The text of the first Two Books of Rabelais has been reprinted from the
first edition (1653) of Urquhart’s translation. Footnotes initialled ‘M.’ are drawn from the Maitland Club edition (1838); other footnotes are by the translator. Urquhart’s translation of Book III. appeared posthumously in 1693, with a new edition of Books I. and II., under Motteux’s editorship. Motteux’s rendering of Books IV. and V. followed in 1708. Occasionally (as the footnotes indicate) passages omitted by Motteux have been restored from the 1738 copy edited by Ozell.
THE FIRST BOOK.
J. De la Salle, to the Honoured, Noble Translator of Rabelais.
Rablophila
The Author’s Prologue to the First Book
Rabelais to the Reader
Chapter 1.I.--Of the Genealogy and Antiquity of Gargantua
Chapter 1.II.--The Antidoted Fanfreluches: or, a Galimatia of extravagant
Conceits found in an ancient Monument
Chapter 1.III.--How Gargantua was carried eleven months in his mother’s
belly
Chapter 1.IV.--How Gargamelle, being great with Gargantua, did eat a huge
deal of tripes
Chapter 1.V.--The Discourse of the Drinkers
Chapter 1.VI.--How Gargantua was born in a strange manner
Chapter 1.VII.--After what manner Gargantua had his name given him, and how
he tippled, bibbed, and curried the can
Chapter 1.VIII.--How they apparelled Gargantua
Chapter 1.IX.--The colours and liveries of Gargantua
Chapter 1.X.--Of that which is signified by the colours white and blue
Chapter 1.XI.--Of the youthful age of Gargantua
Chapter 1.XII.--Of Gargantua’s wooden horses
Chapter 1.XIII.--How Gargantua’s wonderful understanding became known to his
father Grangousier, by the invention of a torchecul or wipebreech
Chapter 1.XIV.--How Gargantua was taught Latin by a Sophister
Chapter 1.XV.--How Gargantua was put under other schoolmasters
Chapter 1.XVI.--How Gargantua was sent to Paris, and of the huge great mare
that he rode on; how she destroyed the oxflies of the Beauce
Chapter 1.XVII.--How Gargantua paid his welcome to the Parisians, and how he
took away the great bells of Our Lady’s Church
Chapter 1.XVIII.--How Janotus de Bragmardo was sent to Gargantua to recover the
great bells
Chapter 1.XIX.--The oration of Master Janotus de Bragmardo for recovery of the
bells
Chapter 1.XX.--How the Sophister carried away his cloth, and how he had a
suit in law against the other masters
Chapter 1.XXI.--The study of Gargantua, according to the discipline of his
schoolmasters the Sophisters
Chapter 1.XXII.--The games of Gargantua
Chapter 1.XXIII.--How Gargantua was instructed by Ponocrates, and in such
sort disciplinated, that he lost not one hour of the day
Chapter 1.XXIV.--How Gargantua spent his time in rainy weather
Chapter 1.XXV.--How there was great strife and debate raised betwixt the
cake-bakers of Lerne, and those of Gargantua’s country, whereupon were
waged great wars
Chapter 1.XXVI.--How the inhabitants of Lerne, by the commandment of
Picrochole their king, assaulted the shepherds of Gargantua unexpectedly
and on a sudden
Chapter 1.XXVII.--How a monk of Seville saved the close of the abbey from being
ransacked by the enemy
Chapter 1.XXVIII.--How Picrochole stormed and took by assault the rock
Clermond, and of Grangousier’s unwillingness and aversion from the
undertaking of war
Chapter 1.XXIX.--The tenour of the letter which Grangousier wrote to his son Gargantua
Chapter 1.XXX.--How Ulric Gallet was sent unto Picrochole
Chapter 1.XXXI.--The speech made by Gallet to Picrochole
Chapter 1.XXXII.--How Grangousier, to buy peace, caused the cakes to be
restored
Chapter 1.XXXIII.--How some statesmen of Picrochole, by hairbrained
counsel, put him in extreme danger
Chapter 1.XXXIV.--How Gargantua left the city of Paris to succour his
country, and how Gymnast encountered with the enemy
Chapter 1.XXXV.--How Gymnast very souply and cunningly killed Captain
Tripet and others of Picrochole’s men
Chapter 1.XXXVI.--How Gargantua demolished the castle at the ford of Vede, and how
