Once on a time an inquisitive youth approached Archimedes:—
“Teach me, I pray,” he cried, “teach me the heavenly art,
Which in thy competent hand to the State such profit has yielded,
And has guarded our walls 'gainst the beleaguering host.”
“‘Heavenly’ namest thou Art? ‘Divine’ she is, of a surety,”
Quoth the sage, “and was, ere she protected our arms.
Just her fruit to attain the merest mortal is able;
But, an a Goddess ye woo, seek not a woman alone!”