DODGE, Mary Mapes, Hans Brinker or The Silver Skates

HANS BRINKER or THE SILVER SKATES
by Mary Mapes Dodge

QUOTES FOR DISCUSSION

Notwithstanding the sea pushing to get in, and the lakes struggling to get out, and the overflowing canals, rivers, and ditches, in many districts there is no water fit to swallow; our poor Hollanders must go dry or drink wine and beer or send far into the inland to Utrecht and other favored localities for that precious fluid older than Adam yet younger than the morning dew. Sometimes, indeed, the inhabitants can swallow a shower when they are provided with any means of catching it; but generally they are like the albatross-haunted sailors in Coleridge’s famous poem “The Ancient Mariner.” They see

     Water, Water, everywhere,
     Nor any drop to drink!

Mary Mapes Dodge, Hans Brinker or The Silver Skates, chapter 2 Holland, pg.. 11

There are said to be at least ninety-nine hundred large windmills in Holland, with sails ranging from eighty to one hundred and twenty feet long.
Mary Mapes Dodge, Hans Brinker or The Silver Skates, chapter 2 Holland, pg.. 13

Their yearly cost is said to be nearly ten million dollars.  [windmills]
Mary Mapes, Dodge, Hans Brinker or The Silver Skates, chapter 2 Holland, pg.. 13

One of the old prisons of Amsterdam, called the Rasphouse, because the thieves and vagrants who were confined there were employed in rasping logwood wood, had a cell for the punishment of lazy prisoners. In one corner of this cell was a pump, and in another, an opening through which a steady stream of water was admitted. The prisoner could take his choice, either to stand still and be drowned or to work for dear life at the pump and keep the flood down until his jailer chose to relieve him.

Mary Mapes Dodge, Hans Brinker or The Silver Skates, chapter 2 Holland, pg.. 14

Robles, the Spanish governor, was foremost in noble efforts to save life and lessen the horrors of the catastrophe. He had previously been hated by the Dutch because of his Spanish or Portuguese blood, but by his goodness and activity in their hour of disaster, he won all hearts to gratitude.

Mary Mapes Dodge, Hans Brinker or The Silver Skates, chapter 2 Holland, pg.. 16

It was not long before he was the only youngster in the school who had not stood at least ONCE in the corner of horrors, where hung a dreaded whip, and over it this motto: “Leer, leer! jou luigaart, of dit endje touw zal je leeren!” *{Learn! learn! you idler, or this rope’s end shall teach you.}

Mary Mapes Dodge, Hans Brinker or The Silver Skates, chapter 3 The Silver Skates, pg.. 20

Often the swiftest among them was seen to dodge from under the very nose of some pompous lawgiver or doctor who, with folded arms, was skating leisurely toward the town; or a chain of girls would suddenly break at the approach of a fat old burgomaster who, with gold-headed cane poised in air, was puffing his way to Amsterdam.
Mary Mapes Dodge, Hans Brinker or The Silver Skates, chapter 3 The Silver Skates, pg.. 21

Shame on you to reproach me for that! I’m as true a Protestant, in sooth, as any fine lady that walks into church, but it’s no wrong to turn sometimes to the good Saint Nicholas. Tut! It’s a likely story if one can’t do that, without one’s children flaring up at it—and he the boys’ and girls’ own saint.

Mary Mapes Dodge, Hans Brinker or The Silver Skates, chapter 5 Shadows in the Home, pg.. 35

More than once he had seen his mother, in hours of sore need, take the watch from its hiding place, half resolved to sell it, but she had always conquered the temptation.

“No, Hans,” she would say, “we must be nearer starvation than this before we turn faithless to the father!”
Mary Mapes Dodge, Hans Brinker or The Silver Skates, chapter 5 Shadows in the Home, pg.. 35

She could not remember when she had seen the children idle away an hour of daylight in this manner, and the thought of such luxury quite appalled her. By way of compensation she now flew about the room in extreme haste.
Mary Mapes Dodge, Hans Brinker or The Silver Skates, chapter 6 Sunbeams, pg.. 43

But Hans WAS bidden, and that, too, by a voice he seldom disregarded—his own conscience.

