“Lie there! A perilous task it was for thee To combat with a son of Jove, though born Thyself to a great River. I can boast Descent from sovereign Jove. I owe my birth To Peleus, ruler of the Myrmidons. His father was Aeacus, who was born To Jupiter, a god more potent far Than all the rivers flowing to the sea. And mightier is the race of Jupiter Than that of any stream. Here close at hand Is a great river, if such aid can aught Avail thee; but to strive with Jupiter Is not permitted. Acheloüs, king Of rivers, cannot vie with him, nor yet The great and mighty deep from which proceed All streams and seas and founts and watery depths. He trembles at the bolt of mighty Jove And his hoarse thunder crashing in the sky.”