E. Cobham Brewer 1810–1897. Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 1898.
Cecil’ia (St.).
A Roman lady who underwent martyrdom in the third century. She is the patron saint of the blind, being herself blind; she is also patroness of musicians, and “inventor of the organ.”
1
“At length divine Cecilia came,
Inventress of the vocal frame.”
Dryden: Alexander’s Feast.
According to tradition, an angel fell in love with her for her musical skill, and used nightly to visit her. Her husband saw the heavenly visitant, who gave to both a crown of martyrdom which he brought from Paradise. Dryden and Pope have written odes in her honour, and both speak of her charming an angel by her musical powers:
