The news of these excessive violences were quickly
spread through all the army; whereupon many began
to murmur against Picrochole, in so far that Pinchpenny
said to him, My sovereign lord, I know not what the
issue of this enterprise will be. I see your
men much dejected, and not well resolved in their
minds, by considering that we are here very ill provided
of victual, and that our number is already much diminished
by three or four sallies. Furthermore, great
supplies and recruits come daily in to your enemies;
but we so moulder away that, if we be once besieged,
I do not see how we can escape a total destruction.
Tush, pish, said Picrochole, you are like the Melun
eels, you cry before they come to you. Let them
come, let them come, if they dare.
How Gargantua set upon Picrochole within the rock
Clermond, and utterly defeated the army of the said
Picrochole.
Gargantua had the charge of the whole army, and his
father Grangousier stayed in his castle, who, encouraging
them with good words, promised great rewards unto
those that should do any notable service. Having
thus set forward, as soon as they had gained the pass
at the ford of Vede, with boats and bridges speedily
made they passed over in a trice. Then considering
the situation of the town, which was on a high and
advantageous place, Gargantua thought fit to call
his council, and pass that night in deliberation upon
what was to be done. 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. My opinion is, therefore, that now
presently, after your men have taken breath and some
small refection, you give order for a resolute assault,
and that we storm them instantly. His advice
was found very good, and for effectuating thereof he
brought forth his army into the plain field, and placed
the reserves on the skirt or rising of a little hill.
The monk took along with him six companies of foot
and two hundred horsemen well armed, and with great
diligence crossed the marsh, and valiantly got upon
the top of the green hillock even unto the highway
which leads to Loudun. Whilst the assault was
thus begun, Picrochole’s men could not tell
well what was best, to issue out and receive the assailants,
or keep within the town and not to stir. Himself
in the mean time, without deliberation, sallied forth
in a rage with the cavalry of his guard, who were
forthwith received and royally entertained with great
cannon-shot that fell upon them like hail from the
high grounds on which the artillery was planted.
Whereupon the Gargantuists betook themselves unto
the valleys, to give the ordnance leave to play and
range with the larger scope.
