believe that they drank as much as their skins could
hold, or, as the phrase is, with unbuttoned bellies
(for in that age they made fast their bellies with
buttons, as we do now the collars of our doublets or
jerkins), even till they neither knew where they were
nor whence they came. Blessed Lady, how they
did carouse it, and pluck, as we say, at the kid’s
leather! And flagons to trot, and they to toot,
Draw; give, page, some wine here; reach hither; fill
with a devil, so! There was not one but did drink
five and twenty or thirty pipes. Can you tell
how? Even sicut terra sine aqua; for the weather
was hot, and, besides that, they were very dry.
In matter of the exposition of the propositions set
down by Thaumast, and the signification of the signs
which they used in their disputation, I would have
set them down for you according to their own relation,
but I have been told that Thaumast made a great book
of it, imprinted at London, wherein he hath set down
all, without omitting anything, and therefore at this
time I do pass by it.
Chapter 2.XXI.
How Panurge was in love with a lady of Paris.
Panurge began to be in great reputation in the city
of Paris by means of this disputation wherein he prevailed
against the Englishman, and from thenceforth made
his codpiece to be very useful to him. To which
effect he had it pinked with pretty little embroideries
after the Romanesca fashion. And the world did
praise him publicly, in so far that there was a song
made of him, which little children did use to sing
when they were to fetch mustard. He was withal
made welcome in all companies of ladies and gentlewomen,
so that at last he became presumptuous, and went about
to bring to his lure one of the greatest ladies in
the city. And, indeed, leaving a rabble of long
prologues and protestations, which ordinarily these
dolent contemplative lent-lovers make who never meddle
with the flesh, one day he said unto her, Madam, it
would be a very great benefit to the commonwealth,
delightful to you, honourable to your progeny, and
necessary for me, that I cover you for the propagating
of my race, and believe it, for experience will teach
it you. The lady at this word thrust him back
above a hundred leagues, saying, You mischievous fool,
is it for you to talk thus unto me? Whom do
you think you have in hand? Begone, never to
come in my sight again; for, if one thing were not,
I would have your legs and arms cut off. Well,
said he, that were all one to me, to want both legs
and arms, provided you and I had but one merry bout
together at the brangle-buttock game; for herewithin
is—in showing her his long codpiece—Master
John Thursday, who will play you such an antic that
you shall feel the sweetness thereof even to the very
marrow of your bones. He is a gallant, and doth
so well know how to find out all the corners, creeks,
and ingrained inmates in your carnal trap, that after
