Baucis et Philemon — Section 6

Latin

English

2'esse 3sacerdōtēs 7dēlūbra 5-que 4vestra 6tuērī

1poscimus, 8et 9quoniam 12concordēs 10ēgimus 11annōs,

15auferat 14hōra 16duōs 13eadem, 17nec 22coniugis 18umquam

20busta 21meae 19videam 23neu 24sim 25tumulandus 26ab 27illā.'

3vōta 1fidēs 2sequitur; 3templī 2tūtēla 1fuēre,

4dōnec 5vīta 6data est. 3annīs 5aevōque 4solūtī

8ante 10gradūs 9sacrōs 1cum 6stārent 7forte 14locī 11-que

12nārrārent 13cāsūs, 18frondēre 17Philēmona 15Baucis,

21Baucida 16cōnspexit 19senior 22frondēre 20Philēmōn.

2iam 1-que 5super 6geminōs 4crēscente 3cacūmine 7vultūs

9mūtua, 11dum 12licuit, 8reddēbant 10dicta 16'valē' 13-que

17'ō 18coniūnx' 15dīxēre 14simul, 19simul 21abdita 22tēxit

23ōra 20frutex.

'We ask to be priests and to guard your shrine,

and since we have spent the years in harmony,

may the same hour take away the two of us, and neither may I ever see

the grave of my wife nor may I have to be buried by her.'

Fulfilment followed the prayers; they were guardians of the temple,

as long as life was given (to them). When, weakened by their years and time,

they were standing by chance in front of the sacred steps and

were relating the events of the place, Baucis noticed Philemon growing leaves,

and the aged Philemon (noticed) Baucis growing leaves.

And now, as a treetop grew over their two faces,

they exchanged words with each other, while they could, and

at the same time said, 'Farewell, o husband/wife', (and) at the same time

a shrub hid (and) covered their faces.

Content — what is happening

Philemon completes the couple's prayer: they ask only to be priests and guardians of the gods' shrine, and — since they have lived in harmony — that one and the same hour should take them both, so that neither has to see the other's grave or bury them.
The gods grant the wish at once: vōta fidēs sequitur — fulfilment follows the prayers. The couple become guardians of the temple for the rest of their lives.
Worn out by age, while standing one day before the sacred steps and telling the story of the place, each sees the other beginning to sprout leaves — Baucis watches Philemon, Philemon watches Baucis.
As foliage spreads over both their faces, they exchange parting words while they still can, saying 'Farewell, o spouse' at the very same moment that the bark closes over them, turning them into trees.