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
honorably 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 succor 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 marveled 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.
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 forever. 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.
Much was Queen Dido moved by the story, and much did she marvel at him
that told it, and scarce could sleep for thinking of him. And the next day
she spake to Anna, her sister, "O my sister, I have been troubled this
night with ill dreams, and my heart is disquieted within me. What a man is
this stranger that hath come to our shores! How noble of mien! How bold in
war! Sure I am that he is of the sons of the Gods. What fortunes have been
his! Of what wars he told us! Surely were I not steadfastly purposed that
I would not yoke me again in marriage, this were the man to whom I might
yield. Only he--for I will tell thee the truth, my sister--only he, since
the day when Sichæus died by our brother's hand, hath moved my heart. But
may the earth swallow me up, or the almighty Father strike me with
lightning, ere I stoop to such baseness. The husband of my youth hath
carried with him my love, and he shall keep it in his grave."
So she spake, with many tears. And her sister made answer, "Why wilt thou
waste thy youth in sorrow, without child or husband? Thinkest thou that
there is care or remembrance of such things in the grave? No suitors
indeed have pleased thee here or in Tyre, but wilt thou also contend with
a love that is after thine own heart? Think too of the nations among whom
thou dwellest, how fierce they are, and of thy brother at Tyre, what he
threatens against thee. Surely it was by the will of the Gods, and of Juno
chiefly, that the ships of Troy came hither. And this city, which thou
buildest, to what greatness will it grow if only thou wilt make for
thyself such alliance! How great will be the glory of Carthage if the
strength of Troy be joined unto her! Only do thou pray to the Gods and
offer sacrifices; and, for the present, seeing that the time of sailing is
now past, make excuse that these strangers tarry with thee awhile."
Thus did Anna comfort her sister and encourage her. And first the two
offered sacrifice to the Gods, chiefly to Juno, who careth for the bond of
marriage. Also, examining the entrails of slain beasts, they sought to
learn the things that should happen thereafter. And ever Dido would
company with Æneas, leading him about the walls of the city which she
builded. And often she would begin to speak and stay in the midst of her
words. And when even was come, she would hear again and again at the
banquet the tale of Troy, and while others slept would watch, and while he
was far away would seem to see him and to hear him. Ascanius, too, she
would embrace for love of his father, if so she might cheat her own heart.
But the work of the city was stayed meanwhile; nor did the towers rise in
their places, nor the youth practice themselves in arms.
Then Juno, seeing how it fared with the queen, spake to Venus: "Are ye
satisfied with your victory, thou and thy son, that ye have vanquished,
the two of you, one woman? Well I knew that thou fearedst lest this
Carthage should harm thy favorite. But why should there be war between us?
Thou hast what thou seekest. Let us make alliance. Let Dido obey a
Phrygian husband, and bring the men of Tyre as her dowry."
But Venus knew that she spake with ill intent, to the end that the men of
Troy should not reign in the land of Italy. Nevertheless she dissembled
with her tongue, and spake: "Who would not rather have peace with thee
than war? Only I doubt whether this thing shall be to the pleasure of
Jupiter. This thou must learn, seeing that thou art his wife, and where
thou leadest I will follow."
So the two, taking counsel together, ordered things in this wise. The next
day a great hunting was prepared. For as soon as ever the sun was risen
upon the earth, the youth of the city assembled, with nets and hunting
spears and dogs that ran by scent. And the princes of Carthage waited for
the queen at the palace door, where her horse stood champing the bit, with
trappings of purple and gold. And after a while she came forth, with many
following her. And she had upon her a Sidonian mantle, with a border
wrought with divers colors; of gold was her quiver, and of gold the knot
of her hair, and of gold the clasp to her mantle. Æneas likewise came
forth, beautiful as is Apollo when he leaveth Lydia and the stream of
Xanthus, coming to Delos, and hath about his hair a wreath of bay-leaves
and a circlet of gold. So fair was Æneas to see. And when the hunters came
to the hills they found great store of goats and stags, which they chased.
And of all the company Ascanius was the foremost, thinking scorn of such
hunting, and wishing that a wild boar or a lion out of the hills would
come forth to be his prey.
And now befell a great storm, with much thunder and hail, from which the
hunters sought shelter. But Æneas and the queen, being left of all their
company, came together to the same cave. And there they plighted their
troth one to the other. Nor did the queen after that make secret of her
love, but called Æneas her husband.
