Who are the Muses?

Am I mad, or does the Muse call out to me?
Don’t you hear her? Don’t you hear her
in the rustling leaves, in the wind’s soft voice,
in the water’s laughter? Don’t you hear her?

If this is madness, let me go insane!
Let me go in search of her, calling out
to the bright sky: descend, singing goddess,
descend! Bring us your immortal music:

the sound of flutes playing like wind
over bending grass, the sound of strings
plucked like sudden sunshine, the clear bell
of your voice thrilling through the world.
from The Odes of Horace

Muse (n.) A source of inspiration. (v.) To think upon. Root word of museology, museum, music, amuse (among others). For a history of the ancient Greek Muses, check out this post from our friends at About . com: Muses defined

And thanks to Lunaea for the Horacic quote at the top of this page, and for a great and succinct description of the Muses and their qualities: Lunaea/Muses

This site is dedicated to philosophical speculation about Consciousness; the Arts; Science and Music. Shalom.

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