As to the Harpy's dreadful prophecy that the Trojans would have to eat
their tables, Helenus bade AEneas not to be troubled about it, for
"the fates would find a way," and Apollo would be present to aid. Then
the soothsayer warned his countrymen to shun the strait between Italy
and Sicily, where on one side was the frightful monster Scyl'la, with
the face of a woman and the tail of a dolphin, and on the other was
the dangerous whirlpool Cha-ryb'dis. But more important than all other
things, they must offer sacrifices and prayers to Juno, that her anger
might be turned away from them, for she it was who had hitherto
opposed all their efforts to reach their promised land.

Helenus also told them that on arriving in Italy they must seek out
and consult the famous Sib'yl of Cu'mas. This was a prophetess who
usually wrote her prophecies on leaves of trees, which she placed at
the entrance to her cave. These leaves had to be taken up very
carefully and quickly, for if they were scattered about by the wind,
it would be impossible to put them in order again, so as to read them
or understand their meaning. Helenus, therefore, directed AEneas to
request the Sibyl to give her answers by word of mouth. She would do
so, he said, and tell him all that was to happen to him and his people
in Italy--the wars they would have to encounter, the dangers they were
to meet, and how to avoid them.

Thus Helenus prophesied and gave counsel to his kinsmen. Then he made
presents to AEneas and Anchises of valuable things in gold and silver,
and he sent pilots to the ships, and horses and arms for the men. And
Andromache gave embroidered robes to Ascanius and a cloak wrought in
gold.

Soon afterwards the wanderers bade farewell to their friends, and set