LONGUS, LES AMOURS PASTORALES DE DAPHNIS ET CHLOE, no ed., no pl., 1751. In 12mo, p. xii,153,xx notes. Engraved frontispiece, engraved title vignette, 7 full-page copper etchings, along with headbands and initials throughout. A lovely, finely enhanced edition by Longus, a Greek author about whom virtually nothing is known. The author sets the scene of his novel by showing himself to have been inspired by a painting seen in Lesbos, in the sacred wood of the Nymphs. The choice of this island as the setting for the plot may just as well have been guided by a reference to the Archaic Greek poetess Sappho, who was from there and one of the authors main inspirations. It is clear that Longus was well acquainted with Archaic Greek (Sappho) and Hellenistic poetry, especially pastoral poetry (Theocritus), ancient Greek theatre and literature of the Roman period (especially Virgils Bucolics): he was inspired by them and drew inspiration from them in the composition of his plot, the names and characters of the protagonists, the descriptions and symbols present in the novel. Binding of the period, red Morocco half leather, marbled boards; adorned spine in gilt, light rubbing on extremities. Marbled endpapers, light soiling, fresh images. Very Good copy.