nor would a god fashion it otherwise; but thou art foolish in thine understanding: thou hast provoked my mind in my breast, having spoken not according to propriety; but I am not unskilled in contests, as thou, forsooth, dost say, but I think that I was amongst the first, when I trusted in my youth, and in my hands. But now I am held fast by calamity and griefs; for I have endured many things, both wars amongst men, and passing over the grievous waves; but even thus, although having suffered many evils, I will make trial of the contests, for thy language is galling to the mind;[1] and thou hast provoked me by thy words."
He spoke, and rushing with his garment as it was,[2] he seized a very large and thick quoit, no little firmer, than with what the Phæacians played at quoits with one another. Whirling this round, he hurled it from his strong hand; but the stone whizzed; and the Phæacians, who use long oars, sea-famous men, crouched down upon the earth from the throw of the stone; but it flew over all the marks, rushing easily from his hand; for Minerva, likened in person unto a man, had set the boundaries, and spoke and said:
"Even a blind man, O stranger, groping about, would distinguish the mark; since it is by no means mingled with the multitude, but is far the foremost; but do thou be confident, at least as to this contest; no one of the Phæacians shall reach this, nor pass beyond it."
Thus she spoke; but much-enduring divine Ulysses was glad, rejoicing, because he perceived a kind friend in the ring, and then he addressed the Phæacians more lightly: "Reach this now, O youths; but I think that I will soon send another as large, or even larger. Of the others, whomsoever[3] his heart and mind exhorts, let him come hither and make trial (since ye have irritated me very much) either in pugilism, or in wrestling, or even in the race, I grudge not at all, of all the Phæacians, [I say,] except Laodamas himself: for he is my host; and who would contend with one who receives him? That man in-
