Bab Bab 47 · How Grangousier sent for his

Chapter 1.XLVII.

How Grangousier sent for his legions, and how Touchfaucet slew Rashcalf,

and was afterwards executed by the command of Picrochole.

About this same time those of Besse, of the Old Market, of St. James’

Bourg, of the Draggage, of Parille, of the Rivers, of the rocks St. Pol, of

the Vaubreton, of Pautille, of the Brehemont, of Clainbridge, of Cravant,

of Grammont, of the town at the Badgerholes, of Huymes, of Segre, of Husse,

of St. Lovant, of Panzoust, of the Coldraux, of Verron, of Coulaines, of

Chose, of Varenes, of Bourgueil, of the Bouchard Island, of the Croullay,

of Narsay, of Cande, of Montsoreau, and other bordering places, sent

ambassadors unto Grangousier, to tell him that they were advised of the

great wrongs which Picrochole had done him, and, in regard of their ancient

confederacy, offered him what assistance they could afford, both in men,

money, victuals, and ammunition, and other necessaries for war. The money

which by the joint agreement of them all was sent unto him, amounted to six

score and fourteen millions, two crowns and a half of pure gold. The

forces wherewith they did assist him did consist in fifteen thousand

cuirassiers, two-and-thirty thousand light horsemen, four score and nine

thousand dragoons, and a hundred-and-forty thousand volunteer adventurers.

These had with them eleven thousand and two hundred cannons, double

cannons, long pieces of artillery called basilisks, and smaller sized ones

known by the name of spirols, besides the mortar-pieces and grenadoes. Of

pioneers they had seven-and-forty thousand, all victualled and paid for six

months and four days of advance. Which offer Gargantua did not altogether

refuse, nor wholly accept of; but, giving them hearty thanks, said that he

would compose and order the war by such a device, that there should not be

found great need to put so many honest men to trouble in the managing of

it; and therefore was content at that time to give order only for bringing

along the legions which he maintained in his ordinary garrison towns of the

Deviniere, of Chavigny, of Gravot, and of the Quinquenais, amounting to the

number of two thousand cuirassiers, three score and six thousand

foot-soldiers, six-and-twenty thousand dragoons, attended by two hundred

pieces of great ordnance, two-and-twenty thousand pioneers, and six thousand

light horsemen, all drawn up in troops, so well befitted and accommodated

with their commissaries, sutlers, farriers, harness-makers, and other such

like necessary members in a military camp, so fully instructed in the art of

warfare, so perfectly knowing and following their colours, so ready to hear

and obey their captains, so nimble to run, so strong at their charging, so

prudent in their adventures, and every day so well disciplined, that they

seemed rather to be a concert of organ-pipes, or mutual concord of the

wheels of a clock, than an infantry and cavalry, or army of soldiers.

Touchfaucet immediately after his return presented himself before

Picrochole, and related unto him at large all that he had done and seen,

and at last endeavoured to persuade him with strong and forcible arguments

to capitulate and make an agreement with Grangousier, whom he found to be

the honestest man in the world; saying further, that it was neither right

nor reason thus to trouble his neighbours, of whom they had never received

anything but good. And in regard of the main point, that they should never

be able to go through stitch with that war, but to their great damage and

mischief; for the forces of Picrochole were not so considerable but that

Grangousier could easily overthrow them.

He had not well done speaking when Rashcalf said out aloud, Unhappy is that

prince which is by such men served, who are so easily corrupted, as I know

Touchfaucet is. For I see his courage so changed that he had willingly

joined with our enemies to fight against us and betray us, if they would

have received him; but as virtue is of all, both friends and foes, praised

and esteemed, so is wickedness soon known and suspected, and although it

happen the enemies to make use thereof for their profit, yet have they

always the wicked and the traitors in abomination.

Touchfaucet being at these words very impatient, drew out his sword, and

therewith ran Rashcalf through the body, a little under the nipple of his

left side, whereof he died presently, and pulling back his sword out of his

body said boldly, So let him perish that shall a faithful servant blame.

Picrochole incontinently grew furious, and seeing Touchfaucet’s new sword

and his scabbard so richly diapered with flourishes of most excellent

workmanship, said, Did they give thee this weapon so feloniously therewith

to kill before my face my so good friend Rashcalf? Then immediately

commanded he his guard to hew him in pieces, which was instantly done, and

that so cruelly that the chamber was all dyed with blood. Afterwards he

appointed the corpse of Rashcalf to be honourably buried, and that of

Touchfaucet to be cast over the walls into the ditch.

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.