Apollo flies, and Daphne holds the chase,
The dove pursues the griffin; the mild hind
Makes speed to catch the tiger – bootless speed,
When cowardice pursues and valour flies.
– William Shakespeare
A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Act 2, Scene 1. As Demetrius flees from Helena’s sexual advances, she complains that the classic story of pursuit is being reversed. Instead of Apollo chasing Daphne, Daphne pursues Apollo, the dove chases the griffin and the deer the tiger. Helena is saying that her having to chase Demetrius is reversing the normal state of affairs, in which the man pursues the woman.