Yet, if the heavens will hear my pious vow, The faithless waves, not half so false as thou, Or secret sands, shall sepulchres afford To thy proud vessels, and their perjured lord. Then shalt thou call on injured Dido's name: } Dido shall come in a black sulphury flame, } When death has once dissolved her mortal frame-- } Shall smile to see the traitor vainly weep: } Her angry ghost, arising from the deep, } Shall haunt thee waking, and disturb thy sleep. } At least my shade thy punishment shall know, And Fame shall spread the pleasing news below." Abruptly here she stops--then turns away Her loathing eyes, and shuns the sight of day. Amazed he stood, revolving in his mind What speech to frame, and what excuse to find. Her fearful maids their fainting mistress led, And softly laid her on her ivory bed. But good Æneas, though he much desired To give that pity which her grief required-- Though much he mourned, and laboured with his love-- Resolved at length, obeys the will of Jove; Reviews his forces: they with early care Unmoor their vessels, and for sea prepare. The fleet is soon afloat, in all its pride, And well-caulked galleys in the harbour ride. Then oaks for oars they felled; or, as they stood, Of its green arms despoiled the growing wood, Studious of flight. The beach is covered o'er With Trojan bands, that blacken all the shore: On every side are seen, descending down, Thick swarms of soldiers, loaden from the town. Thus, in battalia, march embodied ants, Fearful of winter, and of future wants, To invade the corn, and to their cells convey The plundered forage of their yellow prey. The sable troops, along the narrow tracks, Scarce bear the weighty burden on their backs: Some set their shoulders to the ponderous grain; } Some guard the spoil; some lash the lagging train; } All ply their several tasks, and equal toil sustain. } What pangs the tender breast of Dido tore, When, from the tower, she saw the covered shore, And heard the shouts of sailors from afar, Mixed with the murmurs of the watery war! All-powerful Love! what changes canst thou cause In human hearts, subjected to thy laws! Once more her haughty soul the tyrant bends: To prayers and mean submissions she descends. No female arts or aids she left untried, Nor counsels unexplored, before she died. "Look, Anna! look! the Trojans crowd to sea; They spread their canvas, and their anchors weigh. The shouting crew their ships with garlands bind, Invoke the sea-gods, and invite the wind. Could I have thought this threatening blow so near, My tender soul had been forewarned to bear. But do not you my last request deny; } With yon perfidious man your interest try, } And bring me news, if I must live or die.