Chapter Galatea to Gamelyn of G by Brewer's Readers Handbook

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 £30 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).

(Vogue la galère means “come what may,” “let what will happen.”)

Galesian Wool, the best and finest wool, taken from sheep pastured on the meadows of Galesus.

Dulce pellitis ovibus Galæsi flumen.
   —Horace: Carm. ii. 6. 10.

Galgacus, chief of the Caledonians, who resisted Agricola with great valour. In A.D. 84 he was defeated, and died on the field. Tacitus puts into his mouth a noble speech, made to his army before the battle.

Galgacus, their guide,
Amongst his murthered troops there resolutely died.
   —Drayton: Polyolbion, viii. (1612).

Galiana, a Moorish princess, daughter of Gadalfe king of Toledo. Her father built for her a palace on the Tagus, so splendid that “a palace of Galiana” has become a proverb in Spain.

Galien Restored, a mediæval romance of chivalry. Galien was the son of Jaqueline (daughter of Hugh king of Constantinople). His father was count Oliver of Vienne. Two fairies interested themselves in Jaqueline’s infant son: one, named Galienne, had the child named Galien, after her own name; but the other insisted that he should be called “Restored,” for that the boy would restore the chivalry of Charlemagne.—Author unknown.

Galilæan. Jesus was called a Galilæan, probably meaning that he was a native of that province. Julian said when dying, “Thou hast conquered, O Galilæan!”

Thou hast conquered, O pale Galilæan!
   —Swinburne: Hymn to Proserpine. (Poems and Ballads, 1st series, 1868.)

Galileo [Galilei], born at Pisa, but lived chiefly in Florence. In 1633 he published his work on the Copernican system, showing that “the earth moved and the sun stood still.” For this he was denounced by the lnquisition of Rome, and accused of contradicting the Bible. At the age of 70 he was obliged to abjure his system, in order to gain his liberty. After pronouncing his abjuration, he said, in a stage whisper, E pur si muove (“It does move, though”). This is said to be a romance (1564–1642).

Galinthia, daughter of Prœtus king of Argos. She was changed by the Fates into a cat, and in that shape was made by Hecate her high priestess.—Antonius Liberalis: Metam., xxix.

Galis, in Arthurian romance, means “Wales,” as sir Lamorake de Galis, i.e. sir Lamorake the Welshman.

Gallegos [Gal-le-goze], the people of Galicia (once a province of Spain).

Gallia, France. “Gauls,” the inhabitants of Gallia.

Gallicenæ, priestesses of Gallic mythology, who had power over the winds and waves. There were nine of them, all virgins.