Calypso: Ulysses Reaches Scheria by Raft

And now, as Dawn rose from her couch beside Tithonus—harbinger of light alike to mortals and immortals—the gods met in council and with them, Jove the lord of thunder, who is their king. Thereon Minerva began to tell them of the many sufferings of Ulysses, for she pitied him away there in the house of the nymph Calypso.

Now Dawn rose from her bed beside Tithonus, bringing light to mortals and immortals alike. As she rose, the gods gathered in council with Jove, the lord of thunder and their king. Then Minerva began telling them about the many sufferings of Ulysses. She pitied him, far away in the home of the nymph Calypso.

“Father Jove,” said she, “and all you other gods that live in everlasting bliss, I hope there may never be such a thing as a kind and well-disposed ruler any more, nor one who will govern equitably. I hope they will be all henceforth cruel and unjust, for there is not one of his subjects but has forgotten Ulysses, who ruled them as though he were their father. There he is, lying in great pain in an island where dwells the nymph Calypso, who will not let him go; and he cannot get back to his own country, for he can find neither ships nor sailors to take him over the sea. Furthermore, wicked people are now trying to murder his only son Telemachus, who is coming home from Pylos and Lacedaemon, where he has been to see if he can get news of his father.”

“Father Jove,” she said, “and all you other gods who live in eternal bliss, I hope no ruler is ever kind or fair again. I hope all rulers will be cruel and unjust from now on. For every one of Ulysses’ subjects has forgotten him, though he ruled them as if he were their father. There he is, suffering terribly on an island where the nymph Calypso lives. She will not let him leave. And he cannot return to his own country because he can find neither ships nor sailors to take him across the sea. On top of that, wicked people are now trying to murder his only son, Telemachus. Telemachus is coming home from Pylos and Lacedaemon, where he went to see if he could get news of his father.”

“What, my dear, are you talking about?” replied her father, “did you not send him there yourself, because you thought it would help Ulysses to get home and punish the suitors? Besides, you are perfectly able to protect Telemachus, and to see him safely home again, while the suitors have to come hurry-skurrying back without having killed him.”

“What are you talking about, my dear?” her father replied. “Didn’t you send Telemachus there yourself because you thought doing so would help Ulysses get home and punish the suitors? Besides, you’re perfectly capable of protecting Telemachus and bringing him safely home again. Meanwhile, the suitors will have to hurry back without having killed him.”

When he had thus spoken, he said to his son Mercury, “Mercury, you are our messenger, go therefore and tell Calypso we have decreed that poor Ulysses is to return home. He is to be convoyed neither by gods nor men, but after a perilous voyage of twenty days upon a raft he is to reach fertile Scheria,⁵⁰ the land of the Phaeacians, who are near of kin to the gods, and will honour him as though he were one of ourselves. They will send him in a ship to his own country, and will give him more bronze and gold and raiment than he would have brought back from Troy, if he had had all his prize money and had got home without disaster. This is how we have settled that he shall return to his country and his friends.”

After speaking, he said to his son Mercury, “Mercury, you are our messenger. So go and tell Calypso we have decided that poor Ulysses must return home. Neither gods nor men will escort him. Instead, he must make a dangerous twenty-day voyage on a raft to reach fertile Scheria,⁵⁰ the land of the Phaeacians. The Phaeacians are closely related to the gods and will honor him as though he were one of us. They will send him home in a ship and give him bronze, gold, and clothing. These gifts will exceed what he would have brought back from Troy with all his war winnings, had he reached home without disaster. This is how we have decided he will return to his country and his friends.”

Thus he spoke, and Mercury, guide and guardian, slayer of Argus, did as he was told. Forthwith he bound on his glittering golden sandals with which he could fly like the wind over land and sea. He took the wand with which he seals men’s eyes in sleep or wakes them just as he pleases, and flew holding it in his hand over Pieria; then he swooped down through the firmament till he reached the level of the sea, whose waves he skimmed like a cormorant that flies fishing every hole and corner of the ocean, and drenching its thick plumage in the spray. He flew and flew over many a weary wave, but when at last he got to the island which was his journey’s end, he left the sea and went on by land till he came to the cave where the nymph Calypso lived.

So he spoke, and Mercury, guide and guardian and slayer of Argus, did as he was told. He immediately strapped on his shining golden sandals, which let him fly like the wind over land and sea. He took the wand he uses to close people’s eyes in sleep or wake them whenever he pleases. Holding the wand, he flew over Pieria, then swooped down through the sky until he reached sea level. He skimmed the waves like a cormorant fishing in every corner of the ocean, its thick feathers drenched in spray. He flew on and on over countless weary waves. But when he finally reached the island that was his destination, he left the sea behind. He continued over land until he came to the cave where the nymph Calypso lived.