they passed the ford
Chapter 1.XXXVII.--How Gargantua, in combing his head, made the great
cannon-balls fall out of his hair
Chapter 1.XXXVIII.--How Gargantua did eat up six pilgrims in a salad
Chapter 1.XXXIX.--How the Monk was feasted by Gargantua, and of the jovial
discourse they had at supper
Chapter 1.XL.--Why monks are the outcasts of the world; and wherefore some
have bigger noses than others
Chapter 1.XLI.--How the Monk made Gargantua sleep, and of his hours and
breviaries
Chapter 1.XLII.--How the Monk encouraged his fellow-champions, and how he hanged
upon a tree
Chapter 1.XLIII.--How the scouts and fore-party of Picrochole were met with by
Gargantua, and how the Monk slew Captain Drawforth, and then was taken
prisoner by his enemies
Chapter 1.XLIV.--How the Monk rid himself of his keepers, and how Picrochole’s
forlorn hope was defeated
Chapter 1.XLV.--How the Monk carried along with him the Pilgrims, and of the
good words that Grangousier gave them
Chapter 1.XLVI.--How Grangousier did very kindly entertain Touchfaucet his prisoner
Chapter 1.XLVII.--How Grangousier sent for his legions, and how Touchfaucet slew
Rashcalf, and was afterwards executed by the command of Picrochole
Chapter 1.XLVIII.--How Gargantua set upon Picrochole within the rock Clermond, and
utterly defeated the army of the said Picrochole
Chapter 1.XLIX.--How Picrochole in his flight fell into great misfortunes, and what
Gargantua did after the battle
Chapter 1.L.--Gargantua’s speech to the vanquished
Chapter 1.LI.--How the victorious Gargantuists were recompensed after the battle
Chapter 1.LII.--How Gargantua caused to be built for the Monk the Abbey of Theleme
Chapter 1.LIII.--How the abbey of the Thelemites was built and endowed
Chapter 1.LIV.--The inscription set upon the great gate of Theleme
Chapter 1.LV.--What manner of dwelling the Thelemites had
Chapter 1.LVI.--How the men and women of the religious order of Theleme were
apparelled
Chapter 1.LVII.--How the Thelemites were governed, and of their manner of living
Chapter 1.LVIII.--A prophetical Riddle
THE SECOND BOOK.
For the Reader
Mr. Hugh Salel to Rabelais
The Author’s Prologue
Chapter 2.I.--Of the original and antiquity of the great Pantagruel
Chapter 2.II.--Of the nativity of the most dread and redoubted Pantagruel
Chapter 2.III.--Of the grief wherewith Gargantua was moved at the decease of his
wife Badebec
Chapter 2.IV.--Of the infancy of Pantagruel
Chapter 2.V.--Of the acts of the noble Pantagruel in his youthful age
Chapter 2.VI.--How Pantagruel met with a Limousin, who too affectedly did
counterfeit the French language
Chapter 2.VII.--How Pantagruel came to Paris, and of the choice books of the Library of
St. Victor
Chapter 2.VIII.--How Pantagruel, being at Paris, received letters from his father Gargantua, and
the copy of them
Chapter 2.IX.--How Pantagruel found Panurge, whom he loved all his lifetime
Chapter 2.X.--How Pantagruel judged so equitably of a controversy, which was wonderfully
obscure and difficult, that, by reason of his just decree therein, he was
reputed to have a most admirable judgment
Chapter 2.XI.--How the Lords of Kissbreech and Suckfist did plead before Pantagruel without an attorney
Chapter 2.XII.--How the Lord of Suckfist pleaded before Pantagruel
Chapter 2.XIII.--How Pantagruel gave judgment upon the difference of the two lords
Chapter 2.XIV.--How Panurge related the manner how he escaped out of the hands of the Turks
Chapter 2.XV.--How Panurge showed a very new way to build the walls of Paris
Chapter 2.XVI.--Of the qualities and conditions of Panurge
Chapter 2.XVII.--How Panurge gained the pardons, and married the old women, and of the suit in
law which he had at Paris
Chapter 2.XVIII.--How a great scholar of England would have argued against Pantagruel, and was overcome by Panurge
Chapter 2.XIX.--How Panurge put to a nonplus the Englishman that argued by signs
