Dido, Queen of Carthage

The Tragedie of Dido Queene of Carthage . Here the Curtaines draw , there is discouered Iupiter dandling Ganimed vpon his knee , and Mercury lying asleepe . Iup. COme gentle Ganimed and play with me , I loue thee well , say Iuno what she will . Gan. I am much better for your worthles loue , That will not shield me from her shrewish blowes : To day when as I fild into your cups , And held the cloath of pleasance whiles you dranke , She reacht me such a rap for that I spilde , As made the bloud run downe about mine eares . Iup. What ? dares she strike the darling of my thoughts ? By Saturnes soule , and this earth threatning aire , That shaken thrise , makes Natures buildings quake , I vow , if she but once frowne on thee more , To hang her meteor like twixt heauen and earth , And bind her hand and foote with golden cordes , As once I did for harming Hercules . Gan. Might I but see that pretie sport a foote , O how would I with Helens brother laugh , And bring the Gods to wonder at the game : Sweet Iupiter , if ere I pleasde thine eye , Or seemed faire walde in with Egles wings , Grace my immortall beautie with this boone , And I will spend my time in thy bright armes . Iup. What is t sweet wagge I should deny thy youth ? Whose face reflects such pleasure to mine eyes , As I exhal'd with thy fire darting beames , Haue oft driuen backe the horses of the night , When as they would haue hal'd thee from my sight : Sit on my knee , and call for thy content , Controule proud Fate , and cut the thred of time , Why are not all the Gods at thy commaund , And heauen and earth the bounds of thy delight ? Vulcan shall daunce to make thee laughing sport , And my nine Daughters sing when thou art sad , From Iunos bird I le pluck her spotted pride , To make thee fannes wherewith to coole thy face , And Venus Swannes shall shed their siluer downe , To sweeten out the slumbers of thy bed : Hermes no more shall shew the world his wings , If that thy fancie in his feathers dwell , But as this one I le teare them all from him , Doe thou but say their colour pleaseth me : Hold here my little loue these linked gems , My Iuno ware vpon her marriage day , Put thou about thy necke my owne sweet heart , And tricke thy armes and shoulders with my theft . Gan. I would haue a iewell for mine eare , And a fine brouch to put in my hat , And then I le hugge with you an hundred times . Iup. And shall haue Ganimed , if thou wilt be my loue . Enter Venus . Venus . I this is it , you can sit toying there , And playing with that female wanton boy , Whiles my Aeneas wanders on the Seas , And rests a pray to euery billowes pride . Iuno , false Iuno in her Chariots pompe , Drawne through the heauens by Steedes of Boreas brood , Made Hebe to direct her ayrie wheeles Into the windie countrie of the clowdes , Where finding Aeolus intrencht with stormes , And guarded with a thousand grislie ghosts , She humbly did beseech him for our bane , And charg'd him drowne my sonne with all his traine . Then gan the windes breake ope their brazen doores , And all Aeolia to be vp in armes : Poore Troy must now be sackt vpon the Sea , And Neptunes waues be enuious men of warre , Epeus horse to Aetnas hill transformd , Prepared stands to wracke their woodden walles , And Aeolus like Agamemnon sounds The surges , his fierce souldiers to the spoyle : See how the night Vlysses-like comes forth , And intercepts the day as Dolon erst : Ay me ! the Starres supprisde like Rhesus Steedes , Are drawne by darknes forth Astraus tents . What shall I doe to saue thee my sweet boy ? When as the waues doe threat our Chrystall world , And Proteus raising hils of flouds on high , Entends ere long to sport him in the skie . False Iupiter , rewardst thou vertue so ? What ? is not pietie exempt from woe ? Then dye Aeneas in thine innocence , Since that religion hath no recompence . Iup. Content thee Cytherea in thy care , Since thy Aeneas wandring fate is firme , Whose wearie lims shall shortly make repose , In those faire walles I promist him of yore : But first in bloud must his good fortune bud , Before he be the Lord of Turnus towne , Or force her smile that hetherto hath frownd : Three winters shall he with the Rutiles warre , And in the end subdue them with his sword , And full three Sommers likewise shall he waste , In mannaging those fierce barbarian mindes : Which once performd , poore Troy so long supprest , From forth her ashes shall aduance her head , And flourish once againe that erst was dead : But bright Ascanius beauties better worke , Who with the Sunne deuides one radiant shape , Shall build his throne amidst those starrie towers , That earth-borne Atlas groning vnderprops : No bounds but heauen shall bound his Emperie , Whose azured gates enchased with his name , Shall make the morning hast her gray vprise , To feede her eyes with his engrauen fame . Thus in stoute Hectors race three hundred yeares , The Romane Scepter royall shall remaine , Till that a Princesse priest conceau'd by Mars , Shall yeeld to dignitie a dubble birth , Who will eternise Troy in their attempts . Venus . How may I credite these thy flattering termes , When yet both sea and sands beset their ships , And Phoebus as in stygian pooles , refraines To taint his tresses in the Tyrrhen maine ? Iup. I will take order for that presently : Hermes awake , and haste to Neptunes realme , Whereas the Wind-god warring now with Fate , Besiege the ofspring of our kingly loynes , Charge him from me to turne his stormie powers , And fetter them in Vulcans sturdie brasse , That durst thus proudly wrong our kinsmans peace . Venus farewell , thy sonne shall be our care : Come Ganimed , we must about this geare . Exeunt Iupiter cum Ganimed . Venus . Disquiet Seas lay downe your swelling lookes , And court Aeneas with your calmie cheere , Whose beautious burden well might make you proude , Had not the heauens conceau'd with hel-borne clowdes . Vaild his resplendant glorie from your view , For my sake pitie him Oceanus , That erst-while issued from thy watrie loynes , And had my being from thy bubling froth : Triton I know hath fild his trumpe with Troy , And therefore will take pitie on his toyle , And call both Thetis and Cimodea , To succour him in this extremitie . Enter Aeneas with Ascanius , with one or two more . What ? doe I see my sonne now come on shoare : Venus , how art thou compast with content , The while thine eyes attract their sought for ioyes : Great Iupiter , still honourd maist thou be , For this so friendly ayde in time of neede . Here in this bush disguised will I stand , Whiles my Aeneas spends himselfe in plaints , And heauen and earth with his vnrest acquaints . Aen. You sonnes of care , companions of my course , Priams misfortune followes vs by sea , And Helens rape doth haunt thee at the heeles . How many dangers haue we ouer past ? Both barking Scilla and the sounding Rocks , The Cyclops shelues , and grim Ceranias seate Haue you oregone , and yet remaine aliue ? Pluck vp your hearts , since fate still rests our friend , And chaunging heauens may those good daies returne , Which Pergama did vaunt in all her pride . Acha. Braue Prince of Troy , thou onely art our God , That by thy vertues freest vs from annoy , And makes our hopes suruiue to cunning ioyes : Doe thou but smile , and clowdie heauen will cleare , Whose night and day descendeth from thy browes : Though we be now in extreame miserie , And rest the map of weather beaten woe : Yet shall the aged Sunne shed forth his aire , To make vs liue vnto our former heate , And euery beast the forrest doth send forth , Bequeath her young ones to our scanted foode . Asca. Father I saint , good father giue me meate . Aen. Alas sweet boy , thou must be still a while , Till we haue fire to dresse the meate we kild : Gentle Achates , reach the Tinder boxe , That we may make a fire to warme vs with , And rost our new found victuals on this shoare . Venus . See what strange arts necessitie findes out , How neere my sweet Aeneas art thou driuen ? Aen. Hold , take this candle and goe light a fire , You shall haue leaues and windfall bowes enow Neere to these woods , to rost your meate withall : Ascanius , goe and drie thy drenched lims , Whiles I with my Achates roaue abroad , To know what coast the winde hath driuen vs on , Or whether men or beasts inhabite it . Acha. The ayre is pleasant , and the soyle most fit For Cities , and societies supports : Yet much I maruell that I cannot finde , No steps of men imprinted in the earth . Venus . Now is the time for me to play my part : Hoe yong men , saw you as you came Any of all my Sisters wandring here ? Hauing a quiuer girded to her side , And cloathed in a spotted Leopards skin . Aen. I neither saw nor heard of any such : But what may I faire Virgin call your name ? Whose lookes set forth no mortall forme to view , Nor speech bewraies ought humaine in thy birth , Thou art a Goddesse that deludst our eyes , And shrowdes thy beautie in this borrowd shape : But whether thou the Sunnes bright Sister be , Or one of chast Dianas fellow Nimphs , Liue happie in the height of all content , And lighten our extreames with this one boone , As to instruct vs vnder what good heauen We breathe as now , and what this world is calde , On which by tempests furie we are cast , Tell vs , O tell vs that are ignorant , And this right hand shall make thy Altars crack With mountaine heapes of milke white Sacrifize . Venus . Such honour , stranger , doe I not affect : It is the vse for Turen maides to weare Their bowe and quiuer in this modest sort , And suite themselues in purple