He found her at home. There was a large fire burning on the hearth, and one could smell from far the fragrant reek of burning cedar and sandal wood. As for herself, she was busy at her loom, shooting her golden shuttle through the warp and singing beautifully. Round her cave there was a thick wood of alder, poplar, and sweet smelling cypress trees, wherein all kinds of great birds had built their nests—owls, hawks, and chattering sea-crows that occupy their business in the waters. A vine loaded with grapes was trained and grew luxuriantly about the mouth of the cave; there were also four running rills of water in channels cut pretty close together, and turned hither and thither so as to irrigate the beds of violets and luscious herbage over which they flowed. ⁵¹ Even a god could not help being charmed with such a lovely spot, so Mercury stood still and looked at it; but when he had admired it sufficiently he went inside the cave.

He found her at home. A large fire burned on the hearth, and the fragrant smoke of cedar and sandalwood could be smelled far away. She was busy at her loom, passing her golden shuttle through the warp threads and singing beautifully. Around her cave stood a thick wood of alder, poplar, and sweet-smelling cypress trees. All kinds of large birds had built their nests there: owls, hawks, and chattering sea-crows that find food in the water. A vine heavy with grapes had been trained to grow around the cave entrance and flourished there. There were also four flowing streams in channels cut close together. The channels turned in different directions to water beds of violets and lush greenery as the streams flowed through them. ⁵¹ Even a god could not help being charmed by such a lovely place, so Mercury stood still and admired it. But once he had admired the place enough, he went inside the cave.

Calypso knew him at once—for the gods all know each other, no matter how far they live from one another—but Ulysses was not within; he was on the sea-shore as usual, looking out upon the barren ocean with tears in his eyes, groaning and breaking his heart for sorrow. Calypso gave Mercury a seat and said: “Why have you come to see me, Mercury—honoured, and ever welcome—for you do not visit me often? Say what you want; I will do it for you at once if I can, and if it can be done at all; but come inside, and let me set refreshment before you.”

Calypso recognized him at once, for all the gods know each other, no matter how far apart they live. But Ulysses was not inside. He was on the seashore as usual, gazing at the barren ocean with tears in his eyes. He groaned, his heart breaking with sorrow. Calypso offered Mercury a seat and said: “Why have you come to see me, Mercury? You are honored and always welcome, but you do not visit me often. Tell me what you want. I will do it for you at once if I can, and if it can be done at all. But come inside, and let me offer you some refreshments.”

As she spoke she drew a table loaded with ambrosia beside him and mixed him some red nectar, so Mercury ate and drank till he had had enough, and then said:

As she spoke, she pulled a table loaded with ambrosia beside him and mixed him some red nectar. So Mercury ate and drank until he had had enough. Then he said:

“We are speaking god and goddess to one another, and you ask me why I have come here, and I will tell you truly as you would have me do. Jove sent me; it was no doing of mine; who could possibly want to come all this way over the sea where there are no cities full of people to offer me sacrifices or choice hecatombs? Nevertheless I had to come, for none of us other gods can cross Jove, nor transgress his orders. He says that you have here the most ill-starred of all those who fought nine years before the city of King Priam and sailed home in the tenth year after having sacked it. On their way home they sinned against Minerva,⁵² who raised both wind and waves against them, so that all his brave companions perished, and he alone was carried hither by wind and tide. Jove says that you are to let this man go at once, for it is decreed that he shall not perish here, far from his own people, but shall return to his house and country and see his friends again.”

“We are speaking to each other as god and goddess, and you ask why I have come here. I will tell you the truth, as you wish. Jove sent me. I did not choose to come. Who would want to travel all this way across the sea? There are no cities here full of people to offer me sacrifices or fine offerings of a hundred cattle. Still, I had to come, because none of us other gods can defy Jove or disobey his orders. He says you have here the unluckiest of all the men who fought nine years outside King Priam’s city. They sailed home in the tenth year, after sacking the city. On their way home, they offended Minerva,⁵² who stirred up the wind and waves against them. As a result, all his brave companions died, and he alone was carried here by wind and tide. Jove says you must let this man go at once. It is decreed that he will not die here, far from his own people. Instead, he will return to his home and country and see his friends again.”

Calypso trembled with rage when she heard this, “You gods,” she exclaimed, “ought to be ashamed of yourselves. You are always jealous and hate seeing a goddess take a fancy to a mortal man, and live with him in open matrimony. So when rosy-fingered Dawn made love to Orion, you precious gods were all of you furious till Diana went and killed him in Ortygia. So again when Ceres fell in love with Iasion, and yielded to him in a thrice-ploughed fallow field, Jove came to hear of it before so very long and killed Iasion with his thunderbolts. And now you are angry with me too because I have a man here. I found the poor creature sitting all alone astride of a keel, for Jove had struck his ship with lightning and sunk it in mid ocean, so that all his crew were drowned, while he himself was driven by wind and waves on to my island. I got fond of him and cherished him, and had set my heart on making him immortal, so that he should never grow old all his days; still I cannot cross Jove, nor bring his counsels to nothing; therefore, if he insists upon it, let the man go beyond the seas again; but I cannot send him anywhere myself for I have neither ships nor men who can take him. Nevertheless I will readily give him such advice, in all good faith, as will be likely to bring him safely to his own country.”

