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then stepp'd aside to fetch them drink, fill'd a large jug up to the brink, and saw it fairly twice go round; yet (what is wonderful!) they found 't was still replenish'd to the top, as if they ne'er had touch'd a drop. The good old couple were amaz'd, and often on each other gaz'd; for both were frighten'd to the heart, and just began to cry.-What ar't? then softly turn'd aside to view whether the lights were burning blue. The gentle pilgrims, soon aware on 't, told them their calling, and their errand: good folks, you need not be afraid, we are but saints, the hermits said; no hurt shall come to you or your's; but for that pack of churlish boors, not fit to live or christian ground, they and their houses shall be drown'd; whilst you shall see your cottage rise, and grow a church before your eyes. They scarce had spoke, when fair and soft the roof began to mount aloft;

aloft rose every beam and rafter;

the heavy wall climb'd slowly after.

The chimney widen'd, and grew higher, became a steeple with a spire.

The kettle to the top was hoist, and there stood fasten'd to a joist, but with the upside down, to show it's inclination for below:

in vain; for a superior force,
apply'd at bottom, stops it's course:

doom'd ever in suspense to dwell, 't is now no kettle, but a bell.

A wooden jack, which had almost lost by disuse the art to roast, a sudden alteration feels,

increas'd by new intestine wheels; and, what exalts the wonder more, the number made the motion slower: the flier, tho''t had leaden feet,

turn'd round so quick, you scarce could see 't, but slacken'd by some secret power, now hardly moves an inch an hour. The jack and chimney, near ally'd, had never left each other's side: the chimney to a steeple grown, the jack would not be left alone; but, up against the steeple rear'd, became a clock, and still adher'd; and still it's love to household cares, by a shrill voice at noon, declares, warning the cook-maid not to burn that roast-meat which it cannot turn. The groaning-chair began to crawl, like a huge snail, along the wall; there stuck aloft in public view, and, with small change, a pulpit grew. The porringers, that in a row hung high, and made a glittering show, to a less noble substance chang'd, were now but leathern buckets rang'd. The ballads, pasted on the wall, of Joan of France, and English Moll, fair Rosamond, and Robin Hood, the Little Children in the Wood,

now seem'd to look abundance better, improv❜d in picture, size, and letter; and, high in order plac'd, describe the heraldry of every tribe*.

A bedstead of the antique mode, compact of timber many a load, such as our ancestors did use, was metamorphos'd into pews; which still their ancient nature keep by lodging folks dispos'd to sleep.

The cottage by such feats as these glown to a church by just degrees, the hermits then desir'd their host to ask for what he fancy'd most. Philemon, having paus'd a while, return'd them thanks in homely style: then said, My house is grown so fine, methinks I still would call it mine; I'm old, and fain would live at ease; make me the parson if you please. He spoke, and presently he feels his grazier's coat fall down his heels: he sees, yet hardly can believe, about each arm a pudding sleeve; his waistcoat to a cassock grew, and both assum'd a sable hue; but, being old, continued just as thread-bare, and as full of dust, his talk was now of tithes and dues: he smok'd his pipe, and read the news; knew how to preach old sermons next, vamp'd in the preface and the text; at christenings well could act his part,

*The tribes of Israel are sometimes distinguished in country churches by the ensigns given to them by Jacob.

and had the service all by heart;

wish'd women might have children fast, and thought whose sow had farrow'd last; against dissenters would repine,

and stood up firm for right divine;
found his head fill'd with many a system:
but classic authors,-he ne'er miss'd 'em.
Thus having furbish'd up a parson,
dame Baucis next they play'd their farce on.
Instead of home-spun coifs, were seen
good pinners edg'd with colberteen;
her petticoat, transform'd apace,
became black sattin flounc'd with lace.
Plain Goody would no longer down;
't was Madam, in her grogram gown.
Philemon was in great surprise,
and hardly could believe his eyes,
amaz'd to see her look so prim;
and she admir'd as much at him.
Thus happy in their change of life
were several years this man and wife;
when on a day, which prov'd their last,
discoursing o'er old stories past,
they went by chance, amidst their talk,
to the church-yard to take a walk;
when Baucis hastily cry'd out,

my dear, I see your forehead sprout!
sprout? quoth the man; what's this you tell us?
I hope you do n't believe me jealous?
but yet, methinks, I feel it true;

and really your's is budding tooNay, now I cannot stir my foot; it feels as if 't were taking root.

Description would but tire my muse;

in short, they both were turn'd to yews.
Old Goodman Dobson of the green
remembers, he the trees has seen;
he'll talk of them from noon till night,
and goes with folks to shew the sight:
on Sundays, after evening prayer,
he gathers all the parish there;
points out the place of either yew;
here Baucis, there Philemon grew :
till once a parson of our town,
to mend his barn, cut Baucis down;
at which 't is hard to be believ'd
how much the other tree was griev'd,
grew scrubbed, dy'd a-top, was stunted;
so the next parson stubb'd and burnt it.

DESCRIPTION OF THE MORNING.

Now hardly here and there an hackney coach appearing, show'd the ruddy morn's approach. Now Betty from her master's bed had flown, and softly stole to discompose her own; the slipshod 'prentice from his master's door had par'd the dirt, and sprinkled round the floor. Now Moll had whirl'd her mop with dextrous airs, prepar❜d to scrub the entry and the stairs.

The youth with broomy stumps began to trace the kennel's edge, where wheels had worn the place. The small-coal-man was heard with cadence deep, till drown'd in shriller notes of chimney-sweep. Duns at his lordship's gate began to meet;

[street.

and brick-dust Moll had scream'd through half the
The turnkey now his flock returning sees,
duly let out a-nights to steal for fees:

the watchful bailiffs take their silent stands,
and school-boys lag with satchels in their hands.

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