e guesses the truth that her daughter loves the stranger; she
tenderly warns Nausikaa that life is full of disappointments--of
sacrifices.

The King now enters from the gymnasium; beside him walks Odysseus who
had at last been persuaded to wrestle with Euryalos and had entirely
vanquished him. The people hail Odysseus as victor. Nausikaa hastens
to him and crowns him with the victor's wreath; she shows her
preference for him in such a marked manner that Euryalos is beside
himself with rage and draws his sword upon Odysseus who in selfdefence
wounds Euryalos severely.

Odysseus then turns to the King and implores him to give him a ship
that he may go back to his own country and family. These words fall
like a knell upon the heart of Nausikaa; she is led out fainting by her
mother.

The aged poet Homer now enters. All hail him with joy; the King bids
him sing them a song about Troy. The blind poet sings the tragic
story--the people join in the chorus. Odysseus listens; {429} at last
he can keep quiet no longer. Springing up he goes on with the story
giving his own share in it with such vividness that Nausikaa, who has
stolen back again, rushes forward and cries: "Thou art Odysseus
himself!" He acknowledges with tears that he is that unhappy man. The
people greet him with joy and wonder; the King embraces him warmly.
Odysseus relates his sorrows, his wanderings; he speaks of his wife and
child; he implores the King to give him a ship that he may return home.
The King readily promises his help, he gives orders that a ship shall
immediately be prepared and filled with costly gifts.

But the priests see in Odysseus the enemy of their god Poseidon; they
press the King to slay Odysseus--but the King sternly refuses to do so
and orders the High Priest to be bound till Odysseus is safely gone.

Nausikaa's hopes are dashed to the ground; heartbroken she murmurs to
herself her mother's words: "Each human life is a sacrifice, a death
for the dearest in the world." She slowly goes away and is seen later
standing on a high wall of Athene's temple overlooking the sea.

In the meantime all is ready, the King, Queen and Laodamus accompany
Odysseus to the ship and take leave of him; he goes on board and the
ship moves off. At this moment the sky is overcast and Poseidon
appears in his car and threatens Odysseus with his trident.

Nausikaa calls to Poseidon to take her for a {430} victim and with a
cry springs into the s