Calliope
the "Fair Voiced" is the muse of epic poetry and is seen holding a writing
tablet in hand and crowned in gold. Calliope is known for taking a fancy
to Achilles and taught him how to cheer his friends by singing at banquets.
She also was called by Zeus to mediate the quarrel between Aphrodite and
Persephone over possession of Adonis. She settled the dispute by giving
them equal time, providing Adonis some sorely needed free time to himself.
By Apollo, she bore Linus, who was slain by Hercules, and Orpheus.
Simon Vouet
French, 1590 - 1649 detail of Calliope from
The Muses Urania
and Calliope, c. 1634, oil on panel,
Samuel H. Kress Collection
But when, Calliope, thy loud harp rang---
In Epic grandeur rose the lofty strain;
The clash of arms, the trumpet's awful clang
Mixed with the roar of conflict on the plain;
The ardent warrior bade his coursers wheel,
Trampling in dust the feeble and the brave,
Destruction flashed upon his glittering steel,
While round his brow encrimsoned laurels waved,
And o'er him shrilly shrieked the demon of the grave.
from An Ode To Music, by James G. Percival
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