_Wild boar and fleet-foot deer flee fast away, And round her move the wild-wood nymphs at play, Daughters of Zeus the Lord of Thunder-clouds; And Leto joys at heart; for fair are they,_ _Yet fairest of them all the child she bred; And over all the rest her brows and head Rise, easily known among them. Even so Among her women shone the maid unwed._[12] This is the moment for which Athena has been waiting, to bring help to Odysseus. _Thereat the princess to a handmaiden Threw the ball wide, and missed her, and it fell_ _In a deep eddy. From them all outbroke A long shrill cry: and bright Odysseus woke; And sitting up he pondered inwardly: “O me, what land is this of mortal folk?”_[12] He is dazed by his long, long sleep. Where is he? What land is this? Whose are those young figures that he can just see by peeping through the leafy thicket in which he lies? Are they the nymphs of the river along which he was drifted out of the sea? Or are they human maidens who may be besought to help? He does not hesitate long. At all hazards he must speak to them, for he is in desperate need. So, hastily breaking off a leafy bough to hide his nakedness, he strode out of his lair. His uncouth figure struck amazement and terror into the hearts of the girls. _Dreadful to them the sea-stained man drew nigh: And up and down they ran dispersedly Along the jutting beaches; only then The daughter of Alcinous did not fly:_ _Such courage put Athena in her breast: Unfaltering she stood up and undistressed, And faced him._[12] For once Odysseus is at a loss. How shall he address her? He is almost naked, haggard, and sea-worn, a terrible object to girlish eyes. Shall he go up close, and in the attitude of the suppliant, clasp her knees? Or will not his touch and his close approach startle and shock her? But his wits are not long to seek. He decides that it will be better not to come too near, but to address her gently, from a little distance. “I kneel to you, Protectress. God are you, or mortal?” Thus he speaks first, gracefully complimenting her beauty and courage. “_If a god indeed you be Of those who in wide heaven abide in bliss, Unto none else than very Artemis, Daughter of Zeus Most High, I liken one So tall and fair and beautiful as this;_ “_But if a mortal, such as dwell on earth, Thrice fortunate are they who gave you birth, Father and mother, and thrice fortunate Your brethren; surely evermore great mirth_