RABELAIS, François, Gargantua

RABELAIS, François, [1495 – 1553]  Gargantua

Gargantua by François Rabelais

 (RABALAIS, Great Books, Volume 24)

QUOTES FOR DISCUSSION

His father is thought to have owned a small estate called La Devinière and to have been a vine-grower, and an apothecary, or a tavern-keeper, or a lawyer.

(François Rabelais, Gargantua, RABALAIS, Great Books, Volume 24, Biographical Note, pg. v)

While in Rome, Rabelais filed a petition for absolution form violation of his monastic vows. There had been some irregularity in his leaving eh Benedictines to become a secular priest, and furthermore, both Pantagruel and Gargantua had been condemned by the Sorbonne almost immediately upon publication.

(François Rabelais, Gargantua, RABALAIS, Great Books, Volume 24, Biographical Note, pg. v)

Early in 1536 he received the bull of absolution which freed him from ecclesiastical censure, entitled him to return ot the Benedictines when he chose, and allowed him to practice medicine, provided that he did not make use of the scalpel and cautery and did not work for gain.

(François Rabelais, Gargantua, RABALAIS, Great Books, Volume 24, Biographical Note, pg. v)

Despite the official sanction, the third book was also banned by the Sorbonne.

(François Rabelais, Gargantua, RABALAIS, Great Books, Volume 24, Biographical Note, pg. vi)

In 1552, he published his fourth book volume of his work. The Sorbonne censured it and the parliament suspended its sale, taking advantage of the king’s absence from Paris. But it was soon relieved of the suspension.

(François Rabelais, Gargantua, RABALAIS, Great Books, Volume 24, Biographical Note, pg. vi)

Rabelais to the Reader.

Good friends, my Readers, who peruse this Book,

Be not offended, whilst on it you look:

Denude yourselves of all depraved affection,

For it contains no badness, nor infection:

One inch of joy surmounts of grief a span;

Because to laugh is proper to the man.

(François Rabelais, Gargantua, RABALAIS, Great Books, Volume 24, prologue, pg. 1)

Of those fat beeves they had killed three hundred sixty-seven thousand and fourteen, to be salted at Shrovetide, that in the entering of the spring they might have plenty of powdered beef, wherewith to season their mouths at the beginning of their meals, and to taste their wine the better.
(François Rabelais, Gargantua, RABALAIS, Great Books, Volume 24, chapter 4, pg. 6)

But the mischief was this, that, for all men could do, there was no possibility to keep them long in that relish; for in a very short while they would have stunk, which had

been an undecent thing. It was therefore concluded, that they should be all of them gulched up, without losing anything. To this effect they invited all the burghers of Sainais, of Suille, of the Roche-Clermaud, of Vaugaudry, without omitting the Coudray, Monpensier, the Gue de Vede, and other their neighbours, all stiff drinkers, brave fellows, and good players at the kyles.
(François Rabelais, Gargantua, RABALAIS, Great Books, Volume 24, chapter 4, pg. 6)

Nevertheless he bade his wife eat sparingly, because she was near her time, and that these tripes were no very commendable meat. They would fain, said he, be at the chewing of ordure, that would eat the case wherein it was. Notwithstanding these admonitions, she did eat sixteen quarters, two bushels, three pecks and a pipkin full.

(François Rabelais, Gargantua, RABALAIS, Great Books, Volume 24, chapter 4, pg. 6)

After dinner they all went out in a hurl to the grove of the willows, where, on the green grass, to the sound of the merry flutes and pleasant bagpipes, they danced so gallantly, that it was a sweet and heavenly sport to see them so frolic.
(François Rabelais, Gargantua, RABALAIS, Great Books, Volume 24, chapter 4, pg. 6)

Appetite comes with eating, says Angeston, but the thirst goes away with drinking. I have a remedy against thirst, quite contrary to that which is good against the biting of a mad dog. Keep running after a dog, and he will never bite you; drink always before the thirst, and it will never come upon you.