Calypso trembled with rage when she heard this. “You gods,” she exclaimed, “should be ashamed of yourselves. You are always jealous. You hate seeing a goddess fall for a mortal man and live openly with him as his wife. So when rosy-fingered Dawn made love to Orion, all you precious gods were furious. Your fury lasted until Diana went and killed him in Ortygia. Then Ceres fell in love with Iasion and gave herself to him in a fallow field plowed three times. Before long, Jove heard about their lovemaking and killed Iasion with his thunderbolts. And now you are angry with me too because I have a man here. I found the poor man sitting all alone, clinging astride a ship’s keel. Jove had struck his ship with lightning and sunk it in the middle of the ocean. All his crew drowned, while wind and waves drove him to my island. I grew fond of him and cared for him. I had set my heart on making him immortal so that he would never grow old. Still, I cannot defy Jove or undo his plans. So if Jove insists, let the man cross the seas again. But I cannot send him anywhere myself, because I have neither ships nor men to take him. Nevertheless, I will gladly offer him honest advice that is likely to bring him safely home.”

“Then send him away,” said Mercury, “or Jove will be angry with you and punish you”.

“Then send him away,” Mercury said, “or Jove will get angry with you and punish you.”

On this he took his leave, and Calypso went out to look for Ulysses, for she had heard Jove’s message. She found him sitting upon the beach with his eyes ever filled with tears, and dying of sheer home sickness; for he had got tired of Calypso, and though he was forced to sleep with her in the cave by night, it was she, not he, that would have it so. As for the day time, he spent it on the rocks and on the sea shore, weeping, crying aloud for his despair, and always looking out upon the sea. Calypso then went close up to him said:

With that, he left, and Calypso went to look for Ulysses because she had heard Jove’s message. She found him sitting on the beach, his eyes always full of tears, dying of homesickness. He had grown tired of Calypso. Although he was forced to sleep with her in the cave at night, she wanted this, not him. During the day, he sat on the rocks and along the shore, weeping and crying out in despair. He was always looking out at the sea. Calypso came close to him and said:

“My poor fellow, you shall not stay here grieving and fretting your life out any longer. I am going to send you away of my own free will; so go, cut some beams of wood, and make yourself a large raft with an upper deck that it may carry you safely over the sea. I will put bread, wine, and water on board to save you from starving. I will also give you clothes, and will send you a fair wind to take you home, if the gods in heaven so will it—for they know more about these things, and can settle them better than I can.”

“My poor fellow, you will no longer stay here wearing yourself out with grief and worry. I am going to send you away of my own free will. So go, cut some wooden beams, and build yourself a large raft with an upper deck. Build it so the raft can carry you safely across the sea. I will put bread, wine, and water on board to keep you from starving. I will also give you clothes and send you a favorable wind to take you home, if the gods in heaven allow it. For the gods know more about these matters and can decide them better than I can.”

Ulysses shuddered as he heard her. “Now goddess,” he answered, “there is something behind all this; you cannot be really meaning to help me home when you bid me do such a dreadful thing as put to sea on a raft. Not even a well found ship with a fair wind could venture on such a distant voyage: nothing that you can say or do shall make me go on board a raft unless you first solemnly swear that you mean me no mischief.”

Ulysses shuddered when he heard her. “Goddess,” he answered, “there is more to all this than you are telling me. You cannot really mean to help me get home when you tell me to do something so dreadful. You want me to head out to sea on a raft. Not even a well-equipped ship with a favorable wind could risk such a long voyage. Nothing you say or do will make me board a raft unless you first solemnly swear you mean me no harm.”

Calypso smiled at this and caressed him with her hand: “You know a great deal,” said she, “but you are quite wrong here. May heaven above and earth below be my witnesses, with the waters of the river Styx—and this is the most solemn oath which a blessed god can take—that I mean you no sort of harm, and am only advising you to do exactly what I should do myself in your place. I am dealing with you quite straightforwardly; my heart is not made of iron, and I am very sorry for you.”

Calypso smiled and gently stroked him with her hand. “You know a great deal,” she said, “but you are completely wrong here. May heaven above, earth below, and the waters of the river Styx witness my oath. This is the most solemn oath a blessed god can swear. I mean you no harm at all. I am only advising you to do exactly what I would do in your place. I am being completely honest with you. My heart is not made of iron, and I feel very sorry for you.”

