Meanwhile Æneas, resolved on his journey, was slumbering in his vessel’s tall stern, all being now in readiness. 5 To him a vision of the god, appearing again with the same countenance, presented itself as he slept, and seemed to give this second warning—the perfect picture of Mercury, his voice, his blooming hue, his yellow locks, and the youthful grace of his frame:—“Goddess-born, at a crisis like 10 this can you slumber on? Do you not see the wall of danger which is fast rising round you, infatuate that you are, nor hear the favouring whisper of the western gale? She is revolving in her bosom thoughts of craft and cruelty, resolved on death, and surging with a changeful tempest 15 of passion. Will you not haste away while haste is in your power? You will look on a sea convulsed with ships, an array of fierce torch-fires, a coast glowing with flame, if the dawn-goddess shall have found you loitering here on land. Quick!—burst through delay. A thing of moods 20 and changes is woman ever.” He said, and was lost in the darkness of night. At once Æneas, scared by the sudden apparition, springs up from sleep, and rouses his comrades. “Wake in a moment, my friends, and seat you on the benches. Unfurl 25 the sails with all speed. See! here is a god sent down from heaven on high, urging us again to hasten our flight, and cut the twisted cables. Yes! sacred power, we follow thee, whoever thou art, and a second time with joy obey thy behest. Be thou with us, and graciously aid us, and 30 let propitious stars be ascendant in the sky.” So saying, he snatches from the scabbard his flashing sword, and with the drawn blade cuts the hawsers. The spark flies from man to man; they scour, they scud, they have left the shore behind; you cannot see the water for ships. With 35 strong strokes they dash the foam, and sweep the blue.