thou mayst get thee ready, since truly thou art not long to be a maiden.  Lo, already they are wooing thee, the noblest youths of all the Phaeacians, among that people whence thou thyself dost draw thy lineage.  So come, beseech thy noble father betimes in the morning to furnish thee with mules and a wain to carry the men’s raiment, and the robes, and the shining coverlets.  Yea and for thyself it is seemlier far to go thus than on foot, for the places where we must wash are a great way off the town.’

So spake the grey-eyed Athene, and departed to Olympus, where, as they say, is the seat of the gods that standeth fast for ever.  Not by winds is it shaken, nor ever wet with rain, nor doth the snow come nigh thereto, but most clear air is spread about it cloudless, and the white light floats over it.  Therein the blessed gods are glad for all their days, and thither Athene went when she had shown forth all to the maiden.

Anon came the throned Dawn, and awakened Nausicaa of the fair robes, who straightway marvelled on the dream, and went through the halls to tell her parents, her father dear and her mother.  And she found them within, her mother sitting by the hearth with the women her handmaids, spinning yarn of sea-purple stain, but her father she met as he was going forth to the renowned kings in their council, whither the noble Phaeacians called him.  Standing close by her dear father she spake, saying:  ’Father, dear, couldst thou not lend me a high waggon with strong wheels, that I may take the goodly raiment to the river to wash, so much as I have lying soiled?  Yea and it is seemly that thou thyself, when thou art with the princes in council, shouldest have fresh raiment to wear.  Also, there are five dear sons of thine in the halls, two married, but three are lusty bachelors, and these are always eager for new-washen garments wherein to go to the dances; for all these things have I taken thought.’

This she said, because she was ashamed to speak of glad marriage to her father; but he saw all and answered, saying: 

’Neither the mules nor aught else do I grudge thee, my child.  Go thy ways, and the thralls shall get thee ready a high waggon with good wheels, and fitted with an upper frame.’

Therewith he called to his men, and they gave ear, and without the palace they made ready the smooth-running mule-wain, and led the mules beneath the yoke, and harnessed them under the car, while the maiden brought forth from her bower the shining raiment.  This she stored in the polished car, and her mother filled a basket with all manner of food to the heart’s desire, dainties too she set therein, and she poured wine into a goat-skin bottle, while Nausicaa climbed into the wain.  And her mother gave her soft olive oil also in a golden cruse, that she and her maidens might anoint themselves after the bath.  Then Nausicaa took the whip and the shining reins, and touched the mules to start them; then there was a clatter of hoofs, and on they strained without flagging, with their load of the raiment and the maiden.  Not alone did she go, for her attendants followed with her.