Page:The Odyssey of Homer, with the Hymns, Epigrams, and Battle of the Frogs and Mice (Buckley 1853).djvu/140

104 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; and thou hast provoked me by thy words."

He spoke, and rushing with his garment as it was, 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 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-