Also Wal-. [a. mod.L. Valhalla, ad. ON. Valhall-, Valhǫll, f. val-r (= OE. wæl) those slain in battle + hǫll hall. Cf. G. Walhalla, F. Wal-, Valhalla.] In Old Northern mythology, the hall assigned to those who have died in battle, in which they feast with Odin.
α. 1768. Gray, Fatal Sisters, 79, note. The Valkyriur … conducted them to Valhalla, the hall of Odin, or paradise of the Brave.
1780. Encycl. Brit. (ed. 2), V. 3288/1. That their great Odinus excluded all those from his valhalla, or paradise, who [etc.].
1801. M. G. Lewis, Tales of Wonder, Hacho’s Death Song, xvii. Soon as he gains Valhalla’s gate, Eight heroes there to greet him wait.
1822. Scott, Pirate, xv.
| Hear the choice she spreads before ye,— | |
| Victory, and wealth, and glory; | |
| Or old Valhalla’s roaring hall, | |
| Her ever-circling mead and ale, | |
| Where for eternity unite | |
| The joys of wassail and of fight. |
1855. M. Arnold, Balder Dead, I. 19. Enough of tears, ye Gods, enough of wail! Not to lament in was Valhalla made.
β. 1851. Expositor, 11 Jan., 171/2. A long and happy sojourn in the Walhalla.
b. transf. and fig. A place or sphere assigned to persons, etc., worthy of special honor.
c. 1845. Mrs. Browning, Fourfold Aspect, ii. That this Death, then, must be found A Valhalla for the crowned.
1868. Milman, St. Paul’s, 480. That St. Paul’s might fitly become a Valhalla for English worthies.
1880. Ld. Acton, Lett M. Gladstone (1904), 56. Neither Pitt nor Peel lives in my Walhalla.