“Here comes the greatest doctor in the world,” whispered the voice. “God has sent him. You have no right to buy skates when you might, with the same money, purchase such aid for your father!”

Mary Mapes Dodge, Hans Brinker or The Silver Skates, chapter 7, Hans Has His Way, pg.. 46

“I shall be there. A hopeless case,” he muttered to himself, “but the boy pleases me. His eye is like my poor Laurens’s. Confound it, shall I never forget that young scoundrel!”

Mary Mapes Dodge, Hans Brinker or The Silver Skates, chapter 7, Hans Has His Way, pg.. 48

We all know how, before the Christmas tree began to flourish in the home life of our country, a certain “right jolly old elf,” with “eight tiny reindeer,” used to drive his sleigh-load of toys up to our housetops, and then bounded down the chimney to fill the stockings so hopefully hung by the fireplace. His friends called his Santa Claus, and those who were most intimate ventured to say “Old Nick.” It was said that he originally came from Holland. Doubtless he did, but, if so, he certainly, like many other foreigners, changed his ways very much after landing upon our shores. In Holland, Saint Nicholas is a veritable saint and often appears in full costume, with his embroidered robes, glittering with gems and gold, his miter, his crosier, and his jeweled gloves. Here Santa Claus comes rollicking along, on the twenty-fifth of December, our holy Christmas morn. But in Holland, Saint Nicholas visits earth on the fifth, a time especially appropriated to him. Early on the morning of the sixth, he distributes his candies, toys, and treasures, then vanishes for a year.

Christmas Day is devoted by the Hollanders to church rites and pleasant family visiting. It is on Saint Nicholas’s Eve that their young people become half wild with joy and expectation. To some of them it is a sorry time, for the saint is very candid, and if any of them have been bad during the past year, he is quite sure to tell them so. Sometimes he gives a birch rod under his arm and advises the parents to give them scoldings in place of confections, and floggings instead of toys.
Mary Mapes Dodge, Hans Brinker or The Silver Skates, chapter 9, The Festival of St. Nicholas, pg.. 56

Holland is famous for this branch of manufacture. Every possible thing is copied in miniature for the benefit of the little ones; the intricate mechanical toys that a Dutch youngster tumbles about in stolid unconcern would create a stir in our patent office.

Mary Mapes Dodge, Hans Brinker or The Silver Skates, chapter 10, What the Boys Saw and Did in Amsterdam, pg.. 68

He had no money to spare, for with true Dutch prudence, the party had agreed to take with them merely the sum required for each boy’s expenses and to consign the purse to Peter for safekeeping.
Mary Mapes Dodge, Hans Brinker or The Silver Skates, chapter 10, What the Boys Saw and Did in Amsterdam, pg.. 68

Van Speyk. Don’t you remember? He was in the height of an engagement with the Belgians, and when he found that they had the better of him and would capture his ship, he blew it up, and himself, too, rather than yield to the enemy.
Mary Mapes Dodge, Hans Brinker or The Silver Skates, chapter 10, What the Boys Saw and Did in Amsterdam, pg.. 71

“Well, what about Van Tromp? He was a great Dutch admiral, wasn’t he?”
“Yes, he was in more than thirty sea fights. He beat the Spanish fleet and an English one, and then fastened a broom to his masthead to show that he had swept the English from the sea. Takes the Dutch to beat, my boy!”
Mary Mapes Dodge, Hans Brinker or The Silver Skates, chapter 10, What the Boys Saw and Did in Amsterdam, pg.. 71

