Daphnis & Chloe

The story of Daphnis and Chloe, a pastoral elegy attributed to the Greek poet Longus, dates from the second century A.D. It is a classical romance involving the adventures of two foundling children raised by adopted parents who are humble shepherds in the idyllic setting of the Isle of Lesbos. The discovery of the infants who have been left exposed takes place at different times, but in both circumstances their clothing and rich tokens found with them suggest the foundlings may be of noble birth. In each instance the shepherd who finds the baby is alone and tempted to steal their treasure and leave them to fate, but instead bows to the paternal instinct to nurture and raise the child as his own. As Daphnis and Chloe grow to be young adults tending their adopted parents' sheep and goats on the sun-drenched Grecian hillsides and pastures, they discover that their friendship is turning to love but in their innocence they do not know how to proceed. Together they experience many trials and tribulations, protected throughout by the god Pan, before finally realizing their true fate. Daphnis and Chloe has served through the ages as the inspiration for nearly every love story that has followed including Romeo and Juliet.