Homers Odyssey Books XIII-XXIV

"The gods do not disrespect you, Poseidon. It would be a difficult thing to insult the eldest and most noble among us with dishonor. If any mortal, yielding to his own pride and strength, fails to honor you, you always have the power of revenge in the future. 145 Do as you wish and as your heart desires."

Poseidon, the Earth-Shaker, answered him: "I would have acted quickly, Lord of the Dark Clouds original: "κελαινεφές" (kelainephes) — an epithet for Zeus as the god of storms, just as you say. However, I always respect and avoid your anger. But now, I wish to strike the Phaeacians' beautiful ship on the misty sea as it returns from its escort mission. 150 I want them to stop providing safe passage to all men, and I intend to bury their city under a massive mountain."

Then Zeus, the Cloud-Gatherer, answered him: "My friend, this is what seems best to my mind: Wait until all the people in the city see the ship sailing toward them. 155 Then, turn it into a rock near the shore—one that looks exactly like a swift ship—so that all people will be filled with wonder. Then, you may overshadow their city with a great mountain."

When Poseidon, the Earth-Shaker, heard this, he went to Scheria, where the Phaeacians live. 160 He waited there. As the sea-faring ship came very close, running swiftly on its course, the Earth-Shaker approached it. With a strike of his flat hand, he turned the ship into stone and rooted it to the sea floor below. Then, he departed.

165 The Phaeacians, those famous rowers and men renowned for their seamanship, began speaking "winged words" original: "ἔπεα πτερόεντα" — a common Homeric phrase for spoken words that travel quickly to the listener to one another. Looking at those standing near them, they said: "Oh! Who has frozen our swift ship in the middle of the sea?"