Out of the Eighth BOOK af
The author, pursuing the deeds of Thefeus, relates how he, with his friend Pirithous, were invited by Achelous, the River-God, to stay with him, till his waters were abated.
Achelous entertains them with a relation of his own love to Perimele, who was changed into an ifland by Neptune, at his request. Pirithous, being an atheift, derides the legend, and denies the power of the Gods to work that miracle. Lelex, another companion of Thefeus, to confirm the ftory of Achelous, relates another metamorphofis of Baucis and Philemon into trees a of which he was partly an eye-witness.
HUS Achelous ends: his audience hear With admiration, and admiring fear The pow'rs of heav'n; except Ixion's fon, Who laugh'd at all the Gods, believ'd in none; He fhook his impious head, and thus replies, These legends are no more than pious lies : You attribute too much to heav'nly fway, To think they give us forms, and take away. The reft, of better minds, their fenfe declar'd Against this doctrine, and with horror heard.
Then Lelex rofe, an old experienc'd man, And thus with fober gravity began: Heav'n's power is infinite: earth, air, and fea, The manufacture mafs, the making power obey;
By proof to clear your doubt; in Phrygian ground Two neighb'ring trees, with walls encompass'd round, Stand on a mod'rate rife, with wonder fhown, One a hard oak, a fofter linden one :
I saw the place and them, by Pittheus fent To Phrygian realms, my grandfire's government. Not far from thence is feen a lake, the haunt Of coots, and of the fishing cormorant : Here Jove with Hermes came; but in disguise Of mortal men conceal'd their Deities:
One laid afide his thunder, one his rod; And many toilfome fteps together trod; For harbour at a thousand doors they knock'd, Not one of all the thousand but was lock'd. At laft an hofpitable house they found, A homely fhed; the roof, not far from ground, Was thatch'd with reeds and straw together bound. There Baucis and Philemon liv'd, and there Had liv'd long marry'd, and a happy pair: Now old in love; tho' little was their ftore, Inur'd to want, their poverty they bore, Nor aim'd at wealth, profeffing to be poor. For mafter or for fervant here to call, Was all alike, where only two were all. Command was none, where equal love was paid, Or rather both commanded, both obey'd.
From lofty roofs the Gods repuls'd before, Now ftooping, enter'd thro' the little door; The man (their hearty welcome firft exprefs'd) A common fettle drew for either gueft, Inviting each his weary limbs to reft. But ere they fat, officious Baucis lays Two cushions ftuff'd with ftraw, the feat to raise Coarfe, but the best she had; then takes the load Of ashes from the hearth, and fpreads abroad The living coals, and left they fhou'd expire, With leaves and barks fhe feeds her infant-fire:
It fmokes, and then with trembling breath the blows, Till in a chearful blaze the flames arofe.
With brush-wood and with chips the ftrengthens thefe, And adds at last the boughs of rotten trees. The fire thus form'd, fhe fets the kettle on, (Like burnish'd gold the little feether fhone) Next took the coleworts which her husband got From his own ground (a fmall well water'd spot ;) She ftripp'd the stalks of all their leaves; the best She cull'd, and then with handy care fhe drefs'd. High o'er the hearth a chine of bacon hung; Good old Philemon feiz'd it with a prong, And from the footy rafter drew it down, Then cut a flice, but fcarce enough for one: Yet a large portion of a little ftore,
Which for their fakes alone he wish'd were more. This in the pot he plung'd without delay, To tame the flesh, and drain the falt away, The time between, before the fire they fat, And shorten'd the delay by pleafing chat.
A beam there was, on which a beechen pail Hung by the handle, on a driven nail: This fill'd with water, gently warm'd, they fet Before their guefts; in this they bath'd their feet, And after with clean towels dry'd their sweat: This done, the hoft produc'd the genial bed, Sallow the foot, the borders, and the fted, Which with no coftly coverlet they spread; But coarse old garments, yet fuch robes as these They laid alone, at feafts, on holydays,
The good old housewife, tucking up her gown, The table fets; th' invited Gods lie down. The trivet-table of a foot was lame, A blot which prudent Baucis overcame, Who thruft, beneath the limping leg, a fherd, So was the mended board exactly rear'd:
Then rubb'd it o'er with newly gather'd mint, A wholesome herb, that breath'd a grateful fcent. Pallas began the feast, where first was feen The party-colour'd olive, black and green: Autumnal cornels next in order ferv'd, In lees of wine well pickled and preferv'd: A garden-fallad was the third supply, Of endive, radifhes, and fuccory:
Then curds and cream, the flow'r of country fare, And new-laid eggs, which Baucis' bufy care, Turn'd by a gentle fire, and roafted rare. All these in earthen-ware were ferv'd to board; And next in place, an earthen pitcher stor'd With liquor of the best the cottage cou'd afford. This was the table's ornament, and pride, With figures wrought: like pages at his fide Stood beechen bowls; and thefe were fhining clean, Varnish'd with wax without, and lin'd within. By this the boiling kettle had prepar'd, And to the table fent the fmoking lard; On which with eager appetite they dine, A fav'ry bit that ferv'd to relish wine: The wine itself was fuiting to the reft, Still working in the Muft, and lately prefs'd. The fecond courfe fucceeds like that before, Plums, apples, nuts, and, of their wintry-ftore, Dry figs and grapes, and wrinkled dates were fet In canisters, t'inlarge the little treat:
All these a milk-white honey-comb furround, Which in the midft the country-banquet crown'd. But the kind hofts their entertainment grace. With hearty welcome, and an open face : In all they did, you might difcern with ease A willing mind, and a defire to please.
Mean time the beechen bowls went round, and still, Tho' often empty'd, were obferv'd to fill,
Fill'd without hands, and of their own accord Ran without fe.t, and danc'd about the board. Devotion feiz'd the pair, to fee the feaft With wine, and of no common grape, increas'd: And up they held their hands, and fell to pray'r, Excufing, as they cou'd, their country fare. One goofe they had ('twas all they cou'd allow) A wakeful centry, and on duty now, Whom to the Gods for facrifice they vow: Her, with malicious zeal, the couple view'd; She ran for life, and limping they purfu'd: Full well the fowl perceiv'd their bad intent, And wou'd not make her mafter's compliment; But perfecuted, to the pow'rs fhe flies, And close between the legs of Jove the lies. He, with a gracious ear, the fuppliant heard, And fav'd her life; then what he was declar'd, And own'd the God. The neighbourhood, faid he, Shall juftly perifh for impiety:
You ftand alone exempted; but obey
With speed, and follow where we lead the way : Leave these accurs'd; and to the mountain's height Afcend; nor once look backward in your flight. They hafte, and what their tardy feet deny'd, The Trufty staff (their better leg) fupply'd. An arrow's flight they wanted to the top, And there fecure, but spent with travel, ftop; Then turn their now no more forbidden eyes; Loft in a lake the floated level lies: A watry defert covers all the plains,
Their cot alone, as in an ifle, remains: Wondring with peeping eyes, while they deplore Their neighbours fate, and country now no more, Their little shed scarce large enough for two, Seems, from the ground increas'd, in height and bulk
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