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BOOK IV.
105

See, you have gained your heart's desire:
Lost Dido's blood is turned to fire.
Then rule we race and race as one,
With equal plenitude of power:
Tour Phrygian yoke she e'en shall don,
And bring her Tyrians as her dower.'

Then Venus—for the drift she saw
Of her too gracious host,
Who fain would Latium's empire draw
To Libya's favoured coast—
Thus answered: 'Who would say you no,
And choose you not for friend but foe,
Could he but feel, your pleasure done,
The wished-for consequence were won?
But ah! I stand in doubt of fate:
Would Jupiter desire
To merge in one promiscuous state
The sons of Troy and Tyre,
Let nations thus their lives unite,
And common federation plight?
His consort you: you best may move
His heart with urgency of love.
Advance: I follow where you lead.'
Heaven's empress made return:
'That task be mine: now, how to speed
Our nearer purpose, grant your heed,
And briefly you shall learn.
Æneas and the unhappy queen
Are bound to hunt in woodland green,
Soon as to-morrow's sun displays
His orb, and lights the world with rays.
Then, when the hunter-train beset
The forest walks with dog and net,
A furious tempest I will send,
And all the heaven with thunder rend.