ART.
This statue was found in the ruins of the so-called Villa of Cassius in 1774, and was added to the Vatican collection.
The rich and flowing draperies in which Apollo is clothed give the statue an almost feminine fulness of form. Although only indifferently executed, it has a graceful movement which renders it impressive. It is evidently a copy of a famous original, some critics say of Scopas.
The god is represented as gliding forward in the dance in which he leads the Muses.
Calliope.
“The Beautiful Voiced.”
“Land of the Muse! within thy bowers
Her soul entrancing echoes rang.
While on their course the rapid hours
Paused at the melody she sang—
Till every grove and every hill
And every stream that flowed along
From morn to night repeated still
The winning harmony of song.”
STORY.
THE MUSE OF POETRY.
“Offspring of Jove, Calliope, once more
To the bright sun thy hymn of music pour.”
—Shelley.
Calliope, the fairest of the Muses and their chief representative, often appeared before the gods and many of them fell victims to the charms of her sweet voice and graceful manner. But of them all she loved the bright sun god best, and many were the verses she composed and sang in his honor. He returned her love with ardor. She readily consented to their union and became the proud mother of Orpheus, who inherited from his parents great musical and poetic gifts.