Vale´rio, a noble young Neapolitan lord, husband of Evanthê (3 syl.). This chaste young wife was parted from her husband by Frederick, the licentious brother of Alphonso, king of Naples, who tried in vain to seduce her, and then offered to make her any one’s wife for a month, at the end of which time the libertine should suffer death. No one would accept the offer, and ultimately the lady was restored to her husband.--Beaumont and Fletcher, A Wife for a Month (1624).
Valerius, the hero and title of a novel by J. G. Lockhart (1821). Valerius is the son of a Roman commander, settled in Britain. After the death of his father, he is summoned to Rome, to take possession of an estate to which he is the heir. At the villa of Capĭto he meets with Athanasia, a lady who unites the Roman grace with the elevation of the Christian. Valerius becomes a Christian also, and brings Athanasia to Britain. The display at the Flavian amphitheatre is admirably described. A Christian prisoner is brought forward, either to renounce his faith or die in the arena; of course the latter is his lot.
This is one of the best Roman stories in the language.
Valerius, the brother of Valeria. He is in love with Horatia, but Horatia is betrothed to Caius Curiatius.--Whitehead, The Roman Father (1741).
Valiant (The), Jean IV. of Brittany (1338, 1364-1399).
Valiant-for-Truth, a brave Christian, who fought three foes at once. His sword was “a right Jerusalem blade,” so he prevailed, but was wounded in the encounter. He joined Christiana’s party in their journey to the Celestial City.--Bunyan, Pilgrim’s Progress, ii (1684).
Valjean (Jean), ex-convict, whose efforts at re-habilitation meet with rebuff and misconstruction. The best qualities of a really noble nature appear in his care for his adopted child, the daughter of poor Fantine.--Victor Hugo, Les Miserables.
Valkyrior or Valkyrs, stern, beautiful maidens, who hover over battle-fields to bear away to Valhalla the souls of slain heroes. They also wait at table in the halls of Valhalla.--Scandinavian Mythology.
Val´ladolid´ (The doctor of), Sangrado, who applied depletion for every disease, and thought the best diet consisted of roast apples and warm water.
I condemned a variety of dishes, and arguing like the doctor of Valladolid, “Unhappy are those who require to be always on the watch, for fear of overloading their stomachs!”--Lesage, Gil Blas, vii. 5 (1735).