 | Dido |  |
SCENE I.
A magnificent hall of audience, with a throne on one side. A prospect of the city of Carthage.Æneas, Selene, Osmidas.
Æn.
No princess, friend, believe not fear or hatred
Unmoors the Phrygian fleet and drives me hence:
I know that Dido loves me (ah! too well
I've prov'd that truth), nor doubt her constant faith.
I love and I adore her: gratitude
Warms every thought for all her kindness shewn
To me, to mine. But destiny commands
Once more to expose my life on Neptune's waves.
Such is the will of Heaven! Ah me unhappy!
The crime of Fate must thus appear my own.
Sel.
If after wandering long thou seek'st a rest
And settled home; 'tis offer'd on this shore:
My sister gives, thy merits and our friendship
Confirm the wish'd asylum.
232
Such asylum
Heaven grants not yet.
Sel.
And wherefore?
Osm.
By what signs
Have the just Gods to you reveal'd their will?
Æn.
Osmidas, sleep has never clos'd these eyes,
In sweet oblivion, but he brings to view
My father's angry shade: “O son! (he cries,
“I hear his well-known voice) ungrateful son!
“Are these the Italian realms, whose conquest oft
“To thee have Phœbus and myself enjoin'd?
“Ill-fated Asia from thy valour hopes
“In other climes renew'd another Troy.
“This didst thou promise, this, in life's last moments
“I heard thee swear, when kneeling, on this hand
“Thy filial kiss confirm'd the solemn compact.
“And now, ungrateful to thyself, thy country,
“Thy father, here thou dwell'st in sloth and love—
“Rise, cut the cords that hold thy tardy vessels,
“And loose thy spreading sails.”—Such warning given
He darts an angry glance and disappears.
Sel.
I freeze with horror.
Osm.
If Æneas leave us
I lose in him a rival to the throne.
[aside.
Sel.
[to Æn.]
If you forsake us, hapless Dido dies,—
233
[aside.
Osm.
The queen approaches.
Æn.
Whither shall I turn?
Sel.
I dare not speak my pains.
[aside.
Æn.
Be firm my heart,
Thy trial comes!
[aside.
| Dido | |