elled amongst heroes. But go, and celebrate
thy comrade's obsequies with games. This, indeed, I willingly accept,
and my soul rejoices that thou art ever mindful of me; nor am I
forgotten by thee, with what honour it becomes me to be honoured among
the Greeks. And for these things may the gods give thee a proper
return."

Thus he spoke; but the son of Peleus went through the great assemblage
of the Greeks, when he had heard all the praise of Nestor. Then he
proposed prizes for a laborious boxing-match.[765] Leading a mule,
patient of toil, six years old, unbroken, which is most difficult to be
tamed, he tied it in the circus; and for the conquered again he staked a
two-handled cup: then he stood up, and spoke amongst the Greeks:

[Footnote 765: Cf. Virg. AEn. v. 365.]

"O ye sons of Atreus, and other well-greaved Greeks, we invite two men,
who are very expert, raising their hands aloft, to strike for these with
the fist. But to whom Apollo indeed may give victory, and all the Greeks
approve, leading away the mule, patient of labour, let him conduct it to
his tent; but the vanquished shall bear away a double cup."

Thus he spoke; and immediately arose a man brave and great, skilled in
the art of boxing, Epeus, son of Panopeus; and grasping the
patient-toiling mule, said:

"Let him draw near, whosoever will bear away the double cup; but I
think that no other of the Greeks having conquered in boxing, will lead
away the mule; for I boast myself to be the best man. Is it not enough
that I am inferior in battle?[766] For it is by no means possible for a
man to be skilled in every work. For thus I tell you, and it shall be
accomplished, I will utterly fracture his body, and also break his
bones. And let his friends remain here assembled, who may carry him away
vanquished by my hands."

[Footnote 766: "_I.e._ is it not enough, that, though I am
inferior in battle, I am superior in boxing?"--Oxford Transl.]

Thus he spoke; but they were all mute, in silence. But Euryalus alone
stood up against him, a godlike hero, son of king Mecisteus, a
descendant of Talaion, who formerly came to Thebes to the funeral of the
deceased oedipus, and there vanquished all the Cadmeans. About him the
spear-renowned son of Tydeus was busied, encouraging him with words, for
he greatly wished victory to him. And first he threw around him his
girdle, and then gave him the well-cut thongs [made of the hide] of a
rustic ox. But they twain