Though, touching Comets, Tycho Brahe, Kepler, Halley, Sir Isaac Newton,
and others of that stamp, do deny their malign influence on mundane
affairs, yet I, RIGDUM FUNNIDOS, holding in far greater reverence the
wisdom of our ancestors, and the sage opinion of my renowned defunct
predecessor, FRANCIS MOORE, do maintain, that they cast a sinister
aspect on this terrestrial globe; yea, and do mightily, in a most
adverse fashion, affect the same. Where-fore, I say, look, when the
_Great Comet_ cometh, for a sufficient reason, in the coming thereof,
for every thing which shall happen contrariwise; whether it be the
falling of kings, or the falling of stocks; the quarrels of nations, or
the squabbles of matrimony; the crash of empires, or the smash of
crockery; the tyranny of despots, or the scolding of wives:—yea, I do
say again, place them all to the account of the _Great Comet_.
* * * * *
Hereafter do follow sundry matters, both pleasant and profitable.