DRYDEN, _AEneid_, BOOK VII.

Alecto, glad to be thus employed, hastened to the palace of Latinus,
and sought out Queen Amata, who, as has already been said, desired to
have Turnus for her son-in-law. The Furies were hideous beings in
appearance, for instead of hair they had serpents coiled around their
heads. Alecto unseen by Amata, shook her terrible locks, upon which
one of the reptiles darted into the dress of the queen; and, gliding
unfelt around her body, infused into her heart a violent hatred of the
Trojans.

Unseen, unfelt, the fiery serpent skims,
His baneful breath inspiring as he glides;
Now like a chain around her neck he rides;
Now like a fillet to her head repairs,
And with his circling volumes folds her hairs.
At first the silent venom slid with ease,
And seized her cooler senses by degrees.
DRYDEN, _AEneid_, BOOK VII.

Amata now endeavored to turn the mind of Latinus against the proposed
marriage, but he was not to be moved from his purpose of forming an
alliance with the Trojans. Then the queen filled with anger rushed out
of the palace, as if in a frenzy, and hastening through the city
called upon the women of Latium to espouse her cause and the cause of
their country. She also carried off her daughter, and concealed her in
the mountains, to prevent her marriage with the hated Trojan.

Having thus kindled discord in the family of Latinus, Alecto next
proceeded to Ar'de-a the Rutulian capital. Here she assumed the form