Around me, follow in pursuit and force again
My friends upon the deep and bid them spread their sails,
My comrades whom with pain I weaned from Sidon’s halls?
Nay, nay! as thou deservest, die, and with the sword
Thy sorrows end. O why was it not given me
To spend my life from wedlock and its sorrows free,
As beasts within their forest lairs? Or why, alas,
Was not my promise to Sychæus’ ashes kept?
She sprinkles incense on the flame at the shrine of Sychæus. Dawn begins to brighten. The sailors are heard singing in the distance. Dido starts. She rushes to the window, and looking out, sees the Trojan fleet sailing away over the sea. She cries out in frenzy.
Dido (590-629):