(François Rabelais, Gargantua, RABALAIS, Great Books, Volume 24, chapter 5, pg. 8)

Grangousier arose from off the grass, and fell to comfort her very honestly and kindly, suspecting that she was in travail, and told her that it was best for her to sit down upon the grass under the willows, because she was like very shortly to see young feet, and that therefore it was convenient she should pluck up her spirits, and take a good heart of new at the fresh arrival of her baby; saying to her withal, that although the pain was somewhat grievous to her, it would be but of short continuance, and that the succeeding joy would quickly remove that sorrow, in such sort that she should not so much as remember it.

(François Rabelais, Gargantua, RABALAIS, Great Books, Volume 24, chapter 6, pg. 8)

On, with a sheep's courage! quoth he. Despatch this boy, and we will speedily fall to work for the making of another. Ha! said she, so well as you speak at your own ease, you that are men!

(François Rabelais, Gargantua, RABALAIS, Great Books, Volume 24, chapter 6, pg. 8)

Which the company hearing, said that verily the child ought to be called Gargantua; because it was the first word that after his birth his father had spoke, in imitation, and at the example of the ancient Hebrews; whereunto he condescended, and his mother was very well pleased therewith.

(François Rabelais, Gargantua, RABALAIS, Great Books, Volume 24, chapter 7, pg. 9)

Yet without a cause did not he sup one drop; for if he happened to be vexed, angry,

displeased, or sorry, if he did fret, if he did weep, if he did cry, and what grievous quarter soever he kept, in bringing him some drink, he would be instantly pacified, reseated in his own temper, in a good humour again, and as still and quiet as ever. (François Rabelais, Gargantua, RABALAIS, Great Books, Volume 24, chapter 7, pg. 10)

One of his governesses told me (swearing by her fig), how he was so accustomed to this kind of way, that, at the sound of pints and flagons, he would on a sudden fall into an ecstasy, as if he had then tasted of the joys of paradise; so that they, upon consideration of this, his divine complexion, would every morning, to cheer him up, play with a knife upon the glasses, on the bottles with their stopples, and on the pottle-pots with their lids and covers, at the sound whereof he became gay, did leap for joy, would loll and rock himself in the cradle, then nod with his head, monochordizing with his fingers, and barytonizing with his tail.
(François Rabelais, Gargantua, RABALAIS, Great Books, Volume 24, chapter 7, pg. 10)

Gargantua's colours were white and blue, as I have showed you before, by

which his father would give us to understand that his son to him was a heavenly joy; for the white did signify gladness, pleasure, delight, and rejoicing, and the blue, celestial things.
(François Rabelais, Gargantua, RABALAIS, Great Books, Volume 24, chapter 9, pg. 11)

This logical rule being understood, take these two contraries, joy and sadness; then these other two, white and black, for they are physically contrary. If so be, then, that black do signify grief, by good reason then should white import joy.
(François Rabelais, Gargantua, RABALAIS, Great Books, Volume 24, chapter 10, pg. 13)

Is not the night mournful, sad, and melancholic? It is black and dark by the privation of light. Doth not the light comfort all the world? And it is more white than anything else.
(François Rabelais, Gargantua, RABALAIS, Great Books, Volume 24, chapter 10, pg. 13)

You shall likewise find in those stories, that when any man, after he had vanquished his enemies, was by decree of the senate to enter into Rome triumphantly, he usually rode in a chariot drawn by white horses: which in the ovation triumph was also the custom; for by no sign or colour would they so significantly express the

joy of their coming as by the white.
(François Rabelais, Gargantua, RABALAIS, Great Books, Volume 24, chapter 10, pg. 13)

A thousand other examples and places could I allege to this purpose, but that it is not here where I should do it.
(François Rabelais, Gargantua, RABALAIS, Great Books, Volume 24, chapter 10, pg. 13)

