How the victorious Gargantuists were recompensed after
the battle.
When Gargantua had finished his speech, the seditious
men whom he required were delivered up unto him, except
Swashbuckler, Dirt-tail, and Smalltrash, who ran away
six hours before the battle—one of them
as far as to Lainiel-neck at one course, another to
the valley of Vire, and the third even unto Logroine,
without looking back or taking breath by the way—and
two of the cake-bakers who were slain in the fight.
Gargantua did them no other hurt but that he appointed
them to pull at the presses of his printing-house
which he had newly set up. Then those who died
there he caused to be honourably buried in Black-soile
valley and Burn-hag field, and gave order that the
wounded should be dressed and had care of in his great
hospital or nosocome. After this, considering
the great prejudice done to the town and its inhabitants,
he reimbursed their charges and repaired all the losses
that by their confession upon oath could appear they
had sustained; and, for their better defence and security
in times coming against all sudden uproars and invasions,
commanded a strong citadel to be built there with
a competent garrison to maintain it. At his departure
he did very graciously thank all the soldiers of the
brigades that had been at this overthrow, and sent
them back to their winter-quarters in their several
stations and garrisons; the decumane legion only excepted,
whom in the field on that day he saw do some great
exploit, and their captains also, whom he brought
along with himself unto Grangousier.
At the sight and coming of them, the good man was
so joyful, that it is not possible fully to describe
it. He made them a feast the most magnificent,
plentiful, and delicious that ever was seen since the
time of the king Ahasuerus. At the taking up
of the table he distributed amongst them his whole
cupboard of plate, which weighed eight hundred thousand
and fourteen bezants (Each bezant is worth five pounds
English money.) of gold, in great antique vessels,
huge pots, large basins, big tasses, cups, goblets,
candlesticks, comfit-boxes, and other such plate, all
of pure massy gold, besides the precious stones, enamelling,
and workmanship, which by all men’s estimation
was more worth than the matter of the gold. Then
unto every one of them out of his coffers caused he
to be given the sum of twelve hundred thousand crowns
ready money. And, further, he gave to each of
them for ever and in perpetuity, unless he should happen
to decease without heirs, such castles and neighbouring
lands of his as were most commodious for them.
To Ponocrates he gave the rock Clermond; to Gymnast,
the Coudray; to Eudemon, Montpensier; Rivau, to Tolmere,
to Ithibolle, Montsoreau; to Acamas, Cande; Varenes,
to Chironacte; Gravot, to Sebast; Quinquenais, to
Alexander; Legre, to Sophrone, and so of his other
places.
