So speaking, the divine Odysseus stepped out from the bushes, breaking the thick foliage. In his hand he held a leafy branch, large enough to cover his nakedness. He moved like a mountain lion that stalks through wind and rain, confident in its strength. With blazing eyes and a heart driven by hunger, it enters sheepfolds or leaps upon deer—or even charges boldly into a sturdy home to satisfy its need. Just so did Odysseus approach the long-haired maidens, salt-crusted and desperate, his need urgent. Covered in brine and weary from the sea, he frightened them; they shrieked and fled along the shore.
All but one.
Only Nausicaa, daughter of Alcinoüs, held her ground. Athena had place dcourage in her heart and removed fear from her limbs.
As he spoke, brilliant Odysseus emerged from the bushes, and with his thick hand, he snapped off a leafy sapling from the underbrush, to keep his private matters to himself. He came out like a fierce mountain lion, confident of its power, that moves about through the rain and wind, its eyes blazing, and then closes in on the cattle or wild deer. His belly drives him on to enter even the sturdy pen to go for the sheep. So Odysseus, totally naked, was about to mingle among those young women with their lovely hair, because necessity had now overcome him. To them, he appeared awful, caked with slime. And they fled in fear, one here and another there, along the jutting sand bars.
Only Alkinoos’ daughter remained, since Athena filled her heart with courage and took the fear out of her limbs.
As he spoke these words, godlike Odysseus crawled out of the bushes; with his strong hand, he broke off a leaf-covered branch from the thick woods so he could shield the skin around his male loins. He stepped forward like a lion raised in the mountains and confident of its strength; it may be rain-drenched and windswept as it goes prowling, but it has fire in its eyes as it stalks the cattle or the sheep or hunts down the wild deer, or when its belly’s urgency drives it even to go inside a thick-walled pen and make an attack on the flocks. So too was Odysseus ready to go among the fair-haired maidens, naked as he was, for need was on him. He was a frightening sight to them, befouled with brine, and they scampered off along the sandbars, some one way, some another. The daughter of Alcinous was the only one who stood her ground, for Athena put courage in her heart and took fear from her limbs.
With this noble Odysseus emerged from the bushes, breaking a leafy branch from the thicket with his strong right hand, with which to hide his manhood. He advanced like a mountain lion, sure of its strength, that defies the wind and rain with blazing eyes, leaping among the sheep and cattle, or following the wild deer’s trail, or even, driven by hunger, attacking the flocks in the strongly-built fold. So Odysseus, in his need, would have faced the crowd of girls with flowing hair, naked as he was. But, streaked with brine, he terrified them so, that they fled in fear, at random, over the sand spits.
Only Alcinous’ daughter stood her ground, since Athene inspired her, and drove the fear from her body.
He rose and remembered his nakedness. He reached out a broad hand and snapped an olive branch from a tree and held it in front of his naked manhood. Then he slipped from the bushes, gliding like a lion upwind through heavy mist in search of oxen and sheep, his eyes burning like Hades’s fires. Naked Odysseus came upon the maidens like an empty-bellied lion as they lounged, braiding their hair. Dry salt clung to him, his hair flew wildly around his face, his beard uncombed and tangled like a mat of vines. The girls screamed at his mad appearance and scattered in each direction among the sand spits.
But Alcinoüs’s daughter Nausicaa stood fast as Athene slipped courage into her heart and boldness into her limbs.
So speaking godlike Odysseus crept out from the bushes, and with his powerful hand he broke off from the thick undergrowth a leafy branch, to cover his naked manhood. Then he set out like a mountain lion who, sure of his own power, goes on his way through rain and wind, his eyes burning: he is after cattle or sheep or wild deer, and his hungry belly urges him to break right into a close-built fold and try for the flocks. So it was that Odysseus made to meet these lovely-haired girls, naked though he was: necessity was on him. And he was a horrible sight to them, all uglified by the brine. They fled in terror this way and that over the jutting shores. Only the daughter of Alkinoös stayed: Athene had put courage in her heart and taken the fear from her legs.
So saying the noble Odysseus came forth from beneath the bushes, and with his stout hand he broke from the thick wood a leafy branch, that he might hold it about him and thereby hide his genitals. Forth he came like a mountain-nurtured lion trusting in his strength, who goes forth, beaten with rain and wind, his two eyes blazing in his head: into the midst of the cattle he goes, or of the sheep, or on the track of the wild deer, and his belly bids him go even into the close-built fold, to make an attack upon the flocks. Even so Odysseus was about to enter the company of the fair-tressed maidens, naked though he was, for need had come upon him. And terrible he seemed to them, all befouled with brine, and they fled in fear, one here, one there, along the jutting sand spits. Alone the daughter of Alcinous kept her place, for in her heart Athene put courage, and took fear from her limbs.
