This Piast is described as a poor farmer extremely industrious and charitable, strictly just and honest. He was blest with a wife, who was endowed with the same virtues, and who was called Rzepica, and one son, to whom at that time they had not given any name. This family applied themselves diligently to husbandry, and lived upon the product of their own little farm: but what they were most famed for was, an universal charity (to the utmost of their power) to all the sick, the unfortunate, and the stranger. Though (says my author, who is a Priest) they were themselves Pagans; and it was reckoned that there were more poor relieved at Piast's Cottage than at the Sovereign's Palace.

It happened not long before the death of Popiel, that two strangers who had never been seen in those parts before, venerable in their looks and garb, arrived at the Sovereign's Palace to partake of the rights of Charitable Hospitality; but, finding the gates shut, and

entrance being denied them, they were directed to the Cottage of the benevolent and charitable Piast, where they were received with the greatest cheerfulness and good-will, by Piast and Rzepica. And just at that time the good farmer had prepared a large vessel of Mead (which is a liquor that is still drank all over Poland, and which they manage so as to keep good for several years, for I have drank it at ten years old extremely agreeable), and had fatted a hog in order to entertain their neighbours, and celebrate the day when, according to the Pagan custom, their son was to have his head shaved, and to have a name given him; but Piast was so pleased with his two strangers, that, forgetting the festival, he killed the fatted hog, and dressed them a dinner in the best manner he could, and produced his Mead in great plenty; and while he and Rzepica waited on the guests, Piast desired them to accept of what he set before them, assuring them of the heartiest welcome, which they ought to prefer

to even a better meal, and ended his speech with something like Evander's to Eneas.

Aude hospes contemnere opes, &c.

The guests, with gratitude for the refreshment they had received, and with admiration at the good people's charitable hospitality, assured them that they were not only thankful, but that they should also see that they were, and had it in their power to be grateful,when immediately the empty cup of Mead that was on the table began to fill of itself; and the master of the house being ordered to bring all the empty vessels that he had, they were also soon filled with the same liquor. After this the guests bid him borrow all the vessels he could of his neighbours, which he did, and they were filled also, and the joints of pork were multiplied in the same manner.

By this, and by the counsels of these two heavenly messengers, Piast became soon rich, and the festival for the naming his son approaching, he, by the advice of his guests, invited

not only all his neighbours and fellow citizens, but Prince Popiel himself, and after having by the divine help prepared and given a magnificent entertainment, his son had his head shaved by the two strangers, who gave him at the same time the name of Semovitus, and after they had performed that office they disappeared.

Hitherto you must perceive, that the great Polish historian Dlugossius has humbly stooped to borrow the story of Baucis and Philemon from Ovid-which he has introduced and told with much more pomp, but not half so well as Doctor Swift.

But this miracle is not yet ceased, and I must once more bring these wonderful strangers (with whom you are now pretty well acquainted) upon the Stage.

At the time of the meeting of the second assembly for the Election of a Sovereign of Poland, the two same persons came once more to visit Piast; they once more filled his house with meat, and his cellars with drink, to

the great joy of Piast and Rzepica, and after some stay they declared to Piast, that he was the person designed by heaven to rule over the Poles, and that he and his descendants should reign in that country for many ages.

The assembly that had been summoned was now met, and after having spent much time in endeavouring to reconcile opposite interests and in fruitless debate, it happened that provisions of all sorts grew scarce; but particularly liquor, and the whole assembly was near perishing by thirst; when Piast by the advice and order of his guests brought forth a small vessel of Mead, which he had prepared for his own use, and that of those who really wanted it, and having invited the whole assembly, the vessel never ceased running till every body was thoroughly satisfied.

You will easily imagine, that by virtue of all this liquor, Piast carried his election, and was chosen king, to the great joy of every body, says my historian, except himself; for he