DIDO.
But while Æneas marvelled to see these things lo! there came, with a
great throng of youths behind her, Dido, most beautiful of women, fair
as Diana, when, on the banks of Eurotas or on the hills of Cynthus,
she leads the dance with a thousand nymphs of the mountains about her.
On her shoulder she bears a quiver, and overtops them all, and her
mother, even Latona, silently rejoices to behold her. So fair and
seemly to see was Dido as she bare herself right nobly in the midst,
being busy in the work of her kingdom. Then she sat herself down on a
lofty throne in the gate of the temple, with many armed men about her.
And she did justice between man and man; also she divided the work of
the city, sharing it equally or parting it by lot.
Then of a sudden Æneas heard a great clamour, and saw a company of
men come quickly to the place, among whom were Antheus and Sergestus
and Cloanthus, and others of the men of Troy that had been parted from
him in the storm. Right glad was he to behold them, yet was not
without fear; and though he would fain have come forth and caught them
by the hand, yet did he tarry, waiting to hear how the men had fared,
where they had left their ships, and wherefore they were come.
Then Ilioneus, leave being now given that he should speak, thus began:
"O Queen, whom Jupiter permits to build a new city in these lands, we
men of Troy, whom the winds have carried over many seas, pray thee
that thou save our ships from fire, and spare a people that serveth
the Gods. For, indeed, we are not come to waste the dwellings of this
land, or to carry off spoils to our ships. For, of a truth, they who
have suffered so much think not of such deeds. There is a land which
the Greeks call Hesperia, but the people themselves Italy, after the
name of their chief; an ancient land, mighty in arms and fertile of
corn. Hither were we journeying, when a storm arising scattered our
ships, and only these few that thou seest escaped to the land. And can
there be nation so savage that it receiveth not shipwrecked men on its
shore, but beareth arms against them, and forbiddeth them to land?
Nay, but if ye care not for men, yet regard the Gods, who forget
neither them that do righteously nor them that transgress. We had a
king, Æneas, than whom there lived not a man more dutiful to Gods and
men, and greater in war. If indeed he be yet alive, then we fear not
at all. For of a truth it will not repent thee to have helped us. And
if not, other friends have we, as Acestes of Sicily. Grant us,
therefore, to shelter our ships from the wind; also to fit them with
fresh timber from the woods, and to make ready oars for rowing, so
that, finding again our king and our companions, we may gain the land
of Italy. But if he be dead, and Ascanius his son lost also, then
there is a dwelling ready for us in the land of Sicily, with Acestes,
who is our friend."
Then Dido, her eyes bent on the ground, thus spake, "Fear not, men of
Troy. If we have seemed to deal harshly with you, pardon us, seeing
that, being newly settled in this land, we must keep watch and ward
over our coasts. But as for the men of Troy, and their deeds in arms,
who knows them not? Think not that we in Carthage are so dull of
heart, or dwell so remote from man, that we are ignorant of these
things. Whether, therefore, ye will journey to Italy, or rather return
to Sicily and King Acestes, know that I will give you all help, and
protect you; or, if ye will, settle in this land of ours. Yours is
this city which I am building. I will make no difference between man
of Troy and man of Tyre. Would that your king also were here! Surely I
will send those that shall seek him in all parts of Libya, lest haply
he should be gone astray in any forest or strange city of the land."
And when Æneas and Achates heard these things they were glad, and
would have come forth from the cloud, and Achates said, "What thinkest
thou? Lo, thy comrades are safe, saving him whom we saw with our own
eyes drowned in the waves; and all other things are according as thy
mother said."
And even as he spake the cloud parted from about them, and Æneas stood
forth, very bright to behold, with face and breast as of a god, for
his mother had given to him hair beautiful to see, and cast about him
the purple light of youth, even as a workman sets ivory in some fair
ornament, or compasseth about silver or marble of Paros with gold.
Then spake he to the queen, "Lo! I am he whom ye seek, even Æneas of
Troy, scarcely saved from the waters of the sea. And as for thee, O
Queen, seeing that thou only hast been found to pity the unspeakable
sorrows of Troy, and biddest us, though we be but poor exiles and
lacking all things, to share thy city and thy home, may the Gods do so
to thee as thou deservest. And, of a truth, so long as the rivers run
to the seas, and the shadows fall on the hollows of the hills, so long
will thy name and thy glory survive, whatever be the land to which the
Gods shall bring me." Then gave he his right hand to Ilioneus, and his
left hand to Sergestus, and greeted them with great joy.
And Dido, hearing these things, was silent for a while, but at the
last she spake: "What ill fortune brings thee into perils so great?
what power drave thee to these savage shores? Well do I mind me how
in days gone by there came to Sidon one Teucer, who, having been
banished from his country, sought help from Belus that he might find a
kingdom for himself. And it chanced that in those days Belus, my
father, had newly conquered the land of Cyprus. From that day did I
know the tale of Troy, and thy name also, and the chiefs of Greece.
