Vietnam or Thailand ? Vote for the TOP Country of the Week !
Updated: June 21, 2025
Again the minstrel took his harp and sang, and again Odysseus wept. Alkinoös noticed that the song of Demodokos moved Odysseus to tears, and thought it might be well to stay the music awhile and begin the games, that the stranger might witness the athletic skill of the Phæacians. All the princes instantly arose and walked down to the market-place, the king leading and the people following.
When Odysseus had eaten and drunk, the attendants filled the cups to pour libations in honor of Zeus, and Alkinoös said to them: "Listen, ye leaders and chiefs of the Phæacians. To-morrow we shall greet the stranger in our palace with honors and offer a great sacrifice to the gods. And then we will consider the best way of sending him home.
After they had enjoyed looking at the games, Laodamas, a son of Alkinoös, said to his friends: "Let us ask the stranger to take part in the games. His strong arms and legs and powerful neck show that he is no weakling. Nor has he lost his youthful vigor after all his hardships, although nothing tires a man so much as being tossed about on the sea."
The enjoyment ran high, and the old poet, Demodokos, sang sweet songs. They feasted all day, and when the sun was near its setting Odysseus said: "King Alkinoös, let us pour out the last libation and offer up the last prayer, for all things have come to pass that my soul desired. May the gods bless thy gifts. May I find my home, my wife and child, and friends.
Between the old and the new city lies the so-called harbor of Alkinoos; beyond the peninsula, stretching far inland, lies the old Hyllaic harbor, bearing the name of one of the three tribes which seem to have been essential to the being of a Dorian commonwealth....
But if we should find that he is a god instead of a mortal, we will do what seems best, for the gods do sometimes visit us in human shape." Then said Odysseus: "Nay, Alkinoös, I am not a god, nor like the gods in form or looks. I am only a wanderer, and I could tell of fearful sorrows; and I would willingly die if I could only see my home once more."
King Alkinoös led the way to the palace, his guest at his side and the princes following. When they had taken their seats on high thrones, the king told his wife to lay the royal presents in a chest, adding a much richer cloak and tunic than anyone else had given as a gift from himself.
The Phæacians received his words approvingly, and each went at once to his home to sleep. But when morning came they all sent their gifts to the ship, where they were packed carefully under the benches by the King himself, and the guests returned to the palace, where a banquet was spread for them. Alkinoös sacrificed an ox to Zeus, and they sat down at the table.
Alkinoös was the first to break the silence, and he said: "Renowned Odysseus, since thou hast come to our country, I hope that thy sufferings are at an end and that thou wilt reach thy native land safely and soon." Then the King turned to his guests and addressed them: "Phæacians, let us each present one more gift, a large tripod and a vase, to the hero who has come among us."
Then Odysseus said to Alkinoös: "Truly, no one excels the Phæacian princes in dancing. I see the twinkling of their feet with amazement." These words pleased Alkinoös greatly, and he said to his people: "Listen, my chiefs, for our guest seems to be a wise man. It becomes us now to bestow upon him the gifts of hospitality. In this land there are twelve kings. I am the thirteenth.
Word Of The Day
Others Looking