Dido Speaks at Last

Aeneas, running away, looked back and saw the flames.
Was it guilt or pride that let him think it was my funeral pyre?
So quick to believe that without him, I became nothing?

Oh yes, I was angry all right.
He'd broken every vow he'd made to me.
So much for the brave warrior's word.

I told my people to wail and shriek. And I let the rumors fly unchecked.
Let him think he meant that much to me.
(Heroes need a lot of bolstering.)

In truth, I was cleaning house.
Burning everything he'd left behind: trophies, ratty underwear, that ugly bed.
I wanted no reminders.

Oh, I know it wasn't his fault, any more than it was mine.
Juno tricked us both. She does that.
Who can withstand it when a goddess decides to intervene in your life?

It was a temporary insanity.
But as soon as he was gone, I was free,
And could get back to building my secret city.