for the nonce , That they may trip more lightly ore the lawndes , And ouertake the tusked Bore in chase . But for the land whereof thou doest enquire , It is the punick kingdome rich and strong , Adioyning on Agenors stately towne , The kingly seate of Southerne Libia , Whereas Sidonian Dido rules as Queene . But what are you that aske of me these things ? Whence may you come , or whither will you goe ? Aen. Of Troy am I , Aeneas is my name , Who driuen by warre from forth my natiue world , Put sailes to sea to seeke out Italy : And my diuine descent from sceptred Ioue , With twise twelue Phrigian ships I plowed the deepe , And made that way my mother Venus led : But of them all scarce seuen doe anchor safe , And they so wrackt and weltred by the waues , As euery tide tilts twixt their oken sides : And all of them vnburdened of their loade , Are ballassed with billowes watrie weight . But haples I , God wot , poore and vnknowne , Doe trace these Libian deserts all despisde , Exild forth Europe and wide Asia both , And haue not any couerture but heauen . Venus . Fortune hath fauord thee what ere thou be , In sending thee vnto this curteous Coast : A Gods name on and hast thee to the Court , Where Dido will receiue ye with her smiles : And for thy ships which thou supposest lost , Not one of them hath perisht in the storme , But are ariued safe not fane from hence : And so I leaue thee to thy fortunes lot , Wishing good lucke vnto thy wandring steps . Exit . Aen. Achates , t is my mother that is fled , I know her by the mouings of her feete : Stay gentle Venus , flye not from thy sonne , Too cruell , why wilt thou forsake me thus ? Or in these shades deceiu'st mine eye so oft ? Why talke we not together hand in hand ? And tell our griefes in more familiar termes : But thou art gone and leau'st me here alone , To dull the ayre with my discoursiue moane . Exit Enter Illioneus , and Cleanthes . Illio. Follow ye Troians , follow this braue Lord , And plaine to him the summe of your distresse . Iar. Why , what are you , or wherefore doe you sewe ? Illio. Wretches of Troy , enuied of the windes , That craue such fauour at your honors feete , As poore distressed miserie may pleade : Saue , saue , O saue our ships from cruell fire , That doe complaine the wounds of thousand waues , And spare our liues whom euery spite pursues . We come not we to wrong your Libian Gods , Or steale your houshold lares from their shrines : Our hands are not prepar'd to lawles spoyle , Nor armed to offend in any kind : Such force is farre from our vnweaponed thoughts , Whose fading weale of victorie forsooke , Forbids all hope to harbour neere our hearts . Iar. But tell me Troians , Troians if you be , Vnto what fruitfull quarters were ye bound , Before that Boreas buckled with your sailes ? Cloan. There is a place Hesperia term'd by vs , An ancient Empire , famoused for armes , And fertile in faire Ceres furrowed wealth , Which now we call Italia of his name , That in such peace long time did rule the same : Thither made we , When suddenly gloomie Orion rose , And led our ships into the shallow sands , Whereas the Southerne winde with brackish breath , Disperst them all amongst the wrackfull Rockes : From thence a fewe of vs escapt to land , The rest we feare are foulded in the flouds . Iar. Braue men at armes , abandon fruitles feares , Since Carthage knowes to entertaine distresse . Serg. I but the barbarous sort doe threat our ships , And will not let vs lodge vpon the sands : In multitudes they swarme vnto the shoare , And from the first earth interdict our feete . Iar. My selfe will see they shall not trouble ye , Your men and you shall banquet in our Court , And euery Troian be as welcome here , As Iupiter to sillie Vansis house : Come in with me , I le bring you to my Queene , Who shall confirme my words with further deedes . Serg. Thankes gentle Lord for such vnlookt for grace , Might we but once more see Aeneas face , Then would we hope to quite such friendly turnes , As shall surpasse the wonder of our speech .

Actus 2. Enter Aeneas , Achates , and Ascanius . Aen. Where am I now ? these should be Carthage walles . Acha. Why stands my sweete Aeneas thus amazde ? Aen. O my Achates , Theban Niobe , Who for her sonnes death wept out life and breath , And drie with griefe was turnd into a stone , Had not such passions in her head as I . Me thinkes that towne there should be Troy , yon Idas hill , There Zanthus streame , because here 's Priamus , And when I know it is not , then I dye . Ach. And in this humor is Achates to , I cannot choose but fall vpon my knees , And kisse his hand : O where is Hecuba , Here she was wont to sit , but sauing ayre Is nothing here , and what is this but stone ? Aen. O yet this stone doth make Aeneas weepe , And would my prayers ( as Pigmalions did ) Could giue it life , that vnder his conduct We might saile backe to Troy , and be reuengde On these hard harted Grecians , which reioyce That nothing now is left of Priamus : O Priamus is left and this is he , Come , come abourd , pursue the hatefull Greekes . Acha. What meanes Aeneas ? Aen. Achates though mine eyes say this is stone , Yet thinkes my minde that this is Priamus : And when my grieued heart sighes and sayes no , Then would it leape out to giue Priam life : O were I not at all so thou mightst be . Achates , see King Priam wags his hand , He is aliue , Troy is not ouercome . Ach. Thy mind Aeneas that would haue it so Deludes thy eye sight , Priamus is dead . Aen. Ah Troy is sackt , and Priamus is dead , And why should poore Aeneas be aliue ? Asca. Sweete father leaue to weepe , this is not he : For were it Priam he would smile on me . Acha. Aeneas see here come the Citizens , Leaue to lament lest they laugh at our feares . Enter Cloanthus , Sergestus , Illioneus . Aen. Lords of this towne , or whatsoeuer stile Belongs vnto your name , vouchsafe of ruth To tell vs who inhabits this faire towne , What kind of people , and who gouernes them : For we are strangers driuen on this shore , And scarcely know within what Clime we are . Illio. I heare Aeneas voyce , but see him not , For none of these can be our Generall . Acha. Like Illioneus speakes this Noble man , But Illioneus goes not in such robes . Serg. You are Achates , or I deciu'd . Acha. Aeneas see Sergestus or his ghost . Illio. He meanes Aeneas , let vs kisse his feete . Cloan. It is our Captaine , see Ascanius . Serg. Liue long Aeneas and Ascanius . Aen. Achates , speake , for I am ouerioyed . Acha. O Illioneus , art thou yet aliue ? Illio. Blest be the time I see Achates face . Cloan. Why turnes Aeneas from his trustie friends ? Aen. Sergestus , Illioneus and the rest , Your sight amazde me , O what destinies Haue brought my sweete companions in such plight ? O tell me , for I long to be resolu'd . Illio. Louely Aeneas , these are Carthage walles , And here Queene Dido weares th' imperiall Crowne , Who for Troyes sake hath entertaind vs all , And clad vs in these wealthie robes we weare . Oft hath she askt vs vnder whom we seru'd , And when we told her she would weepe for griefe , Thinking the sea had swallowed vp thy ships , And now she sees thee how will she reioyce ? Serg. See where her seruitors passe through the hall Bearing a banket , Dido is not farre . Illio. Looke where she comes : Aeneas viewd her well . Aen. Well may I view her , but she sees not me . Enter Dido and her traine . Dido . What stranger art thou that doest eye me thus ? Aen. Sometime I was a Troian mightie Queene : But Troy is not , what shall I say I am ? Illio. Renowmed Dido , t is our Generall : warlike Aeneas . Dido . Warlike Aeneas , and in these base robes ? Goe fetch the garment which Sicheus ware : Braue Prince , welcome to Carthage and to me , Both happie that Aeneas is our guest : Sit in this chaire and banquet with a Queene , Aeneas is Aeneas , were he clad In weedes as bad as euer Irus ware . Aen. This is no seate for one that s comfortles , May it please your grace to let Aeneas waite : For though my birth be great , my fortunes meane , Too meane to be companion to a Queene . Dido . Thy fortune may be greater then thy birth , Sit downe Aeneas , sit in Didos place , And if this be thy sonne as I suppose , Here let him sit , be merrie louely child . Aen. This place beseemes me not , O pardon me . Dido . I le haue it so , Aeneas be content . Asca. Madame , you shall be my mother . Dido . And so I will sweete child : be merrie man , Here s to thy better fortune and good starres . Aen. In all humilitie I thanke your grace . Dido . Remember who thou art , speake like thy selfe , Humilitie belongs to common groomes . Aen. And who so miserable as Aeneas is ? Dido . Lyes it in Didos hands to make thee blest , Then be assured thou art not miserable . Aen. O Priamus , O Troy , Oh Hecuba ! Dido . May I entreate thee to discourse at large , And truely to how Troy was ouercome : For many tales goe of that Cities fall , And scarcely doe agree vpon one poynt : Some say Antenor did betray the towne , Others report t was Sinons periurie : But all in this that Troy is ouercome , And Priam dead , yet how we heare no newes . Aen. A wofull tale bids Dido to vnfould , Whose memorie like pale deaths stony mace , Beates forth my senses from this troubled soule , And makes Aeneas sinke at Didos feete . Dido . What faints Aeneas to remember Troy ? In whose defence he fought so valiantly : Looke vp and speake . Aen. Then speake Aeneas with Achilles tongue , And Dido and you Carthaginian Peeres Heare me , but yet with Mirmidons harsh eares , Daily inur'd to broyles and Massacres , Lest you be mou'd too much