Page:The Odyssey of Homer, with the Hymns, Epigrams, and Battle of the Frogs and Mice (Buckley 1853).djvu/141

210—245. deed is foolish and worth nothing, whoever proposes a strife in contests with his host, among a foreign people; and he makes all his own affairs worse: but of the others I refuse not nor despise any one, but I wish to know and to make trial openly; for I am not insignificant in all things, as many contests as there are amongst men. For I know well how to handle the well-polished bow; I could hit a man the first, darting arrows in a crowd of hostile men; even though very many companions should stand near, and should direct their bows against the men. Philoctetes indeed alone excelled me with the bow, amongst the people of the Trojans, where we Greeks used our bows. But of the others I say that I am far the best, as many as are now mortals eating food upon the earth. But I am not willing to contend with former men, neither with Hercules, nor Eurytus the Œchalian, who contended even with the immortals about bows: therefore mighty Eurytus died immediately, nor did he attain to old age in his palace; for Apollo, wrath with him, slew him, because he challenged him to a contest of archery. And I dart with a spear, as far as no one else would with an arrow. I fear for my feet alone, lest any one of the Phæacians should pass me; for I have been very greatly beaten down in many waves: since there was no continual provision for oneself in a ship; therefore my limbs are relaxed."

Thus he spoke, but they all were speechless in silence; and Alcinous alone answering addressed him: "O stranger, since thou dost not speak these things unpleasant to us, but dost wish to show thy prowess, which accompanies thee, being angry, because this man standing in the contest has chided thee; in order that no mortal may blame thy prowess, whoever in his mind knows how to speak fitting things; come now, understand my word, that thou mayest relate to another also of the heroes, when thou dost feast in thy palace, near thy wife and thy children, mindful of our excellence, what works Jove enjoins upon us throughout, even from our an-