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. XLVII. How Pantagruel and Panurge resolved to make a Visit to the Oracle of the Holy Bottle. (Book 47)

THere is as yet another Point (quoth Panurge) which you have not at all considered on, although it be the chief and principal Head of the matter. He put the Bottle in my hand, and restored it

me again. How interpret you that Pas∣sage? What is the meaning of that? He possibly (quoth Pantagruel) signifieth there∣by, that your Wife will be such a Drun∣kard, as shall daily take in her Liquor kindly, and ply the Pots and Bottles apace. Quite otherways (quoth Panurge) for the Bottle was empty. I swear to you, by the prickling brambly Thorn of St. Fiacre in Brie, that our unique Morosoph, whom I formerly termed the Lunatick Triboulet, re∣ferreth me, for attaining to the final Re∣solution of my Scruple, to the Response-giving Bottle: Therefore do I renew afresh the first Vow which I made, and here in your Presence protest and make Oath by Styx and Acheron, to carry still Spectacles in my Cap, and never to wear a Codpiece in my Breeches, until upon the Enterprize in hand of my Nuptial Undertaking, I shall have obtained an Answer from the Holy Bottle. I am acquainted with a pru∣dent, understanding, and discreet Gentle∣man, and besides a very good Friend of mine, who knoweth the Land, Country, and Place where its Temple and Oracle is built and posited: He will guide and conduct us thither sure and safely. Let us go thither, I beseech you: Deny me not, and say not, Nay; reject not the Suit I make unto you, I intreat you. I

will be to you an Achates, a Damis, and heartily accompany you all along in the whole Voyage, both in your going forth and coming back. I have of a long time known you to be a great Lover of Pe∣regrination, desirous still to learn new things, and still to see what you had ne∣ver seen before.

Very willingly (quoth Pantagruel) I con∣descend to your Request. But before we enter in upon our Progress towards the Accomplishment of so far a Journey, re∣plenished and fraught with eminent Perils, full of innumerable Hazards, and every way stored with evident and manifest Dangers. What Dangers (quoth Panurge) interrupting him? Dangers fly back, run from, and shun me whither soever I go seven Leagues around: As in the Presence of the Soveraign a subordinate Magistra∣cy is eclipsed; or as Clouds and Darkness quite evanish at the bright coming of a Radiant Sun; or as all Sores and Sicknes∣ses did suddenly depart, at the approach of the Body of St. Martin Aquande: Ne∣vertheless (quoth Pantagruel) before we ad∣venture to set forwards on the Road of our projected and intended Voyage, some few Points are to be discussed, expedited and dispatched. First, Let us send back Triboulet to Blois, (which was instantly

done, after that Pantagruel had given him a Frize Coat.) Secondly, Our Design must be backed with the Advice and Counsel of the King my Father. And Lastly, It is most needful and expedient for us, that we search for, and find out some Sybille to serve us for a Guide, Truchman and In∣terpreter. To this Panurge made answer, That his Friend Xenomanes would abun∣dantly suffice for the plenary Discharge and Performance of the Sybil's Office; and that furthermore, in passing through the Lanternatory Revelling Country, they should take along with them a Learned and profitable Lanterne, which would be no less useful to them in their Voyage, than was that of the Sybil to Aeneas in his Descent to the Elysian Fields. Carpalin in the interim, as he was upon the conduct∣ing away of Triboulet, in his passing by, hearkened a little to the Discourse they were upon, then spoke out, saying, Ho, Panurge, Master Freeman, take my Lord Debitis at Calais alongst with you, for he is Goud-fallot, a good Fellow: He will not forget those who have been Debitors: These are Lanternes: Thus shall you not lack for both Fallot and Lanterne. I may safely with the little Skill I have (quoth Pantagruel) prognosticate, that by the way we shall engender no Melancholy;

I clearly perceive it already: The only thing that vexeth me is, that I cannot speak the Lanternatorie Language. I shall (answered Panurge) speak for you all; I understand it every whit as well as I do mine own Maternal Tongue, I have been no less used to it than to the Vulgar French.

Brizmara dalgotbrick nubstzenos Isqufez prus{que} alboriz crinqs zabac Mizbe dilbarlkz morp nipp stanch bac Srombtz, Paurg, walmap quost grufzbac.

Now guess, Friend Epistemon, what this is. They are (quoth Epistemon) Names of errand Devils, paissant Devils, and rampant Devils. These words of thine, dear friend of mine, are true (quoth Pa∣nurge) yet are they Terms used in the Language of the Court of the Lanternish People. By the way as we go upon our Journey I will make to thee a pretty lit∣tle Dictionary, which notwithstanding shall not last you much longer than a Pair of new Shooes; thou shalt have learned it sooner than thou canst perceive the Dawning of the next subsequent Morn∣ing. What I have said in the foregoing Tetrastick is thus translated out of the Lan∣ternish Tongue into our Vulgar Dialect.

All Miseries attended me, whilst I A Lover was, and had no good thereby: Of better Luck the married People tell, Panurge is one of those, and knows it well.

There is little more then (quoth Pan∣tagruel) to be done, but that we under∣stand what the Will of the King my Fa∣ther will be therein, and purchase his Con∣sent.