"King Alkinoos, you said your
people were the nimblest dancers in the world, and indeed they have
proved themselves to be so. I was astonished as I saw
them."
The king was delighted at this,
and exclaimed to the Phaeacians "Aldermen and town councilors, our
guest seems to be a person of singular judgment; let us give him such
proof of our hospitality as he may reasonably expect. There are
twelve chief men throughout the dêmos, and counting
myself there are thirteen; contribute, each of you, a clean cloak, a
shirt, and a talent of fine gold; let us give him all this in a lump
down at once, so that when he gets his supper he may do so with a
light heart. As for Euryalos, he will have to make a formal apology
and a present too, for he has been rude."
Thus did he speak. The others all
of them applauded his saying, and sent their servants to fetch the
presents. Then Euryalos said, "King Alkinoos, I will give the
stranger all the satisfaction you require. He shall have sword, which
is of bronze, all but the hilt, which is of silver. I will also give
him the scabbard of newly sawn ivory into which it fits. It will be
worth a great deal to him."
As he spoke he placed the sword
in the hands of Odysseus and said, "Good luck to you, father
stranger; if anything has been said amiss may the winds blow it away
with them, and may heaven grant you a safe return, for I understand
you have been long away from home, and have gone through much
hardship."
Homer. The Odyssey. Rendered into English prose for the use of those who cannot read the original. Samuel Butler. Based on public domain edition, revised by Timothy Power and Gregory Nagy. A. C. Fifield, London. 1900 (?).
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