(ll. 462-473) So speaking, he put courage in their hearts, and the master of the Cretans answered him and said:  `Stranger —­ though you are nothing like mortal men in shape or stature, but are as the deathless gods —­ hail and all happiness to you, and may the gods give you good.  Now tell me truly that I may surely know it:  what country is this, and what land, and what men live herein?  As for us, with thoughts set otherwards, we were sailing over the great sea to Pylos from Crete (for from there we declare that we are sprung), but now are come on shipboard to this place by no means willingly —­ another way and other paths —­ and gladly would we return.  But one of the deathless gods brought us here against our will.’

(ll. 474-501) Then far-working Apollo answered then and said:  `Strangers who once dwelt about wooded Cnossos but now shall return no more each to his loved city and fair house and dear wife; here shall you keep my rich temple that is honoured by many men.  I am the son of Zeus; Apollo is my name:  but you I brought here over the wide gulf of the sea, meaning you no hurt; nay, here you shall keep my rich temple that is greatly honoured among men, and you shall know the plans of the deathless gods, and by their will you shall be honoured continually for all time.  And now come, make haste and do as I say.  First loose the sheets and lower the sail, and then draw the swift ship up upon the land.  Take out your goods and the gear of the straight ship, and make an altar upon the beach of the sea:  light fire upon it and make an offering of white meal.  Next, stand side by side around the altar and pray:  and in as much as at the first on the hazy sea I sprang upon the swift ship in the form of a dolphin, pray to me as Apollo Delphinius; also the altar itself shall be called Delphinius and overlooking (12) for ever.  Afterwards, sup beside your dark ship and pour an offering to the blessed gods who dwell on Olympus.  But when you have put away craving for sweet food, come with me singing the hymn Ie Paean (Hail, Healer!), until you come to the place where you shall keep my rich temple.’

(ll. 502-523) So said Apollo.  And they readily harkened to him and obeyed him.  First they unfastened the sheets and let down the sail and lowered the mast by the forestays upon the mast-rest.  Then, landing upon the beach of the sea, they hauled up the ship from the water to dry land and fixed long stays under it.  Also they made an altar upon the beach of the sea, and when they had lit a fire, made an offering of white meal, and prayed standing around the altar as Apollo had bidden them.  Then they took their meal by the swift, black ship, and poured an offering to the blessed gods who dwell on Olympus.  And when they had put away craving for drink and food, they started out with the lord Apollo, the son of Zeus, to lead them, holding a lyre in his hands, and playing sweetly as he stepped high and featly.  So the Cretans followed him to Pytho, marching in time as they chanted the Ie Paean after the manner of the Cretan paean-singers and of those in whose hearts the heavenly Muse has put sweet-voiced song.  With tireless feet they approached the ridge and straightway came to Parnassus and the lovely place where they were to dwell honoured by many men.  There Apollo brought them and showed them his most holy sanctuary and rich temple.