Straightway went Rumor and told these things through the cities of Libya.
Now Rumor, men say, is the youngest daughter of Earth, a marvelous
creature, moving very swiftly with feet and wings, and having many
feathers upon her, and under every feather an eye and a tongue and a mouth
and an ear. In the night she flieth between heaven and earth, and sleepeth
not; and in the day she sitteth on some housetop or lofty tower, or
spreadeth fear over mighty cities; and she loveth that which is false even
as she loveth that which is true. So now she went telling through Libya
how Æneas of Troy was come, and Dido was wedded to him, and how they lived
careless and at ease, and thinking not of the work to which they were
called.
And first of all she went to Prince Iarbas, who himself had sought Dido in
marriage. And Iarbas was very wroth when he heard it, and, coming to the
temple of Jupiter, spread his grief before the Gods, how that he had given
a place on his coasts to this Dido, and would have taken her to wife, but
that she had married a stranger from Phrygia, another Paris, whose dress
and adornments were of a woman rather than of a man.
And Jupiter saw that this was so, and he said to Mercury, who was his
messenger, "Go speak to Æneas these words: 'Thus saith the king of Gods
and men. Is this what thy mother promised of thee, twice saving thee from
the spear of the Greeks? Art thou he that shall rule Italy and its mighty
men of war, and spread thy dominion to the ends of the world? If thou
thyself forgettest these things, dost thou grudge to thy son the citadels
of Rome? What doest thou here? Why lookest thou not to Italy? Depart and
tarry not.'"
Then Mercury fitted the winged sandals to his feet, and took the wand with
which he driveth the spirits of the dead, and came right soon to Mount
Atlas, which standeth bearing the heaven on his head, and having always
clouds about his top, and snow upon his shoulders, and a beard that is
stiff with ice. There Mercury stood awhile; then, as a bird which seeks
its prey in the sea, shot headlong down, and came to Æneas where he stood,
with a yellow jasper in his sword-hilt, and a cloak of purple shot with
gold about his shoulders, and spake: "Buildest thou Carthage, forgetting
thine own work? The Almighty Father saith to thee, 'What meanest thou? Why
tarriest thou here? If thou carest not for thyself, yet think of thy son,
and that the Fates have given to him Italy and Rome.'"
And Æneas saw him no more. And he stood stricken with fear and doubt. Fain
would he obey the voice, and go as the Gods commanded. But how should he
tell this purpose to the queen? But at the last it seemed good to him to
call certain of the chiefs, as Mnestheus, and Sergestus, and Antheus, and
bid them make ready the ships in silence, and gather together the people,
but dissemble the cause, and he himself would watch a fitting time to
speak and unfold the matter to the queen.
Yet was not Dido deceived, for love is keen of sight. Rumor also told her
that they made ready the ships for sailing. Then, flying through the city,
even as one on whom has come the frenzy of Bacchus flies by night over
Mount Cithæron, she came upon Æneas, and spake: "Thoughtest thou to hide
thy crime, and to depart in silence from this land? Carest thou not for
her whom thou leavest to die? And hast thou no fear of winter storms that
vex the sea? By all that I have done for thee and given thee, if there be
yet any place for repentance, repent thee of this purpose. For thy sake I
suffer the wrath of the princes of Libya and of my own people; and if thou
leavest me, for what should I live?--till my brother overthrow my city, or
Iarbas carry me away captive? If but I had a little Æneas to play in my
halls I should not seem so altogether desolate."
But Æneas, fearing the words of Jupiter, stood with eyes that relented
not. At the last he spake: "I deny not, O Queen, the benefits that thou
hast done unto me, nor ever, while I live, shall I forget Dido. I sought
not to fly by stealth; yet did I never promise that I would abide in this
place. Could I have chosen according to my will I had built again the city
of Troy where it stood; but the Gods command that I should seek Italy.
Thou hast thy Carthage; why dost thou grudge Italy to us? Nor may I tarry.
Night after night have I seen my father Anchises warning me in dreams.
Also even now the messenger of Jupiter came to me--with these ears I heard
him--and bade me depart."
