DIDO

What stranger art thou that dost eye me thus? Warlike Aeneas, and in these base robes? Go fetch the garment which Sicheus beware: Brave Prince, welcome to Carthage and to me, Both happy that Aeneas is our guest: Fit in this chair and banquet with a Queen, Aeneas is Aeneas, were he clad In weeds as bade as ever Irus beware. Thy fortune may be greater then thy birth, Fit down Aeneas, fit in Didos place, And if this be thy son as I suppose, Here let him fit, be merry lovely child. I'll have it so, Aeneas be content. And so I will sweet child: be merry man, Heres to thy better fortune and good stars. Remember who thou art, speak Like thy self, Humility belongs to common grooms. Lies it in Didos hands to make thee blessed, Then be assured thou art not miserable. May I entreat thee to discourse at large, And truly to how Troy was overcome: For many tales go of that Cities fallen, And scarcely do agree upon one point: Some say Antenor did betray the town, Others report it Sinons perjury: But all in this that Troy is overcome, And Priam dead, yet how we hear no news. What faints Aeneas to remember Troy? In whose defence he fought so valiantly: Look up and speak. Nay leave not here, resolve me of the rest Oh Hector who weeps not to hear thy name? Ah, how could poor Aeneas escape their hands? Oh end Aeneas, I can hear no more. I die with melting ruth, Aeneas leave. But how escaped Helen, she that caused this war? Oh had that ticing strumpet never been born: Trojan, thy ruthful tale hath made me sad: Come let us think upon some pleasing sport, To rid me from these melancholy thoughts. Jarbus, know that thou of all my wooers (And yet have I had many mightier Kings) Hast had the greatest favours I could give: I fear me Dido hath been counted light, In being too familiar with Jarbus: Albeit the Gods do know no wanton thought Had ever residence in Didos breast. Fear not Jarbus, Dido may be thine. Weep not sweet boy, thou shalt be Didos son, Fit in my lap and let me hear thee sing. No more my child, now talk another while, And tell me where learnest thou this pretty song? How lovely is Ascanius when he smiles? I wag, and give thee leave to kiss her to. Take it Ascanius, for thy father's sake. Go thou away, Ascanius shall stay. Oh stay Jarbus, and I'll go with thee. Why stayest thou here? thou art no love of mine? No, live Jarbus, what hast thou deserved, That I should say thou art no love of mine? Something thou hast deserved, away I say, Depart from Carthage, come not in my sighed. Jarbus pardon me, and stay a while. What tellest thou me of rich Getulia? Am not I Queen of Libya? then depart. Jarbus. No, but I charge thee never look on me. Because his loathsome sighed offends mine eye, And in my thoughts is shrined another Jove: Oh Anna, didst thou know how sweet love were, Full soon wouldst thou abjure this single life. Is not Aeneas fair and beautiful? Is he not eloquent in all his speech? Name not Jarbus, but sweet Anna say, Is not Aeneas worthy Didos love? But tell them none shall gaze on him but I, Lest their gross eye-beams taint my lovers cheeks: Anna, good sister Anna go for him, Lest with these sweet thoughts I melt clean away. Yet must I hear that loathsome name again? Run for Aeneas, or I'll fly to him. Exit Anna. No, for thy sake I'll love thy father well. Oh dull conceited Dido, that till now Didst never think Aeneas beautiful: But now for quittance of this oversight, I'll make me bracelets of his golden hair, His glistering eyes shall be my looking glass, His lips and altar, where I'll offer up As many kisses as the Sea hath sands, In stead of music I will hear him speak, His looks shall be my only Library, And thou Aeneas, Didos treasury, In whose fair bosom I will lock more wealth, Then twenty thousand India's can afford: Oh here he comes, love, love, give Dido leave To be more modest then her thoughts admir, Lest I be made a wonder to the world. Achate's, how does Carthage please your Lord? Aeneas, art thou there? No, but now thou art here, tell me in sooth In what might Dido highly pleasure thee. Aeneas, I'll repair thy Trojan ships, Conditionally that thou wilt stay with me, And let Achate's sail to Italy: I'll give thee tackling made of riveled gold, Wound on the barks of odoriferous trees, Oars of massy Ivory full of holes, Through which the water shall delight to play: Thy Anchors shall be hewed from Crystal Rocks, Which