Philemon and Baucis

Philemon and Baucis, according to a classic myth, finely poetised by Ovid in his Metamorphoses, were a married pair, remarkable for their mutual love. Jupiter and Mercury, wandering through Phrygia in human form, were refused hospitality by every one, till this aged pair took them in, washed their feet, and gave them such humble fare as they could provide. On going away, the gods took them with them to a neighbouring mountain, on looking from which they saw their village covered with a flood, but their own cottage changed into a splendid temple. Jupiter permitted them to make any request they chose, but they only asked to be servants of his temple, and that they might die at the same time. When, accordingly, they were seated at the door of the temple, being now of great age, they were changed, Philemon into an oak, and Baucis into a linden.