Observations placeholder
Ovid - Metamorphoses - Cupid and Daphne
Identifier
007379
Type of Spiritual Experience
Background
The following Ovid’s poem describes the myth of Daphne and Apollo. Cupid, very angry at Apollo for making fun of his archery skills, causes him to fall in love with the nymph Daphne, who had scorned him.
A description of the experience
From The Transformation of Daphne into a Laurel - Ovid
.. Cupid .. the son of Venus …...
………. soaring, swiftly winged his flight:
Nor stopped but on Parnassus' airy height.
Two different shafts he from his quiver draws;
One to repel desire, and one to cause.
One shaft is pointed with refulgent gold:
To bribe the love, and make the lover bold:
One blunt, and tipped with lead, whose base allay
Provokes disdain, and drives desire away.
The blunted bolt against the nymph he dressed:
But with the sharp transfixed Apollo's breast.