When she had thus spoken she led the way rapidly before him, and Ulysses followed in her steps; so the pair, goddess and man, went on and on till they came to Calypso’s cave, where Ulysses took the seat that Mercury had just left. Calypso set meat and drink before him of the food that mortals eat; but her maids brought ambrosia and nectar for herself, and they laid their hands on the good things that were before them. When they had satisfied themselves with meat and drink, Calypso spoke, saying:

When she finished speaking, she hurried ahead, and Ulysses followed in her footsteps. So the goddess and the man went on and on until they reached Calypso’s cave. There, Ulysses took the seat Mercury had just left. Calypso served him meat and drink, the kind mortals consume. But her maids brought her ambrosia and nectar, and both Calypso and Ulysses enjoyed the good food before them. When both had eaten and drunk their fill, Calypso said:

“Ulysses, noble son of Laertes, so you would start home to your own land at once? Good luck go with you, but if you could only know how much suffering is in store for you before you get back to your own country, you would stay where you are, keep house along with me, and let me make you immortal, no matter how anxious you may be to see this wife of yours, of whom you are thinking all the time day after day; yet I flatter myself that I am no whit less tall or well-looking than she is, for it is not to be expected that a mortal woman should compare in beauty with an immortal.”

“Ulysses, noble son of Laertes, so you want to leave for your homeland right away? May good luck go with you. But if you only knew how much suffering awaits you before you reach home, you would stay here. You would share a home with me and let me make you immortal, however eager you are to see your wife. You think about her all the time, day after day. Yet I like to think I am just as tall and beautiful as she is. After all, no one would expect a mortal woman to match an immortal in beauty.”

“Goddess,” replied Ulysses, “do not be angry with me about this. I am quite aware that my wife Penelope is nothing like so tall or so beautiful as yourself. She is only a woman, whereas you are an immortal. Nevertheless, I want to get home, and can think of nothing else. If some god wrecks me when I am on the sea, I will bear it and make the best of it. I have had infinite trouble both by land and sea already, so let this go with the rest.”

“Goddess,” Ulysses replied, “please don’t be angry with me about this. I know very well that my wife Penelope is nowhere near as tall or as beautiful as you. She is only a mortal woman, while you are immortal. Even so, I want to get home and can think of nothing else. If some god wrecks my ship at sea, I will endure the hardship and make the best of it. I have already suffered endless trouble on land and at sea, so let this hardship join the rest.”

Presently the sun set and it became dark, whereon the pair retired into the inner part of the cave and went to bed.

Soon the sun set and darkness fell. Then the pair went farther into the cave and went to bed.

When the child of morning rosy-fingered Dawn appeared, Ulysses put on his shirt and cloak, while the goddess wore a dress of a light gossamer fabric, very fine and graceful, with a beautiful golden girdle about her waist and a veil to cover her head. She at once set herself to think how she could speed Ulysses on his way. So she gave him a great bronze axe that suited his hands; it was sharpened on both sides, and had a beautiful olive-wood handle fitted firmly on to it. She also gave him a sharp adze, and then led the way to the far end of the island where the largest trees grew—alder, poplar and pine, that reached the sky—very dry and well seasoned, so as to sail light for him in the water.⁵³ Then, when she had shown him where the best trees grew, Calypso went home, leaving him to cut them, which he soon finished doing. He cut down twenty trees in all and adzed them smooth, squaring them by rule in good workmanlike fashion. Meanwhile Calypso came back with some augers, so he bored holes with them and fitted the timbers together with bolts and rivets. He made the raft as broad as a skilled shipwright makes the beam of a large vessel, and he fixed a deck on top of the ribs, and ran a gunwale all round it. He also made a mast with a yard arm, and a rudder to steer with. He fenced the raft all round with wicker hurdles as a protection against the waves, and then he threw on a quantity of wood. By and by Calypso brought him some linen to make the sails, and he made these too, excellently, making them fast with braces and sheets. Last of all, with the help of levers, he drew the raft down into the water.

When rosy-fingered Dawn, the child of morning, appeared, Ulysses put on his shirt and cloak. The goddess wore a dress of light, delicate fabric, very fine and graceful. She had a beautiful golden belt around her waist and a veil over her head. She immediately began thinking about how to help Ulysses on his way. So she gave him a large bronze axe that fit his hands. The axe was sharpened on both sides, with a beautiful olive-wood handle firmly attached. She also gave him a sharp adze, then led him to the far end of the island. The largest trees grew there: alder, poplar, and pine, reaching to the sky. The wood was very dry and well seasoned, so his raft would float lightly on the water.⁵³ Once Calypso had shown him where the best trees grew, she went home, leaving him to cut them down. He soon finished the work. He cut down twenty trees in all and smoothed them with the adze. He used a measuring rule to square them with skill and care. Meanwhile, Calypso returned with some augers. He used these tools to bore holes, then joined the timbers with bolts and rivets. He made the raft as wide as a skilled shipbuilder would make a large ship. He fixed a deck over the ribs and fitted a raised edge all around the raft. He also made a mast with a crossbar for the sail, and a rudder for steering. He surrounded the raft with woven wicker panels to protect against the waves, then piled on a quantity of wood. After a while, Calypso brought him some linen to make the sails. He made these excellently too, securing them with ropes to control their angle and position. Finally, using levers, he pulled the raft down into the water.

