Amid such talk they reach the roofs whereunder did abide Unrich Evander; and they see the herd-beasts feeding wide 360 And lowing through the Roman Courts amid Carinæ's shine. But when they came unto the house, "Beneath these doors of mine Conquering Alcides went," he said; "this king's house took him in. Have heart to scorn world's wealth, O guest, and strive thou too to win A godhead's worth: take thou no scorn of our unrich estate." He spake, and 'neath the narrow roof Æneas' body great He led withal, and set him down; and such a bed was there As 'twas of leaves, and overlaid with skin of Libyan bear. Night falleth, and its dusky wings spreads o'er the face of earth, When Venus, fearful in her soul (nor less than fear 'twas worth), 370 Sore troubled by Laurentine threats and all the tumult dread, Bespeaketh Vulcan, as she lay upon his golden bed, And holiness of very love amidst her words she bore: "When Argive kings were wasting Troy predestined with their war, Were wracking towers foredoomed to fall mid flames of hating men, No help of thine for hapless ones, no arms I asked for then, Wrought by thy craft and mastery: nor would I have thee spend Thy labour, O beloved spouse, to win no happy end; Though many things to Priam's house meseemeth did I owe, And oftentimes I needs must weep Æneas' pain and woe. 380 But now that he by Jove's command Rutulian shores hath won, I am thy suppliant, asking arms, a mother for her son, Praying thy godhead's holiness: time was when Nereus' seed, Tithonus' wife, with many tears could bend thee to thy need. Look round, what peoples gather now; what cities shut within Their barrèd gates are whetting sword to slay me and my kin." She spake: with snowy arms of God she fondled him about, And wound him in her soft embrace, while yet he hung in doubt: Sudden the wonted fire struck home; unto his inmost drew The old familiar heat, and all his melting bones ran through: 390 No otherwise than whiles it is when rolls the thunder loud, And gleaming of the fiery rent breaks up the world of cloud. In glory of her loveliness she felt her guile had gained. Then spake the Father, overcome by Love that ne'er hath waned: