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