Dido. But yet Æneas will not leave his love.
Æn. I am commanded by immortal Jove To leave this town and pass to Italy;100 And therefore must of force.
Dido. These words proceed not from Æneas' heart.
Æn. Not from my heart, for I can hardly go; And yet I may not stay. Dido, farewell.
Dido. Farewell! is this the 'mends for Dido's love? Do Trojans use to quit [545] their lovers thus? Fare well may Dido, so Æneas stay; I die, if my Æneas say farewell.
Æn. Then let me go, and never say farewell: Let me go; farewell: [546] I must from hence.110
Dido. These words are poison to poor Dido's soul: O, speak like my Æneas, like my love! Why look'st thou toward the sea? the time hath been When Dido's beauty chain'd [547] thine eyes to her. Am I less fair than when thou saw'st me first? O, then, Æneas, 'tis for grief of thee! Say thou wilt stay in Carthage with thy [548] queen, And Dido's beauty will return again. Æneas, say, how can'st thou take thy leave? Wilt thou kiss Dido? O, thy lips have sworn120 To stay with Dido! canst thou take her hand? Thy hand and mine have plighted mutual faith; Therefore, unkind Æneas, must thou say, "Then let me go, and never say farewell?"
Æn. O queen of Carthage, wert thou ugly-black, Æneas could not choose but hold thee dear! Yet must he not gainsay the gods' behest.
Dido. The gods! what gods be those that seek my death? Wherein have I offended Jupiter, That he should take Æneas from mine arms?130 O no! the gods weigh not what lovers do: It is Æneas calls Æneas hence; And woful Dido, by these blubber'd [549] cheeks, By this right hand, and by our spousal rites, Desires Æneas to remain with her; Si [550] bene quid de te merui, fuit aut tibi quidquam Dulce meum, miserere domus labentis, et istam, Oro, si quis adhuc [551] precibus locus, exue mentem.
Æn. Desine [552] meque tuis incendere teque querelis; Italiam non sponte sequor.140