Meanwhile, in a word I will tell you, that blue doth certainly signify heaven and heavenly things, by the same very tokens and symbols that white signifieth joy and pleasure.
(François Rabelais, Gargantua, RABALAIS, Great Books, Volume 24, chapter 10, pg. 14)

There was he filled with joy, as such a father might be at the sight of such a child of his: and whilst he kissed and embraced him, he asked many childish questions of him about divers matters, and drank very freely with him and with his governesses, of whom in great earnest he asked, amongst other things, whether they had been careful to keep him clean and sweet.
(François Rabelais, Gargantua, RABALAIS, Great Books, Volume 24, chapter 13, pg. 16)

At the last his father perceived that indeed he studied hard, and that, although he spent all his time in it, he did nevertheless profit nothing, but which is worse, grew thereby foolish, simple, doted, and blockish, whereof making a heavy regret to Don Philip of Marays, Viceroy or Depute King of Papeligosse, he found that it were better for him to learn nothing at all, than to be taught such-like books, under such schoolmasters;
(François Rabelais, Gargantua, RABALAIS, Great Books, Volume 24, chapter 15, pg. 19)

He will in times coming be a great scholar. If it were not, my masters, for the beasts, we should live like clerks.
(François Rabelais, Gargantua, RABALAIS, Great Books, Volume 24, chapter 16, pg. 20)

a town without bells is like a blind man without a staff
(François Rabelais, Gargantua, RABALAIS, Great Books, Volume 24, chapter 19, pg. 22)

Unlucky traitors, you are not worth the hanging.
(François Rabelais, Gargantua, RABALAIS, Great Books, Volume 24, chapter 20, pg. 23)

Ponocrates showed him that he ought not to eat so soon after rising out of his bed, unless he had performed some exercise beforehand. Gargantua answered, What! have not I sufficiently well exercised myself? I have wallowed and rolled myself six or seven turns in my bed before I rose. Is not that enough?
(François Rabelais, Gargantua, RABALAIS, Great Books, Volume 24, chapter 21, pg. 24)

When Ponocrates knew Gargantua's vicious manner of living, he resolved to bring him up in another kind; but for a while he bore with him, considering that nature cannot endure a sudden change, without great violence.
(François Rabelais, Gargantua, RABALAIS, Great Books, Volume 24, chapter 23, pg. 26)

To do this the better, they brought him into the company of learned men, which were there, in whose imitation he had a great desire and affection to study otherwise, and to improve his parts. Afterwards he put himself into such a road and way of studying,

that he lost not any one hour in the day, but employed all his time in learning and honest knowledge.
(François Rabelais, Gargantua, RABALAIS, Great Books, Volume 24, chapter 23, pg. 27)

And not only in that, but in the other mathematical sciences, as geometry, astronomy, music, & c. For in waiting on the concoction and attending the digestion of his food, they made a thousand pretty instruments and geometrical figures, and did in some measure practise the astronomical canons.

After this they recreated themselves with singing musically, in four or five parts, or upon a set theme or ground at random, as it best pleased them.
(François Rabelais, Gargantua, RABALAIS, Great Books, Volume 24, chapter 23, pg. 27)

There he broke not his lance; for it is the greatest foolery in the world to say, I have broken ten lances at tilts or in fight. A carpenter can do even as much. But it is a glorious and praise-worthy action with one lance to break and overthrow ten enemies.

Therefore, with a sharp, stiff, strong, and well-steeled lance would he usually force up a door, pierce a harness, beat down a tree, carry away the ring, lift up a cuirassier saddle, with the mail-coat and gauntlet. All this he did in complete arms from head to foot.
(François Rabelais, Gargantua, RABALAIS, Great Books, Volume 24, chapter 23, pg. 28)

He did swim in deep waters on his belly, on his back, sideways, with all his body, with his feet only, with one hand in the air, wherein he held a book, crossing thus the breadth of the river of Seine without wetting it, and dragged along his cloak with his teeth, as did Julius Caesar; then with the help of one hand he entered forcibly into a boat, from whence he cast himself again headlong into the water, sounded the depths, hollowed the rocks, and plunged into the pits and gulfs.

