![]() ![]() 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.
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