On the Cave of the Nymphs in the Thirteenth Book of the Odyssey

Whilst the greatest effort has been made to ensure the quality of this text, due to the historical nature of this content, in some rare cases there may be minor issues with legibility. 1. What does Homer obscurely signify by the cave in Ithaca, which he describes in the following verses?<br><br>High at the head a branching olive grows<br>And crowns the pointed cliffs with shady boughs.<br>A cavern pleasant, though involved in night,<br>Beneath it lies, the Naiades' delight:<br>Where bowls and urns of workmanship divine<br>And massy beams in native marble shine;<br>On which the Nymphs amazing webs display,<br>Of purple hue and exquisite array.<br>The busy bees within the urns secure<br>Honey delicious, and like nectar pure.<br>Perpetual waters through the grotto glide,<br>A lofty gate unfolds on either side;<br>That to the north is pervious to mankind:<br>The sacred south t'immortals is consign'd.