The Metamorphoses: Apollo and Daphne
The Metamorphoses: Apollo and Daphne
As soon as Phoebus saw Daphne, he fell in love with her, and wanted to marry her. His own prophetic powers deceived him and he hoped to achieve his desire. As the light stubble blazes up in the harvested field, or as the hedge is set alight, if traveler chance to kindle fire too close, or leaves one smoldering when he goes off at daybreak, so the god was all on fire, his whole heart was aflame, and he nourished his fruitless love on hope.
He eyed her hair as it hung carelessly about her neck, and sighed:
“What if it were properly arranged?”
He looked at her eyes, sparkling bright as the stars, he looked at her lips, and wanted to do more than look at them. He praised her fingers, her hands, her arms, bare almost to the shoulder. Her hidden charms he imagined lovelier still.
But Daphne ran off, swifter than the wind’s breath, and did not stop to hear his words, though he called her back:
“I implore you, nymph, daughter of Peneus, do not run away! Though I pursue you, I am no enemy. Stay, sweet nymph! You flee as the lamb flees the wolf, or deer the lion, as doves on fluttering wings from an eagle, as all creatures flee their natural foes! But it is love that drives me to follow you. Alas, how I fear you lest you trip and fall, lest briars scratch your innocent legs, and I be the cause of your hurting yourself. These are rough places through which you are running – go less swiftly, I beg of you, slow your flight and I in turn shall pursue less swiftly!”
“Yet stay to inquire whose heart you have charmed. I am no peasant, living in a mountain hut, nor am I a shepherd or boorish herdsman who tends his flocks and cattle in these regions. Silly girl, you do not know from who you are fleeing: indeed, you do not, or else you would not flee. I am lord of Delphi, Claros, and Tenedos, and of the realms of Patara too.
I am the son of Jupiter. By my skill, the past, the present, and the future are revealed; thanks to
As soon as Phoebus saw Daphne, he fell in love with her, and wanted to marry her. His own prophetic powers deceived him and he hoped to achieve his desire. As the light stubble blazes up in the harvested field, or as the hedge is set alight, if traveler chance to kindle fire too close, or leaves one smoldering when he goes off at daybreak, so the god was all on fire, his whole heart was aflame, and he nourished his fruitless love on hope.
He eyed her hair as it hung carelessly about her neck, and sighed:
“What if it were properly arranged?”
He looked at her eyes, sparkling bright as the stars, he looked at her lips, and wanted to do more than look at them. He praised her fingers, her hands, her arms, bare almost to the shoulder. Her hidden charms he imagined lovelier still.
But Daphne ran off, swifter than the wind’s breath, and did not stop to hear his words, though he called her back:
“I implore you, nymph, daughter of Peneus, do not run away! Though I pursue you, I am no enemy. Stay, sweet nymph! You flee as the lamb flees the wolf, or deer the lion, as doves on fluttering wings from an eagle, as all creatures flee their natural foes! But it is love that drives me to follow you. Alas, how I fear you lest you trip and fall, lest briars scratch your innocent legs, and I be the cause of your hurting yourself. These are rough places through which you are running – go less swiftly, I beg of you, slow your flight and I in turn shall pursue less swiftly!”
“Yet stay to inquire whose heart you have charmed. I am no peasant, living in a mountain hut, nor am I a shepherd or boorish herdsman who tends his flocks and cattle in these regions. Silly girl, you do not know from who you are fleeing: indeed, you do not, or else you would not flee. I am lord of Delphi, Claros, and Tenedos, and of the realms of Patara too.
I am the son of Jupiter. By my skill, the past, the present, and the future are revealed; thanks to