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"Dido and Aeneas"* - Read by Natasha Gostwick and Richard Scott. (Duration 27.00 minutes)
It’s a love story with plenty of tragic drama, and we think it will appeal to slightly older children and to young adults. That said, it’s pretty exciting too.
Aeneas, prince of Troy, is shipwrecked off the coast of Africa by the goddess Juno. He is taken in by Queen Dido of Carthage. He then finds himself torn between love and destiny.
The story of Dido and Aeneas was first told by the great Roman poet Virgil, and has since been retold many times.
Richard As Narrator
My story is of a man torn between love and destiny. Aeneas was his name, and he was a Prince of Troy. When that city was destroyed by the Greek Army, he fled from the flames carrying his old father on his back, and with his son at his side. He gathered a band of Trojans and set sail in a fleet of ships. But his journey was long and hard, beset by dangers and troubles.
Why should a just a man suffer so? The answer is not hard to find. All the evil and suffering in the world is wished upon us by the gods, or is the debris of their own quarrels and strife. A goddess hated Aeneas with all the fury of her immortal heart. Her name was Juno, and she was queen of heaven. Her enmity went back a long way.
It all began with a divine squabble. Three goddesses met on the island of Crete and wrangled over who was the fairest. And while the divine ones were bickering and threatening to scratch each other’s eyes out, along stumbled Paris, Prince of Troy, out hunting in the woods. The goddesses appointed him as judge of their beauty. He chose Venus, and won a great reward from her, in the fair form of a woman, Helen, who was more lovely than any other. But he earned the immortal hatred of Juno.
Paris and Helen. Their names united into the greatest scandal of the Bronze Age. He was Trojan, she was Greek, and while they lay in each others arms, their countries locked in armed combat. After ten years of war, Troy was destroyed utterly. You would think that the Goddess had taken enough revenge on Paris and all the Trojans, but still she was not satisfied. Now Juno looked down from the skies and spotted Aeneas, a near relative of Paris, sailing across the sea, escaping his burning city. And this is what she said to herself:
Natasha as Juno
Another of those pomaded Trojan lover-boys is setting out to create trouble in the world. I see his destiny all too clearly. He is leading his men to Italy, where his decedents will found a new city: Rome. And Rome shall grow into a proud ,powerful, hypocritical empire. The toga wearers shall make slaves of free peoples in the name of the law, peace and religion. They will conquer nations and utterly destroy Carthage, the city which does more honour to me than any other. But do you know what? I think I’ll do the world a favour. I’ll spare it Rome. I’ll finish off this Aeneas and his fleet of ships before they touch land. No Aeneas, no Rome. Now Blow Winds Blow !
Richard As Narrator
And Aeolus, king of the winds, heard the command from the Queen of Heaven, and boy did he blow. He sent a ship splintering storm straight at the fleet of Aeneas. Aeneas and his men thought then that they would soon be fish food. But Neptune, the lord of the waters, heard the winds, and rolled his eyes around the earth, the sea and the skies, and when he saw the storm-tossed ships he said: Hey what’s all this? I’m in charge here. Jupiter and his dysfunctional family can do what they like up in the skies, but the waters are mine, and I won’t stand for any insubordination here. If there’s sinking to be done, then I’m the one to do it. And with a wave of his Trident, he sent the winds whimpering back into their box, and the seas settled down.
The battered ship of Aeneas, with broken oars and tattered sails, made its way to the shores of Libya. The sailors jumped over the sides and swam to the beach. They were plenty glad to feel the hot sand between their toes. As for the other Trojan ships, they did not know if they were lost of saved.
Now the goddess Venus looked down on the shipwrecked Trojans with more than a casual interest. Aeneas was none other than her own son. As any good mother would, she went to the Lord of the Skies and put in a complaint about her boy’s treatment.
Natasha as Venus
This is too much! Is it not enough that jealous Juno burned Troy? Can’t you reign in that neurotic consort of yours before she upsets all history? My Aeneas is destined to found Rome, and now look at him, poor darling, he’s a shipwrecked wretch on the shores of Africa. And it’s Juno’s doing as usual.
Richard As Jupiter
And father Jupiter sighed and sent a gush of wind over the mountain tops. Venus my dear, he said, Dismiss your fears. The fates are fixed. I’ve no intention that your son should be denied his destiny. There is an African Queen who will take good care of him. Dido is her name, and she lives in Great Splenour in the city of Carthage. She is just and fair. Send Aeneas to her, and she will give him all he needs.
Richard As Narrator
Venus took the hint. Lovely Dido would put vim back in her son’s limbs. And there was a nice twist to the tale. For Carthage was Juno’s city, and if its queen fell for Aeneas, that would be one in the eye for the Queen of Heaven. She liked that.
Aeneas left his men on the beach while he climbed a cliff to see what he could see. At the top he met a being who gave him cause for hope. She was a huntress, and by her beauty, had no doubt that she was at least partly divine. He saw her sitting on a rock, and as he came up to her she said:
Natasha As Venus
Young man. Have you seen any of my sisters here about, wearing leopard skins and carrying bows?
Richard as Aeneas
No, I haven’t. Last night I was shipwrecked, and you are the first soul I have set eyes upon since I swam ashore.
Natasha As Venus
And tell me shipwrecked sailor, what is your name?
Richard as Aeneas
Aeneas, prince of Tory. Winds and war drove me here across the seas.
Natasha As Venus
Then your fortunes are changing for the better. Lucky you to be washed up on this courteous coast. Not far from here, a gracious queen is building a city that matches your famed Troy for splendor and beauty. Her name is Dido, and the city is Carthage. Seek an audience with her, and you shall receive a warm welcome. And now I must leave you, and find my errant sisters.
Richard as Aeneas
Goddess wait – I see now from the way you move that you are Venus – Oh Mother ! Why do you only ever appear to me in disguise?
Natasha As Venus
Fair-well my son. Make speed to Carthage. I shall cloak you in an invisible cloud to protect you from danger.
Richard as Narrator
When the walls of Carthage came into view, Aeneas could not help but weep. For in every respect it was as if he was looking at his own dear home, the City of Troy at the height of its splendor, before the Greeks reduced it to ruins. As he passed through the arched gates, it was as if he was returning home. The inside of the portal was carved with pictures of the greatest of the Trojans. Here was King Priam. There was Queen Hecuba. And totally true to life, Hector, the most formidable hero in battle, the tenderest family man at home, held his son in his great hands. The little boy cried because his father’s war helmet frightened him. His mother Andromache held out her slender arms. They were all gone now. Dust. Memories. Pictures. As he gazed at the scenes from his past, Aeneas said to himself:
Richard as Aeneas
These are the tears of existence. Each drop is a world that glistens with both beauty and sadness.
Richard as Narrator
He made his way through the noisy streets, as invisible as a ghost, until he reached the palace, where he passed by the guards on the gates. Inside, in the great hall, he found a sight to gladden his sad eyes. A crowd of his men from the lost ships, those whom he had thought to be drowned in the storm, were gathered there. Venus lifted the invisible cloud from her son. He appeared among his friends and greeted them with hugs and tears. While the reunion was still going on, Queen Dido came into the hall. She was a tall, dark, striking figure. She had a face that both commanded and attracted. She wore jewels in her black hair, and her robe was sewn with gold and silver thread. Aeneas stepped forward and begged pardon for the tattered rags that he wore.
Natasha as Dido
Never mind your clothes. Tell me who is the man within them.
Richard as Aeneas
Mighty Queen. Once I was a Trojan. But Troy is no more. It is no longer so simple to say who I am.
Natasha as Dido
But you have a name presumably?
Richard as Narrator
At this, one of Aeneas’s men spoke up: “Gracious Queen. Behold our general, Warlike Aeneas, Prince of Troy, and though he wears rags, he is a no less a great man.”
Natasha as Dido
Well then, Warlike Aeneas, be seated, and I shall send for splendid robes that befit your birth, and cover your recent misfortune. And then we shall hold a banquet in honour of our Trojan guests.
Richard as Narrator
And when the banquet took place, Dido sat with her sister Anna on her one side, and Aeneas on the other. The Queen asked her guest to describe the last days of Troy. Aeneas told how the Greek Achilles slaughtered the Trojan Hector. How Prince Paris left his chamber of love and fired a poisoned arrow into the heal of Achilles. How the Greeks boarded their ships and left behind a wooden horse. The Trojans rejoiced to see their foes depart. But the belly of the horse was hollow and full of Greek spies. They opened the gates of Troy and let in the invading army. As Aeneas escaped the burning city with his father and son, his sword saved them from death a dozen times, but the doom of Troy was done. He described to the Queen the leaping flames, the clashing bronze, and the desperate cries, Dido could not help but weep.
