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.

CHAP. LII. (Book 52)

How Gargantua caused to be built for the Monk the Abbey of Theleme. (Book 52)

THere was left onely the Monk to pro∣vide for, whom Gargantua would have made Abbot of Seville, but he refused it; he would have given him the Abby of Bourgu∣eil, or of Sanct Florent which was better, or both, if it pleased him; but the Monk gave him a very peremptory answer, that he would never take upon him the charge nor government of Monks; For how shall I be able (said he) to rule over others, that have not full power and command of my self: if you think I have done you, or may hereafter do any acceptable service, give me leave to found an Abby after my owne minde and fancie; the motion pleased Gargantua very well, who thereupon offered him all the Countrey of Tholem by the river of Loire,

till within two leagues of the great forrest of Port-huaut: the Monk then requested Gar∣gantua to institute his religious order contra∣ry to all others. First then (said Gargantua) you must not build a wall about your con∣vent, for all other Abbies are strongly wal∣led and mured about: See (said the Monk) and not without cause (seeing wall and mure signifie but one and the same thing;) where there is Mur before, and Mur behinde, there is store of Murmur, envie, and mutual con∣spiracie. Moreover, seeing there are certain convents in the world, whereof the custome is, if any woman come in (I mean chaste and honest women) they immediately sweep the ground which they have trod upon; there∣fore was it ordained that if any man or woman entered into religious orders, should by chance come within this new Abbey, all the roomes should be throughly washed and cleansed through which they had passed; and because in all other Monasteries and Nunneries all is compassed, limited, and re∣gulated by houres, it was decreed that in this new structure there should be neither Clock nor Dial, but that according to the opportu∣nities, and incident occasions, all their hours should be disposed of; for (said Gargantua) The greatest losse of time that I know, is to count the hours, what good comes of it? nor can there be any greater dotage in the world,

then for one to guide and direct his courses by the sound of a Bell, and not by his owne judgement and discretion.

Item, Because at that time they put no wo∣men into Nunneries, but such as were either purblinde, blinkards, lame, crooked, ill-fa∣voured, mis-shapen, fooles, senselesse, spoyl∣ed or corrupt; nor encloystered any men, but those that were either sickly, subject to de∣fluxions, ill-bred lowts, simple sots, or pee∣vish trouble-houses: but to the purpose; (said the Monk) A woman that is neither faire nor good, to what use serves she? To make a Nunne of, said Gargantua: Yea said the Monk) and to make shirts and smocks; there∣fore was it ordained that into this religious order should be admitted no women that were not faire, well featur'd, and of a sweet disposition; nor men that were not comely, personable and well conditioned.

Item, Because in the convents of women men come not but under-hand, privily, and by stealth; it was therefore enacted that in this house there shall be no women in case there be not men, nor men in case there be not women.

Item, Because both men and women that are received into religious orders after the expi∣ring of their noviciat or probation-year, were constrained and forced perpetually to stay there all the days of their life; it was therfore

ordered, that all whatever, men or women, admitted within this Abbey, should have full leave to depart with peace and contentment, whensoever it should seem good to them so to do.

Item, for that the religious men and women did ordinarily make three Vows, to wit, those of chastity, poverty & obedience, it was ther∣fore constituted and appointed, that in this Convent they might be honourably marri∣ed, that they might be rich, and live at liberty. In regard of the legitimat time of the persons to be initiated, and years under and above, which they were not capable of reception, the women were to be admitted from ten till fifteen, and the men from twelve til eighteen.