Pantagrueline Prognostication
Rabelais, François - 1532
Rabelais, François - 1532
In this book, François Rabelais presented a parody of the almanacs, astrological predictions that exercised a growing hold on the Renaissance mind.
Angleterre, Escosse, les Estrelins seront assez mauvais Pantagruelistes. Autant sain leur seroit le vin que la bière, pourveu qu'il soit bon & friant. A toutes tables leur espoir sera en l'arrière ieu. Sainct Treignan Descosse fera de miracles tant & plus. Mais des chandelles qu'on luy portera, il ne verra goutte plus clair, si Aries ascendant de sa busche ne trebusche, & n'est de sa corne escorné.
The English and the Scots will make rather poor Pantagruelists. Wine would be as wholesome to them as beer, provided it be good and full of flavor. At Toutes Tables, they will place their hope in the back game. Saint Treignan of Scotland will then work miracles in great numbers. Yet of the candles offered to him, he will see no clearer, unless Aries, rising from his log, should stumble, and his horn be chipped.