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. XXVI. How Pantagruel and his Company were weary in eating still salt Meats: and how Carpa∣lin went a hunting to have some Venison.

THus as they talked and chatted together, Carpalin said, And by the Belly of St. Quenet, shall we never eat any Venison? this salt Meat makes me horribly dry. I will go fetch you a Quarter of one of those Horses which we have burnt, it is well roasted already. As he was rising up to go about it, he perceived under the side of a Wood a fair great Roe-Buck, which was come out of his Fort (as I conceive) at the sight of Panurge's fire. Him did he pur∣sue and run after with as much Vigour and Swiftness as if it had been a Bolt out of a Cross∣bow, and caught him in a moment; and whilst he was in his Course, he with his Hands took in the Air four great Bustards, seven Bit∣terns, six and twenty gray Partridges, two and thirty red legged Ones, sixteen Pheasants, nine Woodcocks, nineteen Herons, two and thirty Coushots and Ring-Doves: and with his Feet killed ten or twelve Hares and Rabbets, which were then at relief, and pretty big withal. Eigh∣teen Rayles in a knot together, with fifteen young wild Boars, two little Bevers, and three great Foxes. So striking the Kid with his Fau∣chion

athwart the Head, he killed him, and bea∣ring him on his Back, he in his return took up his Hares, Rayls, and young wild Boa••s, and as far off as he could be heard, cried out, and said, Panurge, my Friend, Vineger, Vineger. Then the good Pantagruel, thinking he had fainted, commanded them to provide him some Vineger. But Panurge knew well that there was some good Prey in hands, and forthwith shewed unto noble Pantagruel how he was bearing upon his Back a fair Roe-Buck, and all his Girdle bordered with Hares; then imme∣diately did Epistemon make in the name of the nine Muses, nine antick wooden Spits. Eust∣henes did help to flay, and Panurge placed two great Cuirasier Saddles in such sort, that they served for Andirons; and making their Priso∣ner to be their Cook, they roasted their Veni∣son by the Fire, wherein the Horsemen were burnt. And making great C••ear, with a good deal of Vineger, the Devil a one of them did forbear from his Victuals; it was a triumphant and incomparable Spectacle to see how they ra∣vened and devoured. Then said Pantagruel, Would to God every one of you had two Pairs of Sacring Bells hanging at your Chin, and that I had at mine the great Clocks of Ren••s, of Poit••ers, of Tours, and of Cambray, to see what a Peal they would ••ing with the Wagging of our Chaps.

But, said Panurge, it were better we thought a little upon our business, and by what means

we might get the upper hand of our Enemies· That is well remembred, said Pantagruel; therefore spoke he thus to the Prisoner, My Friend, tell us here the truth, and do not lie to us at all, if thou wouldest not be slayed alive, for it is I that eat the little Children: relate un∣to us at full, the Order, the Number, and the Strength of the Army. To which the Prisoner answered, Sir, know for a truth that in the Ar∣my there are three hundred Giants, all armed with Armour of proof, and wonderful great: nevertheless, not fully so great as you, except one that is their head, named Loup-garou, who is armed from Head to Foot with Cyclopical Annvils. Furthermore, one hundred three∣score and three thousand Foot, all armed with the Skins of Hobgoblins, strong and valiant Men; eleven thousand four hundred Cuirasiers; three thousand six hundred double Canons, and Harque-busiers without number; fourscore and fourteen thousand Pioneers: one hundred and fifty thousand Whores▪ fair like Goddesses, (that is for me, said Panurge.) Whereof some are Amazons, some Lionnoises, others Parisien∣nes, Taurangelles, Angevines▪ Poictevines, Nor∣mands, and high Dutch; there are of them of all Countrys and all Languages.

Yea, but (said Pantagruel) is the King there? Yes, Sir, (said the Prisoner) he is there in Person, and we call him Anarchus, King of the Dipsodes; which is as much to say, as thirsty People; for you never saw Men more

thirsty, nor more willing to drink; and his Tent is guarded by the Giants. It is enough, (said Pantagruel) come brave Boys, are you re∣solved to go with me? To which Panurge an∣swered, God confound him that leaves you. I have already bethought my self how I will kill them all like Pigs, and so that the Devil one Leg of them shall escape. But I am somewhat troubled about one thing. And what is that? said Pantagruel: It is (said Panurge) how I shall be able to set forward to the jusling and bragmardising of all the Whores that be there this Afternoon, in such sort, that there escape not one unbumped by me; breasted and jum'd after the ordinary Fashion of Man and Women. Ha, ha, ha, ha, said Pantagruel.

And Carpalin said, The Devil take these Sink-holes, if by G— I do not bumbast some one of them.

And I, (said Eusthenes) what d'ye make of me? who since we came from Rowen have never been wound up that my Needle could mount above to ten or eleven a Clock, now stiff and strong, like a hundred Devils? Truly, (said Panurge) thou shalt have of the fattest, and of those that are most plump, and in the case.

How now, (said Epistemon) every one shall ride, and I must lead the Ass? the Devil take him that will do so. We will make use of the right of War, Qui potest capere, capiat. No, no, said Panurge, but tie thine Ass to a Crook,

and ride as the World doth. And the good Pantagruel laughed at all this, and said unto them, You reckon without your Host. I am much afraid, that before it be Night I shall see you in such taking, that you will have no great sto∣mach to ride▪ but more like to be rode upon, with sound Blows of Pike and Lance.

Enough of that, said Epistemon, I will not fall to bring them to you, either to rost or boil, to fry or put in Paste. They are not so many in number as were in the Army of Xerxes; for he had thirty hundred thousand sighting Men, if you will believe Herodotus and Tro∣gus Pompeius; and yet Themistocles with a few Men overthrew them all. For God's sake take you no care for that. Cobsminnie, Cobsminnie, (said Panurge) my Cod-piece alone shall suffice to overthrow all the Men: and St. Sweephole that dwells within it, shall lay all the Women squat upon their Backs. Up then my Lads (said Pantagruel) and let us march along.