with my sad tale . The Grecian souldiers tired with ten yeares warre , Began to crye , let vs vnto our ships , Troy is inuincible , why stay we here ? With whose outcryes Atrides being apal'd , Summoned the Captaines to his princely tent , Who looking on the scarres we Troians gaue , Seeing the number of their men decreast , And the remainder weake and out of heart , Gaue vp their voyces to dislodge the Campe , And so in troopes all marcht to Tenedos : Where when they came , Vlysses on the sand Assayd with honey words to turne them backe : And as he spoke to further his entent , The windes did driue huge billowes to the shoare , And heauen was darkned with tempestuous clowdes : Then he alleag'd the Gods would haue them stay , And prophecied Troy should be ouercome : And therewithall he calde false Sinon forth , A man compact of craft and periurie , Whose ticing tongue was made of Hermos pipe , To force an hundred watchfull eyes to sleepe : And him Epeus hauing made the horse , With sacrificing wreathes vpon his head , Vlysses sent to our vnhappie towne : Who groueling in the mire of Zanthus bankes , His hands bound at his backe , and both his eyes Turnd vp to heauen as one resolu'd to dye , Our Phrigian shepherd haled within the gates , And brought vnto the Court of Priamus : To whom he vsed action so pitifull , Lookes so remorcefull , vowes so forcible , As there withall the old man ouercome , Kist him , imbrast him , and vnloosde his bands , And then , O Dido , pardon me . Dido . Nay leaue not here , resolue me of the rest Aen. O th' inchaunting words of that base slaue , Made him to thinke Epeus pine-tree Horse A sacrifize t' appease Mineruas wrath : The rather for that one Laocoon Breaking a speare vpon his hollow breast , Was with two winged Serpents stung to death . Whereat agast , we were commanded straight With reuerence to draw it into Troy . In which vnhappie worke was I employd , These hands did helpe to hale it to the gates , Through which it could not enter t was so huge . O had it neuer entred , Troy had stood . But Priamus impatient of delay , Inforst a wide breach in that rampierd wall , Which thousand battering Rams could neuer pierce , And so came in this fatall instrument : At whose accursed feete as ouerioyed , We banquetted till ouercome with wine , Some surfetted and others soundly slept . Which Sinon viewing , causde the Greekish spyes To hast to Tenedos and tell the Campe : Then he vnlockt the Horse , and suddenly From out his entrailes , Neoptolemus Setting his speare vpon the ground , leapt forth , And after him a thousand Grecians more , In whose sterne faces shin'd the quenchles fire , That after burnt the pride of Asia . By this the Campe was come vnto the walles , And through the breach did march into the streetes , Where meeting with the rest , kill kill they cryed . Frighted with this confused noyse , I rose , And looking from a turret , might behold Yong infants swimming in their parents bloud , Headles carkasses piled vp in heapes , Virgins halfe dead dragged by their golden haire , And with maine force flung on a ring of pikes , Old men with swords thrust through their aged sides , Kneeling for mercie to a Greekish lad , Who with steele Pol-axes dasht out their braines . Then buckled I mine armour , drew my sword , And thinking to goe downe , came Hectors ghost With ashie visage , blewish sulphure eyes , His armes torne from his shoulders , and his breast Furrowd with wounds , and that which made me weepe , Thongs at his heeles , by which Achilles horse Drew him in triumph through the Greekish Campe , Burst from the earth , crying , Aeneas flye , Troy is a fire , the Grecians haue the towne , Dido . O Hector who weepes not to heare thy name ? Aen. Yet flung I forth , and desperate of my life , Ran in the thickest throngs , and with this sword Sent many of their sauadge ghosts to hell . At last came Pirrhus fell and full of ire , His harnesse dropping bloud , and on his speare The mangled head of Priams yongest sonne , And after him his band of Mirmidons , With balles of wilde fire in their murdering pawes , Which made the funerall flame that burnt faire Troy : All which hemd me about , crying , this is he . Dido . Ah , how could poore Aeneas scape their hands ? Aen. My mother Venus iealous of my health , Conuaid me from their crooked nets and bands : So I escapt the furious Pirrhus wrath : Who then ran to the pallace of the King , And at Ioues Altar finding Priamus , About whos 's withered necke hung Hecuba , Foulding his hand in hers , and ioyntly both Beating their breasts and falling on the ground , He with his faulchions poynt raisde vp at once , And with Megeras eyes stared in their face , Threatning a thousand deaths at euery glaunce . To whom the aged King thus trembling spoke : Achilles sonne , remember what I was , Father of fiftie sonnes , but they are slaine , Lord of my fortune , but my fortunes turnd , King of this Citie , but my Troy is fired , And now am neither father , Lord , nor King : Yet who so wretched but desires to liue ? O let me liue , great Neoptolemus , Not mou'd at all , but smiling at his teares , This butcher whil'st his hands were yet held vp , Treading vpon his breast , strooke off his hands . Dido . O end Aeneas , I can heare no more . Aen. At which the franticke Queene leapt on his face , And in his eyelids hanging by the nayles , A little while prolong'd her husbands life : At last the souldiers puld her by the heeles , And swong her howling in the emptie ayre , Which sent an eccho to the wounded King : Whereat he lifted vp his bedred lims , And would haue grappeld with Achilles sonne , Forgetting both his want of strength and hands , Which he disdaining whiskt his sword about , And with the wound thereof the King fell downe : Then from the nauell to the throat at once , He ript old Priam : at whose latter gaspe Ioues marble statue gan to bend the brow , As lothing Pirrhus for this wicked act : Yet he vndaunted tooke his fathers flagge , And dipt it in the old Kings chill cold bloud , And then in triumph ran into the streetes , Through which he could not passe for slaughtred men : So leaning on his sword he stood stone still , Viewing the fire wherewith rich Ilion burnt . By this I got my father on my backe , This yong boy in mine armes , and by the hand Led faire Creusa my beloued wife , When thou Achates with thy sword mad'st way , And we were round inuiron'd with the Greekes : O there I lost my wife : and had not we Fought manfully , I had not told this tale : Yet manhood would not serue , of force we fled , And as we went vnto our ships , thou knowest We sawe Cassandra sprauling in the streetes , Whom Aiax rauisht in Dianas Fawne , Her cheekes swolne with sighes , her haire all rent , Whom I tooke vp to beare vnto our ships : But suddenly the Grecians followed vs , And I alas , was forst to let her lye . Then got we to our ships , and being abourd , Polixena cryed out , Aeneas stay , The Greekes pursue me , stay and take me in . Moued with her voyce , I lept into the sea , Thinking to beare her on my backe abourd : For all our ships were launcht into the deepe , And as I swomme , she standing on the shoare , Was by the cruell Mirmidons surprizd , And after by that Pirrhus sacrifizde . Dido . I dye with melting ruth , Aeneas leaue . Anna . O what became of aged Hecuba ? Iar. How got Aeneas to the fleete againe ? Dido . But how scapt Helen , she that causde this warre ? Aen. Achates speake , sorrow hath tired me quite . Acha. What happened to the Queene we cannot shewe , We heare they led her captiue into Greece , As for Aeneas he swomme quickly backe , And Helena betraied Dūphobus Her Louer , after Alexander dyed , And so was reconcil'd to Menelaus . Dido . O had that ticing strumpet nere been borne : Troian , thy ruthfull tale hath made me sad : Come let vs thinke vpon some pleasing sport , To rid me from these melancholly thoughts . Exeunt omnes . Enter Venus at another doore , and takes Ascanius by the sleeue . Venus . Faire child stay thou with Didos waiting maide , I le giue thee Sugar-almonds , sweete Conserues , A siluer girdle , and a golden purse , And this yong Prince shall be thy playfellow . Asca. Are you Queene Didos sonne ? Cupid . I , and my mother gaue me this fine bow . Asca. Shall I haue such a quiuer and a bow ? Venus . Such bow , such quiuer , and such golden shafts , Will Dido giue to sweete Ascanius : For Didos sake I take thee in my armes , And sticke these spangled feathers in thy hat , Eate Comfites in mine armes , and I will sing . Now is he fast asleepe , and in this groue Amongst greene brakes I le lay Ascanius , And strewe him with sweete smelling Violets , Blushing Roses , purple Hyacinthe : These milke white Doues shall be his Centronels : Who if that any seeke to doe him hurt , Will quickly flye to Citheidas fist . Now Cupid turne thee to Ascanius shape , And goe to Dido , who in stead of him Will set thee on her lap and play with thee : Then touch her white breast with this arrow head , That she may dote vpon Aeneas loue : And by that meanes repaire his broken ships , Victuall his Souldiers , giue him wealthie gifts , And he at last depart to Italy , Or els in Carthage make his kingly throne . Cupid . I will faire mother , and so play my part , As euery touch shall wound Queene Didos heart . Venus Sleepe my sweete nephew in these cooling shades , Free from the murmure of these running streames , The crye of beasts , the ratling of the windes , Or whisking of these leaues , all shall be still , And nothing interrupt thy quiet sleepe , Till I returne and take thee hence againe . Exit .

