In reply Jupiter sends Mercury to bid Calypso provide her unwilling guest with the means to leave her shores.

Donning his golden sandals, the messenger-god flits to the Island of Ogygia, enters Calypso's wonderful cave, and delivers his message.

Although reluctant to let Ulysses depart, Calypso--not daring oppose the will of Jupiter--goes in quest of her guest.

Finding him gazing tearfully in the direction of home, she promises to supply him with the means to build a raft which, thanks to the gods, will enable him to reach Ithaca.
After a copious repast and a night's rest, Ulysses fells twenty trees and constructs a raft, in which, after it has been provisioned by Calypso, he sets sail.

For seventeen days the stars serve as his guides, and he is nearing the island of Phaeacia, when Neptune becomes aware that his hated foe is about to escape.