In the Odyssey, on the other hand, the poet seems to evince a greater inclination to linger over the scenes of sport, as being more in harmony with his theme. A certain voluptuousness pervades the Odyssey; the stern scenes of war, have vanished from the poet’s imagination, and have been replaced by those of festivity and pleasure. A new generation is described. Athletics have become less violent and the scenes are embellished by the interspersion of music, dancing, and poetry. The poet, conscious of the change, portrays the new order of things among the Phæacians, a people inhabiting a blissful island on the western edge of the world. Hither he leads the ocean-tossed Odysseus, the representative of the older generation. The shipwrecked stranger does not ask in vain of King Alkinoös for an escort that may guide him homeward. Says Alkinoös to Odysseus: “Say from what city, from what regions tossed, And what inhabitants those regions boast? So shalt thou quickly reach the realm assigned In wondrous ships, self-moved, instinct with mind; No helm secures their course, no pilot guides; Like man intelligent they plow the tides, Conscious of every coast and every bay That lies beneath the sun’s all-seeing ray.” _Odyssey_, Book viii. But the hospitable king will not allow him to depart until a royal entertainment has been provided. First a feast was spread at the royal palace for Odysseus and the Phæacian nobles; the famous bard, Demodokos, sang tales of heroes and of gods. Then Alkinoös bade the Phæacian young men prepare for the games in order that they might exhibit to the stranger their skill in manly sports. Thereupon, the festive throng issued forth from the palace to the assembly-place, and the Phæacian athletes exhibited themselves in the foot-race and at the wrestling match, at leaping, throwing the diskos, and boxing. All of these games, except leaping, are mentioned also in the Iliad. Then the son of Alkinoös, complimenting Odysseus on his massive body, invites him to show his athletic skill. “There is no greater glory for a man in all his life than what he wins with his own feet and hands,” says Laodamas. At first Odysseus declines, but when stung by the taunt of Euryalos he decides to show his skill. “He spoke, and, with his cloak still on, he sprang and seized a diskos, larger than the rest and thick, heavier by not a little than those which the Phæacians were using for themselves. This with a twist he sent from his stout hand. The stone hummed as it went. Past all the marks it flew, swift speeding from his hands.” Then Odysseus challenges the Phæacians to match his throw; and he challenges any of the Phæacians, except his host, Laodamas, to contend with him either in boxing, wrestling, or the foot-race,--it matters not to him.