Pantagruel’s Course of Study. Pantagruel’s father, Gargantua, said in a letter to his son:
“I intend and insist that you learn all languages perfectly; first of all Greek, in Quintillian’s method; then Latin, then Hebrew, then Arabic and Chaldee. I wish you to form your style of Greek on the model of Plato, and of Latin on that of Cicero. Let there be no history you have not at your finger’s ends, and study thoroughly cosmography and geography. Of liberal arts, such as geometry, mathematics and music, I gave you a taste when not above five years old, and I would have you now master them fully. Study astronomy, but not divination and judicial astrology, which I consider mere vanities. As for civil law, I would have thee know the digests by heart. You should also have a perfect knowledge of the works of Nature, so that there is no sea, river, or smallest stream, which you do not know for what fish it is noted, whence it proceeds, and whither it directs its course; all fowls of the air, all shrubs and trees, whether forest or orchard, all herbs and flowers, all metals and stones should be mastered by you. Fail not at the same time most carefully to peruse the Talmudists and Cabalists, and be sure by frequent anatomies to gain a perfect knowledge of that other world called the microcosm, which is man. Master all these in your young days, and let nothing be superficial; as you grow into manhood, you must learn chivalry, warfare, and field manœuvres.”—Rabelais, Pantagruel, ii. 8 (1533).
Pantag´ruel’s Tongue. It formed shelter for a whole army. His throat and mouth contained whole cities.
Then did they [the army] put themselves in close order, and stood as near to each other as they could, and Pantagruel put out his tongue half-way, and covered them all, as a hen doth her chickens.—Rabelais, Pantagruel, ii. 32 (1533).
Pantagruelian Lawsuit (The). This was between Lord Busqueue and Lord Suckfist, who pleaded their own cases. The writs, etc., were as much as four asses could carry. After the plaintiff had stated his case, and the defendant had made his reply, Pantagruel gave judgment, and the two suitors were both satisfied, for no one understood a word of the pleadings, or the tenor of the verdict.—Rabelais, Pantagruel, ii. (1533).
Pantaloon. In the Italian comedy, Il Pantalo´ne is a thin, emaciated, old man, and the only character that acts in slippers.
The sixth age shifts
Into the lean and slippered Pantaloon.
Shakespeare, As You Like It, act ii. sc. 7 (1600).
Panther (The), symbol of pleasure. When Dantê began the ascent of fame, this beast met him, and tried to stop his further progress.
Scarce the ascent
Began, when lo! a panther, nimble, light,
And covered with a speckled skin, appeared,
... and strove to check my onward going.
Dantê, Hell, i. (1300).
Panther (The Spotted), the Church of England. The “milk-white doe” is the Church of Rome.