Henry Wadsworth Longfellow — The Descent of the Muses

Nine sisters, beautiful in form and face,        &nbsp Came from their convent on the shining heights        &nbsp Of Pierus, the mountain of delights,        &nbsp To dwell among the people at its base. Then seemed the world to change. All time and space,        &nbsp Splendor of cloudless days and starry nights,        &nbsp And men and manners, and all sounds and sights,        &nbsp Had a new meaning, a diviner grace. Proud were these sisters, but were not too proud        &nbsp To teach in schools of little country towns        &nbsp Science and song, and all the arts that please; So that while housewives span, and farmers ploughed,        &nbsp Their comely daughters, clad in homespun gowns,        &nbsp Learned the sweet songs of the Pierides.