Natasha as Dido
“Oh stop, Aeneas, I can hear no more. I am melting with pity.”
Richard as Narrator
But Venus sent a sweet balm to heal the sorrow of the Queen and all those who had heard the dreadful tale. The young son of Aeneas lay asleep on a couch in a chamber away from the noisy feast. The Goddess willed Cupid to take on his exact likeness, and she sent him into the banqueting hall.
Natasha as Dido
“Ah, who is this sweet sleepy-eyed boy? Is he your son.
Richard as Aeneas
He is my lady. His name is Ascanius. I am sorry to say that his mother did not survive the destruction of our city.
Natasha as Dido
Come Ascanius. Sit on my lap. I shall mother you a while.
Richard as Narrator
Venus had disguised Cupid so cunningly in the form of Ascanius, that even Aeneas thought he was his own son. Nobody recognised the boy who brings love.
Cupid hung his arms around the neck of Dido, and his breath worked its charm on her. Sweetness flowed in her veins for the man who sat by her side – the shipwrecked Trojan whom the winds had blown to her shores.
While Aeneas was turned away to talk to his ship’s captain, Dido whispered into the ear of her sister Anna:
Natasha as Dido
“Our Trojan Prince speaks as well as he looks, does he not?”
Richard as Narrator
As yet, Cupid had worked just enough charm to keep things sweet between Dido and Aeneas, and to ensure that the queen gave her guest all the help that he needed. This was the way Venus liked to work things. As the goddess looked down with satisfaction on the scene, she received a visitor that she had hardly expected. Juno hailed her across the skies.
Natasha as Juno
Sister of Love. Our interests are united in Dido and Aeneas. Let them rule Carthage together as King and Queen. Their children shall build a glorious city that will surpass Troy in its beauty and fame. History will have no need for Rome. The toga-wearers shall never be born. Carthage shall not be ruined by the Romans. Your son shall be the father of a great people without touching the shores of Italy.
Richard as Narrator
And Venus saw advantage in this pact with her Sister. The following day, when Dido and Aeneas rode out hunting together, she sent Cupid to fire his arrows into the side of the Queen. They were tipped with love, and now passion for Aeneas flowed deep in the breast of Dido. Just then the weather turned suddenly. The African sun hid behind a cloud and a great storm, unusual for this time of year, broke out. The hunters were being soaked from the skies. The sharp eyes of Aeneas caught sight of a cave, and he led Dido there to shelter from the rain.
Richard as Aeneas
How are you my Queen? Your face suggests that something is troubling you. Do not fear this hurly burly in the heavens. The storm will pass soon.
Natasha as Dido
Perhaps too soon for Dido.
Richard as Aeneas
What do you mean by this strange remark?
Natasha as Dido
Only that Aeneas loves me not.
Richard as Aeneas
I would not presume to aim so high.
Natasha as Dido
I will open my heart to you, even though I fear my words shall bring shame on me. I love one who loves fame more than woman.
Richard as Aeneas
With this my hand I give you my heart. I vow on this sword which saved me from the Greek army that while Dido lives and rules in Carthage City, I will never love any but her.
Natasha as Dido
These words are like the sweet music of the gods to my ears.
Richard as Narrator
And so Aeneas, willed on by the colluding goddesses, swore a love that did not fit his destiny. The future that the fates had spun for him was to sail to Italy and found Rome. But for now he lingered in the arms of Dido, while the thread of his destiny stretched and stretched but did not yet snap.
His men mended the broken ships and gossiped and complained about their general’s new distraction. They wondered if they would ever receive the order to set sail for Italy. When they spoke of Dido and Aeneas it was almost as if they were speaking once again of Paris and Helen. It was a private love and a public scandal.
The word spread, and reached even the Father of the Skies. Jupiter sent Mercury, the messenger of the gods, to whisper in the hero’s ear while he slept in the arms of his queen. And Aeneas dreamed of the Colosseum, the forum, and the seven hills of Rome. He saw a city more beautiful than Troy, more wealthy than Carthage.
