E. Cobham Brewer 1810–1897. Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 1898.
Helen.
The type of female beauty, more especially in those who have reached womanhood. Daughter of Zeus and Leda, and wife of Menela’os, King of Sparta.
1
“She moves a goddess and she looks a queen.”
Pope: Homer’s Iliad, iii.
The Helen of Spain. Cava or Florinda, daughter of Count Julian. (See CAVA.)
2
St. Helen’s fire (feu d’Hélène); also called Feu St. Helme (St. Helme’s or St. Elmo’s fire); and by the Italians “the fires of St. Peter and St. Nicholas.” Meteoric fires seen occasionally on the masts of ships, etc. If the flame is single, foul weather is said to be at hand; but if two or more flames appear, the weather will improve. (See CASTOR.)
