haeacia:

The storm-wind shakes it not, nor is it wet
By showers, and there the snow doth never fall;
The calm clear ether is without a cloud,
And over all is spread a soft white sheen.

1. Now comes the appearance of Pallas, who "like a breath of wind"
approaches the couch of the maiden in slumber, and admonishes her about
the washing. Some such care the Goddess does impose upon the
housekeeper to this day, and if report be true, at times troubles her
dreams. It is indeed an important duty, this necessity of keeping the
household and its members clean, specially the men, too often
indifferent. Young Nausicaa, just entering upon womanhood, is ready for
the divine suggestion; plainly she has come to that age at which the
Goddess must speak to her on such matters. So much for Pallas at
present.

2. Therewith we touch another fact; the maiden has reached the time
when she must think, of marriage, which she instinctively regards as
her true destiny in life. Still it does not appear that she is
betrothed though "the noblest Phaeacians are wooing thee." In simple
innocence there hovers in her mind the thought of Family, yet she shows
a shy reserve even before her father. With that sweet thought is joined
the primary household care, which naturally enough comes to her in a
dream. Cleanliness is next to godliness is our modern saying; it is
certainly the outward visible token of purity, which Nausicaa is going
to bring into her domestic surroundings. We may reasonably think that
in the present scene the external deed and the internal character
mirror each other.

It must be confessed, however, that to the modern woman wash-day, "blue
Monday," is usually a day bringing an unpleasant mood, if not positive
terror. She will often declare that she cannot enjoy this Phaeacian idyl
on account of its associations; she refuses to accept in image what in
real life is so disagreeable. As a symbol of purification the thing may
pass, but no human being wishes to be purified too often. Nausicaa's
occupation is not popular with her sex, and she herself has not
altogether escaped from a tinge of disrelish.

It is curious to note how customs endure. What Homer saw, the traveler
in Greece will see to-day wherever a stream runs near a village. The
Nausicaas of the place, daughters and mothers too, will be found at the
water's side, going through this same Phaeacian process, themselves in
white garments even at their labor,