Page:Biographical and critical studies by James Thomson ("B.V.").djvu/35

 RABELAIS 19 gruelism was right bountiful to Rabelais when it secured him such life-long friends as these. He was staying with Guillaume du Bellay, at the end of 1542, when the veteran, who was lieutenant- general of the armies of the king in Piedmont, being warned by his spies of a secret intrigue of Charles V. against Francis I., did not hesitate to start at once, in spite of his great age, his infirmities, and the rigour of the season, to acquaint the king with what was passing. On leaving Lyons, carried in a litter, since he was not able to ride on horseback, he soon felt so ill that he was compelled to stop, and knew that his end was at hand. His death and the circumstances attending it made a profound impression on Rabelais, who loved and esteemed him; it is spoken of three times in " Pantagruel," and always with an unmistakable seri- ousness. In Book iv., chap, xxvi., Epistemon says : " We have had experience of this lately at the death of that valiant and learned knight, Guillaume du Bellay, during whose life France enjoyed so much happiness that all the world had her in envy, all the world sought her friendship, all the world feared her. From the day of his death it has been the scorn of all the world for a very long time." And in chap, xxvii., Pantagruel himself first speaking : " * This we saw several days before the departure of that so illustrious, generous, and heroic soul of the learned and valiant chevalier of Langey, of whom you have spoken.' — ' I remember it,' said Epistemon, 'and still my heart shudders and trembles within its membrane when I think of the prodigies, so various and horrific, which we saw plainly five or six days before his departure ; so that the lords D'Assier, Chemant, Mailly the one-