In four days he had completed the whole work, and on the fifth Calypso sent him from the island after washing him and giving him some clean clothes. She gave him a goat skin full of black wine, and another larger one of water; she also gave him a wallet full of provisions, and found him in much good meat. Moreover, she made the wind fair and warm for him, and gladly did Ulysses spread his sail before it, while he sat and guided the raft skilfully by means of the rudder. He never closed his eyes, but kept them fixed on the Pleiads, on late-setting Bootes, and on the Bear—which men also call the wain, and which turns round and round where it is, facing Orion, and alone never dipping into the stream of Oceanus—for Calypso had told him to keep this to his left. Days seven and ten did he sail over the sea, and on the eighteenth the dim outlines of the mountains on the nearest part of the Phaeacian coast appeared, rising like a shield on the horizon.

In four days he finished all the work. On the fifth, Calypso washed him, gave him clean clothes, and sent him away from the island. She gave him a goatskin full of black wine and a larger one full of water. She also gave him a bag full of provisions and plenty of good meat. She made the wind favorable and warm for him, and Ulysses gladly spread his sail to catch the wind. He sat and skillfully steered the raft with the rudder. He never closed his eyes, but kept watching the Pleiads, late-setting Bootes, and the Bear. People also call the Bear the wain, or wagon. The Bear circles in place, facing Orion, and alone never dips into the waters of Oceanus. Calypso had told him to keep the Bear on his left. For seventeen days he sailed across the sea. On the eighteenth, he saw the faint outlines of mountains on the nearest stretch of the Phaeacian coast. The mountains rose like a shield on the horizon.

But King Neptune, who was returning from the Ethiopians, caught sight of Ulysses a long way off, from the mountains of the Solymi. He could see him sailing upon the sea, and it made him very angry, so he wagged his head and muttered to himself, saying, “Good heavens, so the gods have been changing their minds about Ulysses while I was away in Ethiopia, and now he is close to the land of the Phaeacians, where it is decreed that he shall escape from the calamities that have befallen him. Still, he shall have plenty of hardship yet before he has done with it.”

But King Neptune was returning from the Ethiopians when he spotted Ulysses far away from the mountains of the Solymi. He could see Ulysses sailing on the sea, and the sight made him very angry. So he shook his head and muttered to himself, “Good heavens, so the gods have changed their minds about Ulysses while I was away in Ethiopia. And now he is close to the land of the Phaeacians. There, he is destined to escape the disasters that have struck him. Still, he will have plenty more hardship before his troubles are over.”

Thereon he gathered his clouds together, grasped his trident, stirred it round in the sea, and roused the rage of every wind that blows till earth, sea, and sky were hidden in cloud, and night sprang forth out of the heavens. Winds from East, South, North, and West fell upon him all at the same time, and a tremendous sea got up, so that Ulysses’ heart began to fail him. “Alas,” he said to himself in his dismay, “what ever will become of me? I am afraid Calypso was right when she said I should have trouble by sea before I got back home. It is all coming true. How black is Jove making heaven with his clouds, and what a sea the winds are raising from every quarter at once. I am now safe to perish. Blest and thrice blest were those Danaans who fell before Troy in the cause of the sons of Atreus. Would that I had been killed on the day when the Trojans were pressing me so sorely about the dead body of Achilles, for then I should have had due burial and the Achaeans would have honoured my name; but now it seems that I shall come to a most pitiable end.”

Then he gathered his clouds, gripped his trident, and stirred the sea with it. He unleashed the fury of every wind that blows until clouds hid the earth, sea, and sky. Night burst from the heavens. Winds from East, South, North, and West struck Ulysses all at once. The sea rose violently, and his courage began to fail. “Oh no,” he said to himself in despair, “what will become of me? I fear Calypso was right when she said I would face trouble at sea before reaching home. Everything she warned of is coming true. How black Jove is making the sky with his clouds! What huge waves the winds are raising from every direction at once! Now I am certain to die. Blessed, three times blessed, were those Danaans who died before Troy fighting for the sons of Atreus. I wish I had been killed when the Trojans pressed me so hard around Achilles’ dead body. Then I would have had a proper burial, and the Achaeans would have honored my name. But now it seems I will meet a truly pitiful end.”

