But we soon heard that there was no such matter in hand.
The master of the house, you must know, had been a good fellow in his time, loved heartily to wind up his bottom, to bang the pitcher, and lick his dish.

He used to be a very fair swallower of gravy soup, a notable accountant in matter of hours, and his whole life was one continual dinner, like mine host at Rouillac (in Perigord).

But now, having farted out much fat for ten years together, according to the custom of the country, he was drawing towards his bursting hour; for neither the inner thin kell wherewith the entrails are covered, nor his skin that had been jagged and mangled so many years, were able to hold and enclose his guts any longer, or hinder them from forcing their way out.

Pray, quoth Panurge, is there no remedy, no help for the poor man, good people?
Why don't you swaddle him round with good tight girths, or secure his natural tub with a strong sorb-apple-tree hoop?
Nay, why don't you iron-bind him, if needs be?
This would keep the man from flying out and bursting.

The word was not yet out of his mouth when we heard something give a loud report, as if a huge sturdy oak had been split in two.