Now when the rosy-finger’d Morn arose, The sacred pow’r Alcinous did dispose Did likewise rise; and, like him, left his ease The city-razer Laertiades. The Council at the navy was design’d; To which Alcinous, with the sacred mind, Came first of all. On polish’d stones they sate, Near to the navy. To increase the state, Minerva took the herald’s form on her, That serv’d Alcinous, studious to prefer Ulysses’ suit for home. About the town She made quick way, and fill’d with the renown Of that design the ears of ev’ry man, Proclaiming thus: “Peers Phæacensian! And Men of Council, all haste to the court, To hear the stranger that made late resort To King Alcinous, long time lost at sea, And is in person like a Deity.” This all their pow’rs set up, and spirit instill’d, And straight the court and seats with men were fill’d. The whole state wonder’d at Laertes’ son, When they beheld him. Pallas put him on A supernatural and heav’nly dress, Enlarg’d him with a height, and goodliness In breast and shoulders, that he might appear Gracious, and grave, and reverend, and bear A perfect hand on his performance there In all the trials they resolv’d t’ impose. All met, and gather’d in attention close, Alcinous thus bespake them: “Dukes, and lords, Hear me digest my hearty thoughts in words. This stranger here, whose travels found my court, I know not, nor can tell if his resort From East or West comes; but his suit is this: That to his country-earth we would dismiss His hither-forcéd person, and doth bear The mind to pass it under ev’ry peer; Whom I prepare, and stir up, making known My free desire of his deductión. Nor shall there ever any other man That tries the goodness Phæacensian In me, and my court’s entertainment, stay, Mourning for passage, under least delay. Come then, a ship into the sacred seas, New-built, now launch we; and from out our prease Choose two-and-fifty youths, of all, the best To use an oar. All which see straight imprest, And in their oar-bound seats. Let others hie Home to our court, commanding instantly The solemn preparation of a feast, In which provision may for any guest Be made at my charge. Charge of these low things I give our youth. You, sceptre-bearing kings, Consort me home, and help with grace to use This guest of ours; no one man shall refuse. Some other of you haste, and call to us The sacred singer, grave Demodocus, To whom hath God giv’n song that can excite The heart of whom he listeth with delight.” This said, he led. The sceptre-bearers lent Their free attendance; and with all speed went The herald for the sacred man-in-song. Youths two-and-fifty, chosen from the throng, Went, as was will’d, to the untam’d sea’s shore; Where come, they launch’d the ship, the mast it bore Advanc’d, sails hoiséd, ev’ry seat his oar Gave with a leather thong. The deep moist then They further reach’d. The dry streets flow’d with men, That troop’d up to the king’s capacious court, Whose porticos were chok’d with the resort,