Actus 3. Scena I. Enter Cupid solus . Cupid . Now Cupid cause the Carthaginian Queene , To be inamourd of thy brothers lookes , Conuey this golden arrowe in thy sleeue , Lest she imagine thou art Venus sonne : And when she strokes thee softly on the head , Then shall I touch her breast and conquer her . Enter Iarbus , Anna , and Dido . Iar. How long faire Dido shall I pine for thee ? T is not enough that thou doest graunt me loue , But that I may enioy what I desire : That loue is childish which consists in words . Dido . Iarbus , know that thou of all my wooers ( And yet haue I had many mightier Kings ) Hast had the greatest fauours I could giue : I feare me Dido hath been counted light , In being too familiar with Iarbus : Albeit the Gods doe know no wanton thought Had euer residence in Didos breast . Iar. But Dido is the fauour I request . Dido . Feare not Iarbus , Dido may be thine . Anna . Looke sister how Aeneas little sonne Playes with your garments and imbraceth you . Cupid . No Dido will not take me in her armes , I shall not be her sonne , she loues me not . Dido . Weepe not sweet boy , thou shalt be Didos sonne , Sit in my lap and let me heare thee sing . No more my child , now talke another while , And tell me where learnst thou this pretie song ? Cupid . My cosin Helen taught it me in Troy . Dido . How louely is Ascanius when he smiles ? Cupid . Will Dido let me hang about her necke ? Dido . I wagge , and giue thee leaue to kisse her to . Cupid . What will you giue me ? now I le haue this Fanne . Dido . Take it Ascanius , for thy fathers sake . Iar. Come Dido , leaue Ascanius , let vs walke . Dido . Goe thou away , Ascanius shall stay . Iar. Vngentle Queene , is this thy loue to me ? Dido . O stay Iarbus , and I le goe with thee . Cupid . And if my mother goe , I le follow her . Dido . Why staiest thou here ? thou art no loue of mine ? Iar. Iarbus dye , seeing she abandons thee . Dido . No , liue Iarbus , what hast thou deseru'd , That I should say thou art no loue of mine ? Something thou hast deseru'd , away I say , Depart from Carthage , come not in my sight . Iar. Am I not King of rich Getulia ? Dido . Iarbus pardon me , and stay a while . Cupid . Mother , looke here . Dido . What telst thou me of rich Getulia ? Am not I Queene of Libia ? then depart . Iar. I goe to feed the humour of my Loue , Yet not from Carthage for a thousand worlds . Dido . Iarbus . Iar. Doth Dido call me backe ? Dido . No , but I charge thee neuer looke on me . Iar. Then pull out both mine eyes , or let me dye . Exit Iarb. Anna . Wherefore doth Dido bid Iarbus goe ? Dido . Because his lothsome sight offends mine eye , And in my thoughts is shrin'd another Ioue : O Anna , didst thou know how sweet loue were , Full soone wouldst thou abiure this single life . Anna . Poore soule I know too well the sower of loue , O that Iarbus could but fancie me . Dido . Is not Aeneas faire and beautifull ? Anna . Yes , and Iarbus foule and fauourles . Dido . Is he not eloquent in all his speech ? Anna . Yes , and Iarbus rude and rusticall . Dido . Name not Iarbus , but sweete Anna say , Is not Aeneas worthie Didos loue ? Anna . O sister , were you Empresse of the world , Aeneas well deserues to be your loue , So louely is he that where ere he goes , The people swarme to gaze him in the face . Dido . But tell them none shall gaze on him but I , Lest their grosse eye-beames taint my louers cheekes : Anna , good sister Anna goe for him , Lest with these sweete thoughts I melt cleane away . Anna . Then sister you le abiure Iarbus loue ? Dido . Yet must I heare that lothsome name againe ? Runne for Aeneas , or I le flye to him . Exit Anna . Cupid . You shall not hurt my father when he comes . Dido . No , for thy sake I le loue thy father well . O dull conceipted Dido , that till now Didst neuer thinke Aeneas beautifull : But now for quittance of this ouersight , I le make me bracelets of his golden haire , His glistering eyes shall be my looking glasse , His lips an altar , where I le offer vp As many kisses as the Sea hath sands , In stead of musicke I will heare him speake , His lookes shall be my only Librarie , And thou Aeneas , Didos treasurie , In whose faire bosome I will locke more wealth , Then twentie thousand Indiaes can affoord : O here he comes , loue , loue , giue Dido leaue To be more modest then her thoughts admir , Lest I be made a wonder to the world . Achates , how doth Carthage please your Lord ? Acha. That will Aeneas shewe your maiestie . Dido . Aeneas , art thou there ? Aen. I vnderstand your highnesse sent for me . Dido . No , but now thou art here , tell me in sooth In what might Dido highly pleasure thee . Aen. So much haue I receiu'd at Didos hands , As without blushing I can aske no more : Yet Queene of Affricke are my ships vnrigd , My Sailes all rent in sunder with the winde , My Oares broken , and my Tackling lost , Yea all my Nauie split with Rockes and Shelfes : Nor Sterne nor Anchor haue our maimed Fleete , Our Masts the furious windes strooke ouer bourd : Which piteous wants if Dido will supplie , We will account her author of our liues . Dido . Aeneas , I le repaire thy Troian ships , Conditionally that thou wilt stay with me , And let Achates saile to Italy : I le giue thee tackling made of riueld gold , Wound on the barkes of odoriferous trees , Oares of massie Iuorie full of holes , Through which the water shall delight to play : Thy Anchors shall be hewed from Christall Rockes , Which if thou lose shall shine aboue the waues : The Masts whereon thy swelling sailes shall hang , Hollow Pyramides of siluer plate : The sailes of foulded Lawne , where shall be wrought The warres of Troy , but not Troyes ouerthrow : For ballace , emptie Didos treasurie , Take what ye will , but leaue Aeneas here . Achates , thou shalt be so meanly clad , As Seaborne Nymphes shall swarme about thy ships , And wanton Mermaides court thee with sweete songs , Flinging in fauours of more soueraigne worth , Then Thetis hangs about Apolloes necke , So that Aeneas may but stay with me . Aen. Wherefore would Dido haue Aeneas stay ? Dido . To warre against my bordering enemies : Aeneas , thinke not Dido is in loue : For if that any man could conquer me , I had been wedded ere Aeneas came : See where the pictures of my suiters hang , And are not these as faire as faire may be ? Acha. I saw this man at Troy ere Troy was sackt . Aen. I this in Greece when Paris stole faire Helen . Illio. This man and I were at Olympus games . Serg. I know this face , he is a Persian borne , I traueld with him to Aetolia . Cloan. And I in Athens with this gentleman , Vnlesse I be deceiu'd disputed once . Dido . But speake Aeneas , know you none of these ? Aen. No Madame , but it seemes that these are Kings . Dido . All those and others which I neuer sawe , Haue been most vrgent suiters for my loue , Some came in person , others sent their Legats : Yet none obtaind me , I am free from all , And yet God knowes intangled vnto one . This was an Orator , and thought by words To compasse me , but yet he was deceiu'd : And this a Spartan Courtier vaine and wilde , But his fantastick humours pleasde not me : This was Alcion , a Musition , But playd he nere so sweet , I let him goe : This was the wealthie King of Thessaly , But I had gold enough and cast him off : This Meleagers sonne , a warlike Prince , But weapons gree not with my tender yeares : The rest are such as all the world well knowes , Yet how I sweare by heauen and him I loue , I was as farre from loue , as they from hate . Aen. O happie shall he be whom Dido loues . Dido . Then neuer say that thou art miserable , Because it may be thou shalt be my loue : Yet boast not of it , for I loue thee not , And yet I hate thee not : O if I speake I shall betray my selfe : Aeneas speake , We two will goe a hunting in the woods , But not so much for thee , thou art but one , As for Achates , and his followers . Exeunt . Enter Iuno to Ascanius asleepe . Iuno . Here lyes my hate , Aeneas cursed brat , The boy wherein false destinie delights , The heire of furie , the fauorite of the face , That vgly impe that shall outweare my wrath , And wrong my deitie with high disgrace : But I will take another order now , And race th' eternall Register of time : Troy shall no more call him her second hope , Not Venus triumph in his tender youth : For here in spight of heauen I le murder him , And feede infection with his left out life : Say Paris , now shall Venus haue the ball ? Say vengeance , now shall her Ascanius dye . O no God wot , I cannot watch my time , Nor quit good turnes with double fee downe told : Tut , I am simple without made to hurt , And haue no gall at all to grieue my foes : But lustfull Ioue and his adulterous child , Shall finde it written on confusions front , That onely Iuno rules in Rhamnuse towne . Enter Venus . Venus . What should this meane ? my Doues are back returnd , Who warne me of such daunger prest at hand , To harme my sweete Ascanius louely life . Iuno , my mortall foe , what make you here ? Auaunt old witch and trouble not my wits . Iuno . Fie Venus , that such causeles words of wrath , Should ere defile so faire a mouth as thine : Are not we both sprong of celestiall rase , And banquet as two Sisters with the Gods ? Why is it then displeasure should disioyne , Whom kindred and acquaintance counites . Venus . Out hatefull hag , thou wouldst haue slaine my sonne , Had not my Doues discou'rd thy entent : But I will teare thy eyes fro forth thy head , And feast the birds with their bloud-shotten balles , If thou but lay thy fingers on my boy . Iuno . Is this then all the thankes that I shall haue , For sauing him from Snakes