Valentine, a gentleman in attendance on the duke of Illyria.--Shakespeare, Twelfth Night (1602).
Valentine (3 syl.), a gentleman just returned from his travels. In love with Cellide (2 syl.), but Cellide is in love with Francisco (Valentine’s son).--Beaumont and Fletcher, Mons. Thomas (a comedy, before 1620).
Valentine (3 syl.), a gallant that will not be persuaded to keep his estate.--Beaumont and Fletcher, Wit without Money (1639).
Valentine, brother of Margaret. Maddened by the seduction of his sister, he attacks Faust during a serenade, and is stabbed by Mephistophelês. Valentine dies reproaching his sister, Margaret.--Goethe, Faust (1798).
Valentine [Legend], eldest son of Sir Sampson Legend. He has a tendre for Angelica, an heiress, whom he eventually marries. To prevent the signing away of his real property for the advance of £4000 in cash to clear his debts, he feigns to be mad for a time. Angelica gets the bond, and tears it before it is duly signed.--Congreve, Love for Love (1695).
⁂ This was Betterton’s great part.
Valentine (Saint), a Romish priest, who befriended the martyrs in the persecution of Claudius II., and was, in consequence, arrested, beaten with clubs, and finally beheaded (February 14, 270). Pope Julius built a church in his honor, near Pontê Molê, which gave its name to the gate Porta St. Valentini, now called “Porta del Popolo,” and by the ancient Romans “Porta Flaminia.”
⁂ The 15th February was the festival of Februta Juno (Juno, the fructifyer), and the Roman Catholic clergy substituted St. Valentine for the heathen goddess.
Valentine and Orson, twin sons of Bellisant and Alexander (emperor of Constantinople). They were born in a forest near Orleans. While the mother was gone to hunt for Orson, who had been carried off by a bear, Valentine was carried off by King Pepin (his uncle). In due time Valentine married Clerimond, the Green Knight’s sister.--Valentine and Orson (fifteenth century).
Valentine Mortimer, scatter-brained youth, who accepts against his conscience ill-gotten possessions, and is forced by conscience to renounce them, just before his early death.--Jean Ingelow, Fated to be Free (1875).