Odysseus cut a piece of the chine of a white-tusked boar, rich with fat, and sent it to Demodocus, saying bards have honor from all men because the Muse has taught them song and loves their tribe.
Athena in a man’s shape called the throw far beyond the rest. Odysseus laughed and offered to box, wrestle, or race any man there except Laodamas — he would not challenge his host’s son. In archery he feared few living; only Philoctetes had topped him at Troy.
Then Alcinous had Laodamas and Halius dance alone with a red ball Polybus had made — throwing it high, catching it, leaping in time while the other young men stamped the ground. Odysseus told the king his people were indeed the nimblest dancers alive. Alcinous was pleased and ordered each counselor to bring a gift: a clean cloak, a tunic, and a talent of gold.
Euryalus also gave a bronze sword with a silver hilt and ivory sheath and asked pardon for his rude words. Odysseus accepted the gift and the apology. As the sun sank the presents were brought to Arete’s care. She had a chest packed and told Odysseus to knot the lid himself so no one could rob him on the voyage.
Stewards smoothed a dancing floor. Boys in the first bloom of youth struck the ground with their feet while Demodocus played. Odysseus watched the twinkling of their steps and wondered in his heart.
He made the cunning knot Circe had once taught him. Then Arete had a bath drawn. He washed, put on the fresh clothes, and went out to the wine with the men. Nausicaa stood by a pillar as he passed. “Farewell, stranger,” she said. “When you are home remember me, for you owe me your life first.” He answered that if Zeus let him see his own house again, he would pray to her there as to a goddess all his days.
Hephaestus forged invisible bonds, fine as spider-webs, and spread them about the bed. He pretended to leave for Lemnos. Ares kept no blind watch; when he saw the smith go he came to Aphrodite, and they went to the bed — and the snare held them fast.