and Serpents stings , That would haue kild him sleeping as he lay ? What though I was offended with thy sonne , And wrought him mickle woe on sea and land , When for the hate of Troian Ganimed , That was aduanced by my Hebes shame , And Paris iudgement of the heauenly ball , I mustred all the windes vnto his wracke , And vrg'd each Element to his annoy : Yet now I doe repent me of his ruth , And wish that I had neuer wrongd him so : Bootles I sawe it was to warre with fate , That hath so many vnresisted friends : Wherefore I chaunge my counsell with the time , And planted loue where enuie erst had sprong . Venus . Sister of Ioue , if that thy loue be such , As these thy protestations doe paint forth , We two as friends one fortune will deuide : Cupid shall lay his arrowes in thy lap , And to a Scepter chaunge his golden shafts , Fancie and modestie shall liue as mates , And thy faire peacockes by my pigeons pearch : Loue my Aeneas , and desire is thine , The day , the night , my Swannes , my sweetes are thine . Iuno . More then melodious are these words to me , That ouercloy my soule with their content : Venus , sweete Venus , how may I deserue Such amourous fauours at thy beautious hand ? But that thou maist more easilie perceiue , How highly I doe prize this amitie , Harke to a motion of eternall league , Which I will make in quittance of thy loue : Thy sonne thou knowest with Dido now remaines , And feedes his eyes with fauours of her Court , She likewise in admyring spends her time , And cannot talke nor thinke of ought but him : Why should not they then ioyne in marriage , And bring forth mightie Kings to Carthage towne , Whom casualtie of sea hath made such friends ? And Venus , let there be a match confirmd Betwixt these two , whose loues are so alike , And both our Deities conioynd in one , Shall chaine felicitie vnto their throne . Venus . Well could I like this reconcilements meanes , But much I feare my sonne will nere consent , Whose armed soule alreadie on the sea , Darts forth her light to Lauinias shoare . Iuno . Faire Queene of loue , I will deuorce these doubts , And finde the way to wearie such fond thoughts : This day they both a hunting forth will ride Into these woods , adioyning to these walles , When in the midst of all their game some sports , I le make the Clowdes dissolue their watrie workes , And drench Siluanus dwellings with their shewers , Then in one Caue the Queene and he shall meete , And interchangeably discourse their thoughts , Whose short conclusion will seale vp their hearts , Vnto the purpose which we now propound . Venus . Sister , I see you sauour of my wiles , Be it as you will haue for this once , Meane time , Ascanius shall be my charge , Whom I will beare to Ida in mine armes , And couch him in Adonis purple downe . Exeunt . Enter Dido , Aeneas , Anna , Iarbus , Achates , and followers . Dido . Aeneas , thinke not but I honor thee , That thus in person goe with thee to hunt : My princely robes thou seest are layd aside , Whose glittering pompe Dianas shrowdes supplies , All fellowes now disposde alike to sporte , The woods are wide , and we haue store of game : Faire Troian , hold my golden bowe a while , Vntill I gird my quiuer to my side : Lords goe before , we two must talke alone . Iar. Vngentle , can she wrong Iarbus so ? I le dye before a stranger haue that grace : We two will talke alone , what words be these ? Dido . What makes Iarbus here of all the rest ? We could haue gone without your companie . Aen. But loue and duetie led him on perhaps , To presse beyond acceptance to your sight . Iar. Why man of Troy , doe I offend thine eyes ? Or art thou grieude thy betters presse so nye ? Dido . How now Getulian , are ye growne so braue , To challenge vs with your comparisons ? Pesant , goe seeke companions like thy selfe , And meddle not with any that I loue : Aeneas , be not moude at what he sayes , For otherwhile he will be out of ioynt . Iar. Women may wrong by priuiledge of loue : But should that man of men ( Dido except ) Haue taunted me in these opprobrious termes , I would haue either drunke his dying bloud , Or els I would haue giuen my life in gage ? Dido . Huntsmen , why pitch you not your toyles apace , And rowse the light foote Deere from forth their laire . Anna . Sister , see see Ascanius in his pompe , Bearing his huntspeare brauely in his hand . Dido . Yea little sonne , are you so forward now ? Asca. I mother I shall one day be a man , And better able vnto other armes , Meane time these wanton weapons serue my warre , Which I will breake betwixt a Lyons jawes . Dido . What , darest thou looke a Lyon in the face ? Asca. I , and outface him to , doe what he can . Anna . How like his father speaketh he in all ? Aen. And mought I liue to see him sacke rich Thebes , And loade his speare with Grecian Princes heads , Then would I wish me with Anchises Tombe , And dead to honour that hath brought me vp . Iar. And might I liue to see thee shipt away , And hoyst aloft on Neptunes hideous hilles , Then would I wish me in faire Didos armes , And dead to soone that hath pursued me so . Aen. Stoute friend Achates , doest thou know this wood ? Acha. As I remember , here you shot the Deere , That sau'd your famisht souldiers liues from death , When first you set your foote vpon the shoare , And here we met faire Venus virgine like , Bearing her bowe and quiuer at her backe . Aen. O how these irksome labours now delight , And ouerioy my thoughts with their escape : Who would not vndergoe all kind of toyle , To be well stor'd with such a winters tale ? Dido . Aeneas , leaue these dumpes and let s away , Some to the mountaines some vnto the soyle , You to the vallies , thou vnto the house . Exeunt omnes , manent . Iar. I , this it is which wounds me to the death , To see a Phrigian far set to the sea , Preferd before a man of maiesties O loue , O hate , O cruell womens hearts , That imitate the Moone in euery chaunge . And like the Planets euer loue to raunge : What shall I doe thus wronged with disdaine ? Reuenge me on Aeneas or on her : On her ? fond man , that were to warre gainst heauen , And with one shaft prouoke ten thousand darts : This Troians end will be thy enuies aime , Whose bloud will reconcile thee to content , And make loue drunken with thy sweete desire : But Dido that now holdeth him so deare , Will dye with very tidings of his death : But time will discontinue her content , And mould her minde vnto newe fancies shapes : O God of heauen , turne the hand of fate Vnto that happie day of my delight , And then , what then ? Iarbus shall but loue : So doth he now , though not with equall gaine , That resteth in the riuall of thy paine , Who nere will cease to soare till he be slaine . Exit . The storme . Enter Aeneas and Dido in the Caue at seuerall times . Dido . Aeneas . Aen. Dido . Dido . Tell me deare loue , how found you out this Caue ? Aen. By chance sweete Queene , as Mars and Venus met . Dido . Why , that was in a net , where we are loose , And yet I am not free , oh would I were . Aen. Why , what is it that Dido may desire And not obtaine , be it in humaine power ? Dido . The thing that I will dye before I aske , And yet desire to haue before I dye . Aen. It is not ought Aeneas may atchieue ? Dido . Aeneas no although his eyes doe pearce . Aen. What , hath Iarbus angred her in ought ? And will she be auenged on his life ? Dido . Not angred me , except in angring thee . Aen. Who then of all so cruell may he be , That should detaine thy eye in his defects ? Dido . The man that I doe eye where ere I am , Whose amorous face like Pean sparkles fire , When as he buts his beames on Floras bed , Prometheus hath put on Cupids shape , And I must perish in his burning armes : Aeneas , O Aeneas , quench these flames . Aen. What ailes my Queene , is she falne sicke of late ? Dido . Not sicke my loue , but sicke , I must conceale The torment , that it bootes me not reueale , And yet I le speake , and yet I le hold my peace , Doe shame her worst , I will disclose my griefe : Aeneas , thou art he , what did I say ? Something it was that now I haue forgot . Aen. What meanes faire Dido by this doubtfull speech ? Dido . Nay , nothing , but Aeneas loues me not . Aen. Aeneas thoughts dare not ascend so high As Didos heart , which Monarkes might not scale . Dido . It was because I sawe no King like thee , Whose golden Crowne might ballance my content : But now that I haue found what to effect , I followe one that loueth fame for me , And rather had seeme faire Sirens eyes , Then to the Carthage Queene that dyes for him . Aen. If that your maiestie can looke so lowe , As my despised worths , that shun all praise , With this my hand I giue to you my heart , And vow by all the Gods of Hospitalitie , By heauen and earth , and my faire brothers bowe , By Paphos , Capys , and the purple Sea , From whence my radiant mother did descend , And by this Sword that saued me from the Greekes , Neuer to leaue these newe vpreared walles , Whiles Dido liues and rules in Iunos towne , Neuer to like or loue any but her . Dido . What more then delian musicke doe I heare , That calles my soule from forth his liuing seate , To moue vnto the measures of delight : Kind clowdes that sent forth such a curteous storme , As made disdaine to flye to fancies lap : Stoute loue in mine armes make thy Italy , Whose Crowne and kingdome rests at thy commande : Sicheus , not Aeneas be thou calde : The King of Carthage , not Anchises sonne : Hold , take these Iewels at thy Louers hand , These golden bracelets , and this wedding ring , Wherewith my husband woo'd me yet a maide , And be thou king of Libia , by my guift . Exeunt to the Caus.

