"Was there not, in very old times, a lake covering the spot where now stands yonder village?" 在很早的时候，那边不是有一个湖位于现在那个村庄所在的地方吗？

　　"Not in my day, friend," answered Philemon, "and yet I am an old man, as you see. 在我的有生之年不是那样的，我的朋友。菲利蒙回答说，正如你所见，我已经很老了。

　　There were always the fields and meadows, just as now, and doubtless it will be the same when old Philemon shall be gone and forgotten." 那里一直都是田野和草地，像现在一样。而且毫无疑问，即使老菲利蒙不在了，被遗忘了时，它还将会是这样的。

　　"That is more than can be safely told," said the stranger; and there was something very stern in his deep voice. 那可不好说，那个陌生人说道，他低沉的嗓音带着一些严厉。

　　He shook his head, too, so that his dark and heavy curls were shaken with the movement. 他还摇了摇头，他乌黑而浓密的卷发也随着摆动。

　　"Since the people of the village are so unkind, it would be better if the lake should ripple over their dwellings again!" 既然那个村里的人如此不友善，那么如果湖水再次淹没他们的住处会更好一些！

　　The traveler looked so stern that Philemon was almost frightened. 那个旅行者看起来如此严厉，以至于菲利蒙有点害怕。

　　But, in a moment, his face became so kindly that the old man quite forgot his terror. 但是一会儿他的脸变得非常和善，使那位老人完全忘记了他的恐惧。

　　Still, he could not help feeling that this elder traveler was not an ordinary person, although he happened to be dressed so humbly. 尽管如此，菲利蒙还是禁不住感到这个年龄大一点儿的旅行者不是一个普通人，虽然凑巧他的穿着看起来如此卑贱。

　　While Baucis was getting the supper, the travelers both began to talk with Philemon. 当柏西斯在准备晚饭时，两个旅行者开始跟菲利蒙交谈。