Page:The Odyssey of Homer, with the Hymns, Epigrams, and Battle of the Frogs and Mice (Buckley 1853).djvu/139

137—176. youth, but he is broken down by many ills. For I do not think that there is any thing else worse than the sea to weaken a man, even though he be very strong."

Euryalus answered and addressed him in turn: "O Laodamas, thou hast spoken this word very rightly; do thou now go and challenge him, and speak to him a word." But when the excellent son of Alcinous heard this, he then stood, going in the middle, and addressed Ulysses: "Do thou also come hither, O father stranger, and make trial of the contests, if thou hast by chance learnt any: and it is likely that thou art acquainted with contests. For there is not any greater renown for a man, whilst he exists, than what he shall have done with his feet and his hands. But come, make trial, and disperse cares from thy mind: for thy voyage will not long be delayed; but the ship has just now been drawn out, and companions are ready."

Much-planning Ulysses answering addressed him: "O Laodamas, why do ye command these things, cutting me to the heart? griefs are even more in my mind than contests, I who before indeed suffered very many things, and have endured many labours: but now I sit in your assembly desiring a return, entreating the king and all the people."

But him Euryalus answered in turn, and chided openly: "I by no means liken thee, O stranger, to a man skilled in contests, such as there are many amongst men. But [I liken thee] to him, who constantly being in a many-benched ship, [is] a ruler of sailors, who are also merchants, and is mindful of his freight, and a superintendent of provisions, and rapacious profits; nor art thou at all like unto a wrestler."

But him much-planning Ulysses, looking sternly, addressed: "O stranger, thou hast not spoken well; you are like unto an injurious man: thus the gods do not bestow graceful accomplishments on all men, neither nature, nor mind, nor eloquence; for one man in appearance is weaker, but God adorns his form with words, and others look upon him with delight. But he discourses safely with mild modesty, and excels amongst those who are assembled together: and they look upon him, when coming through the city, as upon a god. Another again is like unto the immortals in his form, but grace does not crown his words. So also thy form is handsome,