. He causes his men to stop their
ears with wax, and to bind him fast to the mast of his ship. The
attempt to lure them is unsuccessful. Though Persephoneia herself
rises from the depths to aid the sirens, Odysseus' ship sails safely
past and the sirens and their rocks sink into the sea.

But the hostile god Poseidon pursues Odysseus in rage. Seated in his
cart drawn by sea-horses {425} he strikes the ship with his trident,
and it goes down in the now stormy sea.

Zeus and the friendly gods now interpose. Poseidon is forced to
withdraw, and, though his companions perish and the ship is wrecked,
the nymph Leukothea brings a magic veil which ensures the hero's safety
and he swims to the shore.

Act I.

Odysseus has landed in the country of the Pheacians. In the first part
of this act he is lying asleep hidden among the shrubs and trees in the
background.

Nausikaa, the King's daughter has come at the bidding of Athene with
her companions to wash the linen and garments of her family. While the
clothes are drying in the sun the maidens dance and play at ball.
Their voices and laughter awake Odysseus who rises and shows himself
through the foliage. Seeing a nearly naked man the girls run away
screaming; only Nausikaa stands still and asks the stranger fearlessly
who he is. Odysseus tells her his piteous story and his cruel fate.
Nausikaa calls to her maidens to bring raiment for the hero whose name
however she has not yet heard. A sudden and tender love fills her
heart for the outcast wanderer. Odysseus too feels drawn towards the
noble maiden, for a moment he forgets his wife and child at home.
Nausikaa invites him to follow her to her father's court and promises
him a kindly reception there.

{426}

As the procession is starting, the sound of horns is heard and King
Alkinous and his followers come up. Among them are his son Leodamus,
and Prince Euryalos, a would-be suitor of Nausikaa. The King welcomes
the stranger kindly and invites him to come and stay in his palace.
Euryalos, however, regards Odysseus with suspicion and hostility; he
sees in him at once a favoured rival. With songs of welcome Odysseus
is greeted by the men and maidens and by the King's side he moves
towards the palace.

Act II.

This scene takes place in front of the palace of King Alkinous. The
gardens and terraces extend downwards to the shore of the sea that
forms the background. It is evening. Youths and maidens are