Longus

“ We ought not then to contemn the youth because he is a keeper of Goats, to whom, we see even the Goats, for very love of one so fair, every way obedient; nay rather, that They let such a beauty as that, continue here upon the Earth, we owe our thanks to Jupiter's Eagles. At that word Astylus had a sweet laugh, and saying, Oh what mighty Sophisters this Love can make, began to cast about for a fit time to speak to his Father about Daphnis. ”

“ While Clearista was yet speaking, and Dionysophanes was kissing those sweet revelations of his Child, and weeping over them for joy, Astylus hearing it was his Brother, flings off his Cloak, and o're the Green away he flies, in an earnest desire to be the first to entertain him with a kisse. Daphnis seeing him make towards him so fast with such a Company, and hearing his own name in the noise, thinking they came to apprehend him, flung away his Scrip and his Pipe, and in the scare set a running towards the Sea to cast himself from a high Crag. ”

“ A pleasant Garden is pleasantly described. Lamo, Daphnis, and Chloe make all things fine. Lampis the Herdsman spoils the Garden, to provoke the Lord against Lamo, who had denyed him Chloe in Marriage. Lamo laments it the next day. Eudromus teaches him how he may escape the anger. Astylus their young Master comes first, with Gnatho his Parasite. Astylus promises to excuse them for the Garden, and procure their pardon from his Father. Gnatho falls in love with Daphnis, offers to force him, but in vain. Dionysophanes the Lord, with his Wife Clearista comes. Amongst other things, sees the Goats. ”

“ Besides, he thought the strong perfume of Goats was somewhat abominable. Gnatho on the other side, like one that had learnt the wanton discourse among good fellowes in the drinking Schooles, was ready to answer him better then ex tempore, concerning himself and Daphnis -- thus: We Lovers (Sir) are never curious about such things as those, but wheresoever we meet with beauty, there undoubtedly we are catcht, and fall upon it. And hence it is that some have fallen in Love with a Tree, some with a River, some with a Beast. ”

“ Dionysophanes upon that burst out louder than Megacles; and sprung away into a near with-drawing room, and brought in Chloe finely drest as curiosity could do it. And in haste to Megacles, This (quoth he) is that same daughter of Thine that thou didst expose: This Girle, a Sheep, by the providence of the gods, did nurse for thee, as a Goat did my Daphnis. Take her monuments, Take thy daughter; then by all meanes give her Daphnis for a Bride. We exposed both of them, and have now found them both: Pan, the Nymphs, and Love himself took care of both. ”

“ Astylus a generous Youth, and one that was not to learn that Love was a tormentous fire, could not endure to see him weep in such a manner, and kisse his feet again and again; but promised to beg Daphnis of his Father, to wait upon him at Mitylene, and so to become Gnatho's Pathic-boy. But to please himself, and hearten up Gnatho, he smiled upon him, and askt him, Whether he were not asham'd to be in love with Lamo's Son, nay, to be made to lye with a boy that kept Goats? ”

“ They prayed too the maid might find her birth as Great, as she was Faire; and many of the richer Ladyes prayed the Gods, they might be taken for Mothers of so sweet a Girl. But Dionysophanes after many sollicitous thoughts, fell into a deep sleep, and in that, had this Vision. He thought he saw the Nymphs petition Cupid, to grant them at length a licence for the wedding. Then, that Love himself, his bow unbent, and by his quiver laid; commanded him to invite the whole nobility of Mitylene to a feast, and when he had sett the last crater, there to show the Monuments to every one ”

“ His Father grants it willingly, and presently sending for Lamo and Myrtale, lets them know that Daphnis should hereafter wait upon Astylus in the City, and leave his keeping Goats. But then instead of him, he promised to give them two Goat-herds. And now when Lamo saw the Servants running together, and hugge one another for joy they were to have so sweet a fellow-servant in the house, he askt leave to speak to his Lord and thus began:
Hear me, Sir, a true story, that an old man is about to tell you. And I swear by Pan and the Nymphs that I will not lie a jott. ”

“ And then one might presently see what beautie was, when it had got its proper dresse. For Chloe being so clothed, drest in her hair, and washt in Clearista's wash; did so outshine even all beautie, that her own Daphnis now could scarce know her. And any man, without the faith of monuments might now have sworne, that Dryas was not the Father of so fair a maid. But he was there, and Nape, and Lamo, and Myrtale, feasting at a private Table. And again, upon this invention of Chloe, were immolations to the Gods, and Chloe consecrated her Trinkets; that skin she used to weare; her Scrip ”

“ The Indians conquer'd: The Tyrrhenian Marriners, transform'd: Satyrs, and dancing Bacchæ, all about. Nor was Pan neglected in this place of pleasure, for he was set up upon the top of a crag playing upon his pipes, and striking up a common Jig, to those that trod the grapes in the presse, and the women that danc't about it. Therefore in such a Garden as this that all might be fine, Lamo was now very busie, cutting and pruning what was wither'd, and dry, and propping up the Palmits with his forks. Bacchus he had crown'd with flowery chaplets ”

“ Eudromus hearken'd what was said, and catcht the Secret; and detesting in himself that such a flower of beauty should be put into the hands of a filthy fellow, he told both Daphnis and Lamo all that happen'd. Daphnis was struck to the heart with this, and soon resolv'd either to run away, and Chloe with him, or else to die, and take her with him to the Elysian fields. -- But Lamo getting Myrtale out of doores, What shall we do, (quoth he) we are all undone? Now or never is our time to open all that hitherto has bin concealed ”

“ After that he thought with himself to make a Speech concerning Daphnis, sufficient for Love, sufficient for Length. -- Dionysophanes was now half gray, but very tall and well limb'd, and able at any Exercise to grapple in the younger list; for his Riches few came near him; for honest Life, Justice, and excellent manners, scant such another to be found. He when he was come, offer'd the first day to the president gods of rurall businesse, to Ceres, Bacchus, Pan, and the Nymphs, and set up a common Crater for all that were present. ”

“ This Eudromus (for that was his name, because he was a Foot-Page) they all received and entertain'd with great kindness, and presently began the vintage; the grapes were gathered, cast into the presse; the Must made, and tunned into the Vessels, some of the fairest bunches of the grapes, together with their branches were cut, that to those who came from the City, a shew of the vintage and the pleasure of it, might still remain. ”

“ Nor was even Lampis absent; for he was pardon'd by that Beautie that he had loved. Therefore then, as usually when rurall revellers are met together at a Feast: nothing but Georgics, nothing but what was rustical was there. Here one sang like the Reapers, There another prattled it, and flung about the Epilenion flirts and scoffs, as in the Autumne from the presse. Philetas played upon his Pipes, Lampis upon the Hoboy. Dryas and Lamo danced to them. Daphnis and Chloe clipt and kist. The Goats too were feeding by, as part of that celebritie. ”

“ And despairing because of my want of an honourable education for her, I exposed her with These monumentall Toyes, knowing that even by that way, many are glad to be made fathers. In the Nymphæum she was laid, and left to the trust of the Resident Goddesses. After that I began to be rich, and grow richer every day, yet had no heir ”