Heathen mythology, Illustrated by extracts from the most celebrated writers, both ancient and modern

by Various

Æ N E A S.

Charged to save himself from the wreck of Troy, and to accomplish the decrees of fate, Æneas embarked with a small band in twenty vessels, which Juno however pursued with her wrath. Æolus obedient to the goddess, dispersed the fleet and menaced them with complete destruction. Neptune appeared, and the winds were silent. Æneas, however, found himself separated from the greater part of his companions, seven only of whom remained with him.

He landed on an unknown shore and Venus informed him, that

the rest of his companions were in safety. Æneas, hidden in a cloud went to the palace of Dido, Queen of Carthage, a new town in which this queen had built the most gorgeous edifices; in one of which, where she gave to him a splendid entertainment, the hero related to her the history of the siege of Troy and his own adventures.

The glowing language and animating gestures of the young prince, together with the high deeds which he announced, won the heart of Dido. Nor was Æneas long in perceiving the love felt for him by the beautiful listener, and yielding himself to her charms, staid with her for a considerable time in the enjoyment of all that renders life desirable.

Jupiter, however, grew dissatisfied with Æneas, despatched Mercury to him to command him to leave Africa, to try the destiny which called him to Italy.

In vain Dido endeavoured to stop him, she saw in Æneas a man resolved to leave her, and she loaded him with the curses and reproaches of an infuriated and forsaken lover.

Unable to bear life in the prospect of a desertion so infamous, she prepared a funeral pile, determined to immolate herself; mounting with a calm resolution she gave way to her despair.

"What shall I do? what succour can I find?

Shall I with this ungrateful Trojan go,

Forsake an empire to attend a foe?

Himself I refuged and his train relieved,

'Tis true, but am I sure to be received?

Can gratitude in Trojan souls have place?

Laomedon still lives in all his race!

Then shall I seek alone the flying crew,

Or with my fleet their flying souls pursue?

Rather with steel thy guilty breast invade,

And take the fortune thou thyself hast made!"

Dryden.

With one strong blow she smote herself to the heart, and fell dead upon the pile she had erected.

"Then swiftly to the fatal place she passed,

And mounts the funeral pile with furious haste;

Unsheathes the sword the Trojan left behind,

Not for so dire an enterprize designed;

But when she viewed the garb so loosely spread,

Which once he wore, and saw the conscious bed,

She saw and with a sigh the robes embraced,

Then on the couch her trembling body cast,

Repressed the ready tears and spoke her last;

'Dear pledges of my love, while heaven so pleased,

Receive a soul of mortal anguish eased.

My fatal course is finished, and I go,

A glorious name among the ghosts below,'

Then kissed the couch 'and must I die,' she said,

'And unrevenged, 'tis doubly to be dead;

Yet even this death with pleasure I receive,

On any terms 'tis better than to live;

These flames from far, may the false Trojan view,

These boding omens, his false flight pursue!'

She said and struck; deep entered in her side,

The piercing steel, with reeking purple dyed,

Clogged in the wound, the cruel weapon stands;

The spouting blood came streaming on her hands;

Her sad attendants saw the deadly stroke

And with loud cries, the sounding palace shook.

Thrice Dido tried to raise her drooping head,

And, panting, thrice fell grovelling on the bed.

Thrice ope'd her heavy eyes, and saw the light,

But having found it, sickened at the sight,

And closed her lids at last in endless night."

Dryden.

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