ong, being
wrecked on some rock in their midst. Then wilt thou call on Dido in vain.
Aye, and where-ever thou shalt go I will haunt thee, and rejoice in the
dwellings below to hear thy doom."

Then she turned, and hasted to go into the house. But her spirit left her,
so that her maidens bare her to her chamber and laid her on her bed.

Then AEneas, though indeed he was much troubled in heart, and would fain
have comforted the queen, was obedient to the heavenly word, and departed
to his ships. And the men of Troy busied themselves in making them ready
for the voyage. Even as the ants spoil a great heap of corn and store it
in their dwellings against winter, moving in a black line across the
field, and some carry the great grains, and some chide those that linger,
even so did the Trojans swarm along the ways and labor at the work.

But when Dido saw it she called to Anna her sister and said, "Seest thou
how they hasten the work along the shore? Even now the sails are ready for
the winds, and the sailors have wreathed the ships with garlands, as if
for departure. Go thou--the deceiver always trusted thee, and thou knowest
how best to move him--go and entreat him. I harmed not him nor his people;
let him then grant me this only. Let him wait for a fairer time for his
journey. I ask not that he give up his purpose; only that he grant me a
short breathing space, till I may learn how to bear this sorrow."

And Anna hearkened to her sister, and took the message to AEneas, yet
profited nothing, for the Gods shut his ears that he should not hear. Even
as the oak stands firm when the north wind would root it up from the
earth,--its leaves are scattered all around, yet doth it remain firm, for
its roots go down to the regions below, even as far as its branches reach
to heaven,--so stood AEneas firm, and, though he wept many tears, changed
not his purpose.

Then did Dido grow weary of her life. For when she did sacrifice, the pure
water would grow black and the wine be changed to blood. Also from the
shrine of her husband, which was in the midst of her palace, was heard a
voice calling her, and the owl cried aloud from the house-top. And in her
dreams the cruel AEneas seemed to drive her before him; or she seemed to be
going a long way with none to bear her company, and be seeking her own
people in a land that was desert. Therefore, hiding the thing that was in
her heart, she spake to her sister, saying, "I have found a way, my