The second book of the works of Mr. Francis Rabelais, Doctor in Physick treating of the heroick deeds and sayings of the good Pantagruel. Written originally in the French tongue, and now faithfully translated into English. By S.T.U.C.

CHAP. XX. How Thaumast relateth the vertues, and know∣ledge of Panurge. (Book 20)

THen Thaumast rose up, and putting off his cap, did very kindly thank the said Panurge, and with a loud voice said unto all the people that were there, My Lords, Gentlemen and others, at this time may I to some good purpose speak that Evangelical word, Et ecce plus quàm Salomon hîc: You have here in your presence an incomparable trea∣sure, that is, my Lord Pantagruel, whose great renown hath brought me hither, out of the very heart of England, to conferre with him about the insoluble problemes, both in Magick, Alchymie, the Caballe, Geomancie, Astrologie and Philosophie, which I had in my minde: but at present I am angry, even with

fame it self, which I think was envious to him, for that it did not declare the thou∣sandth part of the worth that indeed is in him: You have seen how his disciple only hath satisfied me, and hath told me more then I asked of him: besides, he hath opened unto me, and resolved other inestimable doubts, wherein I can assure you he hath to me discovered the very true Well, Fountain and Abysse of the Encyclopedeia of learning; yea in such a sort, that I did not think I should ever have found a man that could have made his skill appear, in so much as the first elements of that concerning which we disputed by signes, without speaking either word or half word. But in fine, I will reduce into writing that which we have said and con∣cluded, that the world may not take them to be fooleries, and will thereafter cause them to be printed, that every one may learne as I have done. Judge then what the Master had been able to say, seeing the disciple hath done so valiantly; for, Non est discipulus su∣per Magistrum. Howsoever God be praised, and I do very humbly thank you, for the ho∣nour that you have done us at this Act: God reward you for it eternally: the like thanks gave Pantagruel to all the company, and go∣ing from thence, he carried Thaumast to din∣ner with him, and beleeve that they drank as much as their skins could hold, or, as the

phrase is, with unbottoned bellies, (for in that age they made fast their bellies with buttons, as we do now the colars of our doublets or jerkins) even till they neither knew where they were, nor whence they came. Blessed Lady, how they did ca∣rouse it, and pluck (as we say) at the Kids leather: and flaggons to trot, and they to toote, Draw, give (page) some wine here reach hither, fill with a devil, so? There was not one but did drink five and twenty or thirty pipes, can you tell how? even Sicut terra sine aqua; for the weather was hot, and besides, that they were very dry. In matter of the exposition of the Propositi∣ons set down by Thaumast: and the signifi∣cation of the signes which they used in their disputation, I would have set them down for you according to their own relation: but I have been told that Thaumast made a great book of it imprinted at London, where∣in he hath set down all without omitting any thing, and therefore at this time I do passe by it.