Aeneid

in deeds of power? Call therefore on the gods

to favor thee; and, after omens fair,

give queenly welcome, and contrive excuse

to make him tarry, while yon wintry seas

are loud beneath Orion's stormful star,

and on his battered ships the season frowns.”

So saying, she stirred a passion-burning breast

to Iove more madly still; her words infused

a doubting mind with hope, and bade the blush

of shame begone. First to the shrines they went

and sued for grace; performing sacrifice,

choosing an offering of unblemished ewes,

to law-bestowing Ceres, to the god

of light, to sire Lyeus, Iord of wine;

but chiefly unto Juno, patroness

of nuptial vows. There Dido, beauteous Queen

held forth in her right hand the sacred bowl

and poured it full between the lifted horns

of the white heifer; or on temple floors

she strode among the richly laden shrines,

the eyes of gods upon her, worshipping

with many a votive gift; or, peering deep

into the victims' cloven sides, she read

the fate-revealing tokens trembling there.

How blind the hearts of prophets be! Alas!

Of what avail be temples and fond prayers

to change a frenzied mind? Devouring ever,

love's fire burns inward to her bones; she feels

quick in her breast the viewless, voiceless wound.

Ill-fated Dido ranges up and down

the spaces of her city, desperate

her life one flame—like arrow-stricken doe

through Cretan forest rashly wandering,

pierced by a far-off shepherd, who pursues

with shafts, and leaves behind his light-winged steed,

not knowing; while she scours the dark ravines

of Dicte and its woodlands; at her heart

the mortal barb irrevocably clings.

around her city's battlements she guides

aeneas, to make show of Sidon's gold,

and what her realm can boast; full oft her voice

essays to speak and frembling dies away:

or, when the daylight fades, she spreads anew

a royal banquet, and once more will plead

mad that she is, to hear the Trojan sorrow;

and with oblivious ravishment once more

hangs on his lips who tells; or when her guests

are scattered, and the wan moon's fading horn

bedims its ray, while many a sinking star

invites to slumber, there she weeps alone

in the deserted hall, and casts her down

on the cold couch he pressed. Her love from far

beholds her vanished hero and receives

his voice upon her ears; or to her breast,

moved by a father's image in his child,

she clasps Ascanius, seeking to deceive

her unblest passion so. Her enterprise

of tower and rampart stops: her martial host

no Ionger she reviews, nor fashions now

defensive haven and defiant wall;

but idly all her half-built bastions frown,

and enginery of sieges, high as heaven.

But soon the chosen spouse of Jove perceived

the Queen's infection; and because the voice

of honor to such frenzy spoke not, she,

daughter of Saturn, unto Venus turned

and counselled thus: “How noble is the praise,

how glorious the spoils of victory,

for thee and for thy boy! Your names should be

in lasting, vast renown—that by the snare

of two great gods in league one woman fell!

it 'scapes me not that my protected realms

have ever been thy fear, and the proud halls

of Carthage thy vexation and annoy.

Why further go? Prithee, what useful end

has our long war? Why not from this day forth

perpetual peace and nuptial amity?

Hast thou not worked thy will? Behold and see

how Iove-sick Dido burns, and all her flesh

'The madness feels! So let our common grace

smile on a mingled people! Let her serve

a Phrygian husband, while thy hands receive

her Tyrian subjects for the bridal dower!”

In answer (reading the dissembler's mind

which unto Libyan shores were fain to shift

italia's future throne) thus Venus spoke:

“'T were mad to spurn such favor, or by choice

be numbered with thy foes. But can it be

that fortune on thy noble counsel smiles?

To me Fate shows but dimly whether Jove

unto the Trojan wanderers ordains

a common city with the sons of Tyre,

with mingling blood and sworn, perpetual peace.

His wife thou art; it is thy rightful due

to plead to know his mind. Go, ask him, then!

For humbly I obey!” With instant word

Juno the Queen replied: “Leave that to me!

But in what wise our urgent task and grave

may soon be sped, I will in brief unfold

to thine attending ear. A royal hunt