The fifth book of The works of Francis Rabelais, M.D., contaning the heroic deeds and sayings of the great Pantagruel to which is added the Pantagruelian prognostication, Rabelais's letters, and several other pieces by that author / done out of French by P.M.

LETTER IX.

My Lord,

IN the last Pacquet I sent you, I gave you an account, that part of the Turk's Army was defeated by the Sophy, near Be∣telis. The Turk did not very long delay his Revenge; for two Months after, he fell upon the Sophy with the greatest Fury ima∣ginable; and after having put to Fire and Sword, a great part of the Country of Mesopotamia, he has driven back the Sophy on the other side of Mount Taurus. In the mean time, he causes a great number of Gallies to be built upon the River Tanais,

by which they may come to Constantino∣ple. Barbarossa is still at Constantinople to secure the Country, and has left several Garrisons at Bona and Algiers, lest the Em∣peror should by chance Attack him. I have sent you his Picture, drawn by the Life; as also the Map of Tunis, and of the Sea-port-towns adjacent. The Lanskenets, whom the Emperor sent into the Dutchy of Milan to keep the strong Places, are all drown'd and lost at Sea, to the number of fifteen hundred, in one of the biggest and stoutest Ships belonging to the Genoeses, and it was near to a Port belonging to the Commonwealth of Lucca, call'd Lerza. The occasion was; because they be∣ing weary of the Sea, and desirous to get ashoar, which they could not for the Tempest and Stress of Weather, ima∣gin'd that the Pilot of the Ship would still keep them off at Sea, longer than he need∣ed: For which cause they kill'd him, with some other of the Officers of the said Ship, after whose Death the Ship remain'd without a Commander; and instead of ta∣king in their Sails, the Lanskenets hoisted them, as being unpractic'd in Sea-affairs, and in this Confusion they perish'd within a stone's throw of the aforesaid Port.

My Lord, I understand that my Lord Bishop de l' Avaur, who was the King's Embassador at Venice, has had his Audi∣ence

of Leave, and is returning to France. The Bishop of Rhodez goes in his place, and is now at Lyons with all his Retinue ready to go, when the King has given him his Instructions.

My Lord, I humbly recommend my self to your Favour, praying to our Lord, to give you a long Life in good Health.

Rome, Jan. 28. 1536.

Your most humble Servant, Francis Rabelais.