BOOK VIII.

ARGUMENT.

Alcinous calls a council, in which it is resolved to transport

Ulysses into his country. After which splendid entertainments are

made, where the celebrated musician and poet, Demodocus, plays and

sings to the guests. They next proceed to the games, the race, the

wrestling, discus, &c., where Ulysses casts a prodigious length,

to the admiration of all the spectators. They return again to the

banquet and Demodocus sings the loves of Mars and Venus. Ulysses,

after a compliment to the poet, desires him to sing the

introduction of the wooden horse into Troy, which subject

provoking his tears, Alcinous inquires of his guest his name,

parentage, and fortunes.

Now fair Aurora lifts her golden ray,

And all the ruddy orient flames with day:

Alcinous, and the chief, with dawning light,

Rose instant from the slumbers of the night;

Then to the council-seat they bend their way,

And fill the shining thrones along the bay.

Meanwhile Minerva, in her guardian care,

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The Odyssey of Homer