Synopsis

DRAMA. A young shepherd drives his sheep through the courtyard of a house in Corinth. He stops to place a garland round the neck of a bust of the God of love and turns to find the object of his affections, a young servant girl, coming down the steps. They embrace and do obeisance to the god of love. As the girl dances before the statue to the music of the shepherd's flute, she is seen and bought by a Moorish slave merchant. In the slave market of Alexandria she is sold again to a rich citizen who wishes to marry her. He lavishes every attention on her but, grieving for her lost love, she will not respond. To distract her from her grief her master gives a great fete in her honour with music and dancing. Among the musicains is the shepherd who has followed his love to Alexandria. At a given moment he begins to play the tune he had played in Corinth and the slave girl immediately begins to dance. As she dances nearer to him they recognise each other and in a moment she is in his arms. Her master, in spite of his own shattered hopes, sets her at liberty and the lovers embark for Corinth. In the courtyard at Corinth they again do obeisance to the God of Love and garland him with flowers and the slave girl dances for joy (1063ft). Note: This copy has English Titles. (Shotlist)