SCENE IV.

_The storm. Enter_ ÆNEAS _and_ DIDO _in the cave, at several times_.

_Dido._ Æneas!

_Æn._ Dido!

_Dido._ Tell me, dear love, how found you out this cave?

_Æn._ By chance, sweet queen, as Mars and Venus met.

_Dido._ Why, that was in a net, where we are loose; And yet I am not free,--O, would I were!

_Æn._ Why, what is it that Dido may desire And not obtain, be it in human power?

_Dido._ The thing that I will die before I ask, And yet desire to have before I die. 10

_Æn_. It is not aught Æneas may achieve?

_Dido._ Æneas! no; although his eyes do pierce.

_Æn._ What, hath Iarbas anger'd her in aught? And will she be avengèd on his life?

_Dido._ Not anger'd me, except in angering thee.

_Æn._ Who, then, of all so cruel may he be That should detain thy eye in his defects?

_Dido._ The man that I do eye where'er I am; Whose amorous face, like Pæan, sparkles fire, Whenas he butts his beams on Flora's bed. 20 Prometheus hath put on Cupid's shape, And I must perish in his burning arms: Æneas, O Æneas, quench these flames!

_Æn._ What ails my queen? is she faln sick of late?

_Dido._ Not sick, my love; but sick I must conceal The torment that it boots me not reveal: And yet I'll speak,--and yet I'll hold my peace. Do shame her worst, I will disclose my grief: Æneas, thou art he--what did I say? Something it was that now I have forgot. 30

_Æn._ What means fair Dido by this doubtful speech?

_Dido._ Nay, nothing; but Æneas loves me not.

_Æn._ Æneas' thoughts dare not ascend so high As Dido's heart, which monarchs might not scale.

_Dido._ It was because I saw no king like thee, Whose golden crown might balance my content; But now that I have found what to affect, I follow one that loveth fame 'fore[507] me, And rather had seem fair [in] Sirens' eyes, Than to the Carthage queen that dies for him. 40

_Æn._ If that your majesty can look so low As my despisèd worths that shun all praise, With this my hand I give to you my heart, And vow, by all the gods of hospitality, By heaven and earth, and my fair brother's bow, By Paphos, Capys,[508] and the purple sea From whence my radiant mother did ascend,[509] And by this sword that sav'd me from the Greeks, Never to leave these new-uprearèd walls, Whiles Dido lives and rules in Juno's town,-- 50 Never to like or love any but her!

_Dido._ What more than Delian music do I hear, That calls my soul from forth his living seat To move unto the measures of delight? Kind clouds, that sent forth such a courteous storm As made disdain to fly to fancy's lap! Stout love, in mine arms make thy Italy, Whose crown and kingdom rests at thy command: Sichæus, not Æneas, be thou call'd; The king of Carthage, not Anchises' son. 60 Hold, take these jewels at thy lover's hand, [_Giving jewels, &c._ These golden bracelets, and this wedding-ring, Wherewith my husband woo'd me yet a maid, And be thou king of Libya by my gift. [_Exeunt to the cave._