tricate and cunning
knot, which he had learnt from the great sorceress Circe; and when he
had finished he was summoned by the eldest of the handmaids to the
bath. When he had bathed and put on fresh raiment he came back to the
dining-hall; and as he entered he saw Nausicaae leaning against a
pillar. Sweet was the maiden's face, and kind her eyes, as she gazed
with innocent admiration on the stately figure of her father's guest.
"Farewell, my friend," said she, "and when thou arrivest home think
sometimes of her to whom thou owest thy life."

"Fair daughter of Alcinous," answered Odysseus, "if that day ever
comes--if I ever see my home again, by favour of Zeus, the lord of
Hera--be assured that I shall remember thee in my prayers, as long as
this life which thou hast given me shall last." And so he parted from
the maiden, and she went back to her mother's bower.

Odysseus again received a place of honour by the side of Alcinous, and
a goodly portion of meat was set before him. Looking round the circle
of guests he saw Demodocus, the blind harper, sitting in their midst,
and wishing to show him honour, he cut off a choice piece from the
flesh which had been set before him, and bade a servant carry it to
the bard, and greet him in the giver's name. The servant did as he was
bidden, and Demodocus received the portion of honour with becoming
gratitude.

When the banquet was drawing towards its close Odysseus approached the
minstrel, and after praising his former lay, which told of the
disastrous homeward voyage of the Greeks, he begged him to sing the
Lay of the Wooden Horse, the device by which Troy was taken. Demodocus
complied, and taking his harp began to chant that famous lay, which
told how the Greeks burnt their tents and sailed away, leaving the
wooden monster behind them, how the Trojans dragged the horse into the
city, and how the fatal engine sent forth its burden of armed men in
the night. The name of Odysseus, the arch-plotter, occurred again and
again as the tale went on; and once more Odysseus was moved to tears
by the memories which the words of the bard awakened.

Alcinous observed his emotion, and called to Demodocus to cease his
song. "We vex our guest," he said, "for whose sake we are gathered
here. Doubtless the minstrel has touched some hidden spring of sorrow.
But come now," he continued, addressing Odysseus, "we have honoured
thee exceedingly, and given thee of our best. Wilt thou not repay us
by