They reached the land of the Phaiakians in the morning and King Alkinoös came forward to meet them.
They soon saw that he alone was more powerful than their entire army.
He was dressed in armor so bright that it dazzled their eyes to look at it. It was covered with millions of golden arrows tipped with diamonds. The king showed the frightened people how he could shoot the arrows in all directions at the same time.
The dark people trembled with fear, but King Alkinoös smiled at them, and then he and his people sailed slowly away toward the West.
On and on they went, until they came to a great silver sea.
Here they stopped and built a palace for their king.
This palace was made of silver and gold and precious stones.
Its towers were rose color and shone with a wonderful light.
Its steps were of pure gold.
On each side of the silver gates were huge dogs which guarded the palace.