Hearing that,
Alcinous, poised in all his majesty, took the hand
of the seasoned, worldly-wise Odysseus, raised him up
from the hearth and sat him down in a burnished chair,
displacing his own son, the courtly Lord Laodamas
who had sat beside him, the son he loved the most.
A maid brought water soon in a graceful golden pitcher
and over a silver basin tipped it out
so the guest might rinse his hands,
then pulled a gleaming table to his side.
A staid housekeeper brought on bread to serve him,
appetizers aplenty too, lavish with her bounty.
As long-suffering great Odysseus ate and drank.
– Homer
The Odyssey, Book 7, lines 198-210. Odysseus is given the royal treatment by Alcinous, who give him pride of place in his son Laodamas’ seat. A maid provides water so that Odysseus can wash his hands, while a housekeeper serves him food and drink on a shining table.