(François Rabelais, Gargantua, RABALAIS, Great Books, Volume 24, chapter 23, pg. 28)

Although the plague was there in the most part of all the houses, they nevertheless entered everywhere, then plundered and carried away all that was within, and yet for all this not one of them took any hurt, which is a most wonderful case. For the curates, vicars, preachers, physicians, chirurgeons, and apothecaries, who went to visit, to dress, to cure, to heal, to preach unto and admonish those that were sick, were all dead of the infection, and these devilish robbers and murderers caught never any

harm at all.
(François Rabelais, Gargantua, RABALAIS, Great Books, Volume 24, chapter 27, pg. 32)

Some died without speaking, others spoke without dying; some died in speaking, others spoke in dying.
(François Rabelais, Gargantua, RABALAIS, Great Books, Volume 24, chapter 27, pg. 34)

…one of the shepherds which did keep the vines, named Pillot, came towards him, and to the full related the enormous abuses which were committed, and the excessive spoil that was made by Picrochole, King of Lerne, upon his lands and territories, and how he had pillaged, wasted, and ransacked all the country, except the enclosure at Seville, which Friar John des Entoumeures to his great honour had preserved;
(François Rabelais, Gargantua, RABALAIS, Great Books, Volume 24, chapter 28, pg. 35)

My deliberation is not to provoke, but to appease—not to assault, but to defend--not to conquer, but to preserve my faithful subjects and hereditary dominions, into which Picrochole is entered 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 freeborn spirits.
(François Rabelais, Gargantua, RABALAIS, Great Books, Volume 24, chapter 29, pg. 36)

There cannot arise amongst men a juster cause of grief than when they receive hurt and damage where they may justly expect for favour and good will;
(François Rabelais, Gargantua, RABALAIS, Great Books, Volume 24, chapter 31, pg. 36)

Yea, but, said Grangousier, my friend, what cause doth he pretend for his outrages? He did not show me any cause at all, said Gallet, only that in a great anger he spoke some words of cakes.
(François Rabelais, Gargantua, RABALAIS, Great Books, Volume 24, chapter 32, pg. 38)

Then sent he to learn concerning that business, and found by true information that his men had taken violently some cakes from Picrochole's people,
(François Rabelais, Gargantua, RABALAIS, Great Books, Volume 24, chapter 32, pg. 38)

Notwithstanding all this, said Grangousier, seeing the question is but about a few cakes, I will labour to content him; for I am very unwilling to wage war against him. He inquired then what quantity of cakes they had taken away, and understanding that it was but some four or five dozen, he commanded five cartloads of them to be baked that same night; and that there should be one full of cakes made with fine butter, fine yolks of eggs, fine saffron, and fine spice, to be bestowed upon Marquet, unto whom likewise he directed to be given seven hundred thousand and three Philips (that is, at three shillings the piece, one hundred five thousand pounds and nine shillings of English money), for reparation of his losses and hindrances,
(François Rabelais, Gargantua, RABALAIS, Great Books, Volume 24, chapter 32, pg. 38)

…all the carriers were enjoined to garnish and deck their carts, and each of them to carry one in his hand, as himself likewise did, thereby to give all men to understand that they demanded but peace, and that they came to buy it.
(François Rabelais, Gargantua, RABALAIS, Great Books, Volume 24, chapter 32, pg. 38)

Then said the good man unto him, My lord, to ease you of all this labour, and to take away all excuses why you may not return unto our former alliance, we do here presently restore unto you the cakes upon which the quarrel arose.
(François Rabelais, Gargantua, RABALAIS, Great Books, Volume 24, chapter 32, pg. 38)

Came we hither to eat or to fight? To fight, indeed, said Touquedillon; yet from the paunch comes the dance, and where famine rules force is exiled. Leave off your prating, said Picrochole, and forthwith seize upon what they have brought. Then took they money and cakes, oxen and carts, and sent them away without speaking one word, only that they would come no more so near, for a reason that they would give them the morrow after. Thus, without doing anything, returned they to Grangousier,

and related the whole matter unto him, subjoining that there was no hope left to draw them to peace but by sharp and fierce wars.

