The third book of the works of Mr. Francis Rabelais, Doctor in Physick containing the heroick deeds of Pantagruel the son of Gargantua / now faithfully translated into English by the unimitable pen of Sir Thomas Urwhart.

CHAP. XXIX. How Pantagruel Convocated together a Theologian, Physitian, Lawyer, and Philosopher, for extricating Panurge out of the perplexity wherein he was. (Book 29)

NO sooner were they come into the Royal Palace, but they, to the full, made Report unto Pantagruel of the Suc∣cess of their Expedition; they shew him the Response of Paminagrobis. When Pan∣tagruel had read it over and over again, the▪oftner he perused it, being the better pleased therewith; he said, in addressing his Speech to Panurge, I have not as yet seen any Answer framed to your Demand, which affordeth me more Contentment: for in this his succinct Copy of Verses, he summarily, and briefly, yet fully enough expresseth, how he would have us to un∣derstand, that every one in the Project and Enterprize of Marriage, ought to be his own Carver, sole Arbitrator of his proper Thoughts, and from himself alone take Counsel in the main and peremptory

closure of what his Determination should be, in either his assent to, or dissent from it. Such always hath been my Opinion to you, and when at first you spoke there∣of to me, I truly told you this same very thing; but tacitly you scorned my Ad∣vice, and would not harbour it within your mind. I know for certain, and therefore may I with the greater confi∣dence utter my conception of it, that Phi∣l••••ty, or Self love, is that which blinds your Judgment, and deceiveth you.

Let us do otherways, and that is this: Whatever we are, or have, consisteth in Three Things: the Soul, the Body, and the Goods: now for the preservation of these Three, there are Three sorts of Learned Men ordained, each respectively to have care of that one which is re∣commended to his charge. Theologues are appointed for the Soul, Physitians for the Welfare of the Body, and Law∣yers for the Safety of our Goods: hence it is, that it is my Resolution to have on Sunday next with me at Dinner, a Divine, a Physician, and a Lawyer, that with those Three assembled thus together, we may in every Point and Particle, confer at large of your Perplexity. By Saint Picot (an∣swered Panurge) we never shall do any good that way: I see it already, and you

see your self how the World is vilely abu∣sed, as when with a Fox-tayl one claps a∣nother's Breech, to cajole him. We give our Souls to keep to the Theologues, who for the greater part are Hereticks: Our Bodies we commit to the Physitians, who never themselves take any Physick: and then we intrust our Goods to Lawyers, who never go to Law against one ano∣ther. You speak like a Courtier (quoth Pantagruel) but the first Point of your As∣sertion is to be denied: for we daily see how good Theologues make it their chief Business, their whole and sole Employ∣ment, by their Deeds, their Words, and Writings, to extirpate Errors and Here∣sies out of the Hearts of Men; and in their stead profoundly plant the true and lively Faith. The Second Point you spoke of I commend: for whereas the Professors of the Art of Medicine, give so good order to the Prophylactick, or Conservative part of their Faculty, in what concerneth their proper Healths, that they stand in no need of making use of the other Branch, which is the Curative, or Therapentick, by Medicaments. As for the Thi••••, I grant it to be true: for Learned Advocates and Counsellors at Law, are so much taken up with the Affairs of others in their Consul∣tations, Pleadings, and such-like Patroci∣nations

of those who are their▪Clients, that they have no leisure to attend any Controversies of their own. Therefore, on the next ensuing Sunday, let the Divine be our godly Father Hippothadee, the Phy∣sitian our▪ honest Master Rondibilis, and the Legist our good Friend Bridlegoose: nor will it be (to my thinking) amiss, that we enter into the Pythagorick Field, and choose for an Assistant to the Three afore∣named Doctors, our ancient faithful Ac∣quaintance, the Philosopher Trouillogan; especially seeing a perfect Philosopher, such as is Trouiilogan, is able positively to resolve all whatsoever Doubts you can propose. Carpalin, have you a care to have them here all Four on Sunday next at Din∣ner, without fail.

I believe (quoth Epistemon) that through∣out the whole Country, in all the Corners thereof, you could not have pitched upon such other Four: which I speak not so much in regard of the most excellent Qua∣lifications and Accomplishments where∣with all of them are endowed for the re∣spective Discharge and Management of each his own Vocation and Calling, (wherein without all doubt or controver∣sie, they are the Paragons of the Land, and surpass all others) as for that Rondibilis is marrried now, who before was not: Hip∣pothadee

was not before, nor is yet: Bridle∣goose was married once, but is not now: and Trouillogan is married now, who wed∣ded was to another Wife before. Sir, if it may stand with your good liking, I will ease Carpalin of some parcel of his Labour, and invite Bridlegoose my self, with whom I of a long time have had a very intimate familiarity, and unto whom I am to speak on the behalf of a pretty hopeful Youth, who now studieth at Tholouse, under the most learned, vertuous Doctor Boissonnet. Do what you deem most expedient (quoth Pantagruel) and tell me, if my Recom∣mendation can in any thing be steadable for the promoval of the good of that Youth, or otherways serve for bettering of the Di∣gnity and Office of the worthy Boissonet, whom I do so love and respect, for one of the ablest and most sufficient in his way, that any where are extant. Sir, I will use therein my best Endeavours, and heartily bestir my self about it.