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.