in the earth.
And Dido, being much moved by these things, made ready for flight; also
she sought for companions, and there came together to her as many as hated
the king or feared him. Then did they seize ships that chanced to be ready
and laded them with gold, even the treasure of King Pygmalion, and so fled
across the sea. And in all this was a woman the leader. Then came they to
this place, where thou seest the walls and citadel of Carthage, and bought
so much land as they could cover with a bull's hide. And now do ye answer
me this, Whence come ye, and whither do ye go?"

Then answered AEneas, "Should I tell the whole story of our wanderings, and
thou have leisure to hear, evening would come ere I could make an end. We
are men of Troy, who, having journeyed over many seas, have now been
driven by storms to this shore of Libya. And as for me, men call me Prince
AEneas. The land I seek is Italy, and my race is from Jupiter himself. With
twenty ships did I set sail, going in the way whereon the Gods sent me.
And of these scarce seven are left. And now, seeing that Europe and Asia
endure me not, I wander over the desert places of Africa."

But Venus suffered him not to speak more, but said, "Whoever thou art,
stranger, that art come to this Tyrian city, thou art surely beloved by
the Gods. And now go, show thyself to the queen. And as for thy ships and
thy companions, I tell thee that they are safe in the haven, if I have not
learnt augury in vain. See those twenty swans, how joyously they fly! And
now there cometh an eagle swooping down from the sky, putting them to
confusion, but now again they move in due order, and some are settling on
the earth and some are preparing to settle. Even so doth it fare with thy
ships, for either are they already in the haven or enter thereinto with
sails full set."

And as she spoke she turned away, and there shone a rosy light from her
neck, also there came from her hair a sweet savor as of ambrosia, and her
garments grew under her feet; and AEneas perceived that she was his mother,
and cried aloud,--

"O my mother, why dost thou mock me so often with false shows, nor
sufferest me to join my hand unto thy hand, and to speak with thee face to
face?"

And he went towards the walls of the city. But Venus covered him and his
companions with a mist, that no man might see them, or hinder them, or
inquire of their business, and then departed to Paphos, where was her
temple and also many