E. Cobham Brewer 1810–1897. Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 1898.
Fa’ta Morga’na.
A sort of mirage occasionally seen in the Straits of Messi’na. Fata is Italian for a “fairy,” and the fairy Morga’na was the sister of Arthur and pupil of Merlin. She lived at the bottom of a lake, and dispensed her treasures to whom she liked. She is first introduced in the Orlando Innamora’to as “Lady Fortune,” but subsequently assumes her witch-like attributes. In Tasso her three daughters are introduced.
