Achelous relates to his guest the various transformations of Proteus.
He ceased in his relation to proceed, While all admired the author and the deed; But Theseus most, inquisitive to know From gods what wondrous alterations grow. Whom thus the Calydonian stream address’d, Raised high to speak, the couch his elbow press’d. “Some, when transform’d, fix in the lasting change; Some, with more right, through various figures range. Proteus, thus large thy privilege was found, Thou inmate of the seas, which earth surround. Sometimes a blooming youth you graced the shore; Oft a fierce lion or a furious boar: With glist’ring spires now seem’d a hissing snake. The bold would tremble in his hands to take: With horns assumed a bull; sometimes you proved A tree by roots, a stone by weight unmoved: Sometimes two wav’ring contraries became, Flow’d down in water, or aspired in flame.”