Filis, a beautiful nymph of the Manzanares forest, lives free in the clear waters of her river, enjoying the company of the other nymphs, immersed in nature.

Happy and unbound, devoted to the nymph Daphne, she congratulates herself on never having succumbed to love, which is tyrannical and drives every creature who feels it mad.

In her state of plenitude, she cannot understand why the shepherd Silvio pursues her, professing his love and insisting that it be reciprocated. She quickly rejects him and is offended by his tender compliments.

Yet despite her disdain for love, Filis is compassionate, and feels pity to see a creature suffer for her. Perhaps within her heart there is some corner where there may be a longing for something she has always been taught to disdain. Perhaps behind that constant mockery is a hidden desire to love and to feel loved.