Baucis and Philemon lines 26-50

interea medias fallunt sermonibus horas

Meanwhile, they while away the middle hours (the hours in-between) with conversations

sentirique moram prohibent. erat alveus illic

and they prevented the delay from being felt. There was a bathtub there

fagineus dura clavo suspensus ab ansa;

made of beech and it was hanging from a nail from the sturdy handle.

is tepidis impletur aquis artusque fovendos

It was being filled with warm waters

accipit. in medio torus est de mollibus ulvis

and it receives the limbs which are needing to be warmed. In the middle of the home there is a mattress made of soft sedges

impositus lecto sponda pedibusque salignis;

and placed on a bed with a frame and feet made of willow

vestibus hunc velant quas non nisi tempore festo

they cover this with coverlets which they are not accustomed to strew except for on holiday

sternere consuerant, sed et haec vilisque vetusque

but even this coverlet was cheap and ancient,

vestis erat, lecto non indignanda saligno.

was not to be deemed unworthy of a bed made of willow.

accubuere dei.

The gods reclined.

interea totiens haustum cratera repleri

Meanwhile, they see that the mixing bowl drained so often

sponte sua per seque vident succrescere vina;

was refilled on its own accord and they see that the wines increased by themselves.

attoniti novitate pavent manibusque supinis

Astonished by the strangeness they feared with hands facing upwards

concipiunt Baucisque preces timidisque Philemon

and Baucis and fearful Philemon form prayers

et veniam dapibus nullisque paratibus orant.

and they begged for pardon for their feast and their lack of preparation.

unicus anser erat, minimae custodia villae,

There was 1 single goose which was the guardian of their small house

quem dis hospitibus domini mactare parabant;

and this 1 goose the masters were preparing to kill for the Godly guests.

ille celer penna tardos aetate fatigat

That goose, swift of wind, wore out the people slow with age

eluditque diu tandemque est visus ad ipsos

and eluded them for a long time. Until at last, it seemed to have fled for refuge

confugisse deos. superi vetuere necari

to those Gods themselves. The Gods forbade it to be killed

‘di’ que ‘sumus, meritasque luet vicinia poenas

and they said "We are Gods" and the irreligious neighbourhood will pay the deserved penalty.

impia’ dixerunt; ‘vobis immunibus huius

It will be allowed to you to be exempt from this destruction.

esse mali dabitur. modo vestra relinquite tecta

In this way, just leave your house

ac nostros comitate gradus et in ardua montis

and accompany our steps and go together into the steep parts of the mountain.

ite simul.’

go together