d, so that it seemed a mere streak of crimson shooting backward
and forward; and all the time the dance went gaily on, while the whole
company of the Phaeacians kept up a merry din, beating time to the
music with their feet.

"Of a truth," said Odysseus, addressing Alcinous, "thou hast not
boasted for naught; never saw I such dancing in all my long travels."
A proud man was Alcinous to hear such praise from such a man, and he
was not slow to testify his gratitude. "Hear me," he said, "ye princes
of Phaeacia! Methinks our guest is a man of exceeding shrewd wit. Let
us bestow on him a parting gift, that he may remember us, and rejoice
in spirit when he thinks of his sojourn in Phaeacia. Thirteen there
are, of whom I am one, who sit in high places, and are notable men in
the land; let each of us give him a change of raiment and a talent of
gold. And Euryalus shall crave pardon of him for his ill-chosen words,
and appease him with a gift."

The generous proposal was well received, and each of the twelve nobles
sent his body-servant to fetch the gifts. Euryalus also was prompt to
make his peace with Odysseus. He presented him with a fine sword of
tempered bronze, with silver hilt, and scabbard of ivory. "Behold my
peace-offering," he said, "and take my goodwill with the gift. Forget
my foolish words, and think of me kindly when thou art safe among
thine own people."

Odysseus acknowledged the courtesy of Euryalus in becoming terms, and
then the whole company rose and went back to the palace of Alcinous,
where they found the gifts for Odysseus all set in order against his
departure. Then Alcinous brought a golden goblet, beautifully
fashioned, and richly chased, and bade Arete bring a coffer to hold
the gifts. The coffer was displayed, and was in itself a gift of no
mean value, being a choice piece of work.

"Now bid thy handmaids prepare a bath for our guest," said Alcinous to
his wife, and "Receive this as a memorial of me," he added, placing
the goblet in Odysseus' hands, "that thou mayest remember me all the
days of thy life, when thou pourest libations to Zeus and the other
deathless gods."

Arete gave the order as required, and while the bath was preparing she
arranged all the gifts in the coffer. Then closing the lid she said to
Odysseus: "Make all fast with thine own hands, that none may meddle
with thy goods as thou liest asleep on thy passage across the sea."
Odysseus made fast the cord, securing it with an in