now satisfied in our mind with the equal banquet, and the harp, which is suited to the abundant feast; but now let us go out, and try all the contests; that also the stranger, returning home, may tell his friends how much we excel others in pugilism, wrestling, and leaping, and in the race."
Thus having spoken he led the way, and they followed together; and from the peg he hung the clear-toned harp: and the herald took the hand of Demodocus, and led him out of the palace; and he went before him the same way which the others, the chiefs of the Phæacians, had gone, to behold the contests. But they went to the forum, and a great crowd followed together, myriads. And there stood up many and excellent youths. There arose indeed Acroneus, and Ocyalus, and Elatreus, and Nauteus, and Prymneus, and Anchialus, and Eretmeus, and Ponteus, and Proreus, (and) Thoon, and Anabesineus, and Amphialus, son of Polynëus, son of Tecton; and there also rose up Euryalus, equal to manslaughtering Mars, and Naubolides, who was the most excellent of all the Phæacians in form and person, after the blameless Laodamas; and there arose the three blameless sons of Alcinous, Laodamas, and Halius, and divine Clytonëus. Some then indeed first made trial in the race; and a course was extended for them from the goal, and they all flew swiftly together, raising the dust along the plain. Of them the blameless Clytonëus was the best in running; and as far as is the distance between mules [and oxen] in fallow land,[1] so far running on before, he came up to the people, but the others were left behind. But others made trial of laborious wrestling; in this Euryalus excelled all the chiefs; but in leaping Amphialus was the best of all. But on the other hand Elatreus was the most excellent of all with the quoit; and again Laodamas, the doughty son of Alcinous, in pugilism. But when all were delighted in their mind with the contests, Laodamas, son of Alcinous, addressed them:
"Come, my friends, let us ask the stranger if he knows and has learnt any contest. Indeed he is not mean as to his nature, his thighs, and legs, and both his hands above, and his stout neck and mighty strength; nor is he wanting at all in
- ↑ Literally "as far as is the distance of mules in fallow land." Clytonëus was as far in advance of his competitors, as there is left space between mules and oxen, when they are yoked together to plough a fallow land. Eustath. Cf. Il. x. 352. Loewe.
