Elatreus, and Nauteus, and Prymneus, and Anchialus,
and Eretmeus, and Ponteus, and Proreus, Thoon, and
Anabesineus, and Amphialus, son of Polyneus, son of
Tekton, and likewise Euryalus, the peer of murderous
Ares, the son of Naubolus, who in face and form was
goodliest of all the Phaeacians next to noble Laodamas.
And there stood up the three sons of noble Alcinous,
Laodamas, and Halius, and god-like Clytoneus.
And behold, these all first tried the issue in the
foot race. From the very start they strained at
utmost speed: and all together they flew forward
swiftly, raising the dust along the plain. And
noble Clytoneus was far the swiftest of them all in
running, and by the length of the furrow that mules
cleave in a fallow field, {*} so far did he shoot
to the front, and came to the crowd by the lists,
while those others were left behind. Then they
made trial of strong wrestling, and here in turn Euryalus
excelled all the best. And in leaping Amphialus
was far the foremost, and Elatreus in weight-throwing,
and in boxing Laodamas, the good son of Alcinous.
Now when they had all taken their pleasure in the
games, Laodamas, son of Alcinous, spake among them:
{* The distance here indicated seems to be that which
the mule goes in ploughing, without pausing to take
breath.}
’Come, my friends, let us ask the stranger whether
he is skilled or practised in any sport. Ill
fashioned, at least, he is not in his thighs and sinewy
legs and hands withal, and his stalwart neck and mighty
strength: yea and he lacks not youth, but is
crushed by many troubles. For I tell thee there
is nought else worse than the sea to confound a man,
how hardy soever he may be.’
And Euryalus in turn made answer, and said: ’Laodamas,
verily thou hast spoken this word in season. Go
now thyself and challenge him, and declare thy saying.’
Now when the good son of Alcinous heard this, he went
and stood in the midst, and spake unto Odysseus:
’Come, do thou too, father and stranger, try
thy skill in the sports, if haply thou art practised
in any; and thou art like to have knowledge of games,
for there is no greater glory for a man while yet
he lives, than that which he achieves by hand and
foot. Come, then, make essay, and cast away care
from thy soul: thy journey shall not now be long
delayed; lo, thy ship is even now drawn down to the
sea, and the men of thy company are ready.’
And Odysseus of many counsels answered him, saying;
’Laodamas, wherefore do ye mock me, requiring
this thing of me? Sorrow is far nearer my heart
than sports, for much have I endured and laboured
sorely in time past, and now I sit in this your gathering,
craving my return, and making my prayer to the king
and all the people.’
And Euryalus answered, and rebuked him to his face:
’No truly, stranger, nor do I think thee at
all like one that is skilled in games, whereof there
are many among men, rather art thou such an one as
comes and goes in a benched ship, a master of sailors
that are merchantmen, one with a memory for his freight,
or that hath the charge of a cargo homeward bound,
and of greedily gotten gains; thou seemest not a man
of thy hands.’
