Melpomene the "Songstress" is the muse of tragedy in spite of her joyous singing and is
            represented by the tragic mask. She is sometimes seen with garland, a club and a sword.
            She is often seen wearing cothurnes, boots traditionally worn by tragic actors, and a
            crown of cypress.

But oh Melpomene! thy lyre of wo--
                                        To what a mournful pitch its keys were strung,
                                   And when thou badest its tones of sorrow flow,
                                       Each weeping Muse, enamoured, o'er thee hung:
                                    How sweet--how heavenly sweet, when faintly
                                              rose
                                      The song of grief, and at its dying close
                                    The soul seemed melting in the trembling breast;
                                         The eye in dews of pity flowed away,
                                      And every heart, by sorrow's load opprest,
                                      To infant softness sunk, as breathed thy
                                         mournful lay.

                                   from An Ode To Music, by James G. Percival