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BAUCIS AND PHILEMON[1].
ON THE EVERLAMENTED LOSS
OF THE TWO YEW-TREES IN THE PARISH OF
CHILTHORNE, SOMERSET. 1708.
Imitated from the Eighth Book of Ovid.
IN ancient times, as story tells,
The saints would often leave their cells,
And stroll about, but hide their quality,
To try good people's hospitality.
It happen'd on a winter night,5
As authors of the legend write,
Two brother hermits, saints by trade,
Taking their tour in masquerade,
Disguis'd in tatter'd habits, went
To a small village down in Kent;10
Where, in the strollers' canting strain,
They begg'd from door to door in vain,
Tried every tone might pity win;
But not a soul would let them in.
Our wandering saints, in woeful state,15
Treated at this ungodly rate,
Having through all the village past,
To a small cottage came at last!
Where dwelt a good old honest ye'man,
Call'd in the neighbourhood Philemon;20
Who kindly did these saints invite
In his poor hut to pass the night;
