Journal IX: The Stay with the Phaeacians
After leaving Calypso's island of Ogygia I sailed for many days and came within sight of land before Poseidon spotted me. He then threw a fit, creating a tempest that tore apart my ship and threw me into the waters. I struggled to stay afloat and swallowed much of the salty sea. I was then found by the sea nymph Ino who sometimes dwelt in those waters. She instructed me to take off the clothes given me by Calypso for they were weighing me down. I did so, and she gave me her immortal shawl that would keep me from drowning, but said that when I reached the shore I must untie it and fling it back to the ocean.
She departed and I struck out for shore swimming hard, but was disappointed for when I reached it, the coast was rocky and treacherous. I was afraid that my body would be dashed upon the rocks, but swam forward anyway. I clung to one of the rocks, trying to regain some strength, but as the waters were pulled back from the shore I was too, leaving strips of the flesh of my hands on the rocks. I swam along the coast searching for a better place to land, but found none for a long while.
As my strength and consciousness began to fade I found the small inlet of a river. I swam up it a ways and then to the bank. I pulled myself up and stumbled into the forest for I would freeze if I remained there. I discovered a small clearing and made a bed of leaves. Then, exhausted I dropped onto it. The gracious goddess Athena, my protector, granted me sleep.
I awakened to the sounds of human laughter. Leaving my sleeping place I moved toward the noise, and retraced my steps to the river. I found the beautiful daughter of Alcinoüs, Nausicaä whose beauty rivals Aphrodite. The maids who were escorting her ran from my presence, for I am sure that the salt of the sea had caused me to appear as one of Poseidon's servants. Only Nausicaä remained, and she called back her servants. I knelt at her feet begging for the hospitality for this weary stranger, which she gladly gave. She fed and clothed me, allowing me to bathe first, then gave me directions to her father's dwelling. She led me there, to the everlasting court of Alcinoüs who gave me the same hospitality offered by his daughter. After I had rested a while he asked for my name and my tale. I began.
"I am Odysseus, son of Laërtes, and king of Ithaca.
After the great war of Troy was won..."
I continued for many hours telling of the Cicones, the death of Parnassus, the Lotus Eaters. At first it was painful, but after I started it was much easier. I stopped before I reached the Cyclops, and promised them more the next night. In this way over the course of many days my tale was told. I spent those days lonely, reminiscing, remembering all of the death, pain, and toil. I mourned for Parnassus, Eurylochus, and Tydeus of the other name Polites. Many times I cried aloud, but did not think that any heard me for none stirred until the last night. Then Nausicaä came to me in the night and comforted me. She calmed me, and the pain did not return for the remainder of my stay.
Alcinoüs gave me a fine ship, for the people of that land, the Phaeacians, are the best sailors on the sea. With much thanks I departed giving a sacrifice to Poseidon, and begging for his forgiveness. After a fortnight and two days I saw the land of Ithaca again, and I rejoiced. I would reach it in the early dawn, but that night Athena came to me and warned me of the suitors that had taken over my home, and informed me of their deeds. She gave me the disguise of a beggar so that I may find out who was still loyal. Then she left me in the form of a great owl and vanished.