*{Although the Tulip Mania did not prevail in England as in Holland, the flower soon became an object of speculation and brought very large prices. In 1636, tulips were publicly sold on the Exchange of London. Even as late as 1800 a common price was fifteen guineas for one bulb. Ben did not know that in his own day a single tulip plant, called the “Fanny Kemble”, had been sold in London for more than seventy guineas. Mr. Mackay, in his “Memoirs of Popular Delusions,” tells a funny story of an English botanist who happened to see a tulip bulb lying in the conservatory of a wealthy Dutchman. Ignorant if its value, he took out his penknife and, cutting the bulb in two, became very much interested in his investigations. Suddenly the owner appeared and, pouncing furiously upon him, asked if he knew what he was doing.  
“Peeling a most extraordinary onion,” replied the philosopher.
“Hundert tousant tuyvel!” shouted the Dutchman, “it’s an Admiral Van der Eyk!” “Thank you,” replied the traveler, immediately writing the name in his notebook.
  “Pray, are these very common in your country?” “Death and the tuyvel!” screamed the Dutchman, “come before the Syndic and you shall see!” In spite of his struggles the poor investigator, followed by an indignant mob, was taken through the streets to a magistrate. Soon he learned to his dismay that he had destroyed a bulb worth 4,000 florins  ($1,600). He was lodged in prison until securities could be procured for the payment of the sum.}
Mary Mapes Dodge, Hans Brinker or The Silver Skates, chapter 11, Big Manias and Little Oddities, pg.. 79

Why, persons were so crazy after tulip bulbs in those days that they paid their weight in gold for them.”

“What, the weight of a man!” cried Ben, showing such astonishment in his eyes that Ludwig fairly capered.

“No, no, the weight of a BULB. The first tulip was sent here from Constantinople about the year 1560. It was so much admired that the rich people of Amsterdam sent to Turkey for more. From that time they grew to be the rage and it lasted for years. Single roots brought from one to four thousand florins; and one bulb, the Semper Augustus, brought fifty-five hundred.”
Mary Mapes Dodge, Hans Brinker or The Silver Skates, chapter 11, Big Manias and Little Oddities, pg.. 79

Every Saturday Aunt Poot and her fat Kate go into that parlor and sweep and polish and scrub; then it is darkened and closed until Saturday comes again; not a soul enters it in the meantime; but the schoonmaken, as she calls it, must be done just the same.
Mary Mapes Dodge, Hans Brinker or The Silver Skates, chapter 11, Big Manias and Little Oddities, pg.. 83

—“you must give us the pleasure of dividing the money with you.”

“No, mynheer,” answered Hans. He spoke quietly, without pretence or any grace of manner, but Peter, somehow, felt rebuked, and put the silver back without a word.

I like that boy, rich or poor, he thought to himself,
Mary Mapes Dodge, Hans Brinker or The Silver Skates, chapter 14, Hans, pg.. 95

And, Hans Brinker, not as a reward, but as a gift, take a few of these guilders.”

Hans shook his head resolutely.

“No, no, mynheer. I cannot take it. If I could find work in Broek or at the South Mill, I would be glad, but it is the same story everywhere—‘Wait until spring’”.

Mary Mapes Dodge, Hans Brinker or The Silver Skates, chapter 14, Hans, pg.. 97

“Come, get something to eat, and I will detain you no longer.”

What a quick, wistful look Hans threw upon him! Peter wondered that he had not noticed before that the poor boy was hungry.

“Ah, mynheer, even now the mother may need me, the father may be worse—I must not wait. May God care for you.” And, nodding hastily, Hans turned his face homeward and was gone.

Mary Mapes Dodge, Hans Brinker or The Silver Skates, chapter 14, Hans, pg.. 98

To her mind, the poor peasant girl Gretel was not a human being, a God-created creature like herself—she was only something that meant poverty, rags, and dirt. Such as Gretel had no right to feel, to hope; above all, they should never cross the paths of their betters—that is, not in a disagreeable way. They could toil and labor for them at a respectful distance, even admire them, if they would do it humbly, but nothing more. If they rebel, put them down; if they suffer, “Don’t trouble me about it” was Rychie’s secret motto.
Mary Mapes Dodge, Hans Brinker or The Silver Skates, chapter 15, Homes, pg.. 100

Rychie Korbes, being rich and powerful (in a schoolgirl way), had other followers besides Katrinka who were induced to share her opinions because they were either too careless or too cowardly to think for themselves.
Mary Mapes Dodge, Hans Brinker or The Silver Skates, chapter 15, Homes, pg.. 102

A strange figure was approaching them. It was a small man dressed in black, with a short cloak. He wore a wig and a cocked hat from which a long crepe streamer was flying.

“Who comes here?” cried Ben. “What a queer-looking object.”

“That’s the aanspreeker,” said Lambert. “Someone is dead.”

“Is that the way men dress in mourning in this country?”

“Oh, no! The aanspreeker attends funerals, and it is his business, when anyone dies, to notify all the friends and relatives.”
Mary Mapes Dodge, Hans Brinker or The Silver Skates, chapter 16, Haarlem—The Boys Hear Voices, pg.. 107

I mean that here in Haarlem, whenever a boy is born, the parents have a red pincushion put out at the door. If our young friend had been a girl instead of a boy, the cushion would have been white. In some places they have much more fanciful affairs, all trimmed with lace, and even among the very poorest houses you will see a bit of ribbon or even a string tied on the door latch—”
Mary Mapes Dodge, Hans Brinker or The Silver Skates, chapter 16, Haarlem—The Boys Hear Voices, pg.. 108

What, the great Haarlem organ?” asked Ben. “That will be a treat indeed. I have often read of it, with its tremendous pipes, and its vox humana *{An organ stop which produces an effect resembling the human voice.} that sounds like a giant singing.”
Mary Mapes Dodge, Hans Brinker or The Silver Skates, chapter 16, Haarlem—The Boys Hear Voices, pg.. 109

Handel, the great composer, chanced to visit Haarlem and, of course, he at once hunted up this famous organ. He gained admittance and was playing upon it with all his might when the regular organist chanced to enter the building. The man stood awestruck. He was a good player himself, but he had never heard such music before. ‘Who is there?’ he cried. ‘If it is not an angel or the devil, it must be Handel!’ When he discovered that it WAS the great musician, he was still more mystified! ‘But how is this?’ he said. ‘You have done impossible things—no ten fingers on earth can play the passages you have given. Human fingers couldn’t control all the keys and stops!’ ‘I know it,’ said Handel coolly, ‘and for that reason, I was forced to strike some notes with the end of my nose.’
Mary Mapes Dodge, Hans Brinker or The Silver Skates, chapter 16, Haarlem—The Boys Hear Voices, pg.. 112

Certain it is that the first book he printed is kept by the city in a silver case wrapped in silk and is shown with great caution as a precious relic. It is said that he first conceived the idea of printing from cutting his name upon the bark of a tree and afterward pressing a piece of paper upon the characters.
Mary Mapes Dodge, Hans Brinker or The Silver Skates, chapter 17, The Man With Four Heads, pg.. 114

He had FOUR heads,” answered Ben, laughing, “for he was a great physician, naturalist, botanist, and chemist. I am full of him just now, for I read his life a few weeks ago.”
Mary Mapes Dodge, Hans Brinker or The Silver Skates, chapter 17, The Man With Four Heads, pg.. 115

He was a poor friendless orphan at sixteen, but he was so persevering and industrious, so determined to gain knowledge, that he made his way, and in time became one of the most learned men of Europe.
Mary Mapes Dodge, Hans Brinker or The Silver Skates, chapter 17, The Man With Four Heads, pg.. 116

Somebody in the house is ill, and to prevent a steady knocking at the door, the family write an account of the patient’s condition on a placard and hang it outside the door, for the benefit of inquiring friends—a very sensible custom, I’m sure.
Mary Mapes Dodge, Hans Brinker or The Silver Skates, chapter 17, The Man With Four Heads, pg.. 116

Just at the last extremity, when the haughty lord felt that he could hold out no longer and was prepared to sell his life as dearly as possible, his lady appeared on the ramparts and offered to surrender everything, provided she was permitted to bring out, and retain, as much of her most precious household goods as she could carry upon her back. The promise was given, and the lady came forth from the gateway, bearing her husband upon her shoulders.
Mary Mapes Dodge, Hans Brinker or The Silver Skates, chapter 18, Friends in Need, pg.. 120

Why should I doubt it?”

