When now they came to the fair river’s current, where the pools were always full,—­for in abundance clear water bubbles from beneath to cleanse the foulest stains,—­they turned the mules loose from the wagon, and let them stray along the eddying stream, to crop the honeyed pasturage.  Then from the wagon they took the clothing in their arms, carried it into the dark water, and stamped it in the pits with rivalry in speed.  And after they had washed and cleansed it of all stains, they spread it carefully along the shore, just where the waves washed up the pebbles on the beach.  Then bathing and anointing with the oil, they presently took dinner on the river bank and waited for the clothes to dry in the sunshine.  And when they were refreshed with food, the maids and she, they then began to play at ball, throwing their wimples off.  White-armed Nausicaae led their sport; and as the huntress Artemis goes down a mountain, down long Taygetus or Erymanthus, exulting in the boars and the swift deer, while round her sport the woodland nymphs, daughters of aegis-bearing Zeus, and glad is Leto’s heart, for all the rest her child o’ertops by head and brow, and easily marked is she, though all are fair; so did this virgin pure excel her women.

But when Nausicaae thought to turn toward home once more, to yoke the mules and fold up the clean clothes, then a new plan the goddess formed, clear-eyed Athene; for she would have Odysseus wake and see the bright-eyed maid, who might to the Phaeacian city show the way.  Just then the princess tossed the ball to one of her women, and missing her it fell in the deep eddy.  Thereat they screamed aloud.  Royal Odysseus woke, and sitting up debated in his mind and heart:—­

“Alas!  To what men’s land am I come now?  Lawless and savage are they, with no regard for right, or are they kind to strangers and reverent toward the gods?  It was as if there came to me the delicate voice of maids—­nymphs, it may be, who haunt the craggy peaks of hills, the springs of streams and grassy marshes; or am I now, perhaps, near men of human speech?  Suppose I make a trial for myself, and see.”

So saying, royal Odysseus crept from the thicket, but with his strong hand broke a spray of leaves from the close wood, to be a covering round his body for his nakedness.  He set off like a lion that is bred among the hills and trusts its strength; onward it goes, beaten with rain and wind; its two eyes glare; and now in search of oxen or of sheep it moves, or tracking the wild deer; its belly bids it make trial of the flocks, even by entering the guarded folds; so was Odysseus about to meet those fair-haired maids, for need constrained him.  To them he seemed a loathsome sight, befouled with brine.  They hurried off, one here, one there, over the stretching sands.  Only the daughter of Alcinoues stayed, for in her breast Athene had put courage and from her limbs took fear.  Steadfast she stood to meet him.  And now Odysseus doubted whether to make his suit by clasping the knees of the bright-eyed maid, or where he stood, aloof, in winning words to make that suit, and try if she would show the town and give him clothing.  Reflecting thus, it seemed the better way to make his suit in winning words, aloof; for fear if he should clasp her knees, the maid might be offended.  Forthwith he spoke, a winning and shrewd speech:—­