As he spoke a sea broke over him with such terrific fury that the raft reeled again, and he was carried overboard a long way off. He let go the helm, and the force of the hurricane was so great that it broke the mast half way up, and both sail and yard went over into the sea. For a long time Ulysses was under water, and it was all he could do to rise to the surface again, for the clothes Calypso had given him weighed him down; but at last he got his head above water and spat out the bitter brine that was running down his face in streams. In spite of all this, however, he did not lose sight of his raft, but swam as fast as he could towards it, got hold of it, and climbed on board again so as to escape drowning. The sea took the raft and tossed it about as Autumn winds whirl thistledown round and round upon a road. It was as though the South, North, East, and West winds were all playing battledore and shuttlecock with it at once.

As he spoke, a wave crashed over him with such fury that the raft lurched again. He was swept overboard, far from the raft. He let go of the helm. The hurricane was so powerful that it snapped the mast halfway up, sending both sail and crossbeam into the sea. Ulysses stayed underwater for a long time and could barely struggle back to the surface. The clothes Calypso had given him were weighing him down. But at last his head broke the surface. He spat out the bitter salt water that streamed down his face. Despite all he had suffered, he never lost sight of his raft. He swam toward it as fast as he could, grabbed hold, and climbed back aboard to escape drowning. The sea tossed the raft around as autumn winds whirl thistledown round and round along a road. It was as though the South, North, East, and West winds were all batting the raft back and forth at once.

When he was in this plight, Ino daughter of Cadmus, also called Leucothea, saw him. She had formerly been a mere mortal, but had been since raised to the rank of a marine goddess. Seeing in what great distress Ulysses now was, she had compassion upon him, and, rising like a sea-gull from the waves, took her seat upon the raft.

While Ulysses was in this desperate state, Ino, daughter of Cadmus, saw him. She was also called Leucothea. She had once been an ordinary mortal, but had since become a sea goddess. Seeing how much Ulysses was suffering, she felt sorry for him. She rose from the waves like a seagull and sat down on the raft.

“My poor good man,” said she, “why is Neptune so furiously angry with you? He is giving you a great deal of trouble, but for all his bluster he will not kill you. You seem to be a sensible person, do then as I bid you; strip, leave your raft to drive before the wind, and swim to the Phaeacian coast where better luck awaits you. And here, take my veil and put it round your chest; it is enchanted, and you can come to no harm so long as you wear it. As soon as you touch land take it off, throw it back as far as you can into the sea, and then go away again.” With these words she took off her veil and gave it him. Then she dived down again like a sea-gull and vanished beneath the dark blue waters.

“My poor, good man,” she said, “why is Neptune so furiously angry with you? He is causing you a great deal of trouble, but despite all his bluster, he will not kill you. You seem sensible, so do as I tell you. Take off your clothes and leave your raft to drift with the wind. Swim to the Phaeacian coast, where better luck awaits you. Here, take my veil and wrap it around your chest. The veil is enchanted, and you cannot be harmed as long as you wear it. As soon as you reach land, take off the veil and throw it as far out to sea as you can. Then go away again.” With these words, she took off her veil and gave it to him. Then she dived down again like a seagull and vanished beneath the dark blue water.

But Ulysses did not know what to think. “Alas,” he said to himself in his dismay, “this is only some one or other of the gods who is luring me to ruin by advising me to quit my raft. At any rate I will not do so at present, for the land where she said I should be quit of all troubles seemed to be still a good way off. I know what I will do—I am sure it will be best—no matter what happens I will stick to the raft as long as her timbers hold together, but when the sea breaks her up I will swim for it; I do not see how I can do any better than this.”

But Ulysses did not know what to think. “Oh no,” he said to himself in dismay, “some god is only trying to lure me to ruin by telling me to leave my raft. In any case, I will not leave yet. The land where she said all my troubles would end still seemed a long way off. I know what I will do. I am sure my plan is best. No matter what happens, I will stay on the raft as long as its timbers hold together. But when the sea breaks the raft apart, I will swim for land. I do not see how I can do any better.”

While he was thus in two minds, Neptune sent a terrible great wave that seemed to rear itself above his head till it broke right over the raft, which then went to pieces as though it were a heap of dry chaff tossed about by a whirlwind. Ulysses got astride of one plank and rode upon it as if he were on horseback; he then took off the clothes Calypso had given him, bound Ino’s veil under his arms, and plunged into the sea—meaning to swim on shore. King Neptune watched him as he did so, and wagged his head, muttering to himself and saying, “There now, swim up and down as you best can till you fall in with well-to-do people. I do not think you will be able to say that I have let you off too lightly.” On this he lashed his horses and drove to Aegae where his palace is.

While Ulysses was still torn between two choices, Neptune sent a terrifying, enormous wave. It seemed to tower above his head before crashing down over the raft. The raft broke apart like a heap of dry chaff scattered by a whirlwind. Ulysses straddled a plank and rode it as if he were on horseback. Then he took off the clothes Calypso had given him and tied Ino’s veil under his arms. He plunged into the sea, intending to swim to shore. King Neptune watched him, shook his head, and muttered to himself, “There now, swim back and forth as best you can until you come across wealthy people. I do not think you will be able to say I have let you off too easily.” Then he whipped his horses and drove to Aegae, where his palace stands.

