Dido’s chamber. At the left, in front, is a shrine (1). An antique bust with an inscription above it, visible in the light from the glowing censer, indicates that it is sacred to Synchæus. Two broad steps raise it slightly from the level of the stage. On the same side in the middle a door (2), flanked by half columns. At the right, first wing, a door (3); half-way back on the same side (4), a curtained recess in which are hung Dido’s brilliant robes. In the center of the background (5), is a window overlooking the city and harbor, which show in the distance when the window is opened. It is reached by two steps covered with rugs, and the seats about the three sides of the recess are richly upholstered in green and gray. Anna and Dido both wear simple white, while Barce, the aged nurse, is clad plainly in brown. Barce lies asleep on a couch near the shrine, her face lighted by the glowing flame. Anna is asleep on a couch in the foreground. Dido sits at the window in the moonlight, looking out into the night. She gets up and moves restlessly about the room. She kneels before the altar, replenishing the incense. She comes finally to her sister, and, wakening her, tells of her struggle against the new love. _Dido_ (IV. 9-29): O sister, what dread visions of the night invade My troubled soul! What of this stranger lodged within Our halls, how noble in his mien, how brave in heart, Of what puissant arms! From heav’n in truth his race Must be derived, for fear betokens low-born souls. Alas, how tempest-tossed of fate was he! How to The dregs the bitter cup of war’s reverses hath He drained! If in my soul the purpose were not fixed That not to any suitor would I yield myself In wedlock, since the time when he who won my love Was reft away, perchance I might have yielded now. For sister, I confess it, since my husband’s fate, Since that sad day when by his blood my father’s house Was sprinkled, this of all men has my feelings moved. Again I feel the force of passion’s sway. But no! May I be gulfed within earth’s yawning depths; may Jove Almighty hurl me with his thunders to the shades, The pallid shades of Erebus and night profound, Before, O constancy, I violate thy laws! He took my heart who first engaged my maiden love. Still may he keep his own, and in the silent tomb Preserve my love inviolate.— _Anna_ (31-53):