This is an easy-to-read retelling of Christopher Marlowe's DIDO OF CARTHAGE, in which Aeneas, his ships damaged by a storm, lands on the shore of Carthage, which is being built by the Phoenician Dido. Two goddesses cause her to fall in love with Aeneas, but soon Jupiter reminds Aeneas that his destiny is to go to Italy and become an important ancestor of the Roman people. This news devastates Dido.- 3.1 -Cupid alone, disguised as Ascanius, said to himself, "Now, Cupid, cause the Carthaginian Queen to be enamored of your half-brother's looks."Venus is the mother of both Aeneas and Cupid by different fathers, and so they are half-brothers.Cupid continued, "Carry this golden arrow in your sleeve, lest she realize you are Venus' son, and when she strokes you softly on the head, then I shall touch her breast with this arrow and conquer her."He would conquer her by making her fall in love with Aeneas.Iarbas, Anna, and Dido entered the room.Iarbas asked, "How long, fair Dido, shall I pine for you? It is not enough that you grant me love, for I need to enjoy what I desire. That love is childish that consists only of words."Dido replied, "Iarbas, know that you of all my wooers (and yet I have had many mightier Kings wooing me) have had the greatest favors I could give you. I fear that I, Dido, have been thought to be promiscuous because I have been too familiar with Iarbas, although the gods know no wanton thought has ever had residence in Dido's breast.""But Dido is the favor I request," Iarbas said.Dido replied, "Don't fear, Iarbas. Dido may be yours.""Look, sister," Anna said. "Look at how Aeneas' little son plays with your garments and embraces you."Tugging at Dido's skirt, the disguised Cupid said, "No, Dido will not take me in her arms; I shall not be her son, for she does not love me.""Don't cry, sweet boy," Dido said. "You shall be Dido's son. Sit in my lap, and let me hear you sing."The disguised Cupid sang a childish song."No more, my child," Dido said. "Now talk for a little while, and tell me where you learned this pretty song.""My cousin Helen taught it to me in Troy," the disguised Cupid said."How lovely Ascanius is when he smiles," Dido said.The disguised Cupid asked, "Will Dido let me hang about her neck?""Yes, waggish boy, and she gives you permission to kiss her, too." "What will you give me now?" the disguised Cupid asked. "I'll have this fan."The disguised Cupid took the fan, and as he did so, he lightly touched Dido with his golden arrow. Immediately, she fell in love with Aeneas. Her thoughts toward Iarbas wavered between completely rejecting him and treating him well."Take it, Ascanius, for your father's sake," Dido said."Come, Dido, leave Ascanius," Iarbas said. "Let us walk together.""You, go away," Dido said. "Ascanius shall stay.""Unkind, cruel Queen, is this how you show your love for me?" Iarbas said.He started to leave."Oh, stay, Iarbas, and I'll go with you," Dido said.Iarbas stayed."And if my mother goes, I'll follow her," the disguised Cupid said. By "mother," he meant Dido. Ascanius had earlier told her that she would be his mother.Dido asked Iarbas, "Why do you stay here? You are no love of mine.""Iarbas, die, seeing that Dido abandons you," Iarbas said."No, Iarbas, live," Dido said. "What have you done that you deserve that I should say you are no love of mine? Nothing."She immediately changed her mind: "Yes, you have done something that made you deserve it. Go away, I say! Depart from Carthage. Don't come within my sight.""Am I not King of rich Gaetulia?" Iarbas asked.Dido replied, "Iarbas, pardon me and stay a while.""Mother, look here," the disguised Cupid said.Dido again changed her mind: "Why are you telling me about rich Gaetulia? Am I not Queen of Libya? So then depart."