previous next "Hephaistos," said Poseidon, "if Ares goes away
without paying his damages, I will pay you myself." So
Hephaistos answered, "In this case I cannot and must not refuse
you."  Thereon he loosed the bonds that bound them, and as soon
as they were free they scampered off, Ares to Thrace and
laughter-loving Aphrodite to Cyprus and to Paphos, where is her
grove and her altar fragrant with burnt offerings. Here the
Graces bathed her, and anointed her with oil of ambrosia such as
the immortal gods make use of, and they clothed her in raiment
of the most enchanting beauty.  Thus sang the bard, and both
Odysseus and the seafaring Phaeacians were charmed as they heard
him.  Then Alkinoos told Laodamas and Halios to dance alone, for
there was no one to compete with them. So they took a red ball
which Polybos had made for them, and one of them bent himself
backwards and threw it up towards the clouds, while the other
jumped from off the ground and caught it with ease before it
came down again. When they had