Actus 4. Scena I. Enter Achates , Ascanius , Iarbus , and Anna . Acha. Did euer men see such a sudden storme ? Or day so cleere so suddenly orecast ? Iar. I thinke some fell Inchantresse dwelleth here , That can call them forth when as she please , And diue into blacke tempests treasurie , When as she meanes to maske the world with clowdes . Anna . In all my life I neuer knew the like , It haild , it snowde , it lightned all at once . Acha. I thinke it was the diuels reuelling night , There was such hurly burly in the heauens : Doubtles Apollos Axeltree is crackt , Or aged Atlas shoulder out of ioynt , The motion was so ouer violent . Iar. In all this coyle , where haue ye left the Queene ? Asca. Nay , where is my warlike father , can you tell ? Anna . Behold where both of them come forth the Caue . Iar. Come forth the Caue : can heauen endure this sight ? Iarbus , curse that vnreuenging Ioue , Whose flintie darts slept in Tiphous den , Whiles these adulterors surfetted with sinne : Nature , why mad'st me not some poysonous beast , That with the sharpnes of my edged sting , I might haue stakte them both vnto the earth , Whil'st they were sporting in this darksome Caue ? Aen. The ayre is cleere , and Southerne windes are whist , Come Dido , let vs hasten to the towne , Since gloomie Aeolus doth cease to frowne . Dido . Achates and Ascanius , well met . Aen. Faire Anna , how escapt you from the shower ? Anna . As others did , by running to the wood . Dido But where were you Iarbus all this while ? Iar. Not with Aeneas in the vgly Caue . Dido . I see Aeneas sticketh in your minde , But I will soone put by that stumbling blocke , And quell those hopes that thus employ your eares . Exeunt . Enters Iarbus to Sacrifize . Iar. Come seruants , come bring forth the Sacrifize , That I may pacifie that gloomie Ioue , Whose emptie Altars haue enlarg'd our illes . Eternall Ioue , great master of the Clowdes , Father of gladnesse , and all frollicke thoughts , That with thy gloomie hand corrects the heauen , When ayrie creatures warre amongst themselues : Heare , heare , O heare Iarbus plaining prayers , Whose hideous ecchoes make the welkin howle , And all the woods Eliza to resound : The woman that thou wild vs entertaine , Where straying in our borders vp and downe , She crau'd a hide of ground to build a towne , With whom we did deuide both lawes and land , And all the fruites that plentie els sends forth , Scorning our loues and royall marriage rites , Yeelds vp her beautie to a strangers bed , Who hauing wrought her shame , is straight way fled : Now if thou beest a pitying God of power , On whom ruth and compassion euer waites , Redresse these wrongs , and warne him to his ships , That now afflicts me with his flattering eyes . Enter Anna . Anna . How now Iarbus , at your prayers so hard ? Iar. I Anna , is there ought you would with me ? Anna . Nay , no such waightie busines of import , But may be slackt vntill another time : Yet if you would partake with me the cause Of this deuotion that detaineth you , I would be thankfull for such curtesie . Iar. Anna , against this Troian doe I pray , Who seekes to rob me of thy Sisters loue , And diue into her heart by coloured lookes . Anna . Alas poore King that labours so in vaine , For her that so delighteth in thy paine : Be tul'd by me , and seeke some other loue , Whose yeelding heart may yeeld thee more reliefe . Iar. Mine eye is fixt where fancie cannot start , O leaue me , leaue me to my silent thoughts , That register the numbers of my ruth , And I will either moue the thoughtles flint , Or drop out both mine eyes in drisling teares , Before my sorrowes tide haue any stint . Anna . I will not leaue Iarbus whom I loue , In this delight of dying pensiuenes : Away with Dido , Anna be thy song , Anna that doth admire thee more then heauen . Iar. I may nor will list to such loathsome chaunge , That intercepts the course of my desire : Seruants , come fetch these emptie vessels here , For I will flye from these alluring eyes , That doe pursue my peace where ere it goes . Exit . Anna . Iarbus stay , louing Iarbus stay , For I haue honey to present thee with : Hard hearted , wilt not deigne to heare me speake , I le follow thee with outcryes nere the lesse , And strewe thy walkes with my discheueld haire . Exit . Enter Aeneas alone . Aen. Carthage , my friendly host adue , Since destinie doth call me from the shoare : Hermes this night descending in a dreame , Hath summond me to fruitfull Italy : Ioue wils it so , my mother wils it so : Let my Phenissa graunt , and then I goe : Graunt she or no , Aeneas must away , Whose golden fortunes clogd with courtly ease , Cannot ascend to Fames immortall house , Or banquet in bright honors burnisht hall , Till he hath furrowed Neptunes glassie fieldes , And cut a passage through his toples hilles : Achates come forth , Sergestus , Illioneus , Cloanthus , haste away , Aeneas calles . Enter Achates , Cloanthus , Sergestus , and Illioneus . Acha. What willes our Lord , or wherefore did he call ? Aen. The dreames ( braue mates ) that did beset my bed , When sleepe but newly had imbrast the night , Commaunds me leaue these vnrenowned beames , Whereas Nobilitie abhors to stay , And none but base Aeneas will abide : Abourd , abourd , since Fates doe bid abourd , And slice the Sea with sable coloured ships , On whom the nimble windes may all day waight , And follow them as footemen through the deepe : Yet Dido casts her eyes like anchors out , To stay my Fleete from loosing forth the Bay . Come backe , come backe , I heare her crye a farre , And let me linke my bodie to my lips , That tyed together by the striuing tongues , We may as one saile into Italy . Acha. Banish that ticing dame from forth your mouth , And follow your foreseeing starres in all ; This is no life for men at armes to liue , Where daliance doth consume a Souldiers strength , And wanton motions of alluring eyes , Effeminate our mindes inur'd to warre . Illio. Why , let vs build a Citie of our owne , And not stand lingering here for amorous lookes : Will Dido raise old Priam forth his graue , And build the towne againe the Greekes did burne ? No no , she cares not how we sinke or swimme , So she may haue Aeneas in her armes . Cloan. To Italy , sweete friends to Italy , We will not stay a minute longer here . Aen. Troians abourd , and I will follow you , I faine would goe , yet beautie calles me backe : To leaue her so and not once say farewell , Were to transgresse against all lawes of loue : But if I vse such ceremonious thankes , As parting friends accustome on the shoare , Her siluer armes will coll me round about , And teares of pearle , crye stay , Aeneas , stay : Each word she sayes will then containe a Crowne , And euery speech be ended with a kisse : I may not dure this female drudgerie , To sea Aeneas , finde out Italy . Exit . Enter Dido and Anna . Dido . O Anna , runne vnto the water side , They say Aeneas men are going abourd , It may be he will steale away with them : Stay not to answere me , runne Anna runne . O foolish Troians that would steale from hence , And not let Dido vnderstand their drift : I would haue giuen Achates store of gold , And Illioneus gum and Libian spice , The common souldiers rich imbrodered coates , And siluer whistles to controule the windes , Which Circes sent Sicheus when he liued : Vnworthie are they of a Queenes reward : See where they come , how might I doe to chide ? Enter Anna , with Aeneas , Achates , Illioneus , and Sergestus . Anna . T was time to runne , Aeneas had been gone , The sailes were hoysing vp , and he abourd . Dido . Is this thy loue to me ? Aen. O princely Dido , giue me leaue to speake , I went to take my farewell of Achates . Dido . How haps Achates bid me not farewell ? Acha. Because I feard your grace would keepe me here , Dido . To rid thee of that doubt , abourd againe , I charge thee put to sea and stay not here . Acha. Then let Aeneas goe abourd with vs . Dido . Get you abourd , Aeneas meanes to stay . Aen. The sea is rough , the windes blow to the shoare . Dido . O false Aeneas , now the sea is rough , But when you were abourd t was calme enough , Thou and Achates ment to saile away . Aen. Hath not the Carthage Queene mine onely sonne ? Thinkes Dido I will goe and leaue him here ? Dido . Aeneas pardon me , for I forgot That yong Ascanius lay with me this night : Loue made me iealous , but to make amends , Weare the emperiall Crowne of Libia , Sway thou the Punike Scepter in my steede , And punish me Aeneas for this crime . Aen. This kisse shall be faire Didos punishment . Dido . O how a Crowne becomes Aeneas head ! Stay here Aeneas , and commaund as King . Aen. How vaine am I to weare this Diadem , And beare this golden Scepter in my hand ? A Burgonet of steele , and not a Crowne , A Sword , and not a Scepter fits Aeneas . Dido . O keepe them still , and let me gaze my fill : Now lookes Aeneas like immortall Ioue , O where is Ganimed to hold his cup , And Mercury to flye for what he calles , Ten thousand Cupids houer in the ayre , And fanne it in Aeneas louely face , O that the Clowdes were here wherein thou fleest , That thou and I vnseene might sport our selues : Heauens enuious of our ioyes is waxen pale , And when we whisper , then the starres fall downe , To be partakers of our honey talke . Aen. O Dido , patronesse of all our liues , When I leaue thee , death be my punishment , Swell raging seas , frowne wayward destinies , Blow windes , threaten ye Rockes and sandie shelfes , This is the harbour that Aeneas seekes , Let s see what tempests can anoy me now . Dido . Not all the world can take thee from mine armes , Aeneas may commaund as many Moores , As in the Sea are little water drops : And now to make experience of my loue , Faire sister Anna leade my louer forth , And seated on my Gennet , let him ride As Didos husband through the punicke streetes , And will my guard with Mauritanian darts , To waite vpon him as their soueraigne Lord . Anna . What if the Citizens repine thereat ? Dido . Those that dislike what Dido giues in charge , Commaund my guard to slay for their offence : Shall vulgar pesants storme at what I doe ? The ground is mine that giues them sustenance , The ayre wherein they breathe , the water , fire , All that they haue their