Section 6 Baucis And Philemon

“esse sacerdotes delubraque vestra tueri

“We ask to be priests and to watch over your shrine,

poscimus, et quoniam concordes egimus annos

and since we have spent years together,

auferat hora duos eadem, nec coniugis unquam

may the same hour carry off the two [of us], and may I never see

busta meae videam, neu sim tumulandus ab illa.”

the tomb of my wife, and may I not have to be buried by her.”

Vota fides sequitur: templi tutela fuere,

fuflillment followed [their] prayers: they became guardians of the temple

donec vita data est; annis aevoque soluti

while life was given. Worn out by years and age,

Ante gradus sacros cum starent forte locique

when they were standing by chance before the sacred steps

narrarent casus, frondere Philemona Baucis

and relating the fortunes of the place, Baucis [noticed] Philemon growing leaves,

Baucida conspexit senior frondere Philemon.

the older Philemon noticed Baucis growing leaves.

Iamque super geminos crescente cacumine vultus

And now as a tree-top was growing over both their faces,

mutua, dum licuit, reddebant dicta “vale” que

while it was possible, they exchanged mutual words and said, “goodbye,

“O coniunx” dixere simul, simul abdita texit

“O spouse” at the same time; at the same time greenery covered [and] hid

ora frutex

[their] faces.