The works of the famous Mr. Francis Rabelais, doctor in physick treating of the lives, heroick deeds, and sayings of Gargantua and his son Pantagruel : to which is newly added the life of the author / written originally in French, and translated into English by Sr. Thomas Urchard.

Particulars of the life and humor of Francis Rabelais.

HE was born in Chinon a little Town in Touraine, his Father was an Apothecary called Thomas Rabe∣lais, and owner of the Deanry; he was placed young amongst the Monks

of the Abbey of Seville, of which de∣pends the Deanry, where proffiting little, his Father sent him to Angiers to study his humanities in the Convent of Bamette, where he did not much more than beget the acquaintance of the du Bellay's, one of which was since Cardinal, where 'tis said for some ro∣gu••ry he was soundly beaten and wounded.

He lived under the Reign of Francis the first, and 'tis said that the Chancel∣lor Du Prat, having a pick against the Town of Mont-••ellier, caused an arrest to be publisht, for the abolishing of the priviledges of the faculty of Physick in that Town, Rabelais was thought fit and capable, being known to Cardinal Bellay, to be deputed to Court, to en∣deavour the revocation of this arrest by the mediation and favour of Mon∣sieur Du Bellay, who was a favorite of Francis the first; being in Paris and finding no access to the Chancel∣lor, he counterfeited himself mad, and put on a green Gown and a long gray beard, and thus he walkt a good while before the Chancellors house, which was then near the great Convent

of the Augustins; many people, and amongst the rest some of the Chancel∣lors domesticks inquiring of him what he was? he answered, he was the fleaer of Calves, and that they that would be first flead must make hast.

The Chancellor made acquainted with this discourse, commanded he should be brought in at dinner time; Rabelais being enter'd, made a Speech so learned and full of authority, that the Chancellor set him at his feet, and promis'd him the confirming of the pri∣viledge of Mont-pellier, which since was performed, in memory of which all Doctors upon their reception wear Rabelais's green gown, which is with them in great esteem, as 'tis well known.

Cardinal Du Bellay deputed Ambas∣sador to Rome, took with him Rabelais in quality of his Physitian: 'tis usual for Ambassadors to kiss the Pope's toe, the Cardinal himself, and the rest of his fol∣lowers having performed the ceremonie, Rabelais refused it with a jest.

Another time the Cardinal with the rest of his family went to beg a largess of the Pope, Rabelais requested to make his demand, desired his holiness to

excommunicate him.

The demand being thought imper∣tinent, was ill relisht, but being ask'd the reason why he made it? he gave in answer, that he was born in a little Town called Chinon, very subject to fire, and that there had already been burnt many honest men, and some of his kindred, and if your holiness ex∣communicated me I should never burn.

My reason is, said he, that passing thorough Tarrant in the Cardinals Train, where the cold was great, and coming to a little Cabin where inha∣bited a poor old woman, we desired her to kindle us a faggot, which endeavo∣ring to do, she burnt almost all her straw bed, and could not light the fag∣got, which made her curse and swear that the fagot was excommunicated by the Popes own mouth, since it would not burn.

These Railleries and freedom he took at Rome, forced him to flye into France in a sad equipage, without any money and a foot.

Having reacht to Liens, he bethought himself of a stratagem wherein a man

less known would have found more danger, at the town's end he fill'd a Portmantle with several rags of several colors, and coming to an Inn, he de∣sired a good Chamber, telling his Hos∣tess, that though she saw him in so bad an equipage and a foot, yet he was able to pay her the best shot she ever re∣ceived; he desired a Chamber remote from company, some Boy that could read & write, and some bread and wine; this being granted, in the little boy's ab∣sence he made up several little bundles or parcels of the Ashes he found in the Chimney, the boy being come with pen and ink, he made him write upon one, poyson for to kill the King; upon the second, poyson for to kill the Queen; and upon the third, poyson for to kill the Duke of Orleans, and so of the rest of the sons of France, fastned the bills upon each of the little bundles, and told the boy, Child take a care you speak not of this to your Mother or to any bo∣dy else, for both your life and mine is concern'd, then put up all in his Port∣mantle, and called for dinner, which was brought up.

Whilst he dined the Child told all to

his Mother, who transported with fear, thought she was obliged to acquaint the Provost therewith, by reason of the Pilgrims ill garb and equipage.

This hapned presently after the Dol∣phin was poison'd, which afflicted all France very much: The Provost is ad∣vertised, he makes slight informations, enters Rabelais's Chamber, seizes him and his Portmantle: his ill Garb, the weariness of his journey, and the cross answers he made increas'd the suspiti∣on; he said little else than Take a care of my Portmantle, bring me before the King for I have strange things to disco∣ver unto him.

He is presently set on horse-back and dispatch'd for Paris, is well entertained by the way, and in few dayes he arrives there, is brought before the King who knew him, the Provost accuses him, shewes the Portmantle, the several par∣cels of Ashes; Rabelais relates his story, takes of the several Ashes before the King, all ended in laughter and mirth.

His Brother or Nephew born like∣wise at Chinon was an Apothecary, and lived at the same Deanry in good e∣steem and plenty, he dyed about the

year 1518. left but one Son not witty, who dyed in an Hospital after he had spent 20000 liures which he had of Inhe∣ritance near the Deanry, where grows the best Grape of Chinon, and near the Abbey of Seville.

His death was not unlike his life, for he dyed as he lived, aged 70 years, Cardinal Bellay sent a Page to enquire of his health, here was his answer, tell thy Lord in what condition thou see'st me in; I am going in quest of a great perhaps. He is in the Magpies nest, there let him keep himself, thou wilt alwayes be a fool, draw the curtain, the farce is plaid.