Also I remember that Teucer spake honourably of the men of Troy,
saying that he was himself sprung of the old Teucrian stock. Come ye,
therefore, to my palace. I too have wandered far, even as you, and so
have come to this land, and having suffered much have learnt to
succour them that suffer."
So saying she led Æneas into her palace; also she sent to his
companions in the ships great store of provisions, even twenty oxen
and a hundred bristly swine and a hundred ewe sheep with their lambs.
But in the palace a great feast was set forth, couches covered with
broidered purple, and silver vessels without end, and cups of gold,
whereon were embossed the mighty deeds of the men of old time.
And in the mean time Æneas sent Achates in haste to the ships, that
he might fetch Ascanius to the feast. Also he bade that the boy should
bring with him gifts of such things as they had saved from the ruins
of Troy, a mantle stiff with broidery of gold and a veil bordered with
yellow acanthus, which the fair Helen had taken with her, flying from
her home; but Leda, her mother, had given them to Helen; a sceptre
likewise which Ilione, first-born of the daughters of Priam, had
carried, and a necklace of pearls and a double crown of jewels and
gold.
But Venus was troubled in heart, fearing evil to her son should the
men of Tyre be treacherous, after their wont, and Juno remember her
wrath. Wherefore, taking counsel with herself, she called to the
winged boy, even Love, that was her son, and spake, "My son, who art
all my power and strength, who laughest at the thunders of Jupiter,
thou knowest how Juno, being exceedingly wroth against thy brother
Æneas, causeth him to wander out of the way over all lands. This day
Dido hath him in her palace, and speaketh him fair; but I fear me much
how these things may end. Wherefore hear thou that which I purpose.
Thy brother hath even now sent for the boy Ascanius, that he may come
to the palace, bringing with him gifts of such things as they saved
from the ruins of Troy. Him will I cause to fall into a deep sleep,
and hide in Cythera or Idalium, and do thou for one night take upon
thee his likeness. And when Queen Dido at the feast shall hold thee in
her lap, and kiss and embrace thee, do thou breathe by stealth thy
fire into her heart."
Then did Love as his mother bade him, and put off his wings, and took
upon him the shape of Ascanius, but on the boy Venus caused there to
fall a deep sleep, and carried him to the woods of Idalium, and lapped
him in sweet-smelling flowers. And in his stead Love carried the gifts
to the queen. And when he was come they sat down to the feast, the
queen being in the midst under a canopy. Æneas also and the men of
Troy lay on coverlets of purple, to whom serving-men brought water and
bread in baskets and napkins; and within fifty handmaids were ready to
replenish the store of victual and to fan the fire; and a hundred
others, with pages as many, loaded the tables with dishes and
drinking-cups. Many men of Tyre also were bidden to the feast. Much
they marvelled at the gifts of Æneas, and much at the false Ascanius.
Dido also could not satisfy herself with looking on him, nor knew what
trouble he was preparing for her in the time to come. And he, having
first embraced the father who was not his father, and clung about his
neck, addressed himself to Queen Dido, and she ever followed him with
her eyes, and sometimes would hold him on her lap. And still he worked
upon her that she should forget the dead Sichæus and conceive a new
love in her heart.
[Illustration: DIDO AND THE FALSE ASCANIUS.]
But when they first paused from the feast, lo! men set great bowls
upon the table and filled them to the brim with wine. Then did the
queen call for a great vessel of gold, with many jewels upon it, from
which Belus, and all the kings from Belus, had drunk, and called for
wine, and having filled it she cried, "O Jupiter, whom they call the
god of hosts and guests, cause that this be a day of joy for the men
of Troy and for them of Tyre, and that our children remember it for
ever. Also, Bacchus, giver of joy, be present, and kindly Juno."
And when she had touched the wine with her lips, she handed the great
cup to Prince Bitias, who drank thereout a mighty draught, and the
other princes after him. Then the minstrel Iopas, whom Atlas himself
had taught, sang to the harp, of the moon, how she goes on her way,
and of the sun, how his light is darkened. He sang also of men, and of
the beasts of the field, whence they come; and of the stars, Arcturus,
and the Greater Bear and the Less, and the Hyades; and of the winter
sun, why he hastens to dip himself in the ocean; and of the winter
nights, why they tarry so long. The queen also talked much of the
story of Troy, of Priam, and of Hector, asking many things, as of the
arms of Memnon, and of the horses of Diomed, and of Achilles, how
great he was. And at last she said to Æneas, "Tell us now thy story,
how Troy was taken, and thy wanderings over land and sea." And Æneas
made answer, "Nay, O Queen, but thou biddest me renew a sorrow
unspeakable. Yet, if thou art minded to hear these things, hearken."
And he told her all that had befallen him, even to the day when his
father Anchises died.