Then, said Grangousier, go your ways, poor men, in
the name of God the Creator, to whom I pray to guide
you perpetually, and henceforward be not so ready
to undertake these idle and unprofitable journeys.
Look to your families, labour every man in his vocation,
instruct your children, and live as the good apostle
St. Paul directeth you; in doing whereof, God, his
angels and sancts, will guard and protect you, and
no evil or plague at any time shall befall you.
Then Gargantua led them into the hall to take their
refection; but the pilgrims did nothing but sigh, and
said to Gargantua, O how happy is that land which
hath such a man for their lord! We have been
more edified and instructed by the talk which he had
with us, than by all the sermons that ever were preached
in our town. This is, said Gargantua, that which
Plato saith, Lib. 5 de Republ., that those commonwealths
are happy, whose rulers philosophate, and whose philosophers
rule. Then caused he their wallets to be filled
with victuals and their bottles with wine, and gave
unto each of them a horse to ease them upon the way,
together with some pence to live by.
Chapter 1.XLVI.
How Grangousier did very kindly entertain Touchfaucet
his prisoner.
Touchfaucet was presented unto Grangousier, and by
him examined upon the enterprise and attempt of Picrochole,
what it was he could pretend to, or aim at, by the
rustling stir and tumultuary coil of this his sudden
invasion. Whereunto he answered, that his end
and purpose was to conquer all the country, if he
could, for the injury done to his cake-bakers.
It is too great an undertaking, said Grangousier;
and, as the proverb is, He that grips too much, holds
fast but little. 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.
It would have been more commendable in him to have
contained himself within the bounds of his own territories,
royally governing them, than to insult and domineer
in mine, pillaging and plundering everywhere like a
most unmerciful enemy; for, by ruling his own with
discretion, he might have increased his greatness,
but by robbing me he cannot escape destruction.
Go your ways in the name of God, prosecute good enterprises,
show your king what is amiss, and never counsel him
with regard unto your own particular profit, for the
public loss will swallow up the private benefit.
As for your ransom, I do freely remit it to you,
