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Dido is the Queen of Tyre in Lebanon. When her brother up rises against her, she flees Tyre and goes to Cyprus where she recruits harbor prostitutes to go with her so that they become the future wives of her oarsmen. When she arrives at Tunisia in north Africa she makes a deal with the local tribe's chief to buy some land from him. When asked how much land she says as much as a cowhide can cover. The deal is agreed upon and she goes to work and snips a cow hide so thin that she is able to encircle the entire beach head. Then she goes to work and builds the city of Carthage where they plant grapes and civilize the land. When Aeneas turns up after the defeat of Troy the local Shaman who has fallen in love with Dido, conjures an envoy to interrupt their meeting. Once again the messenger interrupts Aeneas from pursuing Dido. Aeneas leaves Carthage without saying goodbye, Dido in desperation utters these words and commits suicide.
From the opera Dido and Aeneas
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bf92jTgicGg
Thy hand Belinda,
darkness shades me, on thy bosom let me rest
More I would but death invades me,
death is now a welcome guest.
When I am laid, am laid in earth,
may my wrongs create
No trouble, no trouble in, in thy breast
When I am laid, am laid in earth,
may my wrongs create
No trouble, no trouble in, in thy breast
Remember me, remember me, but ah
Forget my fate
Remember me, but ah
Forget my fate
Remember me, remember me, but ah
Forget my fate
Remember me, but ah
Forget my fate.
With drooping wings you Cupids come,
To scatter roses on her tomb. Soft and Gentle as her Heart Keep here your watch, and never part.
the entire libretto :
http://home.olemiss.edu/~mudws/dido.html
Central panel is printed with the story and her lament.
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