Thus with each other talked the gods, while still The great in battle, Diomed, pursued Aeneas, though he knew that Phoebus stretched His arm to guard the warrior. Small regard Had he for the great god, and much he longed To strike Aeneas down and bear away The glorious arms he wore; and thrice he rushed To slay the Trojan, thrice Apollo smote Upon his glittering shield. But when he made The fourth assault, as if he were a god, The archer of the skies, Apollo, thus With menacing words rebuked him: “Diomed, Beware; desist, nor think to make thyself The equal of a god. The deathless race Of gods is not as those who walk the earth.”