Mercury repeats his warning to AEneas, who sails forthwith (640-671).

Daybreak reveals his flight, and Dido--cursing her betrayer--falls by her own hand, to the despair of her sister and the consternation of her subjects (672-837).
I.

Long since a prey to passion's torturing pains, The Queen was wasting with the secret flame, The cruel wound was feeding on her veins.
Back to the fancy of the lovelorn dame Came the chief's valour and his country's fame.
His looks, his words still lingered in her breast, Deep-fixt.

And now the dewy Dawn upcame, And chased the shadows, when her love's unrest Thus to her sister's soul responsive she confessed: II.

"What dreams, dear Anna, fill me with alarms; What stranger guest is this?
like whom in face?
How proud in portance, how expert in arms! In sooth I deem him of celestial race; Fear argues souls degenerate and base; But he--how oft by danger sore bestead, What warlike exploits did his lips retrace.
Were not my purpose steadfast, ne'er to wed, Since love first played me false, and mocked me with the dead, III.