into its kind; as also having all the powers from above and below, as
_Hermes_ saith, _Pater ejus est ~Sol~, Mater vero ~Luna~, & Terra nutrix
ejus_.
Which is confirmed by the last Verse, _As well under his feet, as in the
Heavenly Seat_.
III.
French.
_Mars_ & _Mercure_, & Largent joint ensemble,
Vers le Midy extreme siccité,
Au fond d’_Asie_ on dira Terre tremble,
_Corinthe_, _Ephese_ lors en perplexite.
English.
_Mars_ and _Mercury_, and Silver joyned together,
Towards the South a great drought,
In the bottome of _Asia_ shall be an Earth-quake,
_Corinth_ and _Ephesus_ shall then be in perplexity.
ANNOT.
After the Author hath in the foregoing Stanza expressed the mistery
of the Philosophers stone, he seemeth to give here a receit, though
Sophistical, for the relief of the Inquisitors, and as it were a
_Viaticum_, for them to subsist till they can attain to the perfection,
as _Basilius_, _Valentinus_ hath done since to his disciples.
He saith then, that with _Mars_, that is, Iron, _Mercury_ and Silver
joyned together, some thing may be done, if you beware of a _drought
in the South_; that is, in the middle of the operation; and this is
concerning the two first Verses. Those that shall desire to be better
and further informed, may come to me, and they shall have all the
satisfaction I can afford them.
The two last Verses have no relation to the first two, and foretel onely
a great _Earthquake_ in _Asia_, by which, those two Towns, _Corinth_ and
_Ephesus_, shall be in great perplexity.
IV.
French.
Quand seront proches le defaut des Lunaires,
De l’un a lautre ne distant grandement,
Froid, siccité, dangers vers les frontieres,
Mesme ou l’Oracle a pris commencement.
English.
When the want of the Luminaries shall be near,
Not being far distant one from another,
Cold, drought, danger towards the Frontiers,
Even where the Oracle had his beginning.
ANNOT.
The word _near_, sheweth that the two Eclipses, one of the Sun and the
other of the Moon, shall be near one another.
The Ephemerides of _John Stadius_, teach us, that in the year 1556 in the
Month of _November_, these two Eclipses did meet. That of the Sun upon
the first of _November_, at 17 hours (as the Astrologers reckon) and 53
Minutes. That of the Moon at 12 hours and 43 Scruples; and thus the two
last Verses are plain.
Concerning the other two: _Belleforest_ teacheth us two things; the
first, that the same year was extraordinary dry, in so much that from
_April_ to _October_ it did not rain, but only upon the Eve of St. _John_
the Baptist, and that the Vintage was made in _August_, the Wine proving
excellent. The second is, that in the Month of _December_ began a horrid
Frost, which lasted a great while. Thus there was _Cold and drought_.
Concerning the dangers towards the Frontiers, _Belleforest_ saith, that
towards _Pickardy_ the _Spaniard_ began to break the truce, making
inrodes about _Abbeville_, St. _Spirit_ of _Rue_, _la Chapele_, _Rozoy_,
_Thierasse_, and _Aubenton_.
When complaints were made of it, they alledged their necessity and want
of Victuals; which did oblige the Lord Admiral to permit the Souldiers
retaliation; and in this manner, _there was danger towards the Frontiers_.
As for the Town where the _Oracle_ (that is, our Author) had his
beginning or birth, whether it be that of St. _Remy_ or _Salon de Craux_.
The dangers that were there, proceeded from the Civil Wars between the
Protestants and the _Roman_ Catholicks.
V.
French.
Pres le defaut des deux grands luminaires,
Qui surviendra entre l’_Avril_ & _Mars_,
O quel cherté! mais deux grands debonnaires,
Par Terre & Mer secourront toutes parts.
English.
Near the Ecclipses of the two great Luminaries,
Which shall happen between _April_ and _March_,
O what a dearth! but two great ones bountiful,
By Land and Sea shall succour them on all sides.
ANNOT.