“Simply because no woman could do it—and if she could, she wouldn’t. That is my opinion.”

“And I believe that there are many who WOULD. That is, to save those they really cared for,” said Ludwig.
Mary Mapes Dodge, Hans Brinker or The Silver Skates, chapter 18, Friends in Need, pg.. 120

These pretty fields would all be covered with the angry waters—Father always calls them the ANGRY waters. I suppose he thinks they are mad at him for keeping them out so long.
Mary Mapes Dodge, Hans Brinker or The Silver Skates, chapter 18, Friends in Need, pg.. 124

Then he called on God for help. And the answer came, through a holy resolution: ‘I will stay here till morning.
Mary Mapes Dodge, Hans Brinker or The Silver Skates, chapter 18, Friends in Need, pg.. 125

Why, there is not a child in Holland who does not know it. And, Ben, you may not think so, but that little boy represents the spirit of the whole country. Not a leak can show itself anywhere either in its politics, honor, or public safety, that a million fingers are not ready to stop it, at any cost.
Mary Mapes Dodge, Hans Brinker or The Silver Skates, chapter 18, Friends in Need, pg.. 127

As for expecting him to skate anymore that day, the thing was impossible. In truth, by this time each boy began to entertain secret yearnings toward iceboats, and to avow a Spartan resolve not to desert Jacob.
Mary Mapes Dodge, Hans Brinker or The Silver Skates, chapter 20, Jacob Poot Changes the Plan, pg.. 138

Half the boors here on the canal measure distance by the time it takes them to finish a pipe.
Mary Mapes Dodge, Hans Brinker or The Silver Skates, chapter 20, Jacob Poot Changes the Plan, pg.. 140

One would think the captain and his band could have slept no more that night, but the mooring has not yet been found that can prevent youth and an easy conscience from drifting down the river of dreams. The boys were much too fatigued to let so slight a thing as capturing a robber bind them to wakefulness. They were soon in bed again, floating away to strange scenes made of familiar things.
Mary Mapes Dodge, Hans Brinker or The Silver Skates, chapter 22, The Red Lion Becomes Dangerous, pg.. 158

So he is my brother, and yours too, Carl Schummel, for that matter,” answered Peter, looking into Carl’s eye. “We cannot say what we might have become under other circumstances. WE have been bolstered up from evil, since the hour we were born. A happy home and good parents might have made that man a fine fellow instead of what he is. God grant that the law may cure and not crush him!
Mary Mapes Dodge, Hans Brinker or The Silver Skates, chapter 23, Before the Court, pg.. 162

Meanwhile, as if to reward the citizens for allowing her to have her way for once, Nature departs from the invariable level, wearing gracefully the ornaments that have been reverently bestowed upon her.
Mary Mapes Dodge, Hans Brinker or The Silver Skates, chapter 26, The Palace in the Wood, pg.. 180

I never realized before what a luxury such things are. Our lodgings at the Red Lion have made us appreciate our own homes.
Mary Mapes Dodge, Hans Brinker or The Silver Skates, chapter 26, The Palace in the Wood, pg.. 181

Safe within the walls bloomed a Garden of Delight, where the flowers firmly believed it was summer, and a sparkling fountain was laughing merrily to itself because Jack Frost could not find it.
Mary Mapes Dodge, Hans Brinker or The Silver Skates, chapter 27, The Merchant Prince and the Sister-Princess, pg.. 182

“I can read your thoughts, sweetheart.”

She looked up in playful defiance.

“Ah, now I am sure of them! You were thinking of those noblehearted women, but for whom Prussia might have fallen. I know it by that proud light in your eye.”

“The proud light in my eye plays me false, then,” she answered. “I had no such grand matter in my mind. To confess the simple truth, I was only thinking how lovely this necklace would be with my blue brocade.”

