Chapter George Barnwell to Geryoneo of G by Brewer's Readers Handbook

Gerard (John), an English botanist (1545–1607), who compiled the Catalogus Arborum, Fruticum, et Plantorum, tam Indigenarum quam Exoticarum, in Horto Johanis Gerardi. Also author of the Herbal or General History of Plants (1597).

Of these most helpful herbs yet tell we but a few,
To those unnumbered sorts of simples here that grew…
Not skillful Gerard yet shall ever find them all.
   —Drayton: Polyolbion, xiii. (1613).

Gerard, attendant of sir Patrick Charteris (provost of Perth).—Sir W. Scott: Fair Maid of Perth (time, Henry IV.).

Gerhard the Good, a merchant of Cologne, who exchanges his rich frieght for a cargo of Christian slaves, that he might give them their liberty. He retains only one, who is the wife of William king of England. She is about to marry the merchant’s son, when the king suddenly appears, disguised as a pilgrim. Gerhard restores the wife, ships both off to England, refuses all recompense, and remains a merchant as before.—Rudolf of Ems (a minnesinger): Gerhard the Good (thirteenth century).

Gerion. So William Browne, in his Britannia’s Pastorals (fifth song), calls Philip of Spain. The allusion is to Geryon of Gadês (Cadiz), a monster with three bodies (or, in other words, a king over three kingdoms) slain by Herculês.

The three kingdoms over which Philip reigned were Spain, Germany, and the Netherlands.

Gerlinda or Girlint, the mother of Hartmuth king of Norway. When Hartmuth carried off Gudrun the daughter of Hettel (Attila), and she refused to marry him, Gerlinda put her to the most menial work, such as washing the dirty linen. But her lover, Herwig king of Heligoland, invaded Norway, and having gained a complete victory, put Gerlinda to death.—An Anglo-Saxon Poem (thirteenth century).

German Literature (Father of), Gotthold Ephraim Lessing (1729–1781).

Germany, forme rly called Tongres. The name was changed according to fable) in compliment to Germana, sister of Julius Cæsar, and wife of Salvius Brabon duke of Brabant.—Jehan de Maire: Illustrations de Gaule, iii. 20–23. Geoffrey of Monmouth says that Ebraucus, one of the descendants of Brute king of Britain, had twenty sons, all of whom, except the eldest, settled in Tongres, which was then called Germany, because it was the land of the germans or brothers.

These germans did subdue all Germany,
Of whom it hight.
   —Spenser: Faërie Quéene, ii. 10 (1590).

Geronimo, the friend of Sganarelle. Sganarelle asks him if he would advise his marrying. “How old are you?” asks Geronimo; and being told that he is 63, and the girl under 20, says, “No.” Sganarelle, greatly displeased at his advice, declares he is hale and strong, that he loves the girl, and has promised to marry her. “Then do as you like,” says Geronimo.—Molière: Le Mariage Forcé (1664).

This joke is borrowed from Rabelais. Panurge asks Pantagruel whether he advises him to marry. “Yes,” says the prince; whereupon Panurge states several objections. “Then don’t,” says the prince. “But I wish to marry,” says Panurge. “Then do it by all means,” says the prince. Every time the prince advises him to marry, Panurge objects; and every time the prince advises the contrary, the advice is equally unacceptable. The oracle of the Holy Bottle being consulted, made answer, “Do as you like.”—Pantagruel, iii. 9 (1545)

Géronte, father of Léandre and Hyacinthe; a miserly old hunks. He has to pay Scapin £30 for the “ransom” of Léandre, and after having exhausted every evasion, draws out his purse to pay the money, saying, “The Turk is a villain!” “Yes,” says Scapin. “A rascal!” “Yes,” says Scapin. “A thief!” “Yes,” says Scapin. “He would wring from me £30! would he?” “Yes,” says Scapin. “Oh, if I catch him, won’t I pay him out?” “Yes,” says Scapin. Then, putting his purse back into his pocket, he walks off, saying, “Pay the ransom, and bring back the boy.” “But the money; where’s the money?” says Scapin. “Oh, didn’t I give it you?”