if thou loose shall shine above the waves: The Masts whereon thy swelling sails shall hang, Hollow Pyramids of silver plate: The sails of folded Lawn, where shall be wrought The wars of Troy, but not Troy's overthrow: For balance, empty Didos treasury, Take what you will, but leave Aeneas here. Achate's, thou shalt be so meanly clad, As Seaborn Nymphs shall swarm about thy ships, And wanton Mermaids court thee with sweet songs, Flinging in favours of more sovereign worth, Then Thetis hangs about Apollo's neck, So that Aeneas may but stay with me. To war against my bordering enemies: Aeneas, think not Dido is in love: For if that any man could conquer me, I had been wedded ere Aeneas came: See where the pictures of my suitors hang, And are not these as fair as fair may be? But speak Aeneas, know you none of these? All those and others which I never saw, Have been most urgent suitors for my love, Some came in person, others sent their Legates: Yet none obtained me, I am free from all, And yet God knows entangled unto one. This was and Orator, and thought by words To compass me, but yet he was deceived: And this a Spartan Courtier vain and wild, But his fantastic humours pleased not me: This was Altion, a Musician, But played he never so sweet, I let him go: This was the wealthy King of Thessaly, But I had gold enough and cast him off: This Meleagers son, a warlike Prince, But weapons gree not with my tender years: The rest are such as all the world well knows, Yet how I swear by heaven and him I love, I was as far from love, as they from hate. Then never say that thou art miserable, Because it may be thou shalt be my love: Yet boast not of it, for I love thee not, And yet I hate thee not: Oh if I speak I shall betray my self: Aeneas speak, We two will go a hunting in the woods, But not so much for thee, thou art but one, As for Achate's, and his followers. Exeunt. Aeneas, think not but I honour thee, That thus in person go with thee to hunt: My princely robes thou seest are laid aside, Whose glittering pomp Diana's shrowds supplies, All fellows now disposed alike to sport, The woods are wide, and we have store of game: Fair Trojan, hold my golden bow a while, Until I gird my quiver to my side: Lords go before, we two must talk alone. What makes Jarbus here of all the rest? We could have gone without your company. How now Getulian, are you grown so brave, To challenge us with your comparisons? Peasant, go seek companions Like thy self, And meddle not with any that I love: Aeneas, be not moude at what he says, For otherwhile he will be out of joint. Huntsmen, why pitch you not your toils apace, And rouse the light foot Dear from forth their lair. Yea little son, are you so forward now? What, darest thou look a Lion in the face? Aeneas, leave these dumps and lets away, Some to the mountains some unto the soil, You to the valleys, thou unto the house. Aeneas. Tell me deer love, how found you out this Cave? Why, that was in a net, where we are lose, And yet I am not free, o would I were. The thing that I will die before I ask, And yet desire to have before I die. Aeneas no although his eyes do pierce. Not angered me, except in angering thee. The man that I do eye where ere I am, Whose amorous face Like Pean sparkles fire, When as he buts his beams on Floras bed, Prometheus hath put on Cupid's shape, And I must perish in his burning arms: Aeneas, Oh Aeneas, quench these flames. Not sick my love, but sick, I must conceal The torment, that it boots me not reveal, And yet I'll speak, and yet I'll hold my peace, Do shame her worst, I will disclose my grief: Aeneas, thou art he, what did I say? Something it was that now I have forgotten. Nay, nothing, but Aeneas loves me not. It was because I saw no King Like thee, Whose golden Crown might balance my content: But now that I have found what to effect, I follow one that loves fame for me, And rather had seem fair Sirens eyes, Then to the Carthage Queen that die for him. What more then delian music do I hear, That calls my soul from forth his living seat, To move unto the measures of delight: Kind clouds that sent forth such a courteous storm, As made disdain to fly to fancies lap: Stout love in mine arms make thy Italy, Whose Crown and kingdom rests at thy command: Sicheus, not Aeneas be thou called: The King of Carthage, not Anchises son: Hold, take these Jewels at thy Lovers hand, These golden