THE scene is the Aegean island of Scyros during the Trojan War. Lycomede the King has concealed the young Achille (Achilles) among the women attending his daughter Deidamia to oblige his friend Peleus, Achille's father, since an oracle has prophesied that Achille will die at Troy. The curtain rises on the Portico of the Palace, near the Sea, with a Throne of Marble. Lycomedes upon the Throne; Ulysses, Phoenix and Nestor, who come ashore. These three have been sent by Agamemnon as ‘Ambassadors of all Greece’ to recover Achille, whom the priest Calchas has declared essential to the capture of Troy. Ulisse, ‘who feigns himself to be Antilochus the son of Nestor’, acts as chief spokesman. He explains the origins of the Trojan War and asks for moral support; Lycomede promises sixty ships. When Ulisse enquires about Achille, Lycomede admits that he came to Scyros but says he returned in the same ship. Ulisse takes this for an excuse and urges the King to remember his Greek nationality and not give aid to the enemy. Fenice (Phoenix), King of Argos, points out that Paris abused the same Greek virtue of hospitality that Lycomede upholds. Lycomede is reluctant to betray his promise to Peleus. In a Gallery with a view of the Country Deidamia, with other noble Virgins at various works (presumably with the needle), reflects on the pleasures of love and asks where Pirra is. Her friend Nerea says she last saw her in pursuit of a hind. Deidamia fears she may have met with some accident, perhaps engineered by Artemis, and sends one of her virgins to fetch her, meanwhile singing a more explicit love song. Nerea comments with some distaste on Pirra's hatred of their female tasks: ‘at last she’ll turn an Amazon and follow war’. Pirra, who of course is the disguised Achille, enters with a song in praise of hunting and urges them to take some healthy fresh air. Deidamia sends her attendants off to pick flowers and reproaches Achille: his ‘too rough and manly sports’ will give away their love. She begs him to remember their vows.