“So, so!” exclaimed the rather crestfallen spouse.
Mary Mapes Dodge, Hans Brinker or The Silver Skates, chapter 27, The Merchant Prince and the Sister-Princess, pg. 187

I will not enter into the subject here, except to say that Ben—who had read of her struggles and wrongs and of the terrible retribution she had from time to time dealt forth—could scarcely tread a Holland town without mentally leaping horror-stricken over the bloody stepping-stones of its history.

Mary Mapes Dodge, Hans Brinker or The Silver Skates, chapter 27, The Merchant Prince and the Sister-Princess, pg. 194

In Leyden his heart had swelled in sympathy as he thought of the long procession of scarred and famished creatures who after the siege, with Adrian van der Werf at their head, tottered to the great church to sing a glorious anthem because Leyden was free! He remembered that this was even before they had tasted the bread brought by the Dutch ships. They would praise God first, then eat.
Mary Mapes Dodge, Hans Brinker or The Silver Skates, chapter 27, The Merchant Prince and the Sister-Princess, pg. 194

Ben was surprised at the noiseless way in which Dutch laborers do their work. Even around the warehouses and docks there was no bustle, no shouting from one to another. A certain twitch of the pipe, or turn of the head, or, at most, a raising of the hand, seemed to be all the signal necessary.

Mary Mapes Dodge, Hans Brinker or The Silver Skates, chapter 28, Through the Hague, pg. 199

Entire loads of cheeses or herrings are pitched from cart or canalboat into the warehouses without a word; but the passerby must take his chance of being pelted, for a Dutchman seldom looks before or behind him while engaged at work.

Poor Jacob Poot, who seemed destined to bear all the mishaps of the journey, was knocked nearly breathless by a great cheese, which a fat Dutchman was throwing to a fellow laborer, but he recovered himself
Mary Mapes Dodge, Hans Brinker or The Silver Skates, chapter 28, Through the Hague, pg. 199

Ben felt, as he listened to their familiar music, that the Christian world is one, after all, however divided by sects and differences it may be. As the clock speaks everyone’s native language in whatever land it may strike the hour, so church bells are never foreign if our hearts but listen.
Mary Mapes Dodge, Hans Brinker or The Silver Skates, chapter 29, A Day of Rest, pg. 204

Although the sermon was spoken slowly, Ben could understand little of what was said; but when the hymn came, he joined in with all his heart. A thousand voices lifted in love and praise offered a grander language than he could readily comprehend.
Mary Mapes Dodge, Hans Brinker or The Silver Skates, chapter 29, A Day of Rest, pg. 206

There is an angel called Charity who would often save our hearts a great deal of trouble if we would but let her in.
Mary Mapes Dodge, Hans Brinker or The Silver Skates, chapter 29, A Day of Rest, pg. 207

But the laws of inertia are stronger even than canal guards.
Mary Mapes Dodge, Hans Brinker or The Silver Skates, chapter 30, Homeward Bound, pg. 209

What a goose I was, thought he, as the party left the Golden Eagle, to feel so sure that it was my mother. But she may be somebody’s mother, poor woman, for all that.
Mary Mapes Dodge, Hans Brinker or The Silver Skates, chapter 31, Boys and Girls, pg. 215

She knew that something terrible and mysterious was taking place at this moment, something that had been too terrible and mysterious for even kind, good Hans to tell.
Then new thoughts came. Why had not Hans told her? It was a shame. It was HER father as well as his. She was no baby. She had once taken a sharp knife from the father’s hand. She had even drawn him away from the mother on that awful night when Hans, as big as he was, could not help her. Why, then, must she be treated like one who could do nothing? oh, how very still it was—how bitter, bitter cold!
Mary Mapes Dodge, Hans Brinker or The Silver Skates, chapter 33, Gretel and Hilda, pg. 229

“Why do you pray?” murmured the father, looking feebly from the bed as they rose. “Is it God’s day?”

