She spake: he, warned by Jove's command, his eyes still steadfast held, And, striving, thrust his sorrow back, howso his heart-strings swelled: At last he answered shortly thus: "O Queen, though words may fail To tell thy lovingkindness, ne'er my heart belies the tale: Still shall it be a joy to think of sweet Elissa's days While of myself I yet may think, while breath my body sways. Few words about the deed in hand: ne'er in my mind it came As flees a thief to flee from thee; never the bridal flame Did I hold forth, or plight my troth such matters to fulfil. If fate would let me lead a life according to my will, 340 Might I such wise as pleaseth me my troubles lay to rest, By Troy-town surely would I bide among the ashes blest Of my beloved, and Priam's house once more aloft should stand; New Pergamus for vanquished men should rise beneath my hand. But now Grynean Phoebus bids toward Italy the great To reach my hand; to Italy biddeth the Lycian fate: There is my love, there is my land. If Carthage braveries And lovely look of Libyan walls hold fast thy Tyrian eyes, Why wilt thou grudge the Teucrian men Ausonian dwelling-place? If we too seek the outland realm, for us too be there grace! 350 Father Anchises, whensoever night covereth up the earth With dewy dark, and whensoe'er the bright stars come to birth, His troubled image midst of sleep brings warning word and fear. Ascanius weigheth on my heart with wrong of head so dear, Whom I beguile of fateful fields and realm of Italy. Yea, even now God's messenger sent from the Jove on high, (Bear witness either head of us!) bore doom of God adown The eager wind: I saw the God enter the fair-walled town In simple light: I drank his voice, yea with these ears of mine. Cease then to burn up with thy wail my burdened heart and thine! 360 Perforce I follow Italy."