Sailing off again, the Trojans next reached Epirus, which they found governed by Helenus, a Trojan, for Achilles’ son had already been slain.  Although Hector’s widow was now queen of the realm where she had been brought a captive, she still mourned for her noble husband, and gladly welcomed the fugitives for his sake.  It was during the parting sacrifice that Helenus predicted that, after long wanderings, his guests would settle in Italy, in a spot where they would find a white sow suckling thirty young.  He also cautioned Aeneas about the hidden dangers of Charybdis and Scylla, and bade him visit the Cumaean Sibyl, so as to induce her, if possible, to lend him her aid.

Restored and refreshed by this brief sojourn among kinsmen, Aeneas and his followers resumed their journey, steering by the stars and avoiding all landing in eastern or southern Italy which was settled by Greeks.  After passing Charybdis and Scylla unharmed, and after gazing in awe at the plume of smoke crowning Mt.  Aetna, the Trojans rescued one of the Greeks who had escaped with Ulysses from the Cyclops’ cave but who had not contrived to sail away.

To rest his weary men, Aeneas finally landed at Drepanum, in Sicily, where his old father died and was buried with all due pomp.  It was shortly after leaving this place, that Aeneas’ fleet had been overtaken by the terrible tempest which had driven his vessels to Dido’s shore.

  So King Aeneas told his tale
    While all beside were still,
  Rehearsed the fortunes of his sail
    And fate’s mysterious will: 
  Then to its close his legend brought
  And gladly took the rest he sought.

Book IV. While Aeneas rested peacefully, Dido’s newborn passion kept her awake, causing her at dawn to rouse her sister Anna, so as to impart to her the agitated state of her feelings.  Not only did Anna encourage her sister to marry again, but united with her in a prayer to which Venus graciously listened, although Juno reminded her that Trojans and Carthaginians were destined to be foes.  Still, as Goddess of Marriage, Juno finally consented that Aeneas and Dido be brought together in the course of that day’s hunt.

We now have a description of the sunrise, of the preparations for the chase, of the queen’s dazzling appearance, and of the daring huntsmanship of the false Iulus.  But the brilliant hunting expedition is somewhat marred in the middle of the day by a sudden thunderstorm, during which Aeneas and Dido accidentally seek refuge in the same cave, where we are given to understand their union takes place.  So momentous a step, proclaimed by the hundred-mouthed Goddess of Fame, rouses the ire of the native chiefs, one of whom fervently hopes Carthage may rue having spared these Trojan refugees.  This prayer is duly registered by Jupiter, who further bids Mercury remind Aeneas his new realm is to be founded in Italy and not on the African coast!