70 THE GLORY OF THE GARDEN 



behind them speedily sunk in a lake, and only their 

 own small house left standing. Whilst they gazed 

 in wonder this was changed. Columns took the 

 place of the corner posts, the thatch grew yellow 

 and appeared a gilded roof, and the floors became 

 marble. Jupiter then spoke to the old couple, 

 and said: "Tell us your wishes; what favours 

 would you ask ?" 



Philemon took counsel with Baucis for a moment, 

 and then spoke: " We ask to be priests and guardians 

 of this thy temple, and that one and the same 

 hour may take us both from life." 



Their prayer was granted. When they had 

 attained a great age, as they stood one day before 

 the temple, Baucis saw Philemon begin to put 

 forth leaves, and Philemon saw Baucis changing in 

 like manner. While they exchanged parting words, 

 a leafy crown grew over their heads, Philemon 

 changing to a grand and spreading oak, and Baucis 

 into a tall and graceful lime. 



According to many poets trees occupy an impor- 

 tant place in the land of spirits. 



When Dante and Virgil crossed the river Styx, 

 they found tangled forests of brown foliage trees, 

 each tree a living spirit, undergoing penance for 

 sins committed against self, and although it was 

 the lightest punishment in all these circles of misery, 

 yet lamentations were issuing from them. Dante 

 says: '' We had put ourselves within a wood that 

 was not marked with any path whatever, not green 

 foliage, but of dusky colour; nor branches smooth, 

 but gnarled and intermingled. 



"Therefore the Master said: ' If thou break off 

 some little spray from any of these trees, the thought 



