When they had feasted and the minstrel had sung to them, Alcinous said, ’Let us go forth now and engage in games and sports so that our stranger guest may tell his friends when he is amongst them what our young men can do.’

All went out from the palace to the place where the games were played.  There was a foot-race, and there was a boxing-match, and there was wrestling and weight-throwing.  All the youths present went into the games.  And when the sports were ending Laodamas, the son of King Alcinous, said to his friends: 

’Come, my friends, and let us ask the stranger whether he is skilled or practised in any sport,’ And saying this he went to Odysseus and said, ’Friend and stranger, come now and try thy skill in the games.  Cast care away from thee, for thy journey shall not be long delayed.  Even now the ship is drawn down to the sea, and we have with us the company of youths that is ready to help thee to thine own land.’

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Said Odysseus, ’Sorrow is nearer to my heart than sport, for much have I endured in times that are not far past’

Then a youth who was with Laodamas, Euryalus, who had won in the wrestling bout, said insolently, ’Laodamas is surely mistaken in thinking that thou shouldst be proficient in sports.  As I look at thee I think that thou art one who makes voyages for gain—­a trader whose only thought is for his cargo and his gains,’

Then said Odysseus with anger.  ’Thou hast not spoken well, young man.  Thou hast beauty surely, but thou hast not grace of manner nor speech.  And thou hast stirred the spirit in my breast by speaking to me in such words.’

Thereupon, clad as he was in his mantle, Odysseus sprang up and took a weight that was larger than any yet lifted, and with one whirl he flung it from his hands.  Beyond all marks it flew, and one who was standing far off cried out, ’Even a blind man, stranger, might know that thy weight need not be confused with the others, but lies far beyond them.  In this bout none of the Phaeacians can surpass thee.’

And Odysseus, turning to the youths, said, ’Let who will, pass that throw.  And if any of you would try with me in boxing or wrestling or even in the foot-race, let him stand forward—­anyone except Laodamas, for he is of the house that has befriended me.  A rude man he would surely be who should strive with his host.’

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All kept silence.  Then Alcinous the King said, ’So that thou shalt have something to tell thy friends when thou art in thine own hand, we shall show thee the games in which we are most skilful.  For we Phaeacians are not perfect boxers or wrestlers, but we excel all in running and in dancing and in pulling with the oar.  Lo, now, ye dancers!  Come forward and show your nimbleness, so that the stranger may tell his friends, when he is amongst them, how far we surpass all men in dancing as well as in seamanship and speed of foot.’