So sad an object, and so well expressed, Drew sighs and groans from the grieved hero's breast, To see the figure of his lifeless friend, And his old sire his helpless hands extend. Himself he saw amidst the Grecian train, Mixed in the bloody battle on the plain; And swarthy Memnon in his arms he knew, His pompous ensigns, and his Indian crew. Penthesilea there, with haughty grace, Leads to the wars an Amazonian race: In their right hands a pointed dart they wield; The left, for ward, sustains the lunar shield. Athwart her breast a golden belt she throws, } Amidst the press alone provokes a thousand foes, } And dares her maiden arms to manly force oppose. } Thus while the Trojan prince employs his eyes, Fixed on the walls with wonder and surprise, The beauteous Dido, with a numerous train, And pomp of guards, ascends the sacred fane. Such on Eurotas' banks, or Cynthus' height, Diana seems; and so she charms the sight, When in the dance the graceful goddess leads The choir of nymphs, and overtops their heads. Known by her quiver, and her lofty mien, She walks majestic, and she looks their queen: Latona sees her shine above the rest, And feeds with secret joy her silent breast. Such Dido was; with such becoming state, Amidst the crowd, she walks serenely great. Their labour to her future sway she speeds, And passing with a gracious glance proceeds, Then mounts the throne, high placed before the shrine; In crowds around, the swarming people join. She takes petitions, and dispenses laws, Hears and determines every private cause: Their tasks in equal portions she divides, And, where unequal, there by lot decides. Another way by chance Æneas bends His eyes, and unexpected sees his friends, Antheus, Sergestus grave, Cloanthus strong, And at their backs a mighty Trojan throng, Whom late the tempest on the billows tossed, And widely scattered on another coast. The prince, unseen, surprised with wonder stands, And longs, with joyful haste, to join their hands: But, doubtful of the wished event, he stays, And from the hollow cloud his friends surveys, Impatient till they told their present state, And where they left their ships, and what their fate, And why they came, and what was their request; For these were sent commissioned by the rest, To sue for leave to land their sickly men, And gain admission to the gracious queen. Entering, with cries they filled the holy fane; Then thus, with lowly voice, Ilioneus began:-- "O queen! indulged by favour of the gods To found an empire in these new abodes, To build a town, with statutes to restrain The wild inhabitants beneath thy reign-- We wretched Trojans, tossed on every shore, From sea to sea, thy clemency implore. Forbid the fires our shipping to deface! } Receive the unhappy fugitives to grace, }