So saying the divine Odysseus emerged from the bushes. He broke off in his stout hand a branch of leaves from the dense wood, to protect a fellow’s private parts on his body. He went like a mountain lion, confident in its strength, which goes on its way though buffeted by rain and wind, its eyes burning: he goes after cattle or sheep, or after wild deer, and his stomach tells him he must even go into their stoutly built home to try for the flocks. So it was that Odysseus was on the point of making contact with the lovely-haired girls, naked though he was; for he was in dire straits. He looked dreadful to them, his appearance being made foul by the salt water. In terror they ran off in different directions along the projecting shores. Alone the daughter of Alcinoos stood her ground, as Athene put courage in her heart and took fear from her limbs.
So the noble Odysseus crept out from under the bushes, after breaking off with his great hand a leafy bough from the thicket to conceal his naked manhood. Then he advanced on them like a mountain lion who sallies out, defying wind and rain in the pride of his power, with fire in his eyes, to hunt down the oxen or sheep or pursue the wild deer. Forced by hunger, he will even attack flocks in a well-protected fold. So Odysseus, naked as he was, made a move towards these girls with their braided hair; necessity compelled him. Grimy with salt he was a gruesome sight, and the girls went scuttling off in every direction along the jutting spits of sand.
Alcinous’ daughter Nausicaa was the only one to stand firm. Athene put courage into her heart and took the fear from her limbs,
And with these words King Odysseus crept out from the underwood; but first with his powerful arm he tore a leafy bough from the tangled growth to go across his body and hide his nakedness as a man. Then he advanced like a mountain lion, sure of his strength, who goes his way with blazing eyes through wind and through rain, hunting the wild deer or ranging among sheep or cattle; if flocks are penned in a strong-built fold, his hungry belly makes him go after them even there. And Odysseus, naked as he was, made bold to approach these girls with their braided hair because necessity was upon him. Frightening he looked as he stood before them, befouled with brine. The other girls fled away dismayed, hither and thither over the jutting spits of shore. The princess alone kept where she was, for Athene put courage in her heart and took away trembling from her limbs;
Princely Odysseus then crept from the thickly-grown bushes, after breaking from them with his mighty hand a leafy bough to hold before his body and cover his nakedness. Forward he came like a mountain-bred lion, weather-beaten, that sallies forth with flaming eyes, relying on his strength, as he strides among sheep or cattle, or is driven by his belly to invade even strong-built courtyards and raid the flocks within. Even so was Odysseus about to go amid the fair-tressed maidens, despite his nakedness; for he was in great need. But to them he was a terrifying sight, begrimed as he was with sea brine, and they fled with fear and trembling this way and that along the jutting shores. Only the daughter of Alcinoüs stood firm; for Athene put courage in her heart and took all trembling from her limbs.
So the gallant Odysseus crept out from under the bushes, after breaking off with his great hand a leafy bough from the thicket to conceal his naked manhood. Then he advanced on them like a mountain lion who sallies out, defying wind and rain in the pride of his power, with fire in his eyes, to hunt the oxen or the sheep, to stalk the roaming deer, or to be forced by hunger to besiege the very walls of the homestead and attack the pens. The same urgent need now constrained Odysseus, naked as he was, to bear down upon these gentle girls. Begrimed with salt he made a gruesome sight, and one look at him sent them scuttling in every direction along the jutting spits of sand. Alcinous’ daughter was the only one to stand firm. Emboldened by Athene, who stopped her limbs from trembling,
So saying, he crawled out of the bushes. He broke off a branch thick with leaves, and held it before him in his hand, to hide his naked body. Then he strode along like a lion of the mountains, proud of his power, who goes on through wind and rain with eyes blazing, as he pounces on cattle and sheep, or chases the wild deer; indeed he is ready to follow belly’s bidding, and to invade even a walled close in search of the bleaters. Odysseus felt just as desperate when he resolved to join a party of pretty girls without a rag upon him; but he could not help it. What a vision they saw! Something filthy and caked in sea-salt which fairly terrified them: away they scampered in all directions, to hide behind hillocks of sand. Only the young princess stood her ground; for Athena took all fear away.
