Troy torn from blazing shrines, tables of gods, bowls of solid gold, and captive vestments in one great heap. Boys and mothers stand trembling all about in long array. “Nay, I was emboldened even to fling random cries 25 through the darkness. I filled the streets with shouts, and in my agony called again and again on my Creusa with unavailing iteration. As I was thus making my search and raving unceasingly the whole city through, the hapless shade, the spectre of my own Creusa appeared in my 30 presence—a likeness larger than the life. I was aghast, my hair stood erect, my tongue clove to my mouth, while she began to address me thus, and relieve my trouble with words like these: ‘Whence this strange pleasure in indulging frantic grief, my darling husband? It is 35 not without Heaven’s will that these things are happening: that you should carry your Creusa with you on your journey is forbidden by fate, forbidden by the mighty ruler of heaven above. You have long years of exile, a vast expanse of ocean to traverse—and then you will arrive at the land of Hesperia, where Tiber, Lydia’s river, rolls his gentle volumes through rich and cultured plains. There you have a smiling future, a kingdom and a royal 5 bride waiting your coming. Dry your tears for Creusa, your heart’s choice though she be. I am not to see the face of Myrmidons or Dolopes in their haughty homes, or to enter the service of some Grecian matron—I, a Dardan princess, daughter by marriage of Venus the immortal. 10 No, I am kept in this country by heaven’s mighty mother. And now farewell, and continue to love your son and mine. Thus having spoken, spite of my tears, spite of the thousand things I longed to say, she left me and vanished into unsubstantial air. Thrice, as I 15 stood, I essayed to fling my arms round her neck—thrice the phantom escaped the hands that caught at it in vain—impalpable as the wind, fleeting as the wings of sleep. “So passed my night, and such was my return to my comrades. Arrived there, I find with wonder their band 20 swelled by a vast multitude of new companions, matrons and warriors both, an army mustered for exile, a crowd of the wretched. From every side they were met, prepared in heart as in fortune to follow me over the sea to any land where I might take them to settle. And now 25 the morning star was rising over Ida’s loftiest ridge with the day in its train—Danaan sentinels were blocking up the entry of the gates, and no hope of succour appeared. I retired at last, took up my father, and made for the mountains. 30 BOOK III