On his commands--the god, who saved from fire Your flaming fleet, and heard your just desire. The wholesome counsel of your friend receive, And here the coward train and women leave: The chosen youth, and those who nobly dare, Transport, to tempt the dangers of the war. The stern Italians will their courage try; Rough are their manners, and their minds are high. But first to Pluto's palace you shall go, And seek my shade among the blest below: For not with impious ghosts my soul remains, } Nor suffers, with the damned, perpetual pains, } But breathes the living air of soft Elysian plains. } The chaste Sibylla shall your steps convey, And blood of offered victims free the way. There shall you know what realms the gods assign, And learn the fates and fortunes of your line. But now, farewell! I vanish with the night, } And feel the blast of heaven's approaching light." } He said, and mixed with shades, and took his airy flight.-- } "Whither so fast?" the filial duty cried; "And why, ah! why the wished embrace denied?" He said, and rose: as holy zeal inspires, He rakes hot embers, and renews the fires; His country gods and Vesta then adores With cakes and incense, and their aid implores. Next, for his friends and royal host he sent, Revealed his vision, and the god's intent, With his own purpose.--All, without delay, The will of Jove, and his desires, obey. They list with women each degenerate name, Who dares not hazard life for future fame. These they cashier. The brave remaining few, Oars, banks, and cables, half consumed, renew. The prince designs a city with the plough: The lots their several tenements allow, This part is named from Ilium, that from Troy, And the new king ascends the throne with joy; A chosen senate from the people draws; Appoints the judges, and ordains the laws. Then, on the top of Eryx, they begin A rising temple to the Paphian queen. Anchises, last, is honoured as a god: } A priest is added, annual gifts bestowed, } And groves are planted round his blest abode. } Nine days they pass in feasts, their temples crowned; And fumes of incense in the fanes abound. Then from the south arose a gentle breeze, That curled the smoothness of the glassy seas: The rising winds a ruffling gale afford, And call the merry mariners aboard. Now loud laments along the shores resound, Of parting friends in close embraces bound. The trembling women, the degenerate train, Who shunned the frightful dangers of the main, Even those desire to sail, and take their share Of the rough passage, and the promised war: Whom good Æneas cheers, and recommends To their new master's care his fearful friends. On Eryx' altars three fat calves he lays; }