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food and water； and we will go on our voyage in peace。'
Then the sailors laughed； and answered； 'Stranger； you are no fool；
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you talk like an honest man； and you shall find us honest too。 We are
the children of Poseidon； and the masters of the sea； but come ashore to
us； and you shall have the best that we can give。'
So they limped ashore； all stiff and weary； with long ragged beards
and sunburnt cheeks； and garments torn and weather… stained； and
weapons rusted with the spray； while the sailors laughed at them （for
they were rough…tongued； though their hearts were frank and kind）。
And one said； 'These fellows are but raw sailors； they look as if they had
been sea…sick all the day。' And another； 'Their legs have grown crooked
with much rowing； till they waddle in their walk like ducks。'
At that Idas the rash would have struck them； but Jason held him
back； till one of the merchant kings spoke to them； a tall and stately man。
'Do not be angry； strangers； the sailor boys must have their jest。
But we will treat you justly and kindly； for strangers and poor men come
from God； and you seem no common sailors by your strength； and
height； and weapons。 Come up with me to the palace of Alcinous； the
rich sea…going king； and we will feast you well and heartily； and after
that you shall tell us your name。'
But Medeia hung back； and trembled； and whispered in Jason's ear；
'We are betrayed； and are going to our ruin； for I see my countrymen
among the crowd； dark…eyed Colchi in steel mail…shirts； such as they
wear in my father's land。'
'It is too late to turn；' said Jason。 And he spoke to the merchant
king； 'What country is this； good sir； and what is this new…built town？'
'This is the land of the Phaeaces； beloved by all the Immortals； for
they come hither and feast like friends with us； and sit by our side in the
hall。 Hither we came from Liburnia to escape the unrighteous
Cyclopes； for they robbed us； peaceful merchants； of our hard…earned
wares and wealth。 So Nausithous； the son of Poseidon； brought us
hither； and died in peace； and now his son Alcinous rules us； and Arete
the wisest of queens。'
So they went up across the square； and wondered still more as they
went； for along the quays lay in order great cables； and yards； and masts；
before the fair temple of Poseidon； the blue…haired king of the seas。
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And round the square worked the ship…wrights； as many in number as
ants； twining ropes； and hewing timber； and smoothing long yards and
oars。 And the Minuai went on in silence through clean white marble
streets； till they came to the hall of Alcinous； and they wondered then
still more。 For the lofty palace shone aloft in the sun； with walls of
plated brass； from the threshold to the innermost chamber； and the doors
were of silver and gold。 And on each side of the doorway sat living
dogs of gold； who never grew old or died； so well Hephaistos had made
them in his forges in smoking Lemnos； and gave them to Alcinous to
guard his gates by night。 And within； against the walls； stood thrones
on either side； down the whole length of the hall； strewn with rich glossy
shawls； and on them the merchant kings of those crafty sea…roving
Phaeaces sat eating and drinking in pride； and feasting there all the year
round。 And boys of molten gold stood each on a polished altar； and
held torches in their hands； to give light all night to the guests。 And
round the house sat fifty maid…servants； some grinding the meal in the
mill； some turning the spindle； some weaving at the loom； while their
hands twinkled as they passed the shuttle； like quivering aspen leaves。
And outside before the palace a great garden was walled round；
filled full of stately fruit…trees； gray olives and sweet figs； and
pomegranates； pears； and apples； which bore the whole year round。 For
the rich south…west wind fed them； till pear grew ripe on pear； fig on fig；
and grape on grape； all the winter and the spring。 And at the farther
end gay flower…beds bloomed through all seasons of the year； and two
fair fountains rose； and ran； one through the garden grounds； and one
beneath the palace gate； to water all the town。 Such noble gifts the
heavens had given to Alcinous the wise。
So they went in； and saw him sitting； like Poseidon； on his throne；
with his golden sceptre by him； in garments stiff with gold； and in his
hand a sculptured goblet； as he pledged the merchant kings； and beside
him stood Arete； his wise and lovely queen； and leaned against a pillar as
she spun her golden threads。
Then Alcinous rose； and welcomed them； and bade them sit and eat；
and the servants brought them tables； and bread； and meat； and wine。
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But Medeia went on trembling toward Arete the fair queen； and fell
at her knees； and clasped them； and cried； weeping； as she knelt …
'I am your guest； fair queen； and I entreat you by Zeus； from whom
prayers come。 Do not send me back to my father to die some dreadful
death； but let me go my way； and bear my burden。 Have I not had
enough of punishment and shame？'
'Who are you； strange maiden？ and what is the meaning of your
prayer？'
'I am Medeia； daughter of Aietes； and I saw my countrymen here to…
day； and I know that they are come to find me； and take me home to die
some dreadful death。'
Then Arete frowned； and said； 'Lead this girl in； my maidens； and let
the kings decide； not I。'
And Alcinous leapt up from his throne； and cried； 'Speak； strangers；
who are you？ And who is this maiden？'
'We are the heroes of the Minuai；' said Jason； 'and this maiden has
spoken truth。 We are the men who took the golden fleece； the men
whose fame has run round every shore。 We came hither out of the
ocean； after sorrows such as man never saw before。 We went out many；
and come back few； for many a noble comrade have we lost。 So let us
go； as you should let your guests go； in peace； that the world may say；
〃Alcinous is a just king。〃'
But Alcinous frowned； and stood deep in thought； and at last he
spoke …
'Had not the deed been done which is done； I should have said this
day to myself； 〃It is an honour to Alcinous； and to his children after him；
that the far…famed Argonauts are his guests。〃 But these Colchi are my
guests； as you are； and for this month they have waited here with all
their fleet； for they have hunted all the seas of Hellas； and could not find
you； and dared neither go farther； nor go home。'
'Let them choose out their champions； and we will fight them； man
for man。'
'No guests of ours shall fight upon our island； and if you go outside
they will outnumber you。 I will do justice between you； for I know and