(François Rabelais, Gargantua, RABALAIS, Great Books, Volume 24, chapter 32, pg. 39)

By it shall he be easily at the very first shock routed, and then shall you get money by heaps, for the clown hath store of ready coin. Clown we call him, because a noble and generous prince hath never a penny, and that to hoard up treasure is but a clownish

trick.

(François Rabelais, Gargantua, RABALAIS, Great Books, Volume 24, chapter 33, pg. 39)

There was there present at that time an old gentleman well experienced in the wars, a stern soldier, and who had been in many great hazards, named Echephron, who, hearing this discourse, said, I do greatly doubt that all this enterprise will be like the tale or interlude of the pitcher full of milk wherewith a shoemaker made himself

rich in conceit; but, when the pitcher was broken, he had not whereupon to dine. What do you pretend by these large conquests? What shall be the end of so many labours and crosses?
(François Rabelais, Gargantua, RABALAIS, Great Books, Volume 24, chapter 33, pg. 40)

He that nothing ventures hath neither horse nor mule, says Solomon. He who

adventureth too much, said Echephron, loseth both horse and mule, answered

Malchon.

(François Rabelais, Gargantua, RABALAIS, Great Books, Volume 24, chapter 33, pg. 41)

Enough, said Picrochole, go forward. I fear nothing…
(François Rabelais, Gargantua, RABALAIS, Great Books, Volume 24, chapter 33, pg. 41)

The rest of his train came after him by even journeys at a slower pace, bringing with them all his books and philosophical instruments.
(François Rabelais, Gargantua, RABALAIS, Great Books, Volume 24, chapter 34, pg. 41)

I have yet one crown left. Come, we must drink it, for it is aurum potabile, [drinkable gold, referring to Moses ordering his followers to drink, Exodus 32:20]

(François Rabelais, Gargantua, RABALAIS, Great Books, Volume 24, chapter 34, pg. 41)

…he related the estate and condition wherein they had found the enemy, and the stratagem which he alone had used against all their multitude, affirming that they were but rascally rogues, plunderers, thieves, and robbers, ignorant of all military discipline, and that they might boldly set forward unto the field; it being an easy matter to fell

and strike them down like beasts.
(François Rabelais, Gargantua, RABALAIS, Great Books, Volume 24, chapter 36, pg. 43)

…finding in his way a high and great tree, which commonly was called by the name of St. Martin's tree, because heretofore St. Martin planted a pilgrim's staff there, which in tract of time grew to that height and greatness, said, This is that which I lacked; this tree shall serve me both for a staff and lance. With that he pulled it up easily, plucked off the boughs, and trimmed it at his pleasure.
(François Rabelais, Gargantua, RABALAIS, Great Books, Volume 24, chapter 36, pg. 43)

They mumble out great store of legends and psalms, by them not at all understood; they say many paternosters interlarded with Ave-Maries, without thinking upon or apprehending the meaning of what it is they say, which truly I call mocking of God, and not prayers.

