Cortesana Bieiris de Romans performs 'Hymn to the Muse' and 'Hymn to Calliope and Apollo' (early 2nd century AD) by Mesomedes of Crete.

Mesomedes of Crete was court poet to the Emperor Hadrian, and wrote several beautiful hymns to different Greco-Roman deities which have survived with music. Of the very few composers whose works have survived from antiquity, he is the one about whom the most is known.

GREEK:

Ἄειδε μοῦσά μοι φίλη,
μολπῆς δ’ ἐμῆς κατάρχου·
αὔρη δὲ σῶν ἀπ’ ἀλσέων
ἐμὰς φρένας δονείτω.

Καλλιόπεια σοφά,
μουσῶν προκαθαγέτι τερπνῶν,
καὶ σοφὲ μυστοδότα,
Λατοῦς γόνε, Δήλιε, Παιάν,
εὐμενεῖς πάρεστέ μοι.

ENGLISH:

Sing to me, kind Muse,
and begin my song.
Send a breeze from your groves
to stir my mind.

Wise Calliope,
leader of the delight-making Muses,
and skilful initiator into the mysteries,
son of Leto, Delian Paean,
favor me with your presence.

(Translated by Charles H. Cosgrove)

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