But Venus was troubled in heart, fearing evil to her son should the men of Tyre be treacherous, after their wont, and Juno remember her wrath.  Wherefore, taking counsel with herself, she called to the winged boy, even Love, that was her son, and spake:  “My son, who art all my power and strength, who laughest at the thunders of Jupiter, thou knowest how Juno, being exceedingly wroth against thy brother AEneas, causeth him to wander out of the way over all lands.  This day Dido hath him in her palace, and speaketh him fair; but I fear me much how these things may end.  Wherefore hear thou that which I purpose.  Thy brother hath even now sent for the boy Ascanius, that he may come to the palace, bringing with him gifts of such things as they saved from the ruins of Troy.  Him will I cause to fall into a deep sleep and hide in Cythera or Idalium, and do thou for one night take upon thee his likeness.  And when Queen Dido at the feast shall hold thee in her lap, and kiss and embrace thee, do thou breathe by stealth thy fire into her heart.”

Then did Love as his mother bade him, and put off his wings, and took upon him the shape of Ascanius, but on the boy Venus caused there to fall a deep sleep, and carried him to the woods of Idalium, and lapped him in sweet-smelling flowers.  And in his stead Love carried the gifts to the queen.  And when he was come they sat down to the feast, the queen being in the midst under a canopy.  AEneas also and the men of Troy lay on coverlets of purple, to whom serving-men brought water and bread in baskets and napkins; and within fifty handmaids were ready to replenish the store of victual and to fan the fire; and a hundred others, with pages as many, loaded the tables with dishes and drinking-cups.  Many men of Tyre also were bidden to the feast.  Much they marveled at the gifts of AEneas, and much at the false Ascanius.  Dido also could not satisfy herself with looking on him, nor knew what trouble he was preparing for her in the time to come.  And he, having first embraced the father who was not his father, and clung about his neck, addressed himself to Queen Dido, and she ever followed him with her eyes, and sometimes would hold him on her lap.  And still he worked upon her that she should forget the dead Sichaeus and conceive a new love in her heart.

But when they first paused from the feast, lo! men set great bowls upon the table and filled them to the brim with wine.  Then did the queen call for a great vessel of gold, with many jewels upon it, from which Belus, and all the kings from Belus, had drunk, and called for wine, and having filled it she cried, “O Jupiter, whom they call the god of hosts and guests, cause that this be a day of joy for the men of Troy and for them of Tyre, and that our children remember it forever.  Also Bacchus, giver of joy, be present, and kindly Juno.”  And when she had touched the wine with her lips, she handed the great cup to Prince Bitias, who drank thereout a mighty