(François Rabelais, Gargantua, RABALAIS, Great Books, Volume 24, chapter 40, pg. 48)

He is no bigot or hypocrite; he is not torn and divided betwixt reality and appearance; no wretch of a rugged and peevish disposition, but honest, jovial, resolute, and a good fellow. He travels, he labours, he defends the oppressed, comforts the afflicted, helps the needy, and keeps the close of the abbey.
(François Rabelais, Gargantua, RABALAIS, Great Books, Volume 24, chapter 40, pg. 48)

But Gargantua could not sleep by any means, on which side soever he turned himself. Whereupon the monk said to him, I never sleep soundly but when I am at sermon or prayers. Let us therefore begin, you and I, the seven penitential psalms, to try whether you shall not quickly fall asleep.
(François Rabelais, Gargantua, RABALAIS, Great Books, Volume 24, chapter 41, pg. 48)

I know of a charm by way of prayer, which the subsexton of our abbey taught me, that will preserve a man from the violence of guns and all manner of fire-weapons and engines; but it will do me no good, because I do not believe it.
(François Rabelais, Gargantua, RABALAIS, Great Books, Volume 24, chapter 41, pg. 49)

… Rashcalf and Touchfaucet (Hastiveau, Touquedillon.), concluded his power to be such that he was able to defeat all the devils of hell if they should come to jostle with his forces. This Picrochole did not fully believe, though he doubted not much of it.

(François Rabelais, Gargantua, RABALAIS, Great Books, Volume 24, chapter 43, pg. 50)

To whom Gargantua answered, By no means; for, according to right military discipline, you must never drive your enemy unto despair, for that such a strait doth multiply his force and increase his courage, which was before broken and cast down; neither is there any better help or outrage of relief for men that are amazed, out of heart, toiled, and spent, than to hope for no favour at all. How many victories have been taken out of the hands of the victors by the vanquished, when they would not rest satisfied with reason, but attempt to put all to the sword, and totally to destroy

their enemies, without leaving so much as one to carry home news of the defeat of his fellows.

(François Rabelais, Gargantua, RABALAIS, Great Books, Volume 24, chapter 43, pg. 51)

Farther, he syllogized, saying, These men are but badly skilled in matters of war, for

they have not required my parole, neither have they taken my sword from me.

(François Rabelais, Gargantua, RABALAIS, Great Books, Volume 24, chapter 44, pg. 51)

Gargantua answered him that without doubt the enemies had the monk. Then have they mischief and ill luck, said Grangousier; which was very true. Therefore is it a common proverb to this day, to give a man the monk, or, as in French, lui bailler le moine, when they would express the doing unto one a mischief.
(François Rabelais, Gargantua, RABALAIS, Great Books, Volume 24, chapter 45, pg. 52)

The time is not now as formerly, to conquer the kingdoms of our neighbour princes, and to build up our own greatness upon the loss of our nearest Christian Brother. This imitation of the ancient Herculeses, Alexanders, Hannibals, Scipios, Caesars, and other such heroes, is quite contrary to the profession of the gospel of Christ, by which we are commanded to preserve, keep, rule, and govern every man his own country and lands, and not in a hostile manner to invade others; and that which heretofore the Barbars and Saracens called prowess and valour, we do now call robbing, thievery, and wickedness.
(François Rabelais, Gargantua, RABALAIS, Great Books, Volume 24, chapter 46, pg. 54)

But Gymnast said unto him, My sovereign lord, such is the nature and complexion of the French, that they are worth nothing but at the first push. Then are they more fierce than devils. But if they linger a little and be wearied with delays, they'll prove more faint and remiss than women.

(François Rabelais, Gargantua, RABALAIS, Great Books, Volume 24, chapter 48, pg. 56)

Those of the town defended themselves as well as they could, but their shot passed over us without doing us any hurt at all.

(François Rabelais, Gargantua, RABALAIS, Great Books, Volume 24, chapter 48, pg. 56)

The monk seeing that quarter which he kept besieged void of men and competent guards, and in a manner altogether naked and abandoned, did most magnanimously on a sudden lead up his men towards the fort, and never left it till he had got up upon it, knowing that such as come to the reserve in a conflict bring with them always more fear and terror than those that deal about them with they hands in the fight.

