might reach his hand to take it. And close by his side they placed
a table and a basket and a cup of wine, that he might drink at his
pleasure.

So the Phaeacians feasted in the hall; and when they had had
enough of meat and drink, then the minstrel sang. He sang a song,
the fame of which had reached to heaven, of the quarrel between
Ulysses and Achilles, when they were fighting to capture Troy.

But as the minstrel sang, Ulysses held his purple cloak before his
face, for he was ashamed to weep in the sight of the people.
Whensoever the singer ceased from his song, then did Ulysses wipe
away the tears; but when he began again, for the chiefs loved to
hear the song, then again he covered his face and wept. But none
noted the thing but Alcinous.

Then the King said to the chiefs, "Now that we have feasted and
delighted ourselves with song, let us go forth, that this stranger
may see that we are skilful in boxing and wrestling and running."

Then stood up many Phaeacian youths, and the fairest and strongest
of them all was Laodamas, eldest son to the King, and they ran a
race, and wrestled, and threw quoits, and leaped.

Then Laodamas said to Ulysses, "Wilt thou not try thy skill in
some game, and put away the trouble from thy heart?"

But Ulysses answered: "Why askest thou this? I think of my
troubles rather than of sport, and care only that I may see again
my home."