And when these came forth there was much shouting and clapping of hands, and the men of Troy rejoiced to see the lads, so like were they to the famous men their fathers. Then, a signal being given, the companies were divided into bands, and these made as if they fought a battle. For sometimes they would fly, and sometimes would pursue, and sometimes would ride altogether this way or that. Many were their ways and movements, even as are the paths of the Labyrinth in Crete. Swift also were they and nimble, even as dolphins which sport among the waves in the Carpathian Sea or African. This custom did Ascanius teach to his people when he built the city of Alba, and the men of Alba taught it to their children after them, and mighty Rome learnt it also, and kept it in the time to come. CHAPTER XII. THE BURNING OF THE SHIPS--THE VOYAGE TO ITALY. But while the men of Troy were busy with the games, Juno prepared mischief against them in her heart, and sent down Iris, her messenger, to accomplish it. Now the women sat apart on the shore, and lifted up their voices and bewailed the old man Anchises. But when they looked upon the sea they lamented for themselves that they had so much travel to accomplish, for they were weary of the sea, and would fain have a city to dwell in. Which when Iris perceived, laying aside the semblance of a goddess, she took upon herself the form of Beroé, the wife of Doryclus, and went among the women of Troy and spake, saying, "O unhappy, that ye were not dragged to death by the hands of the Greeks! For now the seventh summer is come, and yet we journey over many lands and seas, and seek this Italy which ever flies before us. Here we have friends and kindred. What forbids that we build here a city? Shall I never see the walls of another Troy, nor find Xanthus and Simoïs, rivers of Troy, in a strange land? Why burn we not these accursed ships that carry us hither and thither. I saw in a dream the seeress Cassandra, and she seemed to put a torch in my hand, and to say, 'Here seek ye for Troy: here is your home.' And lo! here are altars and fire." Then she caught a brand from an altar, and cast it far from her at the ships. Then cried out Pyrgo, who had been nurse to the sons of Priam, "O mothers of Troy, this is not Beroé whom ye see. Mark ye her shining eyes, and her voice, and her gait. But as for Beroé I left her long since, sick and sore vexed that she was absent this day from our solemnity."