THE WANDERINGS OF THE TROJAN AENEAS

THE FLIGHT OF AENEAS FROM THE RUINS OF TROY

By Alfred J. Church

AEneas, a famous Trojan warrior, fought bravely as long as the city stood; but when it had fallen, he bethought himself of his father Anchises, and his wife Creusa, and of his little son Ascanius, and how he had left them without defense at home.  But as he turned to seek them, the night being now, by reason of many fires, as clear as the day, he espied Helen sitting in the temple of Vesta, where she had sought sanctuary; for she feared the men of Troy, to whom she had brought ruin and destruction, and not less her own husband, whom she had deceived.  Then was his wrath kindled, and he spake to himself, “Shall this evil woman return safe to Sparta?  Shall she see again her home and her children, with Trojan women forsooth to be her handmaidens?  Shall Troy be burnt and King Priam be slain, and she take no harm?  Not so; for though there be no glory to be won from such a deed, yet shall I satisfy myself, taking vengeance upon her for my kinsmen and my countrymen.”  But while he thought these things in his heart, lo! there appeared unto him Venus, his mother, made manifest as he had never seen her before, as fair and as tall as the dwellers in heaven behold her.  Then Venus spake thus:  “What meaneth all this rage, my son?  Hast thou no care for me?  Hast thou forgotten thy father Anchises, and thy wife, and thy little son?  Of a surety the fire and the sword had consumed them long since but that I cared for them and saved them.  It is not Helen, no, nor Paris, that hath laid low this great city of Troy, but the wrath of the Gods.  See now, for I will take away the mist that covers thine eyes; see how Neptune with his trident is overthrowing the walls and rooting up the city from its foundations; and how Juno stands with spear and shield in the Scaean Gate and calls fresh hosts from the ships; and how Pallas sits on the height with the storm-cloud about her and her Gorgon shield; and how Father Jupiter himself stirs up the enemy against Troy.  Fly, therefore, my son.  I will not leave thee till thou shalt reach thy father’s house.”  And as she spake she vanished in the darkness.

Then did AEneas see dreadful forms and gods who were enemies of Troy, and before his eyes the whole city seemed to sink down into the fire.  Even as a mountain oak upon the hills on which the woodmen ply their axes bows its head while all its boughs shake about it, till at last, as blow comes after blow, with a mighty groan it falls crashing down from the height, even so the city seemed to fall.  Then did AEneas pass on his way, the goddess leading him, and the flames gave place to him, and the javelins harmed him not.