though he dwell afar.
Wherefore it is right for me to deliver the judgement that in all men's
eyes shall be best; and I will not hide it from thee. If she be yet a
maid I decree that they carry her back to her father; but if she shares
a husband's bed, I will not separate her from her lord; nor, if she bear
a child beneath her breast, will I give it up to an enemy."

(ll. 1110-1120) Thus he spake, and at once sleep laid him to rest. And
she stored up in her heart the word of wisdom, and straightway rose from
her couch and went through the palace; and her handmaids came hasting
together, eagerly tending their mistress. But quietly she summoned her
herald and addressed him, in her prudence urging Aeson's son to wed
the maiden, and not to implore Alcinous; for he himself, she said, will
decree to the Colchians that if she is still a maid he will deliver her
up to be borne to her father's house, but that if she shares a husband's
bed he will not sever her from wedded love.

(ll. 1121-1127) Thus she spake, and quickly from the hall his feet bore
him, that he might declare to Jason the fair-omened speech of Arete and
the counsel of godfearing Alcinous. And he found the heroes watching in
full armour in the haven of Hyllus, near the city; and out he spake
the whole message; and each hero's heart rejoiced; for the word that he
spake was welcome.

(ll. 1128-1169) And straightway they mingled a bowl to the blessed ones,
as is right, and reverently led sheep to the altar, and for that very
night prepared for the maiden the bridal couch in the sacred cave,
where once dwelt Macris, the daughter of Aristaeus, lord of honey, who
discovered the works of bees and the fatness of the olive, the fruit of
labour. She it was that first received in her bosom the Nysean son of
Zeus in Abantian Euboea, and with honey moistened his parched lips when
Hermes bore him out of the flame. And Hera beheld it, and in wrath drove
her from the whole island. And she accordingly came to dwell far off, in
the sacred cave of the Phaeacians, and granted boundless wealth to the
inhabitants. There at that time did they spread a mighty couch; and
thereon they laid the glittering fleece of gold, that so the marriage
might be made honoured and the theme of song. And for them nymphs
gathered flowers of varied hue and bore them thither in their white
bosoms; and a splendour as of flame played round them all, such a light
gleamed from the golden tufts. And in their