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很久以前，有一对叫博西斯和腓力门的老夫妇。他们一辈子都住在一个小茅草房里。过着贫穷却快乐的生活。 一个晚上,这对夫妇坐在火边打盹儿的时候，两个陌生人进来了，祈求在他们这里借宿一晚。虽然老夫妇俩很穷，但他们还是拿出自己最好的食物来招待他们。那是一顿很节俭的晚餐，但是饥饿的旅行者还是非常感激。 突然发生了一件让博西斯和腓力门非常惊奇的事情。他们为客人们倒酒，但是，天哪,每次倒完之后酒壶又会变得满满的。 这是这对老夫妇才明白，他们的客人绝对不是凡人，而是化装成贫穷旅行者的神。 “告诉我，好心的男人和你好心的妻子，我们能做点什么来感谢你们的盛情款待呢？”其中的一个旅行者说, 腓力门同博西斯小声商量了几句，博西斯对他点头表示同意。于是,腓力门回答说："我们有一个请求。还是个孩子的时候我们就彼此相爱了，直到现在。所以，请让我们一同生死吧。” 两个旅行者被他们这一请求所感动，欣然答应了，并且给博西斯和腓力门注入了青春和活力。 当他们再次变老的以后，有一天，夫妇俩站在门廊前，博西斯转过头去望着自己的丈夫，看着他慢慢地变成了一棵粗糙的橡树。而腓力门，当他觉得自己正扎根于大地时，也看见博西斯正在慢慢地变成一棵枝繁叶茂的菩提树。 当他们的脸庞慢慢地消失在绿叶中时，他们一遍又一遍地互相呼喊着：“再见了，我最亲爱的人!”他们的身体就变成了树和枝干。 直到今天，如果你去参观那个地方的话，还能看到一棵橡树和一棵菩提树盘根错节。 Baucis and Philemon Long time ago, there once dwelt a pious old couple named Baucisand Philemon. They had lived all their lives in a tiny cottage, thatched with straw, cheerful in spite of their poverty. As this couple sat dozing by the fireside one evening, two strangers came and begged a shelter for the night. Though the couple was very poor, they treated the guests with the best food they had. It was a frugal meal, but one that hungry wayfarers could well relish. But all at once something happened which startled and amazed Baucis and Philemon. They poured out wine for their guests, and, lo! each time the pitcher filled itself again to the brim. The old couple then knew that their guests were not mere mortals—indeed, they were no other than Gods come down to earth in the disguise of poor travelers. "Tell me, 〇 good old man and your good wife, what may we do in return for your hospitality?" one of the travelers said. Philemon whispered for a moment with Baucis, and she nodded her approval. He replied, "There is one favor we would ask. We had loved each other from our childhoods. Let us live the selfsame time and pass away at the selfsame time.” The travelers were moved by this request, willingly granted it, and endowed Baucis and Philemon with youth and strength as well. And when old age overtook them once again，they were standing one day in front of the porch, and Baucis, turning her gaze upon her husband, saw him slowly changing into a gnarled oak tree. And Philemon, as he felt himself rooted to the ground, saw Baucis at the same time turning into a leafy linden. And as their faces disappeared behind the green foliage, each cried unto the other, "Farewell, dearest love!" and again, "Dearest love, farewell!” And their human forms were changed to trees and branches. And still, if you visit the spot, you may see an oak and a linden tree with branches intertwined. |
