P. Ovidius Naso, Metamorphoses 8.679–694

The tale reaches its turn. The passage moves from the laden table to a marvel observed there, to the household's one goose, and to the gods' own voice, in direct speech, and a command laid on the couple.

 

Tier 1

intereā Baucis et Philemon mīrāculum vīdērunt. crātēr saepe haustus erat, sed semper plēnus erat. vīnum per sē ipsum crēscēbat. novitāte attonitī erant et timēbant.

 

manūs ad caelum tollēbant et precēs faciēbant. veniam petīvērunt prō cibō parvō et prō paucīs parātīs.

 

ūnus ānser erat, custōs villae parvae; dominī parābant illum ānserem deīs sacrificāre. sed ānser celer pennā erat; senēs tardōs fatīgāvit et diū ēlūsit. tandem ad ipsōs deōs cōnfūgisse vīsus est.

 

deī ānserem necārī vetuērunt. 'deī sumus' inquiunt, 'populus impius poenās meritās dabit. sed vōs sōlī tūtī eritis. relinquite domōs vestrās et nōbīscum venīte! ascendite montem altum simul!'

 

ambō pāruērunt. baculīs nītēbantur et per longum clīvum lentē ībant.

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