But in defence of Virgil, I dare positively say that he
has been more cautious in this particular than either his
predecessor or his descendants; for AEneas was actually wounded in
the twelfth of the "AEneis," though he had the same godsmith to
forge his arms as had Achilles. It seems he was no "war-luck," as
the Scots commonly call such men, who, they say, are iron-free or
lead-free. Yet after this experiment that his arms were not
impenetrable (when he was cured indeed by his mother's help, because
he was that day to conclude the war by the death of Turnus), the
poet durst not carry the miracle too far and restore him wholly to
his former vigour; he was still too weak to overtake his enemy, yet
we see with what courage he attacks Turnus when he faces and renews
the combat. I need say no more, for Virgil defends himself without
needing my assistance, and proves his hero truly to deserve that
name. He was not, then, a second-rate champion, as they would have
him who think fortitude the first virtue in a hero.
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