Hermantic Oracle

Baucis and Philemon

      Many centuries ago, Zeus, in human shape, visited the land of Phrygia, and with him Hermes, without his wings.  They presented themselves as weary travelers at many a door, seeking rest and shelter, but found all closed; for it was late, and the inhospitable inhabitants would not rouse themselves to open for their reception.  At last, a small, thatched cottage received them, where Baucis, a pious old woman, and her husband Philemon had grown old together.  Not ashamed of their poverty, they made it endurable by moderate desires and kind dispositions.  When the two guests crossed the humble threshold and bowed their heads to pass under the low door, the old man placed a seat, on which Baucis, bustling and attentive, spread a cloth, and begged them to sit down.  Then she raked the coals from the ashes, kindled a fire, and prepared some pot-herbs and bacon for them.  A wooden bowl was filled with warm water, that their guests might wash. While all was doing, they passed the time with friendly and good-humored conversation.

          The old woman with trembling hands set the table.  One leg was shorter than the rest, but a piece of slate put under restored the level.  When it was steady she rubbed the table down with sweet-smelling herbs.  Upon it she set some of the chaste Athena’s olives, some berries preserved in vinegar, and added radishes and cheese, with eggs lightly cooked in the ashes.  The meal was served in earthen dishes; and an earthenware pitcher, with wooden cups stood beside them.  When all was ready the stew, smoking hot, was set on the table.  Some wine, not the oldest, was added, and for dessert, apples, and wild honey.

          Now while the meal proceeded, the old folks were astonished to see that the wine, as fast as it was poured out, renewed itself in the pitcher of its own accord.  Struck with terror, Baucis and Philemon recognized their heavenly guests, fell on their knees, and with clasped hands implored forgiveness for their poor entertainment.  There was an old goose, which they kept as the guardian of their humble cottage, and they thought to make this a sacrifice in honor of their guests.  But the goose, too nimble for the old folk, with the aid of feet and wings eluded their pursuit and at last took shelter between the gods themselves. 

          Zeus forbade the goose to be slain and spoke in these words:  “We are gods.  This inhospitable village shall pay the penalty of its impiety; you alone shall go free from the reprimand I have decreed.  Leave your house and come with us to the top of this hill.”  They hastened to obey. 

          The country behind them was speedily sunk in a lake, only their own house was left standing.  While they gazed with wonder at the sight, that old house of theirs was changed.  Columns took the place of the corner posts, the thatch grew yellow and there appeared a gilded roof, the floors became marble, the doors were enriched with carving and ornaments of gold.  Then spoke Zeus in kindly voice, “Excellent old man, and woman worthy of such a husband, speak, tell us your wishes.  What favor have you to ask of us?” 

          Philemon took counsel with Baucis a few moments, then declared to the gods their common wish, “We ask to be priests and guardians of this thy temple, and that one and the same hour may take us both from life.” 

          Zeus, looking to Hermes smiled and nodded his head in agreement to the terms.  Then spoke Hermes:  “Good people, as thou art, I shall henceforth grant to you another boon.  As guardians of this temple, it will be yours to relay the will of my father to those who come to you.  Therefore, I will grant to you the knowledge of prophecy, by which you shall attain great renown.”  

          Hermes thought for a moment as to how he would grant this favor.   Looking about, he espied a tortoise at the water’s edge.  Snatching it up, he spoke thus:  “Look here at this, a creature sacred to my own heart, for it was from the shell of this animal that I first made the lyre, which I gave to my brother Apollo, who in turn gave me the gift of prophecy.  However, it was Apollo’s wish, and my oath, that any prophecy coming from me would be through the use of signs and tokens, and not through voice and speech, as his most sacred Pythia in Delphi is custom to speak aloud the will of the gods.  Therefore, it is meet and fit that upon the same creature I bestow to you the tokens necessary to give prophecy in this temple of mine and my father’s.” 

          Hermes, with swift hands, dispatched the tortoise’s life, and removing the shell, took from the bottom of it four rounded portions.  These he polished so that on one side there showed a darkened spot and on the other side a white spot.  Again, Hermes looked about and found, lying on the ground, the remnants of the meal prepared for them by Baucis.  Lifting up an earthenware bowl, he turned to his father, Mighty Zeus, and cast the four pieces of tortoise shell into the bowl.  A roll of thunder cracked the sky as the will of Zeus was set. 

          Hermes then stood before the old folks and with his sacred caduceus, He touched them each in turn on their head, the back of the necks, upon the shoulders, the heart, the stomach, the arms, the knees, the feet, and finally their hands.  It was thus that Hermes passed the knowledge of prophecy to the old couple.  He handed the bowl with the tortoise shells in it to the couple and spoke:  “Whenever you have need to consult the deathless ones, give prayer first to me, who am the messenger of the gods, and then prayer to whomever god you wish to speak and cast into the bowl these tokens, by which I will reveal to you their divine will.  Here is a gift much prized and thus have I kept my oath to my brother.”  With those words, the two gods vanished.

        And it came to pass, just as the gods had predicted, that the temple of Baucis of Philemon gained in fame among the people, who came from far and wide to consult the oracle of Hermes.  When the couple had attained a very great age, as they stood one day before the steps of the sacred edifice and were telling the story of the place, Baucis saw Philemon begin to put forth leaves, and Philemon saw Baucis changing in like manner.  While still they exchanged parting words, a leafy crown grew over their heads.  “Farewell, dear spouse,” they said together, and at the same moment the bark closed over their mouths.  The shepherds of the area, in ancient days would still show the two trees, - an oak and a linden, standing side by side.