The kind deceit, the still reviving fire,
Persuasive speech, and more persuasive sighs,
Silence that spoke, and eloquence of eyes.
Pope, Iliad, xiv.
Girdle of Opakka, foresight and prudence.
“The girdle of Opakka, with which Kifri the enchanter is endued, what is it,” said Shemshelnar, “but foresight and prudence—the best ‘girdle’ for the sultans of the earth?”—Sir G. Morell [i.e. J. Ridley], Tales of the Genii (“History of Mahoud,” tale vii., 1751).
Girdles, impressed with mystical characters, were bound with certain ceremonies round women in gestation, to accelerate the birth and alleviate the pains of labor. It was a Druid custom, observed by the Gaels, and continued in practice till quite modern times.
Aldo offered to give Erragon “a hundred steeds, children of the rein; a hundred hawks with fluttering wing, ... and a hundred girdles to bind high-bosomed maids, friends of the births of heroes.”—Ossian, The Battle of Lora.
Girnington (The laird of), previously Frank Hayston, laird of Bucklaw, the bridegroom of Lucy Ashton. He is found wounded by his bride on the wedding night, recovers and leaves the country; but the bride goes mad and dies.—Sir W. Scott, Bride of Lammermoor (time, William III.).
Giulia (Donna), suspected wife of Don Alonzo in Richard Mansfield’s play Don Juan. She becomes the fast friend of the youthful lovers, although forced by her husband’s brutality to decoy Juan into the trap set for him by Alonzo (1891).