Suddenly a tongue of flame is seen to leap and play among the locks of the boy. His parents, in consternation, attempt to extinguish this, but to no effect. _Anchises_, seeing the portent, starts up with wondering joy, stretching his hands upward in prayer (689-691): O Jove, if thou art moved by any prayer, Look on us now; this only do I ask; And, if our piety deserves the boon, Help us, O father, and confirm these signs. A sudden crash of thunder resounds without, and through the open impluvium a bright star is seen shooting across the sky. _Anchises_, rising from his couch in trembling haste (701-704): Now, now is no delay; I’ll follow thee, O son, wherever thou wouldst have me go. O gods, on whom our fatherland depends, Preserve my house, preserve my grandson too. From you has come this heavenly augury, And on your will divine does Ilium rest. I yield me then, O son, into thy hands. And would no more refuse to go with thee. Meanwhile from without the glare of the conflagration increases, and the shouting of the victorious Greeks is heard approaching nearer and nearer. _Æneas_ (707-720): Come then, dear father, mount upon my back, For on my shoulders will I carry thee, Nor will I find that burden overhard. Whatever comes, ‘twill come to both of us, We’ll share misfortune and deliverance too. He takes the old man upon his shoulders, first spreading over his back a lion’s skin. Let young Iulus fare along with me, But at a distance let my wife note well The way I take. And ye, attendants, hark To what I say. Without the city walls There is a mound, where stands an ancient fane Of Ceres, all alone, a cypress tree Of ancient stock, preserved with reverent care For many generations, overhangs The temple walls. Be this our meeting place To which by devious ways in many bands We all shall come. Do thou, my father, carry in thy hands The sacred emblems and our household gods; For me, late come from strife, and stained with blood, ‘Twere sacrilege to touch the holy things, Till I have cleansed me in some running stream. With his father upon his shoulders and leading Iulus by the hand he takes his way out of the house. The household follows, leaving the room deserted. SCENE 2 A dark street near the Ida gate. Æneas, Anchises, and Ascanius as before. Suddenly through the darkness there comes the distant sound of feet and shouting as of pursuers. _Anchises_, peering in the direction of the sound (733, 734): Oh, speed thy steps, my son; the foe are near; I see their gleaming shields and flashing spears. At this Æneas hastens his steps and leaves the scene, his band hurrying after him. SCENE 3