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The foot races came first. The
course was set out for them from the starting post, and they raised a
dust upon the plain as they all flew forward at the same moment.
Clytoneus came in first by a long way; he left every one else behind
him by the length of the furrow that a couple of mules can plough in
a fallow field. They then turned to the painful art of wrestling, and
here Euryalos proved to be the best man. Amphialos excelled all the
others in jumping, while at throwing the disc there was no one who
could approach Elatreus. Alkinoos’ son Laodamas was the best
boxer, and he it was who presently said, when they had all been
diverted with the games [athlos], "Let us ask the
stranger whether he excels in any of these sports
[athlos]; he seems very powerfully built; his thighs,
calves, hands, and neck are of prodigious strength, nor is he at all
old, but he has suffered much lately, and there is nothing like the
sea for making havoc with a man, no matter how strong he
is."
"You are quite right, Laodamas,"
replied Euryalos, "go up to your guest and speak to him about it
yourself."
When Laodamas heard this he made
his way into the middle of the crowd and said to Odysseus, "I hope,
sir, that you will enter yourself in some one or other of our
competitions [athloi] if you are skilled in any of
them - for you seem to know of athloi . There is no greater
kleos for a man all his life long as the showing himself good
with his hands and feet. Have a try therefore at something, and
banish all sorrow from your mind. Your return home will not be long
delayed, for the ship is already drawn into the water, and the crew
is found."
Odysseus answered, "Laodamas, why
do you taunt me in this way? My mind is set rather on cares than
contests athloi; I have been through infinite trouble, and am
come among you now as a suppliant, praying your king and
dêmos to further me on my return home
[nostos]."
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