And Venus said, “Nay, stranger, I am not such as ye think.  We virgins of Tyre are wont to carry a quiver and to wear a buskin of purple.  For indeed it is a Tyrian city that is hard by, though the land be Libya.  And of this city Dido is queen, having come hither from Tyre, flying from the wrong-doing of her brother.  And indeed the story of the thing is long, but I will recount the chief matter thereof to thee.  The husband of this Dido was one Sichaeus, richest among all the men of Phoenicia, and greatly beloved of his wife, whom he married from a virgin.  Now the brother of this Sichaeus was Pygmalion, the king of the country, and he exceeded all men in wickedness.  And when there arose a quarrel between them, the king, being exceedingly mad after gold, took him unaware, even as he did sacrifice at the altar, and slew him.  And the king hid the matter many days from Dido, and cheated her with false hopes.  But at the last there came to her in her dreams the likeness of the dead man, baring his wounds and showing the wickedness which had been done.  Also he bade her make haste and fly from that land, and, that she might do this the more easily, told her of great treasure, gold and silver, that was hidden in the earth.  And Dido, being much moved by these things, made ready for flight; also she sought for companions, and there came together to her as many as hated the king or feared him.  Then did they seize ships that chanced to be ready and laded them with gold, even the treasure of King Pygmalion, and so fled across the sea.  And in all this was a woman the leader.  Then came they to this place, where thou seest the walls and citadel of Carthage, and bought so much land as they could cover with a bull’s hide.  And now do ye answer me this, Whence come ye, and whither do ye go?”

Then answered AEneas, “Should I tell the whole story of our wanderings, and thou have leisure to hear, evening would come ere I could make an end.  We are men of Troy, who, having journeyed over many seas, have now been driven by storms to this shore of Libya.  And as for me, men call me Prince AEneas.  The land I seek is Italy, and my race is from Jupiter himself.  With twenty ships did I set sail, going in the way whereon the Gods sent me.  And of these scarce seven are left.  And now, seeing that Europe and Asia endure me not, I wander over the desert places of Africa.”

But Venus suffered him not to speak more, but said, “Whoever thou art, stranger, that art come to this Tyrian city, thou art surely beloved by the Gods.  And now go, show thyself to the queen.  And as for thy ships and thy companions, I tell thee that they are safe in the haven, if I have not learnt augury in vain.  See those twenty swans, how joyously they fly!  And now there cometh an eagle swooping down from the sky, putting them to confusion, but now again they move in due order, and some are settling on the earth and some are preparing to settle.  Even so doth it fare with thy ships, for either are they already in the haven or enter thereinto with sails full set.”