The rains arise, and fires their warmth dispense;
What shakes the solid earth; what cause delays
The summer nights, and shortens winter days.
DRYDEN, AEneid. BOOK I.

The song of Iopas was applauded by the entire assemblage. Then Queen
Dido after asking Aeneas many questions about Priam and Hector, and
Achilles, and Memnon, and Diomede and other heroes of the Trojan war,
begged him to tell the whole story from the beginning. "Come, my
guest," said she, "relate to us from the very first the stratagems of
the Greeks, the adventures of your friends, and your own wanderings."

It was in compliance with this request that Aeneas, as has been said,
recounted the history (already given) of the ruin of Troy, and of his
own misfortunes, commencing with the artifice of the wooden horse, and
ending with the storm which drove his ships upon the Carthaginian
coast. The events of the story extended over a period of seven years,
for it was now that length of time since the fatal "peace offering"
brought destruction on the city of Priam.



IV. DIDO'S LOVE--THE FUNERAL GAMES--SHIPS BURNED BY THE WOMEN.

Queen Dido was much interested in the story told by Aeneas, but more
so in the hero himself. His many virtues, the honors and glories of
his race, made a strong impression on her mind; his looks and words
were imprinted on her heart. In short, the Carthaginian queen was in
love with the Trojan prince. She confided her secret to her sister
Anna, and she said that if she had not vowed, on the death of her dear