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
manoeuvres."--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 Dant[^e] 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.