In the morning he went down to the harbour to inspect his ships, and his captain told him that he was ready to set sail. He spoke to Aeneas
Richard as Ship’s Captain
“Sail with us now my Lord. If you return to the queen her womanly wiles will make you swear to never leave. Her silver arms will coil around your neck. Her pearly tears will beg you stay. No man, though he face the fiercest foes without dread, can endure a woman’s soft tears. I speak plainly My Lord. But I say to your face what all the men say when you are not here.”
Richard as Aeneas
I appreciate your blunt frankness, but beauty calls me back. I cannot break love’s law by stealing away like a thief. Let no one call Aeneas a coward in love or in battle.
Richard as Narrator
And so Aeneas returned to Dido to give her his final fare-well. But Dido already knew that Trojan Fleet that was about to sail, and her spies had informed her that Aeneas was intending to leave with them.
Natasha as Dido
Oh cursed Trojans that would steal my love from me ! Is this how they repay my hospitality? I would look the other way if they thieved my silver or gold, but they take my very life.
Richard as Aeneas
My queen. I have come to you to give you my goodbye, although I feared that you would try to keep me here.
Natasha as Dido
False Aeneas ! You need not have feared. Be gone from my sight.
Richard as Aeneas
I cannot leave without kissing your hand one last time.
Natasha as Dido
See I take the crown from my head and place it on yours. How it becomes you. Stay by my side King Aeneas. Dido is yours. Carthage is yours. Are these prizes not a fair exchange for the Troy that you have lost? Why seek a new city when you have one here.
Richard as Aeneas
I thank you my lady, but a bronze helmet fits my destiny better than a crown of gold.
Natasha as Dido
Then you put to sea?
Richard as Aeneas
Duty calls.
Natasha as Dido
Then duty is a murderer because I shall die if it takes you away from me.
Richard as Aeneas
I unbuckle my my sword and leave it for you to remember me by. It is as much part of me as my right arm. It has saved my life several scores of times. It is my most personal possession.
Natasha as Dido
Be gone, be gone. I cannot bear to look upon your false face any longer. My sorrow is strangling me. My throat is dry. I can speak no more.
Richard as Aeneas
Fair well my queen. I will never love another as I have loved you. On the day that I die, I will think of you. I will go to the next world with your face before my eyes. Fair-well.
Natasha as Dido
Be gone with you ! It is time for Warlike Aeneas to run.
Richard as Narrator
And Aeneas went directly to his ship.
Natasha as Dido
Fair sister Anna. Command the priests to build a pyre. I will make a sacrifice to the gods. I will pray to Neptune and Juno to calm the winds and keep him here. No. Better still to send a storm and wreck him once more. Let the faithless wretch swim to Italy!
Richard as Narrator
And while the priests built a pyre in the courtyard of the temple, Dido stood on her balcony and watched the ships set sail.
Natasha as Dido
The winds blew my love to me, and now they take him away. The nymphs of the sea carry him from me. Chains of gold could not anchor him here. What have I done to offend the gods that they separate me from happiness? If only I had the wings of Icarus I could fly out to him? Where is the friendly dolphin that will carry me on his back behind the ship of Aeneas? Or if I could swim like Neptune’s niece.
Oh how I am raving. Love has poisoned me with lunacy. See how Aeneas is rejoicing with his sailors as he crosses the waves away from me. He has forgotten his Dido already.
Ah the priests have set the fire. The flames are consuming the coals. I see in their light, a future full of destruction.
Oh Juno, protector of our city, I pray to you, let False Aeneas build his precious Rome, for Jupiter wills it so, and let the city grow to be great and powerful, but let Carthage send a general to destroy it. May an African army ride elephants across the seas and over the mountains right up to the walls of Rome, and may Rome’s dust blow on the winds and mingle with Troy’s.
And where is that sword of Aeneas? It protected his life and now it takes away mine. But there is little of me left to take away. His frown has already destroyed the Dido who all knew before she set eyes on him. The woman whose sparkling eyes drew a 100 suitors from Africa, Europe and Asia is already gone. All that is left is lunacy. I shall not go mad. Better die.
Richard as Narrator
And although Aeneas felt the wind in his hair, and the salt in his nostrils, and heard the cry of gulls above his ship – and although he felt that the chains of destiny were pulling him to freedom – he did not forget his Dido. He looked back at the walls of Carthage and saw smoke rising from the temple. He thought to himself.
Richard as Aeneas
“That is all that is left of my love.”