There shall happen two great Ecclipses between _March_ and _April_, one
of the Sun, and the other of the Moon; then shall be a great dearth, but
the afflicted shall be relieved by the two powerful Princes of a good
Nature.
VI.
French.
Dans Temple clos le foudre y entrera.
Des Citadins dedans leur fort grevez,
Chevaux, Bœufs, Hommes, l’Onde mur touchera,
Par faim, soif, soubs les plus foibles armez.
English.
Into a close Church the lightning shall fall,
The Citizens shall be distressed in their Fort,
Horses, Oxen, Men, the Water shall touch the Wall,
By hunger, thirst, down shall come the worst provided.
ANNOT.
This is plain.
VII.
French.
Les fugitifs, feu du Ciel sur les Piques,
Conflit prochain des Corbeaux sesbatans,
De Terre on crie, aide, secours Celiques,
Quand pres des murs seront les combatans.
English.
The runaways, fire of Heaven upon the Pikes,
A fight near hand, the Ravens sporting,
They cry from the Land, succours O Heavenly powers
When near the walls shall be the fighting men.
ANNOT.
The first Verse signifieth, that there shall be some _Fugitives_, upon
whose _Pikes_ the Lightning shall fall.
The second, that when a multitude of _Ravens shall be sporting_, a great
fight shall be near hand.
The third, that there shall be a great exclamation and prayers, when the
Souldiers shall come near the wall to give an assault.
VIII.
French.
Les _Cimbres_ joints avecques leurs voisins,
Depopuler viendront presque l’_Espagne_,
Gens ramassez, _Guienne_ & _Limosins_,
Seront en ligue & leur feront Compagne.
English.
The _Cimbres_ joyned with their neighbours,
Shall come to depopulate almost all _Spain_,
People gathered from _Guienna_ and _Limosin_,
Shall be in league with them, and keep them Company.
ANNOT.
The _Cimbres_ and _Teutons_ were a Northern people, _viz_: the _Swedes_
and _Danes_, who came once out of their Countrey to sack _Rome_, and were
overcome by _Marius_, near the Town of _Orenge_, in a place where his
Triumphal Arch is seen to this day. The rest is easie.
IX.
French.
_Bourdeaux_, _Rouan_ & la _Rochelle_ joints,
Tiendront autour la grand Mer Occeane,
_Anglois Bretons_, & les _Flamans_ conjoints,
Les chasseront jusque aupres de _Rouane_.
English.
_Bourdeaux_, _Rouan_, and _Rochel_ joyned together,
Will range about upon the great Ocean,
_English Brittans_, and _Flemings_ joyned together,
Shall drive them away as far as _Rouane_.
ANNOT.
By mentioning _Bourdeaux_, _Rouan_, and _Rochel_, the Author
understandeth the whole Naval forces of _France_, which (he saith) shall
be defeated, by the _English_, _Brittains_, and _Hollanders_, and pursued
as far as _Rouane_, which is a Town at the head of the River _Loire_,
from whence it runneth down for the space of 500 Miles to _Nantes_, and a
while after dischargeth it self into the Ocean.
X.
French.
De sang & faim plus grand calamité,
Sept fois sapreste a la Marine plage,
_Monech_ de faim, lieu pris, captivité,
Le grand mené, _Croc_, enserré en cage.
English.
Of blood and famine, what a great calamity!
Seven times is ready to come upon the Sea Coast,
_Monech_ by hunger, the place taken, captivity,
The great one carried away, _Croc_, shut up in a Cage.
ANNOT.
_Monech_ or _Monaco_ is a Town and Principality belonging to the
Family of the _Grimaldi_ of _Genua_, and is seated by the Sea side,
between _Provence_ and _Genoa_; that place is threatned here with many
afflictions, as is plain in this Stanza.
XI.
French.
Les Armées battre au Ciel longue saison,
L’Arbre au milieu de la Cité tombé,
Vermine, Rogne, Glaive en face tison,
Lors le Monarque d’_Adrie_ succombé.
English.
