And right so as thise philosophres write
That hevene is swift and round and eek brennynge,
Right so was faire Cecilie the white
Ful swift and bisy evere in good werkynge,
And round and hool in good perseverynge,
And brennynge evere in charite ful brighte.
Now have I yow declared what she highte.
– Geoffrey Chaucer
The Canterbury Tales, The Second Nun’s Prologue. Cecilia is a very active heroine, a perfect example of the kind of Christian witness and missionary activity we find in the early Christian Church. She is described as always quick and busy in good works and burning in very bright charity.