of valour, like thee, yet we too have our own peculiar excellence.  We are good runners, and none can approach us in all that belongs to the mariner’s art.  But at home we live softly, loving the banquet, and music and dancing, clean raiment, warm baths, and long repose.”  Then turning to his attendants he added:  “Go, some of you, and bring hither the harper Demodocus, and clear a space for the dancers, that our guest may see something of the native sports of Phaeacia.”

Then those whose business it was chose a fair level space for the dance, and when Demodocus arrived he took his harp and struck up a lively measure.  A fair troop of boys stood in a circle around him, and the dance began.  Alcinous had not overrated the skill of his people in this graceful pastime, and Odysseus was filled with wonder as he watched the intricate yet ordered movements of the youthful troop.

When the dance was ended, Demodocus sang a soft lay of love, and after that the two most skilful dancers, one of whom was Laodamas, a son of Alcinous, stood up to dance a reel together.  One of them held a crimson ball, and, keeping time to the music flung it high into the air; while the other leaped high from the ground, and caught the ball as it fell.  Then they flung the ball with lightning rapidity from hand to hand, so that it seemed a mere streak of crimson shooting backward and forward; and all the time the dance went gaily on, while the whole company of the Phaeacians kept up a merry din, beating time to the music with their feet.

“Of a truth,” said Odysseus, addressing Alcinous, “thou hast not boasted for naught; never saw I such dancing in all my long travels.”  A proud man was Alcinous to hear such praise from such a man, and he was not slow to testify his gratitude.  “Hear me,” he said, “ye princes of Phaeacia!  Methinks our guest is a man of exceeding shrewd wit.  Let us bestow on him a parting gift, that he may remember us, and rejoice in spirit when he thinks of his sojourn in Phaeacia.  Thirteen there are, of whom I am one, who sit in high places, and are notable men in the land; let each of us give him a change of raiment and a talent of gold.  And Euryalus shall crave pardon of him for his ill-chosen words, and appease him with a gift.”

The generous proposal was well received, and each of the twelve nobles sent his body-servant to fetch the gifts.  Euryalus also was prompt to make his peace with Odysseus.  He presented him with a fine sword of tempered bronze, with silver hilt, and scabbard of ivory.  “Behold my peace-offering,” he said, “and take my goodwill with the gift.  Forget my foolish words, and think of me kindly when thou art safe among thine own people.”

Odysseus acknowledged the courtesy of Euryalus in becoming terms, and then the whole company rose and went back to the palace of Alcinous, where they found the gifts for Odysseus all set in order against his departure.  Then Alcinous brought a golden goblet, beautifully fashioned, and richly chased, and bade Arete bring a coffer to hold the gifts.  The coffer was displayed, and was in itself a gift of no mean value, being a choice piece of work.