The Nine Muses of the Arts

The nine muses Daughters of Zeus Inspiring of mortals And nurturers of the arts The first was, The divine Calliope, Beautiful-voiced, Was the muse of the epic poets A writing tablet in her hand Calliope was Homer's muse Inspiration for the Iliad Divine influence of the Odyssey The second was, The divine Clio The maker of fame, Was the muse of history A parchment scroll in her hands Clio was the proclaimer The third was, The divine Erato, Desired and lovely, Was the muse of the lyric poets A golden arrow in her hand Muse of love verse And of Erotic poetry Erato the muse who charms the sight And inspires love in everybody The fourth was, The divine Euterpe, Rejoicing well, Was firstly the muse of music Then of Lyrical poetry A double flute in her hand Euterpe the Giver of delight The fifth was, The divine Melpomène, The one that is melodious, Was firstly the muse of singing To celebrate with dance and song Then she became the muse of tragedy And hid behind a tragic mask A knife or club in her hand Creator of beautiful lyrical phrases Melpomène muse of Horace The sixth was, The divine Polyhymnia, The one of many hymns, Was the Muse of sacred poetry and sacred hymns Of eloquence and pantomime In her long cloak and classical pose Polyhymnia was a serious, pensive and meditative muse The seventh was, The divine Terpsichore, Delight of dancing, Muse of choral songs and dance A lyre in her hand Accompanies the dancers Terpsichore muse of dance Mother of the sirens The eighth was, The divine Thalia, Flourishing, in bloom, Was the muse of comedy and idyllic poetry A comic mask in her hand The praises of Thalia, rustic goddess And in her songs flourish through time The ninth and final was, The divine Urania, Heavenly muse, Was the muse of astrology A globe in her hand Dressed in a cloak embroidered with stars Urania was reader of the stars