Endymion

This story was taken from the third-century poet Theocritus.

Though his name is so famous he has a very brief history. Some say he was a king, others a hunter but most say he was a shepherd. All agree that he was a beautiful youth and that this was what caused his fate.

Endymion the shepherd,
As his flock he guarded,
She, the Moon, Selene,
Saw him, loved him and sought him,
Coming down from heaven
to the glade on Latmus,
Kissed him, lay beside him.
Blessed is his fortune
Endymion he slumbers,
Tossing not, nor turning
Endymion the shepherd.

Beautiful yet motionless and remote as if dead but warm and living. Every night the Moon visits him and lays with him. It is said that the endless slumber was her doing so that she might find him and caress him as she pleased.