g
or in wrestling, or in the foot race, they shall have their will; only
with the sons of Alcinous I will not strive, for he is my host, and it
were not fitting or prudent to challenge them. Whatever a man can do
with his hands I can do: I can send an arrow sure and strong, and
strike down my foe, and herein can no archer surpass me, save one
only, Philoctetes, who bare the bow of Hercules; and I can fling a
javelin farther than another man can shoot an arrow. Only in speed of
foot I fear that some of you may surpass me; for my knees are yet weak
from long fasting and fighting with the waves."

Not one of the Phaeacians took up the challenge, but all sat mute,
gazing in wonder and awe at this strange man, who had just given such
signal proof of the power of his arm. At last Alcinous answered and
said: "Stranger, none here can take thy words amiss, for, as thou
sayest, thou hast been bitterly provoked. But hear me now in turn, and
push not thy quarrel further, but rest satisfied with the proof of thy
prowess which thou hast given. I will speak to thee frankly, that thou
mayest know what manner of men the Phaeacians are. We are not mighty
men of valour, like thee, yet we too have our own peculiar excellence.
We are good runners, and none can approach us in all that belongs to
the mariner's art. But at home we live softly, loving the banquet, and
music and dancing, clean raiment, warm baths, and long repose." Then
turning to his attendants he added: "Go, some of you, and bring hither
the harper Demodocus, and clear a space for the dancers, that our
guest may see something of the native sports of Phaeacia."

Then those whose business it was chose a fair level space for the
dance, and when Demodocus arrived he took his harp and struck up a
lively measure. A fair troop of boys stood in a circle around him, and
the dance began. Alcinous had not overrated the skill of his people in
this graceful pastime, and Odysseus was filled with wonder as he
watched the intricate yet ordered movements of the youthful troop.

When the dance was ended, Demodocus sang a soft lay of love, and after
that the two most skilful dancers, one of whom was Laodamas, a son of
Alcinous, stood up to dance a reel together. One of them held a
crimson ball, and, keeping time to the music flung it high into the
air; while the other leaped high from the ground, and caught the ball
as it fell. Then they flung the ball with lightning rapidity from hand
to han