es heard these things they were glad, and would
have come forth from the cloud, and Achates said, "What thinkest thou? Lo,
thy comrades are safe, saving him whom we saw with our own eyes drowned in
the waves; and all other things are according as thy mother said."

And even as he spake the cloud parted from about them, and AEneas stood
forth, very bright to behold, with face and breast as of a god, for his
mother had given to him hair beautiful to see, and cast about him the
purple light of youth, even as a workman sets ivory in some fair ornament,
or compasseth about silver or marble of Paros with gold. Then spake he to
the queen: "Lo! I am he whom ye seek, even AEneas of Troy, scarcely saved
from the waters of the sea. And as for thee, O Queen, seeing that thou
only hast been found to pity the unspeakable sorrows of Troy, and biddest
us, though we be but poor exiles and lacking all things, to share thy city
and thy home, may the Gods do so to thee as thou deservest. And, of a
truth, so long as the rivers run to the seas, and the shadows fall on the
hollows of the hills, so long will thy name and thy glory survive,
whatever be the land to which the Gods shall bring me." Then gave he his
right hand to Ilioneus, and his left hand to Sergestus, and greeted them
with great joy.

And Dido, hearing these things, was silent for a while, but at the last
she spake. "What ill fortune brings thee into perils so great? what power
drave thee to these savage shores? Well do I mind me how in days gone by
there came to Sidon one Teucer, who, having been banished from his
country, sought help from Belus that he might find a kingdom for himself.
And it chanced that in those days Belus, my father, had newly conquered
the land of Cyprus. From that day did I know the tale of Troy, and thy
name also, and the chiefs of Greece. Also I remember that Teucer spake
honorably of the men of Troy, saying that he was himself sprung of the old
Teucrian stock. Come ye, therefore to my palace. I too have wandered far,
even as you, and so have come to this land, and having suffered much, have
learnt to succor them that suffer."

So saying she led AEneas into her palace; also she sent to his companions
in the ships great store of provisions, even twenty oxen and a hundred
bristly swine and a hundred ewe sheep with their lambs. But in the palace
a great feast was set forth, couches covered with broidered purple and
silver vessels without end, and cups of