Chapter 2.XX.--How Thaumast relateth the virtues and knowledge of Panurge
Chapter 2.XXI.--How Panurge was in love with a lady of Paris
Chapter 2.XXII.--How Panurge served a Parisian lady a trick that pleased her not very well
Chapter 2.XXIII.--How Pantagruel departed from Paris, hearing news that the Dipsodes had invaded the
land of the Amaurots; and the cause wherefore the leagues are so short in France
Chapter 2.XXIV.--A letter which a messenger brought to Pantagruel from a lady of Paris, together with the
exposition of a posy written in a gold ring
Chapter 2.XXV.--How Panurge, Carpalin, Eusthenes, and Epistemon, the gentlemen attendants of Pantagruel, vanquished and discomfited six hundred and threescore horsemen very cunningly
Chapter 2.XXVI.--How Pantagruel and his company were weary in eating still salt meats; and how Carpalin went a-hunting to have some venison
Chapter 2.XXVII.--How Pantagruel set up one trophy in memorial of their valour, and Panurge another in remembrance of the hares. How Pantagruel likewise with his farts begat little men, and with his fisgs little women; and how Panurge broke a great staff over two glasses
Chapter 2.XXVIII.--How Pantagruel got the victory very strangely over the Dipsodes and the Giants
Chapter 2.XXIX.--How Pantagruel discomfited the three hundred giants armed with free-stone, and Loupgarou their captain
Chapter 2.XXX.--How Epistemon, who had his head cut off, was finely healed by Panurge, and of the news which he
brought from the devils, and of the damned people in hell
Chapter 2.XXXI.--How Pantagruel entered into the city of the Amaurots, and how Panurge married King Anarchus to an old lantern-carrying hag, and made him a crier of green sauce
Chapter 2.XXXII.--How Pantagruel with his tongue covered a whole army, and what the author saw in his mouth
Chapter 2.XXXIII.--How Pantagruel became sick, and the manner how he was recovered
Chapter 2.XXXIV.--The conclusion of this present book, and the excuse of the author
THE THIRD BOOK.
Francois Rabelais to the Soul of the Deceased Queen of Navarre
The Author’s Prologue
Chapter 3.I.--How Pantagruel transported a colony of Utopians into Dipsody
Chapter 3.II.--How Panurge was made Laird of Salmigondin in Dipsody, and did waste his revenue before it came in
Chapter 3.III.--How Panurge praiseth the debtors and borrowers
Chapter 3.IV.--Panurge continueth his discourse in the praise of borrowers and lenders
Chapter 3.V.--How Pantagruel altogether abhorreth the debtors and borrowers
Chapter 3.VI.--Why new married men were privileged from going to the wars
Chapter 3.VII.--How Panurge had a flea in his ear, and forbore to wear any longer his magnificent codpiece
Chapter 3.VIII.--Why the codpiece is held to be the chief piece of armour amongst warriors
Chapter 3.IX.--How Panurge asketh counsel of Pantagruel whether he should marry, yea, or no
Chapter 3.X.--How Pantagruel representeth unto Panurge the difficulty of giving advice in the matter of marriage; and to that purpose mentioneth somewhat of the Homeric and Virgilian lotteries
Chapter 3.XI.--How Pantagruel showeth the trial of one’s fortune by the throwing of dice to be unlawful
Chapter 3.XII.--How Pantagruel doth explore by the Virgilian lottery what fortune Panurge shall have in his marriage
Chapter 3.XIII.--How Pantagruel adviseth Panurge to try the future good or bad luck of his marriage by dreams
Chapter 3.XIV.--Panurge’s dream, with the interpretation
first edition (1653) of Urquhart’s translation. Footnotes initialled ‘M.’ are drawn from the Maitland Club edition (1838); other footnotes are by the translator. Urquhart’s translation of Book III. appeared posthumously in 1693, with a new edition of Books I. and II., under Motteux’s editorship. Motteux’s rendering of Books IV. and V. followed in 1708. Occasionally (as the footnotes indicate) passages omitted by Motteux have been restored from the 1738 copy edited by Ozell.
