Careful Words

helmet (n.)

  When asked what he would take to let a man give him a blow on the head, he said, "A helmet."

Diogenes Laertius (Circa 200 a d): Diogenes. vi.

His helmet now shall make a hive for bees,

And lovers' songs be turned to holy psalms;

A man-at-arms must now serve on his knees,

And feed on prayers, which are old age's alms.

George Peele (1552-1598): Sonnet. Polyhymnia.

  I tell thee, that is Mambrino's helmet.

Miguel De Cervantes (1547-1616): Don Quixote. Part i. Book iii. Chap. vii.