Then Ilioneus, leave being now given that he should speak, thus began:  “O Queen, whom Jupiter permits to build a new city in these lands, we men of Troy, whom the winds have carried over many seas, pray thee that thou save our ships from fire, and spare a people that serveth the Gods.  For, indeed, we are not come to waste the dwellings of this land, or to carry off spoils to our ships.  For, of a truth, they who have suffered so much think not of such deeds.  There is a land which the Greeks call Hesperia, but the people themselves Italy, after the name of their chief; an ancient land, mighty in arms and fertile of corn.  Hither, were we journeying, when a storm arising scattered our ships, and only these few that thou seest escaped to the land.  And can there be nation so savage that it receiveth not shipwrecked men on its shore, but beareth arms against them, and forbiddeth them to land?  Nay, but if ye care not for men, yet regard the Gods, who forget neither them that do righteously nor them that transgress.  We had a king, AEneas, than whom there lived not a man more dutiful to Gods and men, and greater in war.  If indeed he be yet alive, then we fear not at all.  For of a truth it will not repent thee to have helped us.  And if not, other friends have we, as Acestes of Sicily.  Grant us, therefore, to shelter our ships from the wind; also to fit them with fresh timber from the woods, and to make ready oars for rowing, so that, finding again our king and our companions, we may gain the land of Italy.  But if he be dead, and Ascanius his son lost also, then there is a dwelling ready for us in the land of Sicily, with Acestes, who is our friend.”

Then Dido, her eyes bent on the ground, thus spake:  “Fear not, men of Troy.  If we have seemed to deal harshly with you, pardon us, seeing that, being newly settled in this land, we must keep watch and ward over our coasts.  But as for the men of Troy, and their deeds in arms, who knows them not?  Think not that we in Carthage are so dull of heart, or dwell so remote from man, that we are ignorant of these things.  Whether, therefore, ye will journey to Italy or rather return to Sicily and King Acestes, know that I will give you all help, and protect you; or, if ye will, settle in this land of ours.  Yours is this city which I am building.  I will make no difference between man of Troy and man of Tyre.  Would that your king also were here!  Surely I will send those that shall seek him in all parts of Libya, lest haply he should be gone astray in any forest or strange city of the land.”

And when AEneas and Achates heard these things they were glad, and would have come forth from the cloud, and Achates said, “What thinkest thou?  Lo, thy comrades are safe, saving him whom we saw with our own eyes drowned in the waves; and all other things are according as thy mother said.”