Thus muttering Odysseus crept out from his bushes, snapping off in his powerful hands from the thick tree one very leafy shoot with which to shield from sight the maleness of his body. So he sallied forth, like the mountain-bred lion exulting in his strength, who goes through rain and wind with burning eyes. After great or small cattle he prowls, or the wild deer. If his belly constrain him he will even attempt the sheep penned in solid manors.
So boldly did Odysseus, stark naked as he was, make to join the band of maidens: for necessity compelled him. None the less he seemed loathsome in their sight because of his defilement with the sea-wrack; and in panic they ran abroad over all the spits of the salt beaches. Only the daughter of Alcinous remained; for Athene had put courage into her heart and taken terror from her limbs
So saying, noble Odysseus crept out from beneath the thicket, and with his strong hand broke off a branch of leaves from the thick bushes, that, girt round his body, it might cover his nakedness. And he set out like a mountain-bred lion which trusts in its strength and goes forth buffeted by rain and wind, both eyes aflame, amind cattle or sheep, or in pursuit of wild deer, its hungry belly bidding it even to attempt to enter the guarded fold of flocks. So Odysseus made bold to meet those fair-haired maidens, naked as he was; for need compelled him. Besmirched with foam, he was a loathsome sight to them, and they scampered away, taking flight, one this way, one that, over the broad beach. Only the daughter of Alcinous held her ground; for Athene put courage into her heart and kept her knees from trembling.
So saying, god-like Odysseus crept out from the bushes, and with his strong hand broke off a sprig of leaves from the copse to cover himself. Forward he came like a mountain-bred lion who, in the pride of his strength, stalks on through wind and rain with gleaming eyes, and gives chase to the wild deer, or comes among a herd of oxen or sheep, and hunger even drives him into a closed fold to attack the flocks. Even so Odysseus was ready to come up to the fair-haired maidens, so sore was his need. So terrible was he in their sight with the stain of the salt water upon him that they scattered in fear over the jutting spits; but the daughter of Alcinous alone stood still, for Athene gave her courage and made her fearless.
So saying the goodly Odysseus came forth from beneath the thicket, and with his stout hand he broke from the thick wood a leafy branch, that he might hold it before him and hide his private nakedness. Forth he came like a mountain-nurtured lion that goes in his might, that is buffeted with rain and wind, but his two eyes are ablaze; and he goes amid the kine or amid the sheep, or on the track of the wild deer, and his belly bids him go even into the close-built fold, to make an attack upon the flocks. Even so Odysseus was about to enter the company of the fair-tressed maidens, naked though he was, for need had come upon him. But terrible did he seem to them, all beslimed with brine, and they shrank away, one here, one there, along the jutting sand-spits. Alone the daughter of Alcinous kept her place, for in her heart Athena put courage, and took fear from her limbs.
As he said this he crept from under his bush, and broke off a bough covered with thick leaves to hide his nakedness. He looked like some lion of the wilderness that stalks about exulting in his strength and defying both wind and rain; his eyes glare as he prowls in quest of oxen, sheep, or deer, for he is famished, and will dare break even into a well fenced homestead, trying to get at the sheep—even such did Ulysses seem to the young women, as he drew near to them all naked as he was, for he was in great want. On seeing one so unkempt and so begrimed with salt water, the others scampered off along the spits that jutted out into the sea, but the daughter of Alcinous stood firm, for Minerva put courage into her heart and took away all fear from her.
So saying, royal Odysseus crept from the thicket, but with his strong hand broke a spray of leaves from the close wood, to be a covering round his body for his nakedness. He set off like a lion that is bred among the hills and trusts its strength; onward it goes, beaten with rain and wind; its two eyes glare; and now in search of oxen or of sheep it moves, or tracking the wild deer; its belly bids it make trial of the flocks, even by entering the guarded folds; so was Odysseus about to meet those fair-haired maids, all naked though he was, for need constrained him. To them he seemed a loathsome sight, befouled with brine. They hurried off, one here, one there, over the stretching sands. Only the daughter of Alcinouäs stayed, for in her breast Athene had put courage and from her limbs took fear.
