He brought out a strong mule, and made it fast in the middle of the crowd--a she-mule never yet broken, but six years old--when it is hardest of all to break them: this was for the victor, and for the vanquished he offered a double cup.

Then he stood up and said among the Argives, "Son of Atreus, and all other Achaeans, I invite our two champion boxers to lay about them lustily and compete for these prizes.

He to whom Apollo vouchsafes the greater endurance, and whom the Achaeans acknowledge as victor, shall take the mule back with him to his own tent, while he that is vanquished shall have the double cup." As he spoke there stood up a champion both brave and of great stature, a skilful boxer, Epeus, son of Panopeus.

He laid his hand on the mule and said, "Let the man who is to have the cup come hither, for none but myself will take the mule.

I am the best boxer of all here present, and none can beat me.