Obs. exc. arch. Also 6 fia. [It. via (special use of via way: see prec.) ‘an aduerbe of encouraging, much vsed by riders to their horses, and by commanders’ (Florio, 1598).]
1. As an exclamation encouraging, inciting or preparatory to movement or action, = Onward, come on, come along, etc.
1596. Edward III., II. ii. 12. Then via for the spatious bounds of Fraunce.
1596. Shaks., 3 Hen. VI., II. i. 182. Why Via, to London will we march.
1602. Middleton, Blurt, Master Constable, II. B iv b. Via for fate, Fortune, loe this is all, At griefes rebound He mount, although I fall.
1619. Fletcher, Mons. Thomas, II. ii. Tho. Away then, find this Fidler, and do not miss me By nine a Clock. La[uncelot]. Via.
1623. Markham, Cheap & Good Husb., I. ii. (ed. 3), 15. First the voice, which sounding sharply and cheerefully,… crying, Via, how, hey, and such like, adde a spirit and liuelinesse to the horse.
1820. Scott, Monast., xxi. He exclaimed, ‘Thy death-hour has struck—betake thee to thy sword—Via!’
2. As an exhortation or command to depart, = Away, be off, begone.
1596. Shaks., Merch. V., II. ii. 9. The … fiend bids me packe, fia saies the fiend, away saies the fiend.
1611. Chapman, May Day, IV. i. 56. Your reward now shall be that I will not cut your strings nor breake your fidles, via, away.
1616. B. Jonson, Devil an Ass, II. i. Via pecunia! when she’s runne and gone, And fled and dead; then will I fetch her, againe.
1818. Scott, Rob Roy, vii. Horsewhip the rascal to purpose—via—fly away, and about it.
b. Used to check argument or reply, or to dismiss a subject.
1598. Shaks., Merry W., II. ii. 159. Ah ha, Mistresse Ford and Mistresse Page, haue I encompass’d you? goe to, via.
1821. Scott, Kenilw., vii. And what was Ralph Sadler but the clerk of Cromwell,… via! I know my steerage as well as they. Ibid., xxix. Why, via, let that pass too.
