The Fourth Book of Virgils Aeneid and the Ninth Book of Voltaires Henriad | Page 8

not one doubt upon her bliss intrudes:?360 That he, mean while, the fittest time would seek,
The fittest place the sad reverse to speak.
In secret they, the pleasing task pursue;?But soon--(what can escape a lovers view)?Soon Dido saw the change, her boding mind?365 Fancied, foresaw, or felt what they desgn'd.
Trembling, alive to all she sees or hears,?Suspecting ev'ry thing, she doubts, she fears,?While Fame that wounded feeling never spar'd,?The crews on board announced, the fleet prepar'd:?379 Till mad'ning flames within her bosom rise;
Distracted, furious, o'er the town she flies,?Wild as the Woodnymph when the frantic rite?And Bacchanalian shout, to rage excite?Madder and louder as the God invades,?375 She hears him bounding thro' the midnight shades.
Dido, herself, at length, ?neas sought;?Could you, false man, conceive the cruel thought,?To hide a crime so great--unseen to go,--?Silent, unnotic'd--Would you leave me so??380 Has love no charm, has plighted faith no tie?
Nor Dido doom'd a cruel death to dye.?And for yourself--unfeeling!--when die skies?With tempest low'r--when wintry blasts arise,?You tempt the dang'rous ocean--to explore?385 A distant, strange, unhospitable shore.
Had Troy herself existed, who would brave?For Troy herself, the treach'rous wintry wave.?'Tis me you fly--Oh, by your sacred vow,?By these sad tears, (they're all that's left me now?390 To move your heart); by all our solemn ties,
By what I've suffer'd, by our shortliv'd joys,?If gratitude has giv'n me any right,?If any charm in me once gave delight,?Do not desert the wreck yourself have made,?395 Nor from my falling state withdraw your aid.
If yet there's any pow'r in pray'rs like mine,?Oh pity me; recal that sad design--?See Africa pow'rs, my feeble realm pursue,?My Tyrians hearts are gone,--'Tis all for you,?400 To you I've sacrific'd my brightest claim,
My sacred honor--all my former fame:?Since the dear name of husband is forgot,?Think, cruel guest, of wretched Dido's lot.?What prospect in her ruin'd state remains??405 Pygmalions vengeance--proud Iarba's chains.
Of you--of all that's dear in life bereft,?Oh were some pledge of mutual passion left:?Some young ?neas, in whose face alone?His father's dear resemblance I might own,?410 With infant grace my lonely court to cheer,
Not lost, not widow'd quite I should appear?.
She ceas'd.--With eyes unmov'd,--o'er aw'd by Jove?He stood, and with contending passions strove.?At length he spoke. ?For ever I confess?415 I owe you all that words could e'er express,
And in this grateful heart Eliza reigns,?While life itself, and memory remains.?Ne'er did I hope my voyage to conceal;?Never, (my words are few for all I feel),?420 Be not deceiv'd, no, never did I join
These nuptial ties, nor this alliance sign.?Had Fate, alas, allow'd me to dispose,?To end these troubles in the way I chose,?The ruins of my friends, the wreck of Troy,?425 Should all my care, and all my hope employ.
Then, sailing back to Asia's fertile shore,?For them, should Priam's city rise once more.?But now 'tis Italy Apollo shows,?'Tis Italy the Lycian fates propose,?430 My country's there, there all cry vows unite.
Far from your native soil, if you delight?In Afric's coast, these walls if you enjoy;?Allow Ansonia to the sons of Troy.?We too, in foreign lands a state may raise.?435 As oft as Night her humid veil displays,
Oft as the stars, in solemn glory rise,?My father's murm'ring ghost before my eyes?Brings young Ascanius, and upbraiding stands,?And claims th' Hesperian crown, the promised lands;?440 And even now--(on both their heads I swear)
From Joves high throne above, thro' flitting air,?} The thund'rer's will, the herald God declar'd;?} These eyes beheld him, and these ears have heard;?} He past these walls, and in broad day appear'd.?445 Then cease the wounding accent of complaint--
I follow not my will, but Heav'n's constraint?.
She heard his words--but turning from his view,?Now here, now there, her eyes indignant threw.?She fix'd him with a scornful silent cast,?450 All over view'd him--and burst forth at last.
?No, faithless monster, no! Nor race divine,?Nor Dardan sire, nor Goddess mother thine!?Form'd in the flinty womb of rocks accurst,?455 Begot by Caucasus, by tygers nurst.
What need I more? why doubt of what is plain??One sigh, one look, did all my tears obtain.?How name his crimes? did loves extremest woe,?Move that hard heart, or cause one tear to flow!?But will Jove's Queen who guards the nuptial vow,?460 Will mighty Jove himself, such deeds allow?
Whom now confide in? Cast upon my shore,?Shipwreck'd, distress'd, a friendly aid I bore:?Himself, his fleet, his friends, from ruin drew,?Nay, foolish woman! shar'd my kingdom too,?465 Now,--my rage to very madness tends:
Now Lycian fates, now Ph?bus he pretends,?} Nay mighty Jove himself, thro' flitting air?} Sends down a god his dread command to bear.?} A worthy object, truly, for his care!?470 A mighty thing, to break the God's repose!
But go, such fates no longer I oppose;?Go, seek Ausonia in the hollow wind,?And in the frothy surge a kingdom find.?Yes may you find--just Heav'n my wishes serve!?475 Dash'd on some rock, the fate that you deserve.
Then,