23. Before each one of the guests in Homer is placed a separate cup. Demodocus has a basket and a table and a cup placed before him,
To drink whene'er his soul desired.[21:2]
Again the goblets are crowned with drink; that is to say, they are filled so that the liquor stands above the brim, and the cups have a sort of crown of wine on them. Now the cupbearers filled them so for the sake of the omen; and then they pour out
πᾶσιν, ἐπαρξάμενοι δεπάεσσιν,[21:3]
the word πᾶσιν referring not to the cups but to the men. Accordingly Alcinous says to Pontonous,
Let all around the due libation pay
To Jove, who guides the wanderer on his way;[21:4]
and then he goes on,
All drink the juice that glads the heart of man.
And due honour is paid at those banquets to all the most eminent men. Accordingly, Tydides is honoured with great quantities of meat and wine; and Ajax receives the compliment of a whole chine of beef. And the kings are treated in the same way:—
A rump of beef they set before the king:[21:5]