THE MYTH OF DAFNE AND APOLLO

Snake Python, in Greek mythology, was a monster with a hundred heads and a hundred mouths that spewed fire; It was the terror of the Thessalian countryside because it devastated men and animals. Ovid tells that Apollo, honored for having killed him, bear a Cupid, son of Venus and Mars. This, to punish such audacity, took two arrows from his quiver. One had the tip of gold and infused love; the other was lead and inspired disdain. Cupid led the first to Apollo, fired the second to Daphne, daughter of the river Peño and of the Earth. A violent passion for the beautiful nymph then took hold of Apollo. However, she, hurt by the arrow of contempt, fled quickly trying to hide. Apollo ran in search of Daphne, but this, to the lost verse, requested the help of his father. As soon as their cries for help ceased, a soft crust enclosed her breast, her hair became green leaves, her arms on the branches, her feet were fixed on the ground and the nymph was transformed into laurel. Apollo, not yet ready to give up, embraced the tree and covered it with burning kisses, but even the branches recoiled frightened from his lips. "If you can not be my lover," the god swore, "you will be eternally consecrated to me." Your leaves are always green and with them I will crown myself. "Since then, the laurel is the symbol of Apollo and with it is awarded to the winners, artists and poets.

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