The first [second] book of the works of Mr. Francis Rabelais, Doctor in Physick, containing five books of the lives, heroick deeds, and sayings of Gargantua, and his sonne Pantagruel. Together with the Pantagrueline prognostication, the oracle of the divine Bachus, and response of the bottle. Hereunto are annexed the navigations unto the sounding isle, and the isle of the Apedests: as likewise the philosophical cream with a Limosm epistle. / All done by Mr. Francis Rabelais, in the French tongue, and now faithfully translated into English.

CHAP. XXIX. The tenor of the letter which Grangousier wrote to his sonne Gargantua.

THe fervency of thy studies did require, that I should not in a long time recall thee from that Philosophical rest thou now enjoyest: if the confidence reposed in our friends and ancient confederates had not at this present disappointed the assurance of my old age: But seeing such is my fatal destiny, that I should be now disquieted by those in whom I trusted most: I am forced to call thee back to help the people and goods, which by the right of nature belong unto thee; for even as armes are weak abroad if there be not counsel at home: so is that stu∣dy vaine, and counsel unprofitable, which in a due and convenient time is not by ver∣tue executed and put in effect. My delibe∣ration is not to provoke, but to appease: not to assault, but to defend: not to con∣quer, but to preserve my faithful subjects and hereditary dominions: into which Pi∣crochole is entred in a hostile manner without any ground or cause, and from day to day pursueth his furious enterprise with that

height of insolence that is intolerable to free-born spirits. I have endeavoured to moderate his tyrannical choler, offering him all that which I thought might give him sa∣tisfaction: and oftentimes have I sent lo∣vingly unto him, to understand wherein, by whom, and how he found himself to be wronged? but of him could I obtain no o∣ther answer, but a meer defiance, and that in my lands he did pretend only to the right of a civil correspondency and good behavi∣our, whereby I knew that the eternal God hath left him to the disposure of his own free will and sensual appetite, which cannot chuse but be wicked, if by divine grace it be not continually guided: and to contain him within his duty, and bring him to know himself, hath sent him hither to me by a grievous token. Therefore, my beloved son, as soon as thou canst, upon sight of these let∣ters, repaire hither with all diligence, to suc∣cour not me so much (which neverthelesse by natural Piety thou oughtest to do,) as thine own People, which by reason thou mayest save and preserve. The exploit shall be done with as little effusion of blood as may be; and if possible, by meanes far more expedient, such as military policy, devices and stratagems of warre; we shall save all the souls, and send them home as merry as crick∣ets unto their own houses. My dearest Son,

the peace of Jesus Christ our Redeemer be with thee; salute from me Ponocrates, Gymna∣stes and Eudemon; the twentieth of Sep∣tember.

Thy Father Grangousier.