THE FIRST BOOK.
J. De la Salle, to the Honoured, Noble Translator of Rabelais.
Rablophila
The Author’s Prologue to the First Book
Rabelais to the Reader
Chapter 1.I.--Of the Genealogy and Antiquity of Gargantua
Chapter 1.II.--The Antidoted Fanfreluches: or, a Galimatia of extravagant
Conceits found in an ancient Monument
Chapter 1.III.--How Gargantua was carried eleven months in his mother’s
belly
Chapter 1.IV.--How Gargamelle, being great with Gargantua, did eat a huge
deal of tripes
Chapter 1.V.--The Discourse of the Drinkers
Chapter 1.VI.--How Gargantua was born in a strange manner
Chapter 1.VII.--After what manner Gargantua had his name given him, and how
he tippled, bibbed, and curried the can
Chapter 1.VIII.--How they apparelled Gargantua
Chapter 1.IX.--The colours and liveries of Gargantua
Chapter 1.X.--Of that which is signified by the colours white and blue
Chapter 1.XI.--Of the youthful age of Gargantua
Chapter 1.XII.--Of Gargantua’s wooden horses
Chapter 1.XIII.--How Gargantua’s wonderful understanding became known to his
father Grangousier, by the invention of a torchecul or wipebreech
Chapter 1.XIV.--How Gargantua was taught Latin by a Sophister
Chapter 1.XV.--How Gargantua was put under other schoolmasters
Chapter 1.XVI.--How Gargantua was sent to Paris, and of the huge great mare
that he rode on; how she destroyed the oxflies of the Beauce
Chapter 1.XVII.--How Gargantua paid his welcome to the Parisians, and how he
took away the great bells of Our Lady’s Church
Chapter 1.XVIII.--How Janotus de Bragmardo was sent to Gargantua to recover the
great bells
Chapter 1.XIX.--The oration of Master Janotus de Bragmardo for recovery of the
bells
Chapter 1.XX.--How the Sophister carried away his cloth, and how he had a
suit in law against the other masters
Chapter 1.XXI.--The study of Gargantua, according to the discipline of his
schoolmasters the Sophisters
Chapter 1.XXII.--The games of Gargantua
Chapter 1.XXIII.--How Gargantua was instructed by Ponocrates, and in such
sort disciplinated, that he lost not one hour of the day
Chapter 1.XXIV.--How Gargantua spent his time in rainy weather
Chapter 1.XXV.--How there was great strife and debate raised betwixt the
cake-bakers of Lerne, and those of Gargantua’s country, whereupon were
waged great wars
Chapter 1.XXVI.--How the inhabitants of Lerne, by the commandment of
Picrochole their king, assaulted the shepherds of Gargantua unexpectedly
and on a sudden
Chapter 1.XXVII.--How a monk of Seville saved the close of the abbey from being
ransacked by the enemy
Chapter 1.XXVIII.--How Picrochole stormed and took by assault the rock
Clermond, and of Grangousier’s unwillingness and aversion from the
undertaking of war
Chapter 1.XXIX.--The tenour of the letter which Grangousier wrote to his son Gargantua
Chapter 1.XXX.--How Ulric Gallet was sent unto Picrochole
Chapter 1.XXXI.--The speech made by Gallet to Picrochole
Chapter 1.XXXII.--How Grangousier, to buy peace, caused the cakes to be
restored
Chapter 1.XXXIII.--How some statesmen of Picrochole, by hairbrained
counsel, put him in extreme danger
Chapter 1.XXXIV.--How Gargantua left the city of Paris to succour his
country, and how Gymnast encountered with the enemy
Chapter 1.XXXV.--How Gymnast very souply and cunningly killed Captain
Tripet and others of Picrochole’s men
Chapter 1.XXXVI.--How Gargantua demolished the castle at the ford of Vede, and how
they passed the ford
Chapter 1.XXXVII.--How Gargantua, in combing his head, made the great
cannon-balls fall out of his hair
Chapter 1.XXXVIII.--How Gargantua did eat up six pilgrims in a salad
