would have been killed by the Greeks if I had not cared for them and
saved them. It is not Helen or Paris that has laid low this great city
of Troy, but the wrath of the gods. See now, for I will take away the
mist that covers your mortal eyes; see how Neptune with his trident is
overthrowing the walls and rooting up the city from its foundations;
and how Juno stands with spear and shield in the Scae'an Gate, and
calls fresh hosts from the ships; and how Pallas sits on the height
with the storm-cloud about her; and how Father Jupiter himself stirs
up the enemy against Troy. Fly, therefore, my son. I myself will guard
you till you stand before your father's door."

The goddess then disappeared and AEneas quickly proceeded to obey her
command. Hastening home he resolved to take his aged father to a place
of safety in the hills beyond the city, but the old man refused to go.
"You, who are young and strong," said he, "may go, but I shall remain
here, for if it had been the will of the gods that I should live, they
would have preserved my home."

"Now leave me: be your farewell said
To this my corpse, and count me dead."
CONINGTON, _AEneid_, BOOK II

Nor could all the entreaties of his son and wife move him from his
resolution. Then AEneas, in grief and despair, was about to rush back
to the battle, which still raged in the city, preferring to die rather
than to go and leave his father behind. But at this moment a bright
flame as if of fire was seen to play around the head of the boy Iulus,
and send forth beams of light. Alarmed as well as surprised at the
spectacle, AEneas was about to extinguish the flames by water, when
Anchises cried out that it was a sign from heaven that he should