Kabanata Kabanata 51 · How the victorious Gargantui

Chapter 1.LI.

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.