Page 136 - the-odyssey

throwing the ball straight up into the air they began to
dance, and at the same time kept on throwing it backwards
and forwards to one another, while all the young men in the
ring applauded and made a great stamping with their feet.
Then Ulysses said:
‘King Alcinous, you said your people were the nimblest
dancers in the world, and indeed they have proved them-
selves to be so. I was astonished as I saw them.’
The king was delighted at this, and exclaimed to the Pha-
eacians, ‘Aldermen and town councillors, our guest seems
to be a person of singular judgement; let us give him such
proof of our hospitality as he may reasonably expect. There
are twelve chief men among you, 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 Euryalus 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
Euryalus said, ‘King Alcinous, I will give the stranger all
the satisfaction you require. He shall have my 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 Ulysses
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

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