Chapter 1.XXXIX.--How the Monk was feasted by Gargantua, and of the jovial
discourse they had at supper
Chapter 1.XL.--Why monks are the outcasts of the world; and wherefore some
have bigger noses than others
Chapter 1.XLI.--How the Monk made Gargantua sleep, and of his hours and
breviaries
Chapter 1.XLII.--How the Monk encouraged his fellow-champions, and how he hanged
upon a tree
Chapter 1.XLIII.--How the scouts and fore-party of Picrochole were met with by
Gargantua, and how the Monk slew Captain Drawforth, and then was taken
prisoner by his enemies
Chapter 1.XLIV.--How the Monk rid himself of his keepers, and how Picrochole’s
forlorn hope was defeated
Chapter 1.XLV.--How the Monk carried along with him the Pilgrims, and of the
good words that Grangousier gave them
Chapter 1.XLVI.--How Grangousier did very kindly entertain Touchfaucet his prisoner
Chapter 1.XLVII.--How Grangousier sent for his legions, and how Touchfaucet slew
Rashcalf, and was afterwards executed by the command of Picrochole
Chapter 1.XLVIII.--How Gargantua set upon Picrochole within the rock Clermond, and
utterly defeated the army of the said Picrochole
Chapter 1.XLIX.--How Picrochole in his flight fell into great misfortunes, and what
Gargantua did after the battle
Chapter 1.L.--Gargantua’s speech to the vanquished
Chapter 1.LI.--How the victorious Gargantuists were recompensed after the battle
Chapter 1.LII.--How Gargantua caused to be built for the Monk the Abbey of Theleme
Chapter 1.LIII.--How the abbey of the Thelemites was built and endowed
Chapter 1.LIV.--The inscription set upon the great gate of Theleme
Chapter 1.LV.--What manner of dwelling the Thelemites had
Chapter 1.LVI.--How the men and women of the religious order of Theleme were
apparelled
Chapter 1.LVII.--How the Thelemites were governed, and of their manner of living
Chapter 1.LVIII.--A prophetical Riddle
THE SECOND BOOK.
For the Reader
Mr. Hugh Salel to Rabelais
The Author’s Prologue
Chapter 2.I.--Of the original and antiquity of the great Pantagruel
Chapter 2.II.--Of the nativity of the most dread and redoubted Pantagruel
Chapter 2.III.--Of the grief wherewith Gargantua was moved at the decease of his
wife Badebec
Chapter 2.IV.--Of the infancy of Pantagruel
Chapter 2.V.--Of the acts of the noble Pantagruel in his youthful age
Chapter 2.VI.--How Pantagruel met with a Limousin, who too affectedly did
counterfeit the French language
Chapter 2.VII.--How Pantagruel came to Paris, and of the choice books of the Library of
St. Victor
Chapter 2.VIII.--How Pantagruel, being at Paris, received letters from his father Gargantua, and
the copy of them
Chapter 2.IX.--How Pantagruel found Panurge, whom he loved all his lifetime
Chapter 2.X.--How Pantagruel judged so equitably of a controversy, which was wonderfully
obscure and difficult, that, by reason of his just decree therein, he was
reputed to have a most admirable judgment
Chapter 2.XI.--How the Lords of Kissbreech and Suckfist did plead before Pantagruel without an attorney
Chapter 2.XII.--How the Lord of Suckfist pleaded before Pantagruel
Chapter 2.XIII.--How Pantagruel gave judgment upon the difference of the two lords
Chapter 2.XIV.--How Panurge related the manner how he escaped out of the hands of the Turks
Chapter 2.XV.--How Panurge showed a very new way to build the walls of Paris
Chapter 2.XVI.--Of the qualities and conditions of Panurge
Chapter 2.XVII.--How Panurge gained the pardons, and married the old women, and of the suit in
law which he had at Paris
Chapter 2.XVIII.--How a great scholar of England would have argued against Pantagruel, and was overcome by Panurge
