108 ODYSSEY • BOOK VI [-314-

On the ground beside him they laid a cloak and tunic for him to
wear, and giving him some soft olive-oil in a golden flask they
suggested that he should wash himself in the running stream.
But the gallant Odysseus demurred.

'Ladies/ he said, 'be good enough to stand back over there
and leave me to wash the brine myself from my shoulders and
rub my body with olive-oil, to which it has long been a stranger -
I am not going to take my bath with you looking on. I should
be ashamed to stand naked in the presence of gentlewomen.

At this the maids withdrew and told their young mistress
what had occurred. Meanwhile Odysseus was cleaning himself
with river-water of the salt that encrusted his back and his broad
shoulders, and scrubbing his head free of the scurf left there by
the barren brine.When he had thoroughly washed and rubbed
himself with oil and had put on the clothes which the young
girl had given him, Athene, Daughter of Zeus, made him seem
taller and sturdier than ever and caused the bushy locks to hang
from his head thick as the petals of the hyacinth in bloom. Just as
a craftsman trained by Hephaestus and herself in the secrets of
his art takes pains to put a graceful finish to his work by over-
laying silver-ware with gold, she finished now by endowing
his head and shoulders with an added beauty. When Odysseus
retired to sit down by himself on the sea-shore, he was radiant
with comeliness and grace. Nausicaa gazed at him in admiration
and said to her fair attendants:

'Listen, my white-armed maids, while I tell you what I have
been thinking. This man's arrival among the Phaeacians, who
are so near the gods themselves, was not unpremeditated by the
Olympian powers. For when first we met I thought he cut a
sorry figure, but now he looks like the gods who live in heaven-
That is the kind of man whom I could fancy for a husband, if he
would settle here. I only hope that he will choose to stay. But
come, girls, give the stranger something to eat and drink/

Her maids at once carried out her orders and set food and
drink before the stalwart Odysseus, who ate and drank with
avidity, for it was a long time since he had tasted any food.