Next fifty handmaids in long order bore The censers, and with fumes the gods adore:
Then youths, and virgins twice as many, join To place the dishes, and to serve the wine.
The Tyrian train, admitted to the feast, Approach, and on the painted couches rest.
All on the Trojan gifts with wonder gaze, But view the beauteous boy with more amaze, His rosy-color'd cheeks, his radiant eyes, His motions, voice, and shape, and all the god's disguise;Nor pass unprais'd the vest and veil divine, Which wand'ring foliage and rich flow'rs entwine.
But, far above the rest, the royal dame, (Already doom'd to love's disastrous flame,)With eyes insatiate, and tumultuous joy, Beholds the presents, and admires the boy.
The guileful god about the hero long, With children's play, and false embraces, hung;Then sought the queen: she took him to her arms With greedy pleasure, and devour'd his charms.
Unhappy Dido little thought what guest, How dire a god, she drew so near her breast;But he, not mindless of his mother's pray'r, Works in the pliant bosom of the fair, And molds her heart anew, and blots her former care.
The dead is to the living love resign'd;
And all Aeneas enters in her mind.
Now, when the rage of hunger was appeas'd, The meat remov'd, and ev'ry guest was pleas'd, The golden bowls with sparkling wine are crown'd, And thro' the palace cheerful cries resound.
From gilded roofs depending lamps display Nocturnal beams, that emulate the day.
A golden bowl, that shone with gems divine, The queen commanded to be crown'd with wine:
The bowl that Belus us'd, and all the Tyrian line.
Then, silence thro' the hall proclaim'd, she spoke:
"O hospitable Jove! we thus invoke, With solemn rites, thy sacred name and pow'r;Bless to both nations this auspicious hour!
So may the Trojan and the Tyrian line In lasting concord from this day combine.