User:Phurbonus

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Work on Aenead book V summary...

Ascanius leads a procession of horses to honor Anchises. There are three squads in this parade. one led by the grandson of Priam, one led by Atys, and the last led by Iulus himself mounted on a fair horse which Dido gave. The procession now carries on a mock battle as complex as the labyrinth. During this, Juno thinks of a new way to stir up trouble. She sends down Iris to the shores of the land populated with Trojan women. Iris disguises herself as Beroe, one of the married Trojans. Iris, disguised, begins to rant about the women's predicament. She suggests that they will never find Italy and be cursed to follow this elusive land forever. Iris then suggests they burn the ships. Pyrgo, the royal nurse tries to convince the women that this isn't Beroe, as Pyrgo had seen her earlier, but a goddess as evident of “Beroe's” beauty and flashing eyes. Iris begins to fly off, this specticle pushes the women over the edge and they begin to set fire to the ships. Soon the Trojan soldiers catch word, and Ascanius catches up to the arsonists. He asks what madness is this and that they aren't burning the Greek camps but their own dreams. The women come to their senses and hide in shame. Aeneas throws down his helmet and begs Jupiter to either save the ships or strike him down with a thunderbolt. Immediately, a terrible rainstorm begins to fall, and only four ships are lost. Aeneas then wonders if he should move on to Italy or stay there in Sicily. One of his good friends asks him to let some who wish to stay behind in a city named Acesta. Aeneas still doesn't know what to do until his father comes from the Elysium fields to tell confirm his friend's diagnostic. Then a city is set up in Sicily and the rest set sail for Italy. In the next scene Venus is talking with Neptune, making sure that he is on the Trojan's side and will allow them safe passage to Italy. Neptune reassures her that there will be no terrible disasters and only one Trojan will die on the way. Neptune sends good omens to the Trojans and they proceed with all due haste, their progress led by Palinurus. Sleep personified comes down to Palinurus the pilot and attempts him to go to sleep and let the calm winds take over. Palinurus refuses so Sleep drugs him with water from the Styx and Lethe, lulling him into a deep sleep and pitches him overboard. Neptune has taken his promised body.