at to one who passes out of the city there is a tomb
and a temple of Ceres in a lonely place, and an ancient cypress-tree hard
by. There will we gather by divers ways. And do thou, my father, take the
holy images in thy hands, for as for me, who have but newly come from
battle, I may not touch them till I have washed me in the running stream."
And as he spake he put a cloak of lion's skin upon his shoulders, and the
old man sat thereon. Ascanius also laid hold of his hand, and Creusa
followed behind. So he went in much dread and trembling. For indeed before
sword and spear of the enemy he had not feared, but now he feared for them
that were with him. But when he was come nigh unto the gates, and the
journey was well-nigh finished, there befell a grievous mischance, for
there was heard a sound as of many feet through the darkness; and the old
man cried to him, "Fly, my son, fly; they are coming. I see the flashing
of shields and swords." But as AEneas hasted to go, Creusa his wife was
severed from him. But whether she wandered from the way or sat down in
weariness, no man may say. Only he saw her no more, nor knew her to be
lost, till all his company being met at the temple of Ceres, she only was
found wanting. Very grievous did the thing seem to him, nor did he cease
to cry out in his wrath against Gods and men. Also he bade his comrades
have a care of his father and his son, and of the household gods, and
girded him again with arms, and so passed into the city. And first he went
to the wall and to the gate by which he had come forth, and then to his
house, if haply she had returned thither. But there indeed the men of
Greece were come, and the fire had well-nigh mastered it. And after that
he went to the citadel and to the palace of King Priam. And lo! in the
porch of Juno's temple, Phoenix and Ulysses were keeping guard over the
spoil, even the treasure of the temples, tables of the Gods, and solid
cups of gold, and raiment, and a long array of them that had been taken
captive, children and women. But not the less did he seek his wife through
all the streets of the city, yea, and called her aloud by name. But lo! as
he called, the image of her whom he sought seemed to stand before him,
only greater than she had been while she was yet alive. And the spirit
spake, saying, "Why art thou vainly troubled? These things have not
befallen us against the pleasure of the Gods. The ruler of Olympus willeth
not that Creusa should
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