lands , their goods , their liues , And I the Goddesse of all these , commaund Aeneas ride as Carthaginian King . Acha. Aeneas for his parentage deserues As large a kingdome as is Labia . Aen. I , and vnlesse the destinies be false , I shall be planted in as rich a land . Dido . Speake of no other land , this land is thine , Dido is thine , henceforth I le call thee Lord : Doe as I bid thee , sister leade the way , And from a turret I le behold my loue . Aen. Then here in me shall flourish Priams race , And thou and I Achates , for reuenge , For Troy , for Priam , for his fiftie sonnes , Our kinsmens loues , and thousand guiltles soules , Will leade an hoste against the hatefull Greekes , And fire proude Lacedemon ore their heads . Exit . Dido . Speakers not Aeneas like a Conqueror ? O blessed tempests that did driue him in , O happie sand that made him runne aground : Henceforth you shall be our Carthage Gods : I , but it may be he will leaue my loue , And seeke a forraine land calde Italy : O that I had a charme to keepe the windes Within the closure of a golden ball , Or that the Tyrrhen sea were in mine armes , That he might suffer shipwracke on my breast , As oft as he attempts to hoyst vp saile : I must preuent him , wishing will not serue : Goe , bid my Nurse take yong Ascanius , And beare him in the countrey to her house , Aeneas will not goe without his sonne : Yet lest he should , for I am full of feare , Bring me his oares , his tackling , and his sailes : What if I sinke his ships ? O hee le frowne : Better he frowne , then I should dye for griefe : I cannot see him frowne , it may not be : Armies of foes resolu'd to winne this towne , Or impious traitors vowde to haue my life , Affright me not , onely Aeneas frowne Is that which terrifies poore Didos heart : Not bloudie speares appearing in the ayre , Presage the downfall of my Emperie , Nor blazing Commets threatens Didos death , It is Aeneas frowne that ends my daies : If he forsake me not , I neuer dye , For in his lookes I see eternitie , And hee le make me immortall with a kisse . Enter a Lord . Your Nurse is gone with yong Ascanius , And here s Aeneas tackling , oares and sailes . Dido . Are these the sailes that in despight of me , Packt with the windes to beare Aeneas hence ? I le hang ye in the chamber where I lye , Driue if you can my house to Italy : I le set the casement open that the windes May enter in , and once againe conspire Against the life of me poore Carthage Queene : But though he goe , he stayes in Carthage still , And let rich Carthage fleete vpon the seas , So I may haue Aeneas in mine armes . Is this the wood that grew in Carthage plaines , And would be toyling in the watrie billowes , To rob their mistresse of her Troian guest ? O cursed tree , hadst thou but wit or sense , To measure how I prize Aeneas loue , Thou wouldst haue leapt from out the Sailers hands , And told me that Aeneas ment to goe : And yet I blame thee not , thou art but wood . The water which our Poets terme a Nimph , Why did it suffer thee to touch her breast , And shrunke not backe , knowing my loue was there ? The water is an Element , no Nimph , Why should I blame Aeneas for his flight ? O Dido , blame not him , but breake his oares , These were the instruments that launcht him forth , There s not so much as this base tackling too , But dares to heape vp sorrowe to my heart : Was it not you that hoysed vp these sailes ? Why burst you not , and they fell in the seas ? For this will Dido tye ye full of knots , And sheere ye all asunder with her hands : Now serue to chastize shipboyes for their faults , Ye shall no more offend the Carthage Queene . Now let him hang my fauours on his masts , And see if those will serue in steed of sailes : For tackling , let him take the chaines of gold , Which I bestowd vpon his followers : In steed of oares , let him vse his hands , And swim to Italy , I le keepe these sure : Come beare them in . Exit . Enter the Nurse with Cupid for Ascanius . Nurse . My Lord Ascanius , ye must goe with me . Cupid . Whither must I goe ? I le stay with my mother . Nurse . No , thou shalt goe with me vnto my house , I haue an Orchard that hath store of plums , Browne Almonds , Seruises , ripe Figs and Dates , Dewberries , Apples , yellow Orenges , A garden where are Bee hiues full of honey , Musk-roses , and a thousand sort of flowers , And in the midst doth run a siluer streame , Where thou shalt see the red gild fishes leape , White Swannes , and many louely water sowles : Now speake Ascanius , will ye goe or no ? Cupid . Come come I le goe , how farre hence is your house ? Nurse . But hereby child , we shall get thither straight . Cupid . Nurse I am wearie , will you carrie me ? Nurse . I , so you le dwell with me and call me mother . Cupid . So you le loue me , I care not if I doe . Nurse . That I might liue to see this boy a man , How pretilie he laughs , goe ye wagge , You le be a twigger when you come to age . Say Dido what she will I am not old , I le be no more a widowe , I am young , I le haue a husband , or els a louer . Cupid . A husband and no teeth ! Nurse . O what meane I to haue such foolish thoughts ! Foolish is loue , a toy , O sacred loue , If there be any heauen in earth , t is loue : Especially in women of your yeares . Blush blush for shame , why shouldst thou thinke of loue ? A graue , and not a louer fits thy age : A graue , why ? I may liue a hundred yeares , Fourescore is but a girles age , loue is sweete : My vaines are withered , and my sinewes drie , Why doe I thinke of loue now I should dye ? Cupid . Come Nurse . Nurse . Well , if he come a wooing he shall speede , O how vnwise was I to say him nay ! Exeunt .

Actus 5. Enter Aeneas with a paper in his hand , drawing the platforme of the citie , with him Achates , Cloanthus , and Illioneus . Aen. Triumph my mates , our trauels are at end . Here will Aeneas build a statelier Troy , Then that which grim Atrides ouerthrew : Carthage shall vaunt her pettie walles no more , For I will grace them with a fairer frame , And clad her in a Chrystall liuerie , Wherein the day may euermore delight : From golden India Ganges will I fetch , Whose wealthie streames may waite vpon her towers , And triple wise intrench her round about : The Sunne from Egypt shall rich odors bring , Where with his burning beames like labouring Bees , That loade their thighes with Hyblas honeys spoyles , Shall here vnburden their exhaled sweetes , And plant our pleasant suburbes with her fumes . Acha. What length or bredth shal this braue towne containe ? Aen. Not past foure thousand paces at the most . Illio. But what shall it be calde , Troy as before ? Aen. That haue I not determinde with my selfe . Cloan. Let it be term'd Aenea by your name . Serg. Rather Ascania by your little sonne . Aen. Nay , I will haue it calde Anchisaon , Of my old fathers name . Enter Hermes with Ascanius . Hermes . Aeneas stay , Ioues Herald bids thee stay . Aen. Whom doe I see , Ioues winged messenger ? Welcome to Carthage new erected towne . Hermes . Why cosin stand you building Cities here , And beautifying the Empire of this Queene , While Italy is cleane out of thy minde ? To too forgetfull of thine owne affayres , Why wilt thou so betray thy sonnes good hap ? The king of Gods sent me from highest heauen , To sound this angrie message in thine eares . Vaine man , what Monarky expectst thou here ? Or with what thought sleepst thou in Libia shoare ? If that all glorie hath forsaken thee , And thou despise the praise of such attempts : Yet thinke vpon Ascanius prophesie , And yong Iulus more then thousand yeares , Whom I haue brought from Ida where he slept , And bore yong Cupid vnto Cypresse I le . Aen. This was my mother that beguild the Queene , And made me take my brother for my sonne : No maruell Dido though thou be in loue , That daylie danglest Cupid in thy armes : Welcome sweet child , where hast thou been this long ? Asca. Eating sweet Comfites with Queene Didos maide , Who euersince hath luld me in her armes . Aen. Sergestus , beare him hence vnto our ships , Lest Dido spying him keepe him for a pledge . Hermes . Spendst thou thy time about this little boy , And giuest not eare vnto the charge I bring ? I tell thee thou must straight to Italy , Or els abide the wrath of frowning Ioue . Aen. How should I put into the raging deepe , Who haue no sailes nor tackling for my ships ? What would the Gods haue me Deucalion like , Flote vp and downe where ere the billowes driue ? Though she repairde my fleete and gaue me ships , Yet hath she tane away my oares and masts , And left me neither saile nor sterne abourd . Enter to them Iarbus . Iar. How now Aeneas , sad , what meanes these dumpes ? Aen. Iarbus , I am cleane besides my selfe , Ioue hath heapt on me such a desperate charge , Which neither art nor reason may atchieue , Nor I deuise by what meanes to contriue . Iar. As how I pray , may I entreate you tell . Aen. With speede he bids me saile to Italy , When as I want both rigging for my fleete , And also furniture for these my men . Iar. If that be all , then cheare thy drooping lookes , For I will furnish thee with such supplies : Let some of those thy followers goe with me , And they shall haue what thing so ere thou needst . Aen. Thankes good Iarbus for thy friendly ayde , Achates and the rest shall waite on thee , Whil'st I rest thankfull for this curtesie . Exit Iarbus and Aeneas traine . Now will I haste vnto Lauinian shoare , And raise a new foundation to old Troy , Witnes the Gods , and witnes heauen and earth , How loth I am to leaue these Libian bounds , But that eternall Iupiter commands . Enter Dido and Aeneas . Dido . I feare I sawe Aeneas little sonne , Led by Achates to the Troian fleete : If it be so , his father meanes to flye : But here he is , now Dido trie thy wit . Aeneas , wherefore goe thy men abourd ? Why are thy ships new rigd ? or to what end Launcht from the hauen , lye they in the Rhode ? Pardon me though I aske , loue makes me aske . Aen. O pardon me , if I resolue thee why : Aeneas will not faine with his deare loue , I must from hence : this day swift Mercury When I was laying a platforme for these walles , Sent from his father Ioue , appeard to me , And in his name rebukt me bitterly , For lingering here , neglecting