Page:Ovid's Metamorphoses (Vol. 2) - tr Garth, Dryden, et. al. (1727).djvu/37

Book 8. 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 Store, Inur'd to Want, their Poverty they bore, Nor aim'd at Wealth, professing 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 stooping, enter'd through the little Door: The Man (their hearty Welcome first express'd) A common Settle drew for ev'ry Guest, Inviting each his weary Limbs to rest. But ere they sate, officious Baucis lays Two Cushions stuff'd with Straw, the Seat to raise; Course, but the best she had; then rakes the Load Of Ashes from the Hearth, and spreads abroad The living Coals; and least they should expire, With Leaves, and Bark she feeds her Infant Fire: It smoaks; and then with trembling Breath she blows, Till in a cheerful Blaze the Flames arose. With Brush-wood, and with Chips she strengthens these, And adds at last the Boughs of rotten Trees. The Fire thus form'd, she set the Kettle on, (Like burnish'd Gold the little Seether shone) Next took the Coleworts which her Husband got From his own Ground, (a small well water'd Spot;) She stripp'd the Stalks of all their Leaves; the best She cull'd, and them with handy Care she drest. High o'er the Hearth a Chine of Bacon hung; Good old Philemon seiz'd it with a Prong, And from the sooty Rafter drew it down, Then cut a Slice, but scarce enough for one; Yet a large Portion of a little Store, Which for their Sakes alone he wish'd were more. This