Chapter 2.XIX.--How Panurge put to a nonplus the Englishman that argued by signs
Chapter 2.XX.--How Thaumast relateth the virtues and knowledge of Panurge
Chapter 2.XXI.--How Panurge was in love with a lady of Paris
Chapter 2.XXII.--How Panurge served a Parisian lady a trick that pleased her not very well
Chapter 2.XXIII.--How Pantagruel departed from Paris, hearing news that the Dipsodes had invaded the
land of the Amaurots; and the cause wherefore the leagues are so short in France
Chapter 2.XXIV.--A letter which a messenger brought to Pantagruel from a lady of Paris, together with the
exposition of a posy written in a gold ring
Chapter 2.XXV.--How Panurge, Carpalin, Eusthenes, and Epistemon, the gentlemen attendants of Pantagruel, vanquished and discomfited six hundred and threescore horsemen very cunningly
Chapter 2.XXVI.--How Pantagruel and his company were weary in eating still salt meats; and how Carpalin went a-hunting to have some venison
Chapter 2.XXVII.--How Pantagruel set up one trophy in memorial of their valour, and Panurge another in remembrance of the hares. How Pantagruel likewise with his farts begat little men, and with his fisgs little women; and how Panurge broke a great staff over two glasses
Chapter 2.XXVIII.--How Pantagruel got the victory very strangely over the Dipsodes and the Giants
Chapter 2.XXIX.--How Pantagruel discomfited the three hundred giants armed with free-stone, and Loupgarou their captain
Chapter 2.XXX.--How Epistemon, who had his head cut off, was finely healed by Panurge, and of the news which he
brought from the devils, and of the damned people in hell
Chapter 2.XXXI.--How Pantagruel entered into the city of the Amaurots, and how Panurge married King Anarchus to an old lantern-carrying hag, and made him a crier of green sauce
Chapter 2.XXXII.--How Pantagruel with his tongue covered a whole army, and what the author saw in his mouth
Chapter 2.XXXIII.--How Pantagruel became sick, and the manner how he was recovered
Chapter 2.XXXIV.--The conclusion of this present book, and the excuse of the author
THE THIRD BOOK.
Francois Rabelais to the Soul of the Deceased Queen of Navarre
The Author’s Prologue
Chapter 3.I.--How Pantagruel transported a colony of Utopians into Dipsody
Chapter 3.II.--How Panurge was made Laird of Salmigondin in Dipsody, and did waste his revenue before it came in
Chapter 3.III.--How Panurge praiseth the debtors and borrowers
Chapter 3.IV.--Panurge continueth his discourse in the praise of borrowers and lenders
Chapter 3.V.--How Pantagruel altogether abhorreth the debtors and borrowers
Chapter 3.VI.--Why new married men were privileged from going to the wars
Chapter 3.VII.--How Panurge had a flea in his ear, and forbore to wear any longer his magnificent codpiece
Chapter 3.VIII.--Why the codpiece is held to be the chief piece of armour amongst warriors
Chapter 3.IX.--How Panurge asketh counsel of Pantagruel whether he should marry, yea, or no
Chapter 3.X.--How Pantagruel representeth unto Panurge the difficulty of giving advice in the matter of marriage; and to that purpose mentioneth somewhat of the Homeric and Virgilian lotteries
Chapter 3.XI.--How Pantagruel showeth the trial of one’s fortune by the throwing of dice to be unlawful
Chapter 3.XII.--How Pantagruel doth explore by the Virgilian lottery what fortune Panurge shall have in his marriage
Chapter 3.XIII.--How Pantagruel adviseth Panurge to try the future good or bad luck of his marriage by dreams
Chapter 3.XIV.--Panurge’s dream, with the interpretation