Dafne's story is taken from the "metamorphoses" of Ovid, legendary poet and the most colorful of the many voices to bring ancient mythological stories to our modern ears.
Apollo, fresh from his celebrated victory over the serpent Phaeton mocks the young Cupid's archery skills. The son of Venus takes a cruel revenge setting sail two arrows: a sharpened one that flies to the God's heart and a blunt one to ensure the nymph Dafne's indifference.
Apollo, in the thralls of passion, gives chase and is thunderstruck to see the reluctant nymph's metamorphosis into a laurel tree, from which the horrified God fashions a crown, the crown of the poet, and an eternal homage to his beloved Daphne.