Page 475 - the-iliad

now, sir, go on with the funeral contests in honour of your
comrade: gladly do I accept this urn, and my heart rejoices
that you do not forget me but are ever mindful of my good-
will towards you, and of the respect due to me from the
Achaeans. For all which may the grace of heaven be vouch-
safed you in great abundance.’
Thereon the son of Peleus, when he had listened to all the
thanks of Nestor, went about among the concourse of the
Achaeans, and presently offered prizes for skill in the pain-
ful art of boxing. He brought out a strong mule, and made
it fast in the middle of the crowd—a she-mule never yet
broken, but six years old—when it is hardest of all to break
them: this was for the victor, and for the vanquished he of-
fered a double cup. Then he stood up and said among the
Argives, ‘Son of Atreus, and all other Achaeans, I invite our
two champion boxers to lay about them lustily and compete
for these prizes. He to whom Apollo vouchsafes the greater
endurance, and whom the Achaeans acknowledge as victor,
shall take the mule back with him to his own tent, while he
that is vanquished shall have the double cup.’
As he spoke there stood up a champion both brave and
great stature, a skilful boxer, Epeus, son of Panopeus. He
laid his hand on the mule and said, ‘Let the man who is to
have the cup come hither, for none but myself will take the
mule. I am the best boxer of all here present, and none can
beat me. Is it not enough that I should fall short of you in ac-
tual fighting? Still, no man can be good at everything. I tell
you plainly, and it shall come true; if any man will box with
me I will bruise his body and break his bones; therefore let

The Iliad