The Muses

The Muses symbolize artistic inspiration. In Greco-Roman mythology, the nine muses were goddesses, each with a different artistic discipline. They are alluded to here, as they are in so many texts of the era, to indicate the author's experience with inspiration. By mentioning them, the speaker indicates that Cooke-ham is a place of inspiration and artistic fulfillment for her.

The Trees

The trees symbolize the land as a whole. Although they are only one part of what the property contains, their age and beauty means they stand in for the entire history of Cooke-ham as a property.

Philomel

Philomel, or Philomela, symbolizes sorrow. The Roman myth of Philomel is a tragic one, which ends in a young woman being turned into a nightingale so she can sing her grief forever. By referring to Philomel here, the speaker conjures the literal image of the bird, a...