Neleides then: “Though tardy age and time Have shrunk my sinews and decay’d my prime; Though much I have forgotten of my store, Yet, not exhausted, I remember more. Of all that arms achieved, or peace design’d, That action still is fresher in my mind Than aught beside. If reverend age can give To faith a sanction, in my third I live.

“ ’Twas in my second century I survey’d Young Caenis, then a fair Thessalian maid: Caenis the bright, was born to high command; A princess, and a native of thy land, Divine Achilles: every tongue proclaim’d Her beauty, and her eyes all hearts inflamed. Peleus, thy sire, perhaps had sought her bed, Among the rest; but he had either led Thy mother then, or was by promise tied: But she to him, and all, alike her love denied.