For still she begs to hear it once again. The hearer on the speaker's mouth depends, And thus the tragic story never ends. Then, when they part, when Phœbe's paler light Withdraws, and falling stars to sleep invite, She last remains, when every guest is gone, Sits on the bed he pressed, and sighs alone; Absent, her absent hero sees and hears; Or in her bosom young Ascanius bears, And seeks the father's image in the child, If love by likeness might be so beguiled. Meantime the rising towers are at a stand; No labours exercise the youthful band, Nor use of arts, nor toils of arms they know; The mole is left unfinished to the foe; The mounds, the works, the walls, neglected lie, Short of their promised height, that seemed to threat the sky. But when imperial Juno, from above, Saw Dido fettered in the chains of love, Hot with the venom which her veins inflamed, And by no sense of shame to be reclaimed, With soothing words to Venus she begun:-- "High praises, endless honours, you have won, And mighty trophies, with your worthy son! Two gods a silly woman have undone! Nor am I ignorant, you both suspect This rising city, which my hands erect: But shall celestial discord never cease? 'Tis better ended in a lasting peace. You stand possessed of all your soul desired; Poor Dido with consuming love is fired. Your Trojan with my Tyrian let us join; } So Dido shall be yours, Æneas mine-- } One common kingdom, one united line. } Eliza shall a Dardan lord obey, And lofty Carthage for a dower convey." Then Venus (who her hidden fraud descried, } Which would the sceptre of the world misguide } To Libyan shores) thus artfully replied:-- } "Who, but a fool, would wars with Juno chuse, And such alliance and such gifts refuse, If Fortune with our joint desires comply? The doubt is all from Jove, and destiny;[102] Lest he forbid, with absolute command, To mix the people in one common land-- Or will the Trojan and the Tyrian line, In lasting leagues and sure succession, join. But you, the partner of his bed and throne, May move his mind; my wishes are your own." "Mine," said imperial Juno, "be the care:-- } Time urges now:--to perfect this affair, } Attend my counsel, and the secret share. } When next the Sun his rising light displays, And gilds the world below with purple rays, The queen, Æneas, and the Tyrian court, Shall to the shady woods, for sylvan game, resort. There, while the huntsmen pitch their toils around, And cheerful horns, from side to side, resound, A pitchy cloud shall cover all the plain With hail, and thunder, and tempestuous rain; The fearful train shall take their speedy flight, Dispersed, and all involved in gloomy night;