Æn. What means fair Dido by this doubtful speech?
Dido. Nay, nothing; but Æneas loves me not.
Æn. Æneas' thoughts dare not ascend so high As Dido's heart, which monarchs might not scale.
Dido. It was because I saw no king like thee, Whose golden crown might balance my content; But now that I have found what to affect, I follow one that loveth fame 'fore [507] me, And rather had seem fair [in] Sirens' eyes, Than to the Carthage queen that dies for him.40
Æn. If that your majesty can look so low As my despisèd worths that shun all praise, With this my hand I give to you my heart, And vow, by all the gods of hospitality, By heaven and earth, and my fair brother's bow, By Paphos, Capys, [508] and the purple sea From whence my radiant mother did ascend, [509] And by this sword that sav'd me from the Greeks, Never to leave these new-uprearèd walls, Whiles Dido lives and rules in Juno's town,—50 Never to like or love any but her!
Dido. What more than Delian music do I hear, That calls my soul from forth his living seat To move unto the measures of delight? Kind clouds, that sent forth such a courteous storm As made disdain to fly to fancy's lap! Stout love, in mine arms make thy Italy, Whose crown and kingdom rests at thy command: Sichæus, not Æneas, be thou call'd; The king of Carthage, not Anchises' son.60 Hold, take these jewels at thy lover's hand, [Giving jewels, &c. These golden bracelets, and this wedding-ring, Wherewith my husband woo'd me yet a maid, And be thou king of Libya by my gift. [Exeunt to the cave.