“Follow that cast, young men, and I will send Another stone, at once, as far, perchance, Or further still. If there are others yet Who feel the wish, let them come forward here— For much your words have chafed me—let them try With me the boxing or the wrestling match, Or footrace; there is naught that I refuse— Any of the Phaeacians. I except Laodamas; he is my host, and who Would enter such a contest with a friend? A senseless, worthless man is he who seeks A strife like this with one who shelters him In a strange land; he mars the welcome given.
As for the rest, there is no rival here Whom I reject or scorn; for I would know Their prowess, and would try my own with theirs Before you all. At any of the games Practised among mankind I am not ill, Whatever they may be. The polished bow I well know how to handle. I should be The first to strike a foe by arrows sent Among a hostile squadron, though there stood A crowd of fellow-warriors by my side And also aimed their shafts. The only one Whose skill in archery excelled my own, When we Achaians drew the bow at Troy, Was Philoctetes; to all other men On earth that live by bread I hold myself Superior.
Yet I claim no rivalry With men of ancient times—with Hercules And Eurytus the Oechalian, who defied The immortals to a contest with the bow. Therefore was mighty Eurytus cut off. Apollo, angry to be challenged, slew The hero. I can hurl a spear beyond Where others send an arrow. All my fear Is for my feet, so weakened have I been Among the stormy waves with want of food At sea, and thus my limbs have lost their strength.”
He ended here, and all the assembly sat In silence; King Alcinoüs only spake:—
“Stranger, since thou dost speak without offence, And but to assert the prowess of thine arm, Indignant that amid the public games This man should rail at thee, and since thy wish Is only that all others who can