It gave the virtue of chaste love And wifehood true to all that it did bear; But whosoever contrary doth prove, Might not the same about her middle wear, But it would loose, or else asunder tear. Spenser, _Faëry Queen_, iii. 7 (1590). _Girdle_ (_Venus’s_), a girdle on which was embroidered the passions, desires, joys, and pains of love. It was usually called a cestus, which means “embroidered,” and was worn lower down than the cin´gulum or matron’s girdle, but higher up than the zone or maiden’s girdle. It was said to possess the magical power of exciting love. Homer describes it thus: In this was every art, and every charm, To win the wisest, and the coldest warm; Fond love, the gentle vow, the gay desire, 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). =Gjallar=, Heimdall’s horn, which he blows to give the gods notice when any one approaches the bridge Bifröst.—_Scandinavian Mythology_. =Gladiator= (_The Dying_). This famous statue, found at Nettuno (the ancient _Antium_), was the work of Agasĭas, a sculptor of Ephesus. =Glads´moor= (_Mr._), almoner of the earl of Glenallan, at Glenallan House.—Sir W. Scott, _The Antiquary_ (time, George III.).