University of Virginia Library

SCENE X.

Enter Iarbas and Araspes.
Iar.
I have search'd
The palace round, nor yet can find Æneas.

Aras.
Perchance he sails from Carthage.

Iar.
Would yon warrior
[sees Æn.
Were him I seek.—He seems not by his garb
Of Afric's sons—What art thou, stranger? Say.

[to him.
Aras.
O how her beauty strikes my ravish'd eyes!

[looking at Sel.
Æn.
Lovely Selene—

[looking at Sel.
Iar.
Sure, thou hear'st me not.

[to Æn.
Æn.
O! too, too feeling for another's woes!

[to Sel.
Sel.
What arrogant deportment!

[looking at Iar.
Aras.
Heavens! how fair!

[looking at Sel.
Iar.
Declare thy name, or now—

[to Æn.
Æn.
What right hast thou
To make this proud demand, or what to thee
Imports my name or birth?

Iar.
To me, my will
Is all the right I seek.

Æn.
It is not here
Our wont to answer madmen.

[going.
Iar.
Answer then
This trusty weapon.

[about to draw.
Sel.
In Selene's sight!
In Dido's palace such presumptuous bearing!

Iar.
And does an envoy from Iarbas claim
No more respect?

Sel.
The queen shall learn this outrage.

Iar.
This let her learn, and in her own despite
Behold me lop yon traitor's daring head,
And join'd with that of her Æneas, cast it
Before the feet of my offended king.

Æn.
The deed may prove more arduous than thy fond
O'erweening hopes presage.

Iar.
Wilt thou oppose it?
Or that Æneas, who, for glories won,
Recounts his past defeats?

Æn.
Yet know, proud man,
Thy boasted victories, in glory's scale,
May yield to his defeats.

Iar.
And who art thou,
That dar'st for him provoke me?

Æn.
I am one,
Let this suffice, who holds thy wrath in scorn.

[Exit.