will match myself in wrestling or boxing, or even in the race,
with any man in Phaeacia, save Laodamas only, for he is my friend.
I can shoot with the bow; and I can cast a spear as far as other
men can shoot an arrow. But as for the race, it may be that some
one might outrun me, for I have suffered much on the sea."

But they were all silent, till the King stood up and said: "Thou
hast spoken well. But we men of Phaeacia are not mighty to wrestle
or to box; only we are swift of foot and skilful to sail upon the
sea. And we love feasts, and dances, and the harp, and gay
clothing, and the bath. In these things no man may surpass us."

Then the King bade Demodocus the minstrel to sing again. And when
he had done so, the King's two sons danced together; and
afterwards they played with the ball, throwing it into the air,
cloud high, and catching it right skilfully.

And afterwards the King said: "Let us each give this stranger a
mantle and a tunic and a talent of gold."

Then all the princes brought their gifts. And Alcinous said to the
Queen: "Lady, bring hither a chest, the best that thou hast, and
put therein a robe and a tunic. And I will give our guest a fair
golden cup of my own, that he may remember me all the days of his
life, when he poureth out offerings to the gods."

Then the Queen brought from her chamber a fair chest, and put
therein the gifts which the princes had given; also with her own
hands she put therein a robe and a tunic. And she said:--