The works of F. Rabelais, M.D., or, The lives, heroic deeds and sayings of Gargantua and Pantagruel with a large account of the life and works of the author, particularly an explanation of the most difficult passages in them never before publish'd in any language / done out of French by Sir Tho. Urchard, Kt., and others.

CHAP. XXVIII. How Picrochole stormed and took by assault the Rock Clermond, and of Grangousier's unwillingness and a∣version from the Undertaking of War.

WHilst the Monk did thus skirmish, as we have said, against those which were entred within the Closs; Picrochole in great haste passed the Ford Vede, with all his

Souldiery, and set upon the Rock Clermond, where there was made him no resistance at all: And because it was already Night, he resol∣ved to quarter himself and his Army in that Town, and to refresh himself of his pugna∣tive Choler. In the Morning he stormed and took the Bulwarks and Castle, which after∣wards he fortified with Rampiers, and fur∣nish'd with all Ammunition requisite, inten∣ding to make his retreat there, if he should happen to be otherwise worsted; for it was a strong place, both by Art and Nature, in regard of the stance and scituation of it. But let us leave them there, and to return to our good Gargantua, who is at Paris very assiduous and earnest at the study of good Letters, and athletical Exercitations, and to the good old Man Grangousier his Father, who after Supper warmeth his Ballocks by a good, clear, great fire, and whilst his Chesnut a are a-rosting, is very serious in drawing scratches on the Hearth, with a stick burnt at the one end, wherewith they did stir up the fire, telling to his Wife and the rest of the Family pleasant old Stories and Tales of of former times.

Whilst he was thus employ'd, one of the Shepherds which did keep the Vines (named Pillot) came towards him, and to the full related the enormous abuses which were com∣mitted, and the excessive spoil that was made by Picrochole King of Lerne, upon his Lands

and Territories, and how he had pillaged, wa∣sted and ravaged all the Country, except the inclosure at Sevile, which Friar Iohn des En∣toumeures to his great honour had preserved: And that at the same present time the said King was in the Rock Clermond: And there with great Industry and Circumspection, was strengthening himself and his whole Army. Halas, halas, alas (said Grangousier) what is this good People? Do I dream, or is it true that they tell me? Picrochole my ancient Friend of old time, of my own Kindred and Alliance, comes he to invade me? What moves him? What provokes him? What sets him on? What drives him to it? Who hath given him this Counsel? Ho, ho, ho, ho, ho, my God, my Saviour, help me, inspire me, and advise me what I shall do. I protest, I swear before thee, so be thou favourable to me, if ever I did him or his Subjects any damage or displeasure, or committed any the least Robbery in his Country; but on the contrary I have succoured and supplied him with Men, Money, Friendship and Counsel upon any occasion, wherein I could be stead∣able for his good; that he hath therefore at this nick of time so outraged and wronged me, it cannot be but by the malevolent and wicked Spirit. Good God, thou knowest my Courage, for nothing can be hidden from thee; if perhaps he be grown mad, and that thou hast sent him hither to me for the better

recovery and re-establishment of his brain: Grant me power and wisdom to bring him to the yoke of thy holy will by good disci∣pline. Ho, ho, ho, ho, my good People, my Friends and my faithful Servants, must I hin∣der you from helping me? Alas, my old age required henceforward nothing else but rest, and all the days of my Life I have laboured for nothing so much as Peace: But now I must (I see it well) load with Arms my poor, weary and feeble shoulders; and take in my trembling hand the Lance and Horseman's Mace, to succour and protect my honest Subjects: Reason will have it so; for by their labour am I maintain'd, and with their sweat am I nourish'd, I, my Children and my Family. This notwithstanding, I will not undertake War, until I have first tried all the ways and means of Peace; that I re∣solve upon.

Then assembled he his Counsel, and pro∣posed the matter, as it was indeed, where∣upon it was concluded, that they should send some discreet Man unto Picrochole, to know wherefore he had thus suddenly broken the Peace, and invaded those Lands unto which he had no Right nor Title. Furthermore, that they should send for Gargantua, and those under his command, for the Preservation of of the Country, and Defence thereof now at need. All this pleased Grangousier very well, and he commanded that so it should be done.

Presently therefore he sent Basque, his Lackey, to fetch Gargantua with all diligence, and wrote to him as followeth.