And even as he spake the cloud parted from about them, and AEneas stood forth, very bright to behold, with face and breast as of a god, for his mother had given to him hair beautiful to see, and cast about him the purple light of youth, even as a workman sets ivory in some fair ornament, or compasseth about silver or marble of Paros with gold.  Then spake he to the queen:  “Lo!  I am he whom ye seek, even AEneas of Troy, scarcely saved from the waters of the sea.  And as for thee, O Queen, seeing that thou only hast been found to pity the unspeakable sorrows of Troy, and biddest us, though we be but poor exiles and lacking all things, to share thy city and thy home, may the Gods do so to thee as thou deservest.  And, of a truth, so long as the rivers run to the seas, and the shadows fall on the hollows of the hills, so long will thy name and thy glory survive, whatever be the land to which the Gods shall bring me.”  Then gave he his right hand to Ilioneus, and his left hand to Sergestus, and greeted them with great joy.

And Dido, hearing these things, was silent for a while, but at the last she spake.  “What ill fortune brings thee into perils so great? what power drave thee to these savage shores?  Well do I mind me how in days gone by there came to Sidon one Teucer, who, having been banished from his country, sought help from Belus that he might find a kingdom for himself.  And it chanced that in those days Belus, my father, had newly conquered the land of Cyprus.  From that day did I know the tale of Troy, and thy name also, and the chiefs of Greece.  Also I remember that Teucer spake honorably of the men of Troy, saying that he was himself sprung of the old Teucrian stock.  Come ye, therefore to my palace.  I too have wandered far, even as you, and so have come to this land, and having suffered much, have learnt to succor them that suffer.”

So saying she led AEneas into her palace; also she sent to his companions in the ships great store of provisions, even twenty oxen and a hundred bristly swine and a hundred ewe sheep with their lambs.  But in the palace a great feast was set forth, couches covered with broidered purple and silver vessels without end, and cups of gold, whereon were embossed the mighty deeds of the men of old time.

And in the mean time AEneas sent Achates in haste to the ships, that he might fetch Ascanius to the feast.  Also he bade that the boy should bring with him gifts of such things as they had saved from the ruins of Troy,—­a mantle stiff with broidery of gold and a veil bordered with yellow acanthus, which the fair Helen had taken with her, flying from her home; but Leda, her mother, had given them to Helen; a sceptre likewise which Ilione, first-born of the daughters of Priam, had carried, and a necklace of pearls and a double crown of jewels and gold.