I never hoped a secret flight from hence, Much less pretended to the lawful claim Of sacred nuptials, or a husband's name. For, if indulgent heaven would leave me free, And not submit my life to Fate's decree, My choice would lead me to the Trojan shore, } Those reliques to review, their dust adore, } And Priam's ruined palace to restore. } But now the Delphian oracle commands, And Fate invites me to the Latian lands. That is the promised place to which I steer, And all my vows are terminated there. If you, a Tyrian and a stranger born, With walls and towers a Libyan town adorn, Why may not we--like you, a foreign race-- Like you, seek shelter in a foreign place? As often as the night obscures the skies With humid shades, or twinkling stars arise, Anchises' angry ghost in dreams appears, Chides my delay, and fills my soul with fears; And young Ascanius justly may complain, Defrauded of his fate, and destined reign. Even now the herald of the gods appeared-- Waking I saw him, and his message heard. From Jove he came commissioned, heavenly bright With radiant beams, and manifest to sight: (The sender and the sent I both attest,) These walls he entered, and those words expressed:-- Fair queen, oppose not what the gods command; Forced by my fate, I leave your happy land." Thus while he spoke, already she began, With sparkling eyes, to view the guilty man; From head to foot surveyed his person o'er, Nor longer these outrageous threats forbore:-- "False as thou art, and, more than false, forsworn! Not sprung from noble blood, nor goddess-born, But hewn from hardened entrails of a rock! And rough Hyrcanian tygers gave thee suck! Why should I fawn? what have I worse to fear? } Did he once look, or lent a listening ear, } Sighed when I sobbed, or shed one kindly tear? } All symptoms of a base ungrateful mind, So foul, that, which is worse, 'tis hard to find. Of man's injustice why should I complain? The gods, and Jove himself, behold in vain Triumphant treason; yet no thunder flies, } Nor Juno views my wrongs with equal eyes; } Faithless is earth, and faithless are the skies! } Justice is fled, and truth is now no more! I saved the shipwrecked exile on my shore; With needful food his hungry Trojans fed; I took the traitor to my throne and bed: Fool that I was--'tis little to repeat The rest--I stored and rigged his ruined fleet. I rave, I rave! A god's command he pleads, And makes heaven accessory to his deeds. Now Lycian lots, and now the Delian god, Now Hermes is employed from Jove's abode, To warn him hence; as if the peaceful state Of heavenly powers were touched with human fate! But go! thy flight no longer I detain-- Go! seek thy promised kingdom through the main!