Verse
Metamorphoses
Book 12, Line 5 by Henry T. Riley (English)
Thus far the grandson of Æacus. His heavy lance followed his words. But, although there was no missing in the unerring lance, yet it availed nothing, by the sharpness of its point, thus discharged; and as it only bruised his breast with a blunt stroke, the other said, “Thou son of a Goddess, (for by report have we known of thee beforehand) why art thou surprised that wounds are warded off from me? (for Achilles was surprised); not this helmet that thou seest tawny with the horse’s mane, nor the hollowed shield, the burden of my left arm, are assistant to me; from them ornament alone is sought; for this cause, too, Mars is wont to take up arms. All the assistance of defensive armour shall be removed, and yet I shall come off unhurt. It is something to be born, not of a Nereid, but of one who rules both Nereus and his daughter, and the whole ocean.”
MetamorphosesOvidHenry T. RileyEnglishVerse permalinkRead in Book 12
Book 12, Line 5ProseID metamorphoses-riley-en-prose-12-5