Italy . Dido . But yet Aeneas will not leaue his loue . Aen. I am commaunded by immortall Ioue , To leaue this towne and passe to Italy , And therefore must of force . Dido . These words proceed not from Aeneas heart . Aen. Not from my heart , for I can hardly goe , And yet I may not stay , Dido farewell . Dido . Farewell : is this the mends for Didos loue ? Doe Troians vse to quit their Louers thus ? Fare well may Dido , so Aeneas stay , I dye , if my Aeneas say farewell . Aen. Then let me goe and neuer say farewell , Let me goe , farewell , I must from hence . Dido . These words are poyson to poore Didos soule , O speake like my Aeneas , like my loue : Why look'st thou toward the sea ? the time hath been When Didos beautie chaungd thine eyes to her : Am I lesse faire then when thou sawest me first ? O then Aeneas , t is for griefe of thee : Say thou wilt stay in Carthage with my Queene , And Didos beautie will returne againe : Aeneas , say , how canst thou take thy leaue ? Wilt thou kisse Dido ? O thy lips haue sworne To stay with Dido : canst thou take her hand ? Thy hand and mine have plighted mutuall faith , Therefore vnkind Aeneas , must thou say , Then let me goe , and neuer say farewell . Aen. O Queene of Carthage , wert thou vgly blacke , Aeneas could not choose but hold thee deare , Yet must he not gainsay the Gods behest . Dido . The Gods , what Gods be those that seeke my death ? Wherein haue I offended Iupiter , That he should take Aeneas from mine armes ? O no , the Gods wey not what Louers doe , It is Aeneas calles Aeneas hence , And wofull Dido by these blubbred cheekes , By this right hand , and by our spousall rites , Desires Aeneas to remaine with her : Si bene quid de te merui , fuit aut tibi quidquam Dulce meum , miserere domus labentis : & istam Oro , si quis ad haec precibus locus , exue mentem . Aen. Desine meque tuis incendere teque querelis , Italiam non sponte sequor . Dido . Hast thou forgot how many neighbour kings Were vp in armes , for making thee my loue ? How Carthage did rebell , Iarbus storme , And all the world calles me a second Helen , For being intangled by a strangers lookes : So thou wouldst proue as true as Paris did , Would , as faire Troy was , Carthage might be sackt , And I be calde a second Helena . Had I a sonne by thee , the griefe were lesse , That I might see Aeneas in his face : Now if thou goest , what canst thou leaue behind , But rather will augment then case my woe ? Aen. In vaine my loue thou spendst thy fainting breath , If words might moue me I were ouercome . Dido . And wilt thou not be mou'd with Didos words ? Thy mother was no Goddesse periurd man , Nor Dardanus the author of thy flocke : But thou art sprung from Scythian Caucasus , And Tygers of Hircania gaue thee sucke : Ah foolish Dido to forbeare this long ! Wast thou not wrackt vpon this Libian shoare , And cam'st to Dido like a Fisher swaine ? Repairde not I thy ships , made thee a King , And all thy needie followers Noblemen ? O Serpent that came creeping from the shoare , And I for pitie harbord in my bosome , Wilt thou now flay me with thy venomed sting , And hisse at Dido for preseruing thee ? Goe goe and spare not , seeke out Italy , I hope that that which loue forbids me doe , The Rockes and Sea-gulfes will performe at large , And thou shalt perish in the billowes waies , To whom poore Dido doth bequeath reuenge , I traytor , and the waues shall cast thee vp , Where thou and false Achates first set foote : Which if it chaunce , I le giue ye buriall , And weepe vpon your liueles carcases , Though thou nor he will pitie me a whit . Why star'st thou in my face ? if thou wilt stay , Leape in mine armes , mine armes are open wide : If not , turne from me , and I le turne from thee : For though thou hast the heart to say farewell , I haue not power to stay thee : is he gone ? I but hee le come againe , he cannot goe , He loues me to too well to serue me so : Yet he that in my sight would not relent , Will , being absent , be obdurate still . By this is he got to the water side , And , see the Sailers take him by the hand , But he shrinkes backe , and now remembring me , Returnes amaine : welcome , welcome my loue : But where s Aeneas ? ah hee s gone hee s gone ! Anna . What meanes my sister thus to raue and crye ? Dido . O Anna , my Aeneas is abourd , And leauing me will saile to Italy . Once didst thou goe , and he came backe againe , Now bring him backe , and thou shalt be a Queene , And I will liue a priuate life with him . Anna . Wicked Aeneas . Dido . Call him not wicked , sister speake him faire , And looke vpon him with a Mermaides eye , Tell him , I neuer vow'd at Aulis gulfe The desolation of his natiue Troy , Nor sent a thousand ships vnto the walles , Nor euer violated faith to him : Request him gently ( Anna ) to returne , I craue but this , he stay a tide or two , That I may learne to beare it patiently , If he depart thus suddenly , I dye : Run Anna , run , stay not to answere me . Anna . I goe faire sister , heauens graunt good successe . Exit Anna . Enter the Nurse . Nurse . O Dido , your little sonne Ascanius Is gone ! he lay with me last night , And in the morning he was stolne from me , I thinke some Fairies haue beguiled me . Dido . O cursed hagge and false dissembling wretch ! That slayest me with thy harsh and hellish tale , Thou for some pettie guift hast let him goe , And I am thus deluded of my boy : Away with her to prison presently , Traytoresse too keend and cursed Sorceresse . Nurse . I know not what you meane by treason , I , I am as true as any one of yours . Exeunt the Nurse . Dido . Away with her , suffer her not to speake . My sister comes , I like not her sad lookes . Enter Anna . Anna . Before I came , Aeneas was abourd , And spying me , hoyst vp the sailes amaine : But I cride out , Aeneas , false Aeneas stay . Then gan he wagge his hand , which yet held vp , Made me suppose he would haue heard me speake : Then gan they driue into the Ocean , Which when I viewd , I cride , Aeneas stay , Dido , faire Dido wils Aeneas stay : Yet he whose heart of adamant or flint , My teares nor plaints could mollifie a whit : Then carelesly I rent my haire for griefe , Which seene to all , though he beheld me not , They gan to moue him to redresse my ruth , And stay a while to heare what I could say , But he clapt vnder hatches saild away . Dido . O Anna , Anna , I will follow him . Anna . How can ye goe when he hath all your fleete ? Dido . He frame me wings of waxe like Icarus , And ore his ships will soare vnto the Sunne , That they may melt and I fall in his armes : Or els I le make a prayer vnto the waues , That I may swim to him like Tritons neece : O Anna , fetch Orions Harpe , That I may tice a Dolphin to the shoare , And ride vpon his backe vnto my loue : Looke sister , looke louely Aeneas ships , See see , the billowes heaue him vp to heauen , And now downe falles the keeles into the deepe : O sister , sister , take away the Rockes , Thei le breake his ships , O Proteus , Neptune , Ioue , Saue , saue Aeneas , Didos leefest loue ! Now is he come on shoare safe without hurt : But see , Achates wils him put to sea , And all the Sailers merrie make for ioy , But he remembring me shrinkes backe againe : See where he comes , welcome , welcome my loue . Anna . Ah sister , leaue these idle fantasies , Sweet sister cease , remember who you are . Dido . Dido I am , vnlesse I be deceiu'd , And must I raue thus for a runnagate ? Must I make ships for him to saile away ? Nothing can beare me to him but a ship , And he hath all thy fleete , what shall I doe But dye in furie of this ouersight ? I , I must be the murderer of my selfe : No but I am not , yet I will be straight . Anna be glad , now haue I found a meane To rid me from these thoughts of Lunacie : Not farre from hence there is a woman famoused for arts , Daughter vnto the Nimphs Hesperides , Who wild me sacrifize his ticing relliques : Goe Anna , bid my seruants bring me fire . Exit Anna . Enter Iarbus . Iar. How long will Dido mourne a strangers flight , That hath dishonord her and Carthage both ? How long shall I with griefe consume my daies , And reape no guerdon for my truest loue ? Dido . Iarbus , talke not of Aeneas , let him goe , Lay to thy hands and helpe me make a fire , That shall consume all that this stranger left , For I entend a priuate Sacrifize , To cure my minde that melts for vnkind loue . Iar. But afterwards will Dido graunt me loue ? Dido . I , I , Iarbus , after this is done , None in the world shall haue my loue but thou : So , leaue me now , let none approach this place . Exit Iarbus . Now Dido , with these reliques burne thy selfe , And make Aeneas famous through the world , For periurie and slaughter of a Queene : Here lye the Sword that in the darksome Caue He drew , and swore by to be true to me , Thou shalt burne first , thy crime is worse then his : Here lye the garment which I cloath'd him in , When first he came on shoare , perish thou to : These letters , lines , and periurd papers all , Shall burne to cinders in this pretious flame . And now ye Gods that guide the starrie frame , And order all things at your high dispose , Graunt , though the traytors land in Italy , They may be still tormented with vnrest , And from mine ashes let a Conquerour rise , That may reuenge this treason to a Queene , By plowing vp his Countries with the Sword : Betwixt this land and that be neuer league , Littora littoribus contraria , fluctibus vndas Impresor : arma armis : pugnent ipsique nepotes : Liue false Aeneas , truest Dido dyes , Sic sic iuuat ire sub vmbras . Enter Anna . Anna . O helpe Iarbus , Dido in these flames Hath burnt her selfe , aye me , vnhappie me ! Enter Iarbus running . Iar. Cursed Iarbus , dye to expiate The griefe that tires vpon thine inward soule , Dido I come to thee , aye me Aeneas . Anna . What can my teares or cryes preuaile me now ? Dido is dead , Iarbus slaine , Iarbus my deare loue , O sweet Iarbus , Annas sole delight , What fatall destinie enuies me thus , To see my sweet Iarbus slay himselfe ? But Anna now shall honor thee in death , And mixe her bloud with thine , this shall I doe , That Gods and men may pitie this my death , And rue our ends senceles of life or breath : Now sweet Iarbus stay , I come to thee .

FINIS .