And Venus spake to Neptune, saying, "It troubleth me sore that Juno will not lay aside her wrath. For the city of Troy she overthrew, and, it being overthrown, she pursueth them that are left with hatred that cannot be appeased; and now I fear me much what she may do, for she stirred up Æolus that he loosed all the winds against them; and even now she put into the hearts of the women this great madness that they should burn the ships. Wherefore I pray thee that thou shouldest give them now a safe voyage to Italy." And the King of the sea made answer, "Thou doest well to put thy trust in my realms and me. For both have I stilled the madness of the sea and also on the land have I taken thought for thy Æneas. Mindest thou not the day when Achilles pursued the men of Troy to their city, and filled the rivers with dead bodies, so that Xanthus could not make his way to the sea, and how Æneas would have met him in battle, being weaker, and I snatched him away in a cloud, yea though I desired from my heart to overthrow the city of Troy, even the works of my own hands? Fear not, therefore: he shall come safe to the haven of Avernus. One only of his company must perish, even one life for many." Then did he pass over the sea in his chariot, and there was a great calm as he went, and the clouds flew from the sky, and the great beasts of the sea went with him; also the gods and goddesses of the sea, as Glaucus and Palæmon, and the company of the Tritons and Thetis and the virgin Panopeä. And the men of Troy loosed the sheets, and spread all the sails to the wind; and the foremost of the fleet was the ship of Æneas, Palinurus being the helmsman. And in the night Sleep came down from the sky, and taking the shape of Phorbas, spake to Palinurus, saying, "All things are quiet; rest awhile: it is the hour of rest. I will take thy office for thee." But Palinurus, scarce lifting his eyes, made answer: "Dost thou bid me trust calm seas and gentle winds? Not so. Too often have I been deceived." Nor did he loose his hold upon the rudder, or take his eyes from the stars. Then did Sleep wave over him a bough that had been dipped in the water of Lethe; and when he slept, as he must needs do, thrust him into the sea and a portion of the rudder with him; and he fell, calling vainly for help. And when the ships were close to the rocks of the Sirens, which in old time were white with bones of men, but now with spray and broken waves, Æneas perceived that the ship strayed from its course. For indeed, seeing that the helmsman had perished, the winds and the waves had their will of it. Then did he lay hold on the rudder himself, but it grieved him much that such mischance had befallen his friend. CHAPTER XIII. THE SIBYL.