4/46 Acestes accepts his new subjects, and the Trojans depart. Venus prevails on Neptune to grant them safe convoy in return for the life of the helmsman Palinurus, who is drowned (910-1062). Now well at sea, AEneas, fixt in mind, Held on his course, and cleft the watery ways Through billows blackened by the northern wind, And backward on the city bent his gaze, Bright with the flames of Dido. Whence the blaze Arose, they knew not; but the pangs they knew When love is passionate, and man betrays, And what a frantic woman scorned can do, And many a sad surmise their boding thoughts pursue. The fleet was on mid-ocean; land no more Was visible, nor aught but sea and sky; When lo! above them a black cloud, that bore Tempest and Night, frowned iron-dark on high, And the wave, shuddering as the wind swept by, Curled and was darkened. |