I faw the Place and them, by Pittheus fent
ToPhrygian Realms, my Grandfire's Government,
Not far from thence is seen 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 toilfom Steps together trod:"

For Harbour at a thousand Doors they knock'd,
Not one of all the thousand but was lock'd.
At last an hofpitable House they found,

A homely Shed, 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, though little was their Store,
Inur'd to Want, their Poverty they bore,
Nor aim'd at Wealth, profeffing to be poor.
For Master or for Servant 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 through the little Door: The Man (their hearty Welcome first express'd) A common Settle drew for either Guest, Inviting each his weary Limbs to reft. But ere they fate, officious Baucis lays Two Cushions ftuff'd with Straw, the Seat to raise; Course, but the best she had; then rakes the Load Of Ashes from the Hearth, and fpreads abroad The living Coals; and, left they shou'd expire, With Leaves and Barks fhe feeds her Infant-fire: It fmoaks;and then with tremblingBreath she blows, Till in a chearful Blaze the Flames arofe. [thefe, With Brufh-wood and with Chips fhe strengthens 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 Seether flone) Next took the Coleworts which her Husband got From his own Ground, (a fmall well-water'd Spot;) She stripp'd the Stalks of all their Leaves; the best She cull'd, and then with handy-care fhe dress'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 Slice, but fcarce enough for one;
Yet a large Portion of a little Store,

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 Salt away.
The Time between, before the Fire they fat,
And fhorten'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 Gueft s;in this they bath'd theirFeet,
And after with clean Towels dry'd their Sweat:
This done, the Hoft produc'd the genial Bed,
Sallow the Feet, the Borders, and the Sted,
Which with no coftly Coverlet they spread;
But courfe old Garments, yet fuch Robes as thefe
They laid alone, at Feafts, on Holydays.
The good old Houfwife 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 thrusts beneath the limping Leg, a Sherd,
So was the mended Board exactly rear'd:

Then rubb'd it o'er with newly-gather'd Mint,
A wholefom Herb, that breath'd a grateful Scent.
Pallas began the Feast, where first was seen
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-Sallad was the third Supply,

Of Endive, Radishes, and Succory:

Then Curds and Cream, the Flow'r of Country-
Fare,

And new-laid Eggs, which Baucis bufie Caref
Turn'd by a gentle Fire, and roasted rare.
All thefe in Earthen Ware were ferv'd to Board;
And next in place, an Earthen Pitcher stor'd,
With Liquor of the beft the Cottage cou'd afford..
This was the Table's Ornament, and Pride,

With Figures wrought: Like Pages at his Side
Stood BeechenBowls; and thefe were fhining clean,
Vernish'd with Wax without, and lin'd within.
By this the boiling Kettle had prepar'd,
And to the Table fent, the fmoaking Lard;

On which with eager Appetite they dine,
A fav'ry Bit, that ferv'd to rellifh Wine:
The Wine it felf was fuiting to the reft,
Still working in the Muft, and lately press'd.
The Second Courfe fucceeds like that before,
Plums, Apples, Nuts, and of their Wintry Store,
Dry Figs, and Grapes, and wrinkled Dates were fet
In Canisters, t'enlarge 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 discern with ease,
A willing Mind, and a Desire to please.

[still,
Mean time the Beechen Bowls went round, and
Though often empty'd, were observ'd to fill;
Fill'd without Hands, and of their own accord
Ran without Feet, and danc'd about the Board.
Devotion feiz'd the Pair, to see the Feast
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.