shores! How noble of mien! How bold in
war! Sure I am that he is of the sons of the Gods. What fortunes have been
his! Of what wars he told us! Surely were I not steadfastly purposed that
I would not yoke me again in marriage, this were the man to whom I might
yield. Only he--for I will tell thee the truth, my sister--only he, since
the day when Sichaeus died by our brother's hand, hath moved my heart. But
may the earth swallow me up, or the almighty Father strike me with
lightning, ere I stoop to such baseness. The husband of my youth hath
carried with him my love, and he shall keep it in his grave."

So she spake, with many tears. And her sister made answer, "Why wilt thou
waste thy youth in sorrow, without child or husband? Thinkest thou that
there is care or remembrance of such things in the grave? No suitors
indeed have pleased thee here or in Tyre, but wilt thou also contend with
a love that is after thine own heart? Think too of the nations among whom
thou dwellest, how fierce they are, and of thy brother at Tyre, what he
threatens against thee. Surely it was by the will of the Gods, and of Juno
chiefly, that the ships of Troy came hither. And this city, which thou
buildest, to what greatness will it grow if only thou wilt make for
thyself such alliance! How great will be the glory of Carthage if the
strength of Troy be joined unto her! Only do thou pray to the Gods and
offer sacrifices; and, for the present, seeing that the time of sailing is
now past, make excuse that these strangers tarry with thee awhile."

Thus did Anna comfort her sister and encourage her. And first the two
offered sacrifice to the Gods, chiefly to Juno, who careth for the bond of
marriage. Also, examining the entrails of slain beasts, they sought to
learn the things that should happen thereafter. And ever Dido would
company with AEneas, leading him about the walls of the city which she
builded. And often she would begin to speak and stay in the midst of her
words. And when even was come, she would hear again and again at the
banquet the tale of Troy, and while others slept would watch, and while he
was far away would seem to see him and to hear him. Ascanius, too, she
would embrace for love of his father, if so she might cheat her own heart.
But the work of the city was stayed meanwhile; nor did the towers rise in
their places, nor the youth practice themselves in arms.

Then Juno, seeing how it fared with the queen, spake to Venus: "Are