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Dido irrecoverably in love, accosts Venus first in a sarcastic tone but
afterwards in very persuasive language, endeavours in her turn to
deceive her, by obtaining her content to the marriage, by which means to
frustrate the fates which promised the empire of the world to the
descendants of AEneas in Italy. Venus, aware of the deceit, appears in a
very complimentary style to give into it, and consents to her projects.
While the Tyrian princess and the Trojan are hunting in a forest Juno
sends down a violent storm, and the Queen and AEneas take shelter alone
in a dark cavern.--There Juno performed the nuptial rite and the passion
of Dido was reconciled to her conscience.--Fame soon spreads the report
of this alliance.--Iarba, one of Dido's suitors, hears of it and
addresses an angry prayer to Jupiter Ammon from whom he was descended.
Jove sends down Mercury to order AEneas to leave Carthage. Dido
endeavours to make him alter this terrible resolution, falls into the
most violent paroxism of rage at his cold refusal, again melts into
tenderness, employs her sister to prevail upon AEneas, at least, to wait
till the wintry storms were past. All is in vain, and Dido resolved to
die, deceives her sister with an idea of magic rites to get rid of her
passion--and persuades her to raise a funeral pyle in her palace, AEneas
a second time admonished by Mercury sets sail; when Dido, at the break
of day, beholds his vessels out of reach she again bursts into a violent
fit of passion, but soon sinks into despair.--Accuses her sister's fatal
kindness, upbraids herself with her infidelity to the memory of Sicheus,
vents the most dreadful imprecations against AEneas and the Romans, who
were to be his ascendants, bequeaths all her hatred to her subjects,
than relaxes into a momentary tenderness at the sight of the nuptial
bed, the cloaths and pictures of AEneas which she had placed on the
funeral pyre, and at last puts an end to her life with the sword of her
faithless lover.

THE FOURTH BOOK
OF
VIRGIL'S AENEID,
TRANSLATED INTO ENGLISH VERSE.

While Dido, now with rising cares opprest,
Indulg'd the pain; the flame within her breast
In silence prey'd, and burn'd in every vein.
Fix'd in her heart, his voice, his form remain;
5 Still would her thought the Hero's fame retrace,
Her fancy