he was, such need had come upon him.  But he was terrible in their eyes, being marred with the salt sea foam, and they fled cowering here and there about the jutting spits of shore.  And the daughter of Alcinous alone stood firm, for Athene gave her courage of heart, and took all trembling from her limbs.  So she halted and stood over against him, and Odysseus considered whether he should clasp the knees of the lovely maiden, and so make his prayer, or should stand as he was, apart, and beseech her with smooth words, if haply she might show him the town, and give him raiment.  And as he thought within himself, it seemed better to stand apart, and beseech her with smooth words, lest the maiden should be angered with him if he touched her knees:  so straightway he spake a sweet and cunning word: 

’I supplicate thee, O queen, whether thou art a goddess or a mortal!  If indeed thou art a goddess of them that keep the wide heaven; to Artemis, then, the daughter of great Zeus, I mainly liken thee, for beauty and stature and shapeliness.  But if thou art one of the daughters of men who dwell on earth, thrice blessed are thy father and thy lady mother, and thrice blessed thy brethren.  Surely their souls ever glow with gladness for thy sake, each time they see thee entering the dance, so fair a flower of maidens.  But he is of heart the most blessed beyond all other who shall prevail with gifts of wooing, and lead thee to his home.  Never have mine eyes beheld such an one among mortals, neither man nor woman; great awe comes upon me as I look on thee.  Yet in Delos once I saw as goodly a thing:  a young sapling of a palm tree springing by the altar of Apollo.  For thither too I went, and much people with me, on that path where my sore troubles were to be.  Yea, and when I looked thereupon, long time I marvelled in spirit,—­for never grew there yet so goodly a shoot from ground,—­even in such wise as I wonder at thee, lady, and am astonied and do greatly fear to touch thy knees, though grievous sorrow is upon me.  Yesterday, on the twentieth day, I escaped from the wine-dark deep, but all that time continually the wave bare me, and the vehement winds drave, from the isle Ogygia.  And now some god has cast me on this shore, that here too, methinks, some evil may betide me; for I trow not that trouble will cease; the gods ere that time will yet bring many a thing to pass.  But, queen, have pity on me, for after many trials and sore to thee first of all am I come, and of the other folk, who hold this city and land, I know no man.  Nay show me the town, give me an old garment to cast about me, if thou hadst, when thou camest here, any wrap for the linen.  And may the gods grant thee all thy heart’s desire:  a husband and a home, and a mind at one with his may they give—­a good gift, for there is nothing mightier and nobler than when man and wife are of one heart and mind in a house, a grief to their foes, and to their friends great joy, but their own hearts know it best.’