LINDEN TREE. 
87 
and made with her own hands; and, as the 
quantity sustained no diminution, the aged pair 
discovered from this circumstance the superior 
nature of their guests, and hastened to offer up 
in sacrifice to them a goose, which they had 
reared in their hut. The goose, however, 
escaped from their grasp, and sought refuge at 
the feet of the gods, who took the bird under 
their protection. On rising from the table, 
they ordered their kind hosts to follow them to 
the top of a neighbouring hill. There they be¬ 
held a flood sweeping away the houses of their 
hard-hearted neighbours, whilst their cottage 
stood uninjured amidst the raging waters, and 
was transformed into a magnificent temple. 
Jupiter then promised to grant them whatever 
they wished; but they desired nothing more 
than to be the servants of his temple. The 
god graciously complied with their request, and 
they served in his temple for many years. At 
length, as they were one day conversing before 
the door of the edifice on the wonder of which 
they had been eye-witnesses, Philemon observed 
that Baucis was gradually changing into a Lin¬ 
den-tree, and Baucis that her husband was turn- 
