As he wept, the beautiful Dido entered, joyously intent on her great work,
and, seating herself on her throne, proceeded to give laws to the Tyrians,
and assign their work to them.
Suddenly, to the amazement of Aeneas and Achates, in burst their lost
comrades, Antheus, Sergestus, Gyas, Cloanthus, and other Trojans,
demanding of Dido a reason for their rough reception. To whom the queen
replied:--
"Let fear desert your hearts; I, too, have suffered, and know how to aid
the unfortunate. And whither hath not the fame of Troy penetrated? I will
aid you in leaving this coast, or give you a home with me, treating you as
I treat my Tyrians. Would only that Aeneas's self stood with you!"
Then burst Aeneas forth from his cloud-wrapping, made more beautiful by
Venus, the purple bloom of youth on his face, joy in his eyes. "Here am I,
Trojan Aeneas, to render thanks to thee, divine Dido."
Dido, charmed with the hero, prepared a banquet for him in her splendid
hall, curtained with rich drapery, and adorned with costly plate, whereon
were pictured the proud deeds of her ancestors. Hither came the Trojans
with gifts for Dido,--a rich robe stiff with gold embroidery, a veil
embroidered with the yellow acanthus, ornaments of Helen, the sceptre of
Ilione, a pearl and gold necklace, and a double crown of gems and gold.
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