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. XLIII. How the Scouts and fore-Party of Pi∣crochole were met with by Gar∣gantua, and how the Monk slew Captain Drawforth, and then was taken Prisoner by his Enemies.

PIcrochole at the relation of those who had escaped out of the broil and defeat, wherein Tripet was untriped, grew very an∣gry that the Devils should have so run upon his Men, and held all that night a Counsel of War,* 1.1 at which Rashcalf and Touchfaucet concluded his power to be such, that he was able to defeat all the Devils of Hell, if they should come to justle with his Forces. This Picrochole did not fully be∣lieve, though he doubted not much of it. Therefore sent he under the command and conduct of the Count Drawforth, for discove∣ring of the Country, the number of sixteen

hundred Horsemen, all well-mounted upon light Horses for skirmish, and throughly be∣sprinkled with Holy Water; and every one for their cognizance had a Star in his Scarf, to serve at all adventures, in case they should happen to encounter with Devils; that by the Vertue, as well of that Gregorian Water, as of the Stars, they might make the Devils disappear and vanish.

In this Equipage, they made an excursion upon the Country, till they came near to Vauguyon, and to the Hospital, but could never find any body to speak unto; whereupon they returned a little back, and by chance in a Shepherds Cottage near to Coudray, they found five Pilgrims; these they carried away bound and manacled, as if they had been Spies, for all the Exclamations, Adjurations and Requests that they could make. Being come down from thence towards Seville, they were heard by Gargantua, who said then unto those that were with him; Camerades and Fellow Souldiers, we have here met with an Encounter, and they are ten times in number more than we: Shall we charge them or no? What a Devil (said the Monk) shall we do else? Do you esteem Men by their number, rather than by their valour and prowess? With this he cried out, Charge, Devils, charge. Which when the Enemies heard, they thought certainly that they had been very Devils, and therefore even then began

all of them to run away as hard as they could drive, Draw-forth only excepted, who imme∣diately settled his Lance on its rest, and therewith hit the Monk with all his force on the very middle of his Breast, but coming a∣gainst his horrific Frock, the point of the Iron, being with the blow either broke off or blun∣ted, it was in matter of Execution, as if you had struck against an Anvil with a little Wax-candle. Then did the Monk with his Staff of the Cross give him such a sturdy thump and whirret betwixt his Neck and Shoulders, upon the Acromion bone, that he made him lose both sense and motion, and fall down stone dead at his Horses feet. And seeing the Star which he wore on his Scarf, he said unto Gargantua, these Men are but Priests, which is but the beginning of a Monk, by St. Ihon, I am a perfect Monk, I will kill them like flies. Then ran he after them at a swift and full Gallop, till he overtook the Reer, and felled them down like Tree-leaves, striking athwart and alongst and every way. Gymnast presently asked Gargantua if they should pursue them. To whom Gargantua answered, by no means; for, according to right military Discipline, you must never drive your Enemy unto Despair. For that such a strait doth multiply his Force, and encrease his Courage, which was before broken and cast down. Neither is there any better help for Men that are out of heart, toiled and

spent, then to hope for no Favour at all. How many Victories have been taken out of the Hands of the Victors by the vanquish'd, when they would not rest satisfied with rea∣son, but attempt to put all to the Sword, and totally to destroy all their Enemies, without leaving so much as one to carry home News of the defeat of his Fellows. Open there∣fore unto your Enemies all the Gates and Ways, and make to them a bridge of Silver rather then fail, that you may be rid of them. Yea, but (said Gymnast) they have the Monk: Have they the Monk? (said Gargantua) Upon mine honour then it will prove to their cost: But to prevent all dangers, let us not yet re∣treat, but halt here quietly; for I think I do already understand the Policy of our Enemies, they are truly more directed by Chance and meer Fortune, then by good Advice and Counsel. In the mean while, whilst these made a stop under the Walnut-trees, the Monk pursued on the Chase, charging all he over∣took, and giving quarter to none, until he met with a Trooper, who carried behind him one of the poor Pilgrims, and there would have rifled him. The Pilgrim, in hope of relief at the sight of the Monk, cry∣ed out, Ha, my Lord Prior, my good Friend, my Lord Prior, save me, I beseech you, save me. Which words being heard by those that rode in the Van, they instantly fac'd a∣bout, and seeing there was no body but the

Monk that made this great havock and slaugh∣ter among them, they lodged him with blows as thick as they use to do an Ass with Wood: But of all this he felt nothing, especially when they struck upon his Frock, his Skin was so hard. Then they committed him to two of the Marshal's Men to keep, and looking about, saw no body coming against them, whereupon they thought that Gargantua and his Party were fled. Then was it that they rode as hard as they could towards the Wal∣nut-Trees to meet with them, and left the Monk there all alone, with his two foresaid Men to guard him. Gargantua heard the noise and neighing of the Horses, and said to his Men, Camerades, I hear the track and beating of the Enemies Horse-feet, and with∣al perceive that some of them come in a Troop and full Body against us; let us rally and close here, then set forward in order, and by this means we shall be able to re∣ceive their Charge, to their loss and our honour.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Hastueau Tou∣quedillon.