Gal´enist, a herb doctor.
The Galĕnist and Paracelsian
S. Butler, Hudibras, iii. 3 (1678).
Galeotti Martivalle, (Martius), astrologer[astrologer] of Louis XI. Being asked by the superstitious king if he knew the day of his own death, the crafty astrologer replied that he could not name the exact day, but he had learnt thus much by his art—that it would occur just twenty-four hours before the decease of his majesty (ch. xxix.).—Sir W. Scott, Quentin Durward (time, Edward IV.).
⁂ Thrasullus the soothsayer made precisely the same answer to Tibe´rius, emperor of Rome.
Galera´na is called by Ariosto the wife of Charlemagne; but the nine wives of that emperor are usually given as Hamiltrude (3 syl.), Desidera´ta, Hil´degarde (3 syl.), Fastrade (2 syl.), Luitgarde, Maltegarde, Gersuinde, Regi´na, and Adalin´da.—Ariosto, Orlando Furioso, xxi. (1516).
Galère (2 syl.). Que diable allait-il faire dans cette galère? Scapin wants to get from Géronte (a miserly old hunks) £1500, to help Leandre, the old man’s son, out of a money difficulty. So Scapin vamps up a cock-and-bull story about Leandre being invited by a Turk on board his galley, where he was treated to a most sumptuous repast; but when the young man was about to quit the galley, the Turk told him he was a prisoner, and demanded £1500 for his ransom within two hours’ time. When Géronte[Géronte] hears this, he exclaims, “Que diable allait-il faire dans cette galère?” and he swears he will arrest the Turk for extortion. Being shown the impossibility of so doing, he again exclaims, “Que diable allait-il faire dans cette galère?” and it flashes into his mind that Scapin should give himself up as surety for the payment of the ransom. This of course Scapin objects to. The old man again exclaims, “Que diable allait-il faire dans cette galère?” and commands Scapin to go and tell the Turk that £1500 is not to be picked off a hedge. Scapin says the Turk does not care a straw about that, and insists on the ransom. “Mais, que diable allait-il faire dans cette galère?” cries the old hunks; and tells Scapin to go and pawn certain goods. Scapin replies there is no time, the two hours are nearly exhausted. “Que diable,” cries the old man again, “allait-il faire dans cette galère?” and when at last he gives the money, he repeats the same words, “Mais, que diable allait-il faire dans cette galère?”—Molière, Les Fourberies de Scapin. ii. 11 (1671).
Gal´gacus, chief of the Caledonians, who resisted Agricŏla with great valor. In A. D. 84 he was defeated, and died on the field. Tacĭtus puts into his mouth a noble speech, made to his army before the battle.
Galgacus, their guide,
Amongst his murthered troops there resolutely died.