Then, in great wrath, with eyes askance, did Dido break forth upon him:
"Surely no goddess was thy mother, nor art thou come of the race of
Dardanus. The rocks of Caucasus brought thee forth, and an Hyrcanian
tigress gave thee suck. For why should I dissemble? Was he moved at all my
tears? Did he pity my love? Nay, the very Gods are against me. This man I
took to myself when he was shipwrecked and ready to perish. I brought back
his ships, his companions from destruction. And now forsooth comes the
messenger of Jupiter with dreadful commands from the Gods. As for thee, I
keep thee not. Go, seek thy Italy across the seas: only, if there is any
vengeance in heaven, thou wilt pay the penalty for this wrong, being
wrecked on some rock in their midst. Then wilt thou call on Dido in vain.
Aye, and where-ever thou shalt go I will haunt thee, and rejoice in the
dwellings below to hear thy doom."
Then she turned, and hasted to go into the house. But her spirit left her,
so that her maidens bare her to her chamber and laid her on her bed.
Then Æneas, though indeed he was much troubled in heart, and would fain
have comforted the queen, was obedient to the heavenly word, and departed
to his ships. And the men of Troy busied themselves in making them ready
for the voyage. Even as the ants spoil a great heap of corn and store it
in their dwellings against winter, moving in a black line across the
field, and some carry the great grains, and some chide those that linger,
even so did the Trojans swarm along the ways and labor at the work.
But when Dido saw it she called to Anna her sister and said, "Seest thou
how they hasten the work along the shore? Even now the sails are ready for
the winds, and the sailors have wreathed the ships with garlands, as if
for departure. Go thou--the deceiver always trusted thee, and thou knowest
how best to move him--go and entreat him. I harmed not him nor his people;
let him then grant me this only. Let him wait for a fairer time for his
journey. I ask not that he give up his purpose; only that he grant me a
short breathing space, till I may learn how to bear this sorrow."
And Anna hearkened to her sister, and took the message to Æneas, yet
profited nothing, for the Gods shut his ears that he should not hear. Even
as the oak stands firm when the north wind would root it up from the
earth,--its leaves are scattered all around, yet doth it remain firm, for
its roots go down to the regions below, even as far as its branches reach
to heaven,--so stood Æneas firm, and, though he wept many tears, changed
not his purpose.
Then did Dido grow weary of her life. For when she did sacrifice, the pure
water would grow black and the wine be changed to blood. Also from the
shrine of her husband, which was in the midst of her palace, was heard a
voice calling her, and the owl cried aloud from the house-top. And in her
dreams the cruel Æneas seemed to drive her before him; or she seemed to be
going a long way with none to bear her company, and be seeking her own
people in a land that was desert. Therefore, hiding the thing that was in
her heart, she spake to her sister, saying, "I have found a way, my
sister, that shall bring him back to me or set me free from him. Near the
shore of the Great Sea, where the Æthiopians dwell, is a priestess, who
guards the temple of the daughters of Hesperus, being wont to feed the
dragons that kept the apples of gold. She is able by her charms to loose
the heart from care or to bind it, and to stay rivers also, and to turn
the courses of the stars, and to call up the spirits of the dead. Do thou,
therefore--for this is what the priestess commands--build a pile in the
open court, and put thereon the sword which he left hanging in our
chamber, and the garments he wore, and the couch on which he lay, even all
that was his, so that they may perish together."
And when these things were done--for Anna knew not of her purpose--and
also an image of Æneas was laid upon the pile, the priestess, with her
hair unbound, called upon all the gods that dwell below, sprinkling
thereon water that was drawn, she said, from the lake of Avernus, and
scattering evil herbs that had been cut at the full moon with a sickle of
bronze. Dido also, with one foot bare and her garments loosened, threw
meal upon the fire and called upon the gods, if haply there be any, that
look upon those that love and suffer wrong.
In the mean time Æneas lay asleep in the hind part of his ship, when there
appeared to him in a dream the god Mercury, even as he had seen him when
he brought the commandment of Jupiter. And Mercury spake, saying, "Son of
Venus, canst thou sleep? seest thou not what perils surround thee, nor
hearest how the favorable west wind calls? The queen purposes evil against
thee. If thou lingerest till the morning come thou wilt see the shore
covered with them that wish thee harm. Fly, then, and tarry not; for a
woman is ever of many minds."
Then did Æneas in great fear start from his sleep, and call his
companions, saying, "Wake, and sit on the benches, and loose the sails.
'Tis a god thus bids us fly." And even as he spake he cut the cable with
his sword. And all hasted to follow him, and sped over the sea.