accompanied by Vulkan
to seek refuge from a storm, which the god himself has caused. He has
come to earth to verify Mercury's tale of the people's badness, and
finding the news only too true, besides being uncourteously received by
the people around, he is glad to meet with a kindly welcome at
Philemon's door.

This worthy old man lives in poverty, but in perfect content with his
wife Baucis, to whom he has been united in bonds of love for sixty long
years. Jupiter, seeing at once, that the old couple form an exception
to the evil rule, resolves to spare them, and to punish only the bad
folks. The gods partake of the kind people's simple meal, and {263}
Jupiter, changing the milk into wine, is recognized by Baucis, who is
much awed by the discovery. But Jupiter reassures her and promises to
grant her only wish, which is, to be young again with her husband, and
to live the same life. The god sends them to sleep, and then begins
the intermezzo.

Phrygians are seen reposing after a festival, bacchants rush in and the
wild orgies begin afresh. The divine is mocked and pleasure praised as
the only god. Vulcan comes, sent by Jupiter to warn them, but as they
only laugh at him, mocking Olympus and the gods, Jupiter himself
appears to punish the sinners. An awful tempest arises, sending
everything to rack and ruin.--

In the second act Philemon's hut is changed into a palace; he awakes to
find himself and his wife young again. Jupiter, seeing Baucis' beauty,
orders Vulkan to keep Philemon apart, while he courts her. Baucis
though determined to remain faithful to her Philemon, feels
nevertheless flattered at the god's condescension, and dares not refuse
him a kiss. Philemon, appearing on the threshold sees it, and
violently reproaches her and his guest, and though Baucis suggests who
the latter is, the husband does not feel in the least inclined to share
his wife's love even with a god. The first quarrel takes place between
the couple, and Vulkan hearing it, consoles himself with the reflection
that he is not the only one, to whom a fickle wife causes sorrow.
Philemon bitterly curses Jupiter's gift; he wishes his wrinkles back,
and with them his {264} peace of mind. Throwing down Jupiter's statue,
he leaves his wife to the god. Baucis, replacing the image, which
happily is made of bronze, sorely repents her behaviour towards her
beloved husband. Jupiter finds her weeping, and praying that the gods
may turn the