But Minerva resolved to help Ulysses, so she bound the ways of all the winds except one, and made them lie quite still; but she roused a good stiff breeze from the North that should lay the waters till Ulysses reached the land of the Phaeacians where he would be safe.

But Minerva decided to help Ulysses, so she held back all the winds except one and kept them completely still. But she stirred up a strong breeze from the North to calm the waters until Ulysses reached the land of the Phaeacians. There he would be safe.

Thereon he floated about for two nights and two days in the water, with a heavy swell on the sea and death staring him in the face; but when the third day broke, the wind fell and there was a dead calm without so much as a breath of air stirring. As he rose on the swell he looked eagerly ahead, and could see land quite near. Then, as children rejoice when their dear father begins to get better after having for a long time borne sore affliction sent him by some angry spirit, but the gods deliver him from evil, so was Ulysses thankful when he again saw land and trees, and swam on with all his strength that he might once more set foot upon dry ground. When, however, he got within earshot, he began to hear the surf thundering up against the rocks, for the swell still broke against them with a terrific roar. Everything was enveloped in spray; there were no harbours where a ship might ride, nor shelter of any kind, but only headlands, low-lying rocks, and mountain tops.

He floated in the water for two nights and two days, with heavy swells and death staring him in the face. But when the third day dawned, the wind dropped, and the sea grew completely calm. Not a breath of air stirred. As a swell lifted him, he looked eagerly ahead and saw land quite near. He felt like children rejoicing when their dear father begins to recover after a long and painful illness. Some angry spirit has brought the suffering upon him, but the gods save him from it. Just so, Ulysses felt thankful when he saw land and trees again. He swam with all his strength so he could once more set foot on dry ground. But as he came within earshot, he heard the surf thundering against the rocks. The swells were still breaking against them with a terrible roar. Spray covered everything. There were no harbours where a ship could anchor, nor any shelter at all. There were only headlands, low rocks, and mountain peaks.

Ulysses’ heart now began to fail him, and he said despairingly to himself, “Alas, Jove has let me see land after swimming so far that I had given up all hope, but I can find no landing place, for the coast is rocky and surf-beaten, the rocks are smooth and rise sheer from the sea, with deep water close under them so that I cannot climb out for want of foot hold. I am afraid some great wave will lift me off my legs and dash me against the rocks as I leave the water—which would give me a sorry landing. If, on the other hand, I swim further in search of some shelving beach or harbour, a hurricane may carry me out to sea again sorely against my will, or heaven may send some great monster of the deep to attack me; for Amphitrite breeds many such, and I know that Neptune is very angry with me.”

Ulysses began to lose heart and said to himself in despair, “Alas, Jove has let me see land. I had swum so far that I had given up all hope. But I can find no place to land, for the coast is rocky and battered by surf. The rocks are smooth and rise straight out of the sea, with deep water right below them. So I cannot climb out because I have no foothold. I fear some great wave will knock me off my feet and smash me against the rocks as I climb out. That would be a terrible landing. If, instead, I swim farther to find a gently sloping beach or harbour, a hurricane may sweep me out to sea again. I would be powerless to resist. Or heaven may send some great sea monster to attack me, for Amphitrite breeds many such creatures. And I know that Neptune is very angry with me.”

While he was thus in two minds a wave caught him and took him with such force against the rocks that he would have been smashed and torn to pieces if Minerva had not shown him what to do. He caught hold of the rock with both hands and clung to it groaning with pain till the wave retired, so he was saved that time; but presently the wave came on again and carried him back with it far into the sea—tearing his hands as the suckers of a polypus are torn when some one plucks it from its bed, and the stones come up along with it—even so did the rocks tear the skin from his strong hands, and then the wave drew him deep down under the water.

While he was still torn between two choices, a wave caught him and hurled him against the rocks. He would have been smashed and torn apart if Minerva had not shown him what to do. He grabbed the rock with both hands and clung to it, groaning in pain, until the wave pulled back. So he was safe that time. But soon the wave returned and swept him far out to sea, tearing his hands. When someone pulls an octopus from its resting place, its suckers tear, and stones come up with it. In just the same way, the rocks tore the skin from his strong hands. Then the wave dragged him deep underwater.

