The Shrine of Eros
Cupid and Psyche,
a sculpture in marble
by Anotonio Canova, 1787-93
Shall I give in? Or fan the flame by fighting it?Better give in. Balance makes a burden light. Shake a torch and it flares up--
leave it alone and it dies... The god of love hits rebels far harder
than his submissive slaves. Then I submit, Cupid. I'm your latest victim
standing here, with my hands up.
�from Amores, Book I by Ovid
Detail of Venus and Cupid
Giovanni Antonio Pellegrini, 18th century
I call Great Cupid, lovely source of sweet delight,Holy and Pure, Darting, Winged Impetuous Fierce Desire,
Fire Spreading in Gods and mortals,
Playful, Cautious, Two-Fold Keeper of the Keys
of Heaven and Earth and Air and Ocean,
And all of Demeter's fertile realms
that sustain the life of mortals,
And dark Tartarus and Elysian Fields,
All the wide world and sounding deep,
All Nature's realms obey You, who rules with universal sway.
Come, Blessed Power, infuse our mystic fires,
and banish mad lust from our sacred rites.
�from The Orphic Hymns
Detail of Venus and the Goddess of the Waters
Unknown artist, c. 1560
Your laughing mother will watch the triumph from Olympusand clap her hands and shower you with roses as you ride along, jewels flashing from wings and hair
a golden boy in a golden chariot raising many a fire if I know you,
wounding many a heart as you pass by. �from Amores, Book I by Ovid
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