Therewith the goodly Odysseus crept out from under the coppice, having broken with his strong hand a leafy bough from the thick wood, to hold athwart his body, that it might hide his nakedness withal. And forth he sallied like a lion mountain-bred, trusting in his strength, who fares out blown and rained upon, with flaming eyes; amid the kine he goes or amid the sheep or in the track of the wild deer; yea, his belly bids him go even to the good homestead to make assay upon the flocks. Even so Odysseus was fain to draw nigh to the fair-tressed maidens, all naked as he was, such need had come upon him. But he was terrible in their eyes, being marred with the salt sea foam, and they fled cowering here and there about the jutting spits of shore. And the daughter of Alcinous alone stood firm, for Athene gave her courage of heart, and took all trembling from her limbs.
Thus having spoken, the divine Ulysses went from under the thickets; and with his strong hand he broke a branch of leaves from the thick wood, that he might cover around his person the genitals of manhood. And he proceeded to hasten, as a lion nourished in the mountains, trusting in his strength, which also goes forth wet with the rain, and exposed to the wind; and his two eyes burn; but he comes amongst the oxen or the sheep, or amongst the wild stags; for his appetite [lit. belly] excites him, [when] about to make an attempt on the sheep, to enter even into the closed fold. Thus Ulysses, although being naked, was about to mingle with the beautiful-haired damsels; for necessity came upon him. But he appeared terrible to them, being defiled by the brine; and they fled in terror in different ways along the projecting shores. But the daughter of Alcinous alone remained; for Minerva put confidence in her mind, and took fear from her limbs;
Ὡς thus ειπων having said διος Οδυσσευς divine Ulysses ὑπεδυσετο got up from under θαμνων the bushes, κλασε δε and brake off χειρι παχειη with his broad hand πτορθον a bough φυλλων of leaves εκ πυκινης υλης from the thick wood, ως that ῥυσαιτο he might cover περι χροϊ round his body μηδεα φωτος the proofs of the man: βη δε and he proceeded ιμεν to go, ωστε as λεων a lion ορεσιτροφος nurtured in the mountains, πεποιθως trusting αλκι in his might, οστε which also εισι goes υομενος rained upon και and αημενος blown on [by the wind], οσσε δε οι and his two eyes εν δαιεται are kindled up: αυταρ but ο he μετερχεται comes amongst βουσι the oxen η or οιεσσι sheep ηε or μετ’ αγροτερας ελαφους after wild hinds, γαστηρ δε and his belly κελεται ε bids him πειρησοντα about to make an attempt μηλων on the sheep ελθειν to go και even ες πυκινον δομον into the closed fold. ‘Ως thus Οδυσευς Ulysses εμελλε was about, εων περ though being γυμνος naked, μιξεσθαι to mingle with κουρησιν ευπλοκαμοισι the fair-hair’d damsels; χρειω γαρ for necessity ικανε came upon him. Φανη δε but he appeared σμερδαλεος terrible αυτησι to them, κεκακωμενος defiled αλμη with the salt water; τρεσσαν δε and they fled αλλυδις αλλη each a different way επ’ ηϊονας προυχουσας over the projecting shores. Θυγατηρ δε but the daughter Αντινοου of Antinous μενε remained οιη alone; Αθηνη γαρ for Minerva θηκε placed θαρσος courage ενι φρεσι τη in her heart και and ειλετο took δεος fear εκ γυιων from her limbs.
Thus having spoken, divine Ulysses went from under the thickets; and with his strong hand he broke a branch of leaves from the thick wood, that he might cover the unseemly parts of a man around his body. And he hastened, like as a lion nourished in the mountains, trusting in his might, that goes rained and blown upon; and his eyes burn; and he comes after oxen, or sheep, or the wild stags; for hunger commands him to enter even a close abode to make an attempt upon the flocks: thus Ulysses, although naked, was about to mingle with the fair-haired damsels; for necessity came upon him. But he appeared dreadful to them, being defiled by the brine; and they fled in terror each in different ways through the projecting shores. But the daughter of Alcinous alone remained; for Minerva put confidence in her mind, and took fear from her limbs;
Having thus spoke, the divine Ulysses went from under the thickets; and with his strong hand he broke a branch of leaves from the thick wood, that he might cover the indecent parts of a man round his body. And he hastened, as a lion nourished in the mountains, trusting in his strength, which goes wet with the rain, and exposed to the wind; and his eyes burn; but he comes upon the oxen or the sheep, or amongst the wild stags; for his belly excites him; to enter even a close abode to make an attempt upon the flocks: so Ulysses, although naked, was about to approach the beautiful-haired damsels; for necessity came upon him. But he appeared terrible to them, being defiled by the brine; and they fled in terror in different ways through the projecting shores; but the daughter of Alcinous alone remained; for Minerva put confidence in her mind, and took fear from her limbs;