Act I. The throng moves back and forth on the crowded wharf. There are

young people, courtesans, philosophers, sailors, beggars, fruit-sellers. _Rhodis_ and _Myrto_ play on their flutes while _Théano_ dances. _Démétrios_ the sculptor approaches and leans on the parapet overlooking the sea. The Jewess _Chimaris_, a fortune-teller, reads his hand. She tells him that she sees past happiness and love in the future, but that this love will be drowned first in the blood of one woman, then in that of a second, and finally in his own. _Chrysis_, a beautiful courtesan, appears on the wharf. _Démétrios_ wishes to follow her, but she declines his advances. To possess her he must bring her three gifts, the silver mirror of _Bacchis_, the courtesan, the ivory comb of _Touni_, wife of the High Priest, and the pearl necklace clasped around the neck of the statue of the goddess Aphrodite in the temple. _Démétrios_ is appalled but swears to fulfil her wishes. She embraces him and disappears.

In Act II the temple guards and eunuchs perform their sacred offices. _Démétrios_ enters the temple. He has committed two of the three crimes. He has stolen the mirror from _Bacchis_ and stabbed Touni to take her comb. The celebration of the first day of the Aphrodisiacs begins. Courtesans bring offerings to the goddess. _Rhodis_ and _Myrto_ bring a caged dove. _Chrysis_ hands the High Priest her bronze mirror, her copper comb, and her emerald necklace, as offerings. When the crowd leaves the temple, _Démétrios_ snatches the necklace from the statue and disappears.