and then set before them a rural repast of fruit, 
milk, and honey. She also produced wine, which 
she had cultivated and made with her own hands; 
and, as the quantity sustained no diminution, the 
aged pair discovered from the 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 beheld 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-witnesse.s, 
Philemon observed that Baucis was gradually chang- 
LINDEN TREE 
