The shepherd Acis and the nymph Galatea are in love - which is essentially what the entire first act is about. But Acis has a rival in the giant Polyphemus, who pays clumsy court to Galatea. Though warned by the chorus of nymphs and shepherds, and despite the pleading of Galatea and the advice of Damon, another shepherd, Acis defies the giant. While the lovers pledge eternal faith the furious Polyphemus kills Acis with a massive rock. The chorus suggest to the disconsolate Galatea that she use her divine powers to make him immortal. She changes him into a fountain, and the chorus bid her dry her tears: he will flow on forever, 'murmuring still his gentle love'.