Baucis & Philemon 36-54

Meanwhile, as often as it is drained, they see the wine-bowl is re-filled

interea totiens haustum cratera repleri

of its own accord and the wine spring up.

sponte sua per seque vident succrescere vina:

Astonished by the strangeness, they are afraid and with upturned hands

attoniti novitate pavent manibusque supinis

both Baucis and timid Philemon utter prayers

concipiunt Baucisque preces timidusque Philemon

and beg for mercy for the meal and for the non-existent preparations

et veniam dapibus nullisque paratibus orant.

There was a single goose, the guard of their very little house,

unicus anser erat, minimae custodia villae,

which the masters were preparing to sacrifice to the gods of hospitality.

quem dis hospitibus domini mactare parabant.

He, swift of feather, wears them out, slow with age,

ille celer penna tardos aetate fatigat

and for a long time he eludes them and finally seemed

eluditque diu tandemque est visus ad ipsos

to flee for refuge to the gods themselves. The gods forbade him to be killed

confugisse deos. superi vetuere necari

and said, 'We are gods, and the wicked neighbourhood will pay just punishment;

"di" que "sumus, meritasque luet vicinia poenas

to you it will be granted to be immune

impia" dixerunt; "vobis inmunibus huius

from this evil. Only leave your house

esse mali dabitur. modo vestra relinquite tecta

and follow our steps and go into the heights of the mountain together.'

ac nostros comitate gradus et in ardua montis

They both obey and supported by sticks

ite simul." parent ambo baculisque levati

they struggle to place their steps on the long hill-side.

nituntur longo vestigia ponere clivo.

They were as far away from the top as an arrow can go

tantum aberant summo, quantum semel ire sagitta

in one shot; they turned their eyes and they see

missa potest: flexere oculos et mersa palude

everything else submerged in the flood, only their own house remained.

cetera prospiciunt, tantum sua tecta manere.