13. THE ODYSSEY, BOOK 13 (N)

"...to everyone throughout the hall, so that after we have prayed to Father Zeus, we may send our guest on his way to his own native land."

55 So Alcinous spoke, and Pontonous mixed the honey-sweet wine original: "μελίφρονα οἶνον," a standard Homeric description for pleasant wine and served it to everyone in turn. Then they poured libations to the blessed gods who hold the wide heaven, offering the wine from the very seats where they sat. But the divine Odysseus stood up and placed the two-handled cup original: "δέπας ἀμφικύπελλον," a large ceremonial drinking vessel with handles on both sides into the hands of Queen Arete, and addressing her, he spoke winged words:

60 "Farewell to you, O Queen, through all the years, until old age and death come to you, which are the lot of all humanity. Now I am departing; may you find joy in this house with your children, your people, and King Alcinous."

As he spoke, divine Odysseus stepped over the threshold to depart. King Alcinous sent a herald along with him 65 to lead the way to the swift ship and the shore of the sea. Arete also sent serving women to accompany him: one carrying a freshly washed cloak and a tunic, another entrusted to carry a sturdy chest, and a third who carried bread and red wine.

70 When they arrived at the ship and the seaside, the noble escorts immediately took these supplies and stowed them in the hollow ship—all the food and drink. They spread out a rug and a linen sheet for Odysseus on the deck of the hollow ship, 75 at the stern, so that he might sleep soundly. He went aboard himself and lay down in silence. The crew sat at the benches, each in his proper place, and untied the mooring cable from the pierced stone a large stone with a hole drilled through it, used as an anchor or mooring point on the shore. As they leaned back and tossed up the salt water with their oars, a sweet sleep fell upon Odysseus’s eyelids—a deep, unbreakable sleep, most like death itself. 80 Just as a team of four stallions on a plain, all starting together under the strokes of the whip...