(François Rabelais, Gargantua, RABALAIS, Great Books, Volume 24, chapter 48, pg. 56)

Moreover, seeing there are certain convents in the world whereof the custom is, if any woman come in, I mean chaste and honest women, they immediately sweep the ground which they have trod upon; therefore was it ordained, that if any man or woman entered into religious orders should by chance come within this new abbey, all the rooms should be thoroughly washed and cleansed through which they had passed.
(François Rabelais, Gargantua, RABALAIS, Great Books, Volume 24, chapter 52, pg. 60)

And because in all other monasteries and nunneries all is compassed, limited, and

regulated by hours, it was decreed that in this new structure there should be neither clock nor dial, but that according to the opportunities and incident occasions all their hours should be disposed of; for, said Gargantua, the greatest loss of time that I know is to count the hours. What good comes of it? Nor can there be any greater dotage in the world than for one to guide and direct his courses by the sound of a bell, and

not by his own judgment and discretion.

(François Rabelais, Gargantua, RABALAIS, Great Books, Volume 24, chapter 52, pg. 60)

The inscription set upon the great gate of Theleme.

Here enter not vile bigots, hypocrites,

Here enter not attorneys, barristers,

Nor bridle-champing law-practitioners:

Clerks, commissaries, scribes, nor pharisees,

Wilful disturbers of the people's ease:

Judges, destroyers, with an unjust breath,

Lawsuits, debates, and wrangling

Hence are exiled, and jangling.

Gold-graspers, coin-gripers, gulpers of mists,

Niggish deformed sots, who, though your chests

Vast sums of money should to you afford,

Would ne'ertheless add more unto that hoard,

And yet not be content,

(François Rabelais, Gargantua, RABALAIS, Great Books, Volume 24, chapter 54, pg. 62)

Grace, honour, praise, delight,

Here sojourn day and night.

Sound bodies lined

With a good mind,

Do here pursue with might

Grace, honour, praise, delight.

Here enter you, pure, honest, faithful, true

Expounders of the Scriptures old and new.

Whose glosses do not blind our reason, but

Make it to see the clearer, and who shut

Its passages from hatred, avarice,

Pride, factions, covenants, and all sort of vice.

Come, settle here a charitable faith,

Gold give us, God forgive us,

And from all woes relieve us;

(François Rabelais, Gargantua, RABALAIS, Great Books, Volume 24, chapter 54, pg. 63)

All their life was spent not in laws, statutes, or rules, but according to their own free will and pleasure. They rose out of their beds when they thought good; they did eat, drink, labour, sleep, when they had a mind to it and were disposed for it. None did awake them, none did offer to constrain them to eat, drink, nor to do any other thing; for so had Gargantua established it. In all their rule and strictest tie of their order there was but this one clause to be observed,

Do What Thou Wilt;

because men that are free, well-born, well-bred, and conversant in honest companies, have naturally an instinct and spur that prompteth them unto virtuous actions, and withdraws them from vice, which is called honour. Those same men, when by base subjection and constraint they are brought under and kept down, turn aside from that noble disposition by which they formerly were inclined to virtue, to shake off and break that bond of servitude wherein they are so tyrannously enslaved; for it is agreeable with the nature of man to long after things forbidden and to desire what is

denied us.

By this liberty they entered into a very laudable emulation to do all of them what they saw did please one

(François Rabelais, Gargantua, RABALAIS, Great Books, Volume 24, chapter 57, pg. 65)

So nobly were they taught, that there was neither he nor she amongst them but could read, write, sing, play upon several musical instruments, speak five or six several languages, and compose in them all very quaintly, both in verse and prose.

(François Rabelais, Gargantua, RABALAIS, Great Books, Volume 24, chapter 57, pg. 66)

Poor mortals, who wait for a happy day,

Cheer up your hearts, and hear what I shall say:

If it be lawful firmly to believe

That the celestial bodies can us give

Wisdom to judge of things that are not yet;

Or if from heaven such wisdom we may get

As may with confidence make us discourse

Of years to come, their destiny and course;

(François Rabelais, Gargantua, RABALAIS, Great Books, Volume 24, chapter 58, pg. 66)