Here poor Ulysses would have certainly perished even in spite of his own destiny, if Minerva had not helped him to keep his wits about him. He swam seaward again, beyond reach of the surf that was beating against the land, and at the same time he kept looking towards the shore to see if he could find some haven, or a spit that should take the waves aslant. By and by, as he swam on, he came to the mouth of a river, and here he thought would be the best place, for there were no rocks, and it afforded shelter from the wind. He felt that there was a current, so he prayed inwardly and said:

Poor Ulysses would certainly have died there, despite his destiny, if Minerva had not helped him keep his wits. He swam back out to sea, beyond the reach of the waves crashing against the shore. As he swam, he watched the shore for a sheltered spot or a spit of land angled against the waves. Before long, he reached the mouth of a river and thought he had found the best place. There were no rocks, and the river mouth offered shelter from the wind. He felt a current, so he prayed silently and said:

“Hear me, O King, whoever you may be, and save me from the anger of the sea-god Neptune, for I approach you prayerfully. Any one who has lost his way has at all times a claim even upon the gods, wherefore in my distress I draw near to your stream, and cling to the knees of your riverhood. Have mercy upon me, O king, for I declare myself your suppliant.”

“Listen to me, King, whoever you may be. Save me from the anger of the sea-god Neptune, for I come to you in prayer. Anyone who has lost their way always has a right to help, even from the gods. So in my distress I come to your stream and cling to your knees as the river’s god. Have mercy on me, King, for I come begging for your protection.”

Then the god staid his stream and stilled the waves, making all calm before him, and bringing him safely into the mouth of the river. Here at last Ulysses’ knees and strong hands failed him, for the sea had completely broken him. His body was all swollen, and his mouth and nostrils ran down like a river with sea-water, so that he could neither breathe nor speak, and lay swooning from sheer exhaustion; presently, when he had got his breath and came to himself again, he took off the scarf that Ino had given him and threw it back into the salt⁵⁴ stream of the river, whereon Ino received it into her hands from the wave that bore it towards her. Then he left the river, laid himself down among the rushes, and kissed the bounteous earth.

Then the god stopped his current and calmed the waves, making everything calm ahead of Ulysses. He brought Ulysses safely into the river’s mouth. Here at last Ulysses’ knees and strong hands gave out, for the sea had completely broken him. His whole body was swollen, and seawater poured from his mouth and nostrils like a river. He could neither breathe nor speak and lay unconscious from sheer exhaustion. After a while, he caught his breath and came to his senses. Then he took off the scarf Ino had given him and threw it back into the river’s salty⁵⁴ current. A wave carried the scarf toward Ino, and she received it in her hands. Then Ulysses left the river, lay down among the rushes, and kissed the generous earth.

“Alas,” he cried to himself in his dismay, “what ever will become of me, and how is it all to end? If I stay here upon the river bed through the long watches of the night, I am so exhausted that the bitter cold and damp may make an end of me—for towards sunrise there will be a keen wind blowing from off the river. If, on the other hand, I climb the hill side, find shelter in the woods, and sleep in some thicket, I may escape the cold and have a good night’s rest, but some savage beast may take advantage of me and devour me.”

“Oh no,” he cried to himself in despair, “what will become of me, and how will all this end? If I stay here on the riverbed all night, the bitter cold and damp may kill me. I am so exhausted, and near sunrise a sharp wind will blow off the river. On the other hand, I could climb the hillside, find shelter in the woods, and sleep in a thicket. If I do, I may escape the cold and get a good night’s rest. But some wild beast may attack me while I’m helpless and eat me.”

In the end he deemed it best to take to the woods, and he found one upon some high ground not far from the water. There he crept beneath two shoots of olive that grew from a single stock—the one an ungrafted sucker, while the other had been grafted. No wind, however squally, could break through the cover they afforded, nor could the sun’s rays pierce them, nor the rain get through them, so closely did they grow into one another. Ulysses crept under these and began to make himself a bed to lie on, for there was a great litter of dead leaves lying about—enough to make a covering for two or three men even in hard winter weather. He was glad enough to see this, so he laid himself down and heaped the leaves all round him. Then, as one who lives alone in the country, far from any neighbor, hides a brand as fire-seed in the ashes to save himself from having to get a light elsewhere, even so did Ulysses cover himself up with leaves; and Minerva shed a sweet sleep upon his eyes, closed his eyelids, and made him lose all memories of his sorrows.

In the end, he decided it was best to head into the woods. He found some on high ground near the water. There he crept beneath two olive shoots growing from a single trunk. One was an ungrafted shoot, while the other had been grafted. The shoots grew so closely together that no wind, however fierce, could get through. Neither sunlight nor rain could pass through their cover. Ulysses crept beneath the shoots and began making a bed, because dead leaves lay thick on the ground. There were enough leaves to cover two or three men even in harsh winter weather. Glad to find so many leaves, he lay down and piled them all around himself. Someone living alone in the country, far from any neighbor, hides a glowing piece of wood in the ashes. In this way, he keeps a fire ready to start again without having to get a light elsewhere. Just so, Ulysses covered himself with leaves. Then Minerva brought sweet sleep to his eyes, closed his eyelids, and made him forget all his sorrows.