For now into his mind a fire did fall Of thirst for home. And as in hungry vow To needful food a man at fixéd plow (To whom the black ox all day long hath turn’d The stubborn fallows up, his stomach burn’d With empty heat and appetite to food, His knees afflicted with his spirit-spent blood) At length the long-expected sunset sees, That he may sit to food, and rest his knees; So to Ulysses set the friendly light The sun afforded, with as wish’d a sight. Who straight bespake that oar-affecting State, But did in chief his speech appropriate To him by name, that with their rule was crown’d. “Alcinous, of all men most renown’d, Dismiss me with as safe pass as you vow (Your off’ring past) and may the Gods to you In all contentment use as full a hand; For now my landing here and stay shall stand In all perfection with my heart’s desire, Both my so safe deduction to aspire, And loving gifts; which may the Gods to me As blest in use make as your acts are free, Ev’n to the finding firm in love, and life, With all desir’d event, my friends, and wife. When, as myself shall live delighted there, May you with your wives rest as happy here, Your sons and daughters, in particular state, With ev’ry virtue render’d consummate; And, in your gen’ral empire, may ill never Approach your land, but good your good quit ever.” This all applauded, and all jointly cried: “Dismiss the stranger! He hath dignified With fit speech his dismission.” Then the king Thus charg’d the herald: “Fill for offering A bowl of wine; which through the whole large house Dispose to all men, that, propitious Our father Jove made with our pray’rs, we may Give home our guest in full and wishéd way.” This said, Pontonous commix’d a bowl Of such sweet wine as did delight the soul. Which making sacred to the blessed Gods, That hold in broad heav’n their supreme abodes, God-like Ulysses from his chair arose, And in the hands of th’ empress did impose The all-round cup; to whom, fair spoke, he said: “Rejoice, O queen, and be your joys repaid By heav’n, for me, till age and death succeed; Both which inflict their most unwelcome need On men and dames alike. And, first, for me, I must from hence, to both: Live you here free, And ever may all living blessings spring, Your joy in children, subjects, and your king.” This said, divine Ulysses took his way; Before whom the unalterable sway Of king Alcinous’ virtue did command A herald’s fit attendance to the strand, And ship appointed. With him likewise went Handmaids, by Arete’s injunction sent. One bore an out and in-weed, fair and sweet, The other an embroider’d cabinet, The third had bread to bear, and ruddy wine; All which, at sea and ship arriv’d, resign Their freight conferr’d. With fair attendants then, The sheets and bedding of the man of men, Within a cabin of the hollow keel, Spread, and made soft, that sleep might sweetly seel His restful eyes, he enter’d, and his bed In silence took. The rowers orderéd