But neither in France nor in England has there ever really been, at any time, any life resembling that portrayed by Theocritus; to-day nothing appears to us more absurd than the eighteenth century habit of picturing the Greek shepherd life in English or French landscapes.

What really may have existed among the shepherds of the antique world could not possibly exist in modern times.

But how pretty it is! I think that the tenth idyl of Theocritus is perhaps the prettiest example of the whole series, thirty in number, which have been preserved for us.

The plan is of the simplest.

Two young peasants, respectively named Battus and Milon, meeting together in the field, talk about their sweethearts.