"Nereus less fair, Achilles was less strong, Less was Ulysses famed for daring feat;
Nestor, that knew so much and lived so long, Less prudent; nimble Ladas was less fleet;
Less liberal and less prompt to pardon wrong, Caesar, whose praises ancient tales repeat.
So that, compared with him, in Ischia born, Each might appear of vaunted virtues shorn;