His lovesome mother Love obeyed, and doffed his wings awhile, And as Iulus goeth now rejoicing on his way. 690 But Venus all Ascanius' limbs in quiet rest doth lay, And cherished in her goddess' breast unto Idalian groves She bears him, where the marjoram still soft about him moves And breatheth sweet from scented shade and blossoms on the air. Love wrought her will, and bearing now those royal gifts and rare, Unto the Tyrians joyous went, e'en as Achates led. But when he came into the house, there on her golden bed With hangings proud Queen Dido lay amidmost of the place: The father then, Æneas, then the youth of Trojan race, There gather, and their bodies cast on purple spread abroad. 700 Folk serve them water for their hands, and speed the baskets stored With Ceres, and the towels soft of close-clipped nap they bear. Within were fifty serving-maids, whose long array had care To furnish forth the meat and drink, and feed the house-gods' flame; An hundred more, and youths withal of age and tale the same, Set on the meat upon the board and lay the cups about. And now through that wide joyous door came thronging from without The Tyrians, and, so bidden, lie on benches painted fair. They wonder at Æneas' gifts, and at Iulus there, The flaming countenance of God, and speech so feigned and fine; 710 They wonder at the cope and veil with that acanthus twine. And chiefly that unhappy one doomed to the coming ill, Nor hungry hollow of her heart nor burning eyes may fill With all beholding: gifts and child alike her heart do move. But he, when he had satisfied his feignèd father's love, And clipped Æneas all about, and round his neck had hung, Went to the Queen, who with her eyes and heart about him clung, And whiles would strain him to her breast--poor Dido! knowing nought What God upon her bosom sat; who ever had in thought His Acidalian mother's word, and slowly did begin 720 To end Sychæus quite, and with a living love to win Her empty soul at rest, and heart unused a weary tide. But when the feasting first was stayed, and boards were done aside, Great beakers there they set afoot, and straight the wine they crowned. A shout goes up within the house, great noise they roll around The mighty halls: the candles hang adown from golden roof All lighted, and the torches' flame keeps dusky night aloof. And now a heavy bowl of gold and gems the Queen bade bring And fill with all unwatered wine, which erst used Belus king, 729 And all from Belus come: therewith through the hushed house she said: