The second part is introduced with a dignified and sombre recitative ("Thou far-darting Sun"), followed by an aria of the same character ("Oh! Atritone") in which Penelope bewails the absence of Odysseus. In the next scene the music changes to a bright and tripping strain, the chorus of Nausicaa's maidens ("On the flowery Mead, girt by the dimpling Tide"), which closely resembles that of Calypso's nymphs in the first scene. After Odysseus' fervent appeal ("Hark to me! Queen, or heaven-dwelling Goddess") the banquet scene occurs. It begins with an animated chorus of the Pheacians ("Be welcome, Stranger, to Pheacia's Land"), followed by an exquisite unison chorus of the Rhapsodes ("Ten Years now are past since Troy in the Dust was laid"), set to an accompaniment of harps. A simple and tender melody ("Let me then depart in Peace"), sung by Odysseus, in which the chorus singers gradually join, closes the scene. The eighth scene contains the most expressive solo number of the work, Penelope's aria ("This Garment by Day I weave in my Sorrow"), with a characteristic descriptive accompaniment. The gems of the ninth scene are Odysseus' passionate aria ("O my Fatherland! blest Remembrance!") and his furious revenge song ("Miscreant! woe to Thee"). The last scene opens with a joyous chorus of the people ("Say, have ye heard the Tidings of Joy?"), followed by a fervent duet between Odysseus and Penelope ("Omnipotent Zeus! we call on thy Name"). The final chorus begins in chorale style ("In Flames ascending"), and after repeating the melody of Odysseus' song in the seventh scene ("Nowhere abides such Delight"), closes with a fine fugued passage ("Slayer of Darkness"). BUCK.