’Hither now get ye to the assembly, ye captains and counsellors of the Phaeacians, that ye may learn concerning the stranger, who hath lately come to the palace of wise Alcinous, in his wanderings over the deep, and his form is like the deathless gods.’

Therewith she aroused the spirit and desire of each one, and speedily the meeting-places and seats were filled with men that came to the gathering:  yea, and many an one marvelled at the sight of the wise son of Laertes, for wondrous was the grace Athene poured upon his head and shoulders, and she made him greater and more mighty to behold, that he might win love and worship and honour among all the Phaeacians, and that he might accomplish many feats, wherein the Phaeacians made trial of Odysseus.  Now when they were gathered and come together, Alcinous made harangue and spake among them: 

’Harken, ye captains and counsellors of the Phaeacians, and I will say that which my spirit within me bids me utter.  This stranger, I know not who he is, hath come to my house in his wandering, whether from the men of the dawning or the westward, and he presses for a convoy, and prays that it be assured to him.  So let us, as in time past, speed on the convoy.  For never, nay never, doth any man who cometh to my house, abide here long in sorrow for want of help upon his way.  Nay, come let us draw down a black ship to the fair salt sea, for her first voyage, and let them choose fifty and two noble youths throughout the township, who have been proved heretofore the best.  And when ye have made fast the oars upon the benches, step all a shore, and thereafter come to our house, and quickly fall to feasting; and I will make good provision for all.  To the noble youths I give this commandment; but ye others, sceptred kings, come to my fair dwelling, that we may entertain the stranger in the halls, and let no man make excuse.  Moreover, bid hither the divine minstrel, Demodocus, for the god hath given minstrelsy to him as to none other, to make men glad in what way soever his spirit stirs him to sing.’

He spake and led the way, and the sceptred kings accompanied him, while the henchmen went for the divine minstrel.  And chosen youths, fifty and two, departed at his command, to the shore of the unharvested sea.  But after they had gone down to the ship and to the sea, first of all they drew the ship down to the deep water, and placed the mast and sails in the black ship, and fixed the oars in leathern loops, all orderly, and spread forth the white sails.  And they moored her high out in the shore water, and thereafter went on their way to the great palace of the wise Alcinous.  Now the galleries and the courts and the rooms were thronged with men that came to the gathering, for there were many, young and old.  Then Alcinous sacrificed twelve sheep among them, and eight boars with flashing tusks, and two oxen with trailing feet.  These they flayed and made ready, and dressed a goodly feast.