Armies shall fight in the Air a great while,
The tree shall fall in the middle of the City,
Vermin, Scabs, Sword, fire-brand in the face,
When the Monarck of _Adria_ shall fall.
ANNOT.
The three first Verses contain several prodigies, that shall happen
before the death of the Duke of _Venice_, or rather (because he is no
Monarck) before the fall of that Monarchy or Common-wealth.
XII.
French.
Par la tumeur du _Heb._ _Po._ _Tag._ _Tibre_ de _Rome_,
Et par lestang _Leman_ & _Aretin_,
Les deux grands chefs, & Citez de _Garonne_,
Prins, Morts, Noiez. Partir humain butin.
English.
By the swelling of _Heb._ _Po._ _Tag._ _Tiber_ of _Rome_,
And by the Lake _Leman_ and _Aretin_,
The two great Heads, and Cities of _Garonne_,
Taken, Dead, Drowned. The human booty shall be divided.
ANNOT.
_Heb._ is the River _Hebrus_ in _Thracia_, _Po_, is the great River of
_Italy_, _Tag._ is _Tagus_, the River of _Lisbonne_; the rest is plain.
XIII.
French.
Par Foudre en Arche Or & Argent fondu,
De deux Captifs l’un l’autre mangera,
De la Cité le plus grand estendu,
Quand submergée la Classe nagera.
English.
By Lightning shall gold and silver be melted in the Arch,
Of two Prisoners one shall eat up the other,
The greatest of the City shall be laid down,
When the Navy that was drowned shall swim.
ANNOT.
The words and the sense are plain.
XIV.
French.
Par le Rameau du vaillant personage,
De _France_ infirme, par le Pere infelice,
Honeurs, Richesses, travail en son viel Age,
Pour avoir creu le conseil d’homme nice.
English.
By the Bow of the valliant men,
Of weak _France_, by the unfortunate Father,
Honours, Riches, labour in his old age,
For having believed the councel of a nice man.
ANNOT.
Every body may understand this as well as I do.
XV.
French.
Cœur, vigueur, gloire, le Regne changera,
De tous points contre, ayant son adversaire,
Lors _France_ enfance par mort subjuguera,
Un grand Regent sera lors plus contraire.
English.
Heart, vigour, and glory shall change the Kingdom,
In all points, having an adversary against it,
Then shall _France_ overcome Childhood by death,
A great Regent shall then be more adversary to it.
ANNOT.
The two first Verses seem to have foretold of the late Tyrant _Cromwel_.
The two last Verses may be applied to _France_, when the Infant of
_Spain_ _Don Balthazar_ died, _&c._
XVI.
French.
Un Prince _Anglois_ _Mars_ a son cœur du Ciel,
Voudra poursuivre sa fortune prospere,
Des deux duelles l’un percera le fiel,
Hay de luy, bien aymé de sa Mere.
English.
An _English_ Prince _Mars_ hath his heart from Heaven,
Will follow his prosperous fortune,
Of two Duels one shall pierce the gall,
Being hated of him, and beloved of his Mother.
ANNOT.
By this Stanza is promised to _England_ a Martial Prince, who shall have
his heart from Heaven, and with all endeavours follow his prosperous
fortune, which is a remarkable and commendable part in a man.
By the last two Verses, it seemeth that this Prince shall have a Son, who
shall fight two duels, for one of which his Father shall be angry and
hate him, but his Mother shall love him for it.
XVII.
French.
Mont _Aventine_ brusler nuit sera veu,
Le Ciel obscur tout a un coup en _Flandres_,
Quand le Monarque chassera son Neveu,
Lors gens d’Eglise commettront les esclandres.
English.
Mount _Aventine_ shall be seen to burn in the night,
The Heaven shall be darkned upon a sudden in _Flanders_,
When the Monarch shall expel his Neveu,
Then Churchmen shall commit scandals.
ANNOT.
Mount-_Aventine_ is one of the seven Mountains in _Rome_. The rest is
plain.
XVIII.
French.
Apres la pluye de lait assez longuette,
En plusieurs lieux de _Rheims_ le Ciel touché