| Book Eight
The next day is declared a holiday in honor of the guest,
whose name the king still does not know. An athletic competition is held,
with foot races, wrestling and the discus. Odysseus is invited to join in
but begs off, prompting someone to suggest that he lacks the skills.
Angered, he takes up a discus and throws it with such violence that everyone
drops to the ground. That night at a banquet, as the court bard entertains
with songs of the Trojan War, Odysseus is heard sobbing. "Enough!" shouts
the king. "Our friend finds this song displeasing. Won't you tell us your
name, stranger, and where you hail from?" |
|