which the Phaeacians
had given him. They stowed everything carefully away, and
Minerva set a stone against the door of the cave. Then the
two sat down by the root of the great olive, and consulted
how to compass the destruction of the wicked suitors.
‘Ulysses,’ said Minerva, ‘noble son of Laertes, think how
you can lay hands on these disreputable people who have
been lording it in your house these three years, courting
your wife and making wedding presents to her, while she
does nothing but lament your absence, giving hope and

The Odyssey