Mary Mapes Dodge, Hans Brinker or The Silver Skates, chapter 34, The Awakening, pg. 235

She had remained near the cottage until she heard Dame Brinker laugh, until she had heard Hans say, “Here I am, Father!” And then she had gone back to her lessons. What wonder that she missed them! How could she get a long string of Latin verbs by heart when her heart did not care a fig for them but would keep saying to itself, “Oh, I am so glad! I am so glad!”
Mary Mapes Dodge, Hans Brinker or The Silver Skates, chapter 34, The Awakening, pg. 237

Persons who had never before cared for the Brinkers, or even mentioned them, except with a contemptuous sneer or a shrug of pretended pity, now became singularly familiar with every point of their history. There was no end to the number of ridiculous stories that were flying about.

Mary Mapes Dodge, Hans Brinker or The Silver Skates, chapter 35, Bones and Tongues, pg. 239

Strange that the visit of their good benefactor should have left a cloud, yet so it was.
Mary Mapes Dodge, Hans Brinker or The Silver Skates, chapter 36, A New Alarm, pg. 243

Then came other thoughts—thoughts that made his heart thump heavily and his cheeks burn with a new shame. It is BEGGING, to say the least. Not one of the Brinkers has ever been a beggar. Shall I be the first? Shall my poor father just coming back into life learn that his family has asked for charity—he, always so wise and thrifty? “No,” cried Hans aloud, “better a thousand times to part with the watch.”
Mary Mapes Dodge, Hans Brinker or The Silver Skates, chapter 36, A New Alarm, pg. 245

What wonder that he looked about him like one bewildered. “Little Hans” had just been almost carrying him. “The baby” was over four feet long and was demurely brushing up the hearth with a bundle of willow wisps. Meitje, the vrouw, winsome and fair as ever, had gained at least fifty pounds in what seemed to him a few hours. She also had some new lines in her face that puzzled him. The only familiar things in the room were the pine table that he had made before he was married, the Bible upon the shelf, and the cupboard in the corner.
Mary Mapes Dodge, Hans Brinker or The Silver Skates, chapter 37, The Father’s Return, pg. 248

“Can the youngsters read and cipher, Meitje?”

“You should hear them!” she answered proudly. “They can run through a book while I mop the floor. Hans there is as happy over a page of big words as a rabbit in a cabbage patch; as for ciphering—”
Mary Mapes Dodge, Hans Brinker or The Silver Skates, chapter 37, The Father’s Return, pg. 251

…he did not hear Annie murmur, “I wish I had not been so rude. Poor, brave Hans. What a noble boy he is!” And as Annie skated homeward, filled with pleasant thoughts, she did not hear Hans say, “I grumbled like a bear. But bless her! Some girls are like angels!”

Perhaps it was all for the best. One cannot be expected to know everything that is going on around the world.
Mary Mapes Dodge, Hans Brinker or The Silver Skates, chapter 39, Glimpses, pg. 261

“Are you in trouble, mynheer?”

“Ah, Hans, that you? Yes, my fun is over. I tried to tighten my strap—to make a new hole—and this botheration of a knife has cut it nearly in two.”

“Mynheer,” said Hans, at the same time pulling off a skate, “you must use my strap!”

“Not I, indeed, Hans Brinker,” cried Peter, looking up, “though I thank you warmly. Go to your post, my friend, the bugle will be sounding in another minute.”

“Mynheer,” pleaded Hans in a husky voice, “you have called me your friend. Take this strap—quick!

Mary Mapes Dodge, Hans Brinker or The Silver Skates, chapter 44, The Race, pg. 305

“Why, the other calling is so much better,” answered Hans, “so much nobler. I think, mynheer,” he added with enthusiasm, “that to be a surgeon, to cure the sick and crippled, to save human life, to be able to do what you have done for my father, is the grandest thing on earth.”

Mary Mapes Dodge, Hans Brinker or The Silver Skates, chapter 47, Broad Sunshine, pg. 323

“It is an ugly business, boy, this surgery,” said the doctor, still frowning at Hans. “It requires great patience, self-denial, and perseverance.”
Mary Mapes Dodge, Hans Brinker or The Silver Skates, chapter 47, Broad Sunshine, pg. 323

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)