bracelets, and this wedding ring, Wherewith my husband wooed me yet a maid, And be thou king of Libya, by my gift. Achate's and Ascanius, well met. I see Aeneas sticketh in your mind, But I will soon put by that stumbling block, And quell those Hope's that thus employ your ears. Exeunt. Oh Anna, run unto the water side, They say Aeneas men are going aboard, It may be he will steal away with them: Stay not to answer me, run Anna run. Oh foolish Trojans that would steal from hence, And not let Dido understand their drift: I would have given Achate's store of gold, And Illioneus gum and Libian spice, The common soldiers rich embroidered coats, And silver whistles to control the winds, Which Circe's sent Sicheus when he lived: Unworthy are they of a Queens reward: See where they come, how might I do to chide? Is this thy love to me? How haps Achate's bid me not farewell? To rid thee of that doubt, aboard again, I charge thee put to sea and stay not here. Get you aboard, Aeneas means to stay. Oh false Aeneas, now the sea is rough, But when you were aboard it calm enough, Thou and Achate's meant to sail away. Aeneas pardon me, for I forgotten That young Ascanius lay with me this night: Love made me jealous, but to make amends, Wear the imperial Crown of Libya, Sway thou the Punike Sceptre in my steed, And punish me Aeneas for this crime. Oh how a Crown becomes Aeneas head! Stay here Aeneas, and command as King. Oh keep them still, and let me gaze my fill: Now looks Aeneas Like immortal Jove, Oh where is Ganymede to hold his cup, And Mercury to fly for what he calls, Ten thousand Cupid's hover in the air, And fan it in Aeneas lovely face, Oh that the Clouds were here wherein thou fleest, That thou and I unseen might sport our selves: Heavens envious of our joys is waxed pale, And when we whisper, then the stars fallen down, To be partakers of our honey talk. Not all the world can take thee from mine arms, Aeneas may command as many Moors, As in the Sea are little water drops: And now to make experience of my love, Fair sister Anna lead my lover forth, And seated on my Gennet, let him ride As Didos husband through the punic streets, And will my guard with Mauritanian darts, To wait upon him as their sovereign Lord. Those that dislike what Dido gives in charge, Command my guard to slay for their offence: Shall vulgar peasants storm at what I do? The ground is mine that gives them sustenance, The air wherein they breathe, the water, fire, All that they have their lands, their goods, their lives, And I the Goddess of all these, command Aeneas idem as Carthaginian King. Speak of no other land, this land is thine, Dido is thine, henceforth I'll call thee Lord: Do as I bid thee, sister lead the way, And from a turret I'll behold my love. Speakers not Aeneas Like a Conqueror? Oh blessed tempests that did driven him in, Oh happy sand that made him run aground: Henceforth you shall be our Carthage Gods: I, but it may be he will leave my love, And seek a foreign land called Italy: Oh that I had a charm to keep the winds Within the closure of a golden ball, Or that the Tyrrhen sea were in mine arms, That he might suffer shipwreck on my breast, As oft as he attempts to hoist up sail: I must prevent him, wishing will not serve: Go, bid my Nurse take young Ascanius, And bear him in the country to her house, Aeneas will not go without his son: Yet lest he should, for I am full of fear, Bring me his oars, his tackling, and his sails: What if I sink his ships? Oh heel frown: Better he frown, then I should die for grief: I cannot see him frown, it may not be: Armies of foes resolved to win this town, Or impious traitors vowed to have my life, Affright me not, only Aeneas frown Is that which terrifies poor Didos heart: Not bloody spears appearing in the air, Presage the downfall of my Empery, Nor blazing Comets threatens Didos death, It is Aeneas frown that ends my days: If he forsake me not, I never die, For in his looks I see eternity, And heel make me immortal with a kiss. Your Nurse is gone with young Ascavius, And heres Aeneas tackling, oars and sails. Are these the sails that in despite of me, Packed with the winds to bear Aeneas hence? I'll hang you in the chamber where I lie, Driven if you can my house to Italy: I'll set the casement open that the winds May enter in, and once again conspire Against the life of me poor Carthage Queen: But though he go, he stays in Carthage still, And let rich Carthage fleet upon the seas, So I may have Aeneas in mine arms. Is this the wood that grew in Carthage plains, And would be toiling in the watery billows, To rob their mistress of her Trojan guest? Oh cursed tree, hadst thou but wit or sense, To measure how I prize Aeneas love, Thou wouldst have leapt from out the Sailors hands, And told me that Aeneas meant to go: And yet I blame thee not, thou art but wood. The water which our Poets term a Nymph, Why did it suffer thee to touch her breast, And shrunk not back, knowing my love was there? The water is and Element, no Nymph, Why should I blame Aeneas for his flight? Oh Dido, blame not him, but break his oars, These were the instruments that launched him forth, Theres not so much as this base tackling too, But dares to heap up sorrow to my heart: Was it not you that hoised up these sails? Why burst you not, and they fell in the seas? For this will Dido tie you full of knots, And shear you all asunder with her hands: Now serve to chastise shipboyes for their faults, You shall no more offend the Carthage Queen. Now let him hang my favours on his masts, And see if those will serve in steed of sails: For tackling, let him take the chains of gold, Which I bestowed upon his followers: In steed of oars, let him use his hands, And swim to Italy, I'll keep these sure: Come bear them in. Exit. I fear I saw Aeneas little son, Led by Achate's to the Trojan fleet: If it be so, his father means to fly: But here he is, now Dido try thy wit. Aeneas, wherefore go thy men aboard? Why are thy ships new rigged? or to what end Launched from the haven, lie they in the Rhode? Pardon me though I ask, love makes me ask. But yet Aeneas will not leave his love. These words proceed not from Aeneas heart. Farewell: is this the mends for Didos love? Do Trojans use to quit their Lovers thus? Fare well may Dido, so Aeneas stay, I die, if my Aeneas say farewell. These words are poison to poor Didos soul, Oh speak Like my Aeneas, Like my love: Why lookest thou towards the sea? the time hath been When Didos beauty changed thine eyes to her: Am I less fair then when thou sawest me first? Oh then Aeneas, 'tis for grief of thee: Say thou wilt stay in Carthage with my Queen, And Didos beauty will return again: Aeneas, say, how canst thou take thy leave? Wilt thou kiss Dido? Oh thy lips have sworn To stay with Dido: canst thou take her hand? Thy hand and mine h we plighted mutual faith, Therefore unkind Aeneas, must thou say, Then let me go, and never say farewell. The Gods, what Gods be those that seek my death? Wherein have I offended Jupiter, That he should take Aeneas from mine arms? Oh no, the Gods weigh not what Lovers do, It is Aeneas calls Aeneas hence, And woeful Dido by these blubbered cheeks, By this right hand, and by our spousal rites, Desires Aeneas to remain with her: Si be quid de to mervi, fuit aut tibi quidquam Dulce meum, miserere domus labentis: & istam Oro, si quis and haec precibus locus, exue mentem. Hast thou forgotten how many neighbour kings Were up in arms, for making thee my love? How Carthage did rebel, Jarbus storm, And all the world calls me a second Helen, For being entangled by a strangers looks: So thou wouldst prove as true as Paris did, Would, as fair Troy was, Carthage might be sacked, And I be called a second Helena. Had I a son by thee, the grief were less, That I might see Aeneas in his face: Now if thou goest, what canst thou leave behind, But rather will augment then case my woe? And wilt thou not be moved with Didos words? Thy mother was no Goddess perjured man, Nor Dardanus the author of thy slock: But thou art sprung from Scythian Caucasus, And Tigers of Hircaniam gave thee suck: Ah foolish Dido to forbear this long! Wast thou not wracked upon this Libian shore, And camest to Dido Like a Fisher swain? Repairde not I thy ships, made thee a King, And all thy needy followers Noblemen? Oh Serpent that came creeping from the shore, And I for pity harbord in my bosom, Wilt thou now flay me with thy venomed sting, And hiss at Dido for preserving thee? Go go and spare not, seek out Italy, I hope that that which love forbids me do, The Rocks and Sea-gulfes will perform at large, And thou shalt perish in the billows ways, To whom poor Dido does bequeathe revenge, I traitor, and the waves shall cast thee up, Where thou and false Achate's first set foot: Which if it chance, I'll give you burial, And weep upon your lifeless carcases, Though thou nor he will pity me a whit. Why starest thou in my face? if thou wilt stay, Leap in mine arms, mine arms are open wide: If not, turn from me, and I'll turn from thee: For though thou hast the heart to say farewell, I have not power to stay thee: is he gone? I but heel come again, he cannot go, He loves me to too well to serve me so: Yet he that in my sighed would not relent, Will, being absent, be abdurate still. By this is he God to the water side, And, see the Sailors take him by the hand, But he shrinks back, and now remembering me, Returns amain: welcome, welcome my love: But where Aeneas? ah he's gone he's gone! Oh Anna, my Aeneas is aboard, And leaving me will sail to Italy. Once didst thou go, and he came back again, Now bring him back, and thou shalt be a Queen, And I will live a private life with him. Call him not wicked, sister speak him fair, And look upon him with a Mermaids eye, Tell him, I never vowed at Aulis gulf The desolation of his native Troy, Nor sent a thousand ships unto the walls, Nor ever violated faith to him: Request him gently ( Anna ) to return, I crave but this, he stay a tide or two, That I may learn to bear it patiently, If he depart thus suddenly, I die: Run Anna, run, stay not to answer me. Oh cursed hag and false dissembling wretch! That slayest me with thy harsh and hellish tale, Thou for some petty gift hast let him go, And I am thus deluded of my boy: Away with her to prison presently, Traytoresse too keened and cursed Sorceress. Away with her, suffer her not to speak. My sister comes, I Like not her sad looks. Oh Anna, Anna, I will follow him. He frame me wings of wax Like Icarus, And over his ships will soar unto the Sun, That they may melt and I fallen in his arms: Or else I'll make a prayer unto the waves, That I may swim to him Like Trito S niece: Oh Anna, fetch Orion's Harp, That I may tice a Dolphin to the shore, And ride upon his back unto my love: Look sister, look lovely Aeneas ships, See see, the billows heave him up to heaven, And now down falls the keels into the deep: Oh sister, sister, take away the Rocks, Theile break his ships, Oh Proteus, Neptune, Jove, Save, save Aeneas, Didos liefest love! Now is he come on shore safe without hurt: But see, Achate's wills him put to sea, And all the Sailors merry make for joy, But he remembering me shrinks back again: See where he comes, welcome, welcome my love. Dido I am, unless I be deceived, And must I rave thus for a runagate? Must I make ships for him to sail away? Nothing can bear me to him but a ship, And he hath all thy fleet, what shall I do But die in fury of this oversight? I, I must be the murderer of my self: No but I am not, yet I will be straight. Anna be glad, now have I found a mean To rid me from these thoughts of Lunacy: Not far from hence there is a woman famoused for arts, Daughter unto the Nymph's Hesperides, Who wild me sacrifice his ticing relliques: Go Anna, bid my servants bring me fire. Exit Anna. Jarbus, talk not of Aeneas, let him go, Lay to thy hands and help me make a fire, That shall consume all that this stranger left, For I intend a private Sacrifice, To cure my mind that melts for unkind love. I, I, Jarbus, after this is done, None in the world shall have my love but thou: So, leave me now, let none approach this place. Exit Jarbus. Now Dido, with these relics burn thy self, And make Aeneas famous through the world, For perjury and slaughter of a Queen: Here lie the Sword that in the darksome Cave He drew, and swore by to be true to me, Thou shalt burn first, thy crime is worse then his: Here lie the garment which I clothed him in, When first he came on shore, perish thou to: These letters, lines, and perjured papers all, Shall burn to cinders in this precious flame. And now you Gods that guide the starry frame, And order all things at your high dispose, Grant, though the traitors land in Italy, They may be still tormented with unrest, And from mine ashes let a Conqueror rise, That may revenge this treason to a Queen, By plowing up his Countries with the Sword: Betwixt this land and that be never league, Littora littoribus contrariam, fluctibus undas Impresor: arma armis: pugnent ipsi que nepotes: Live false Aeneas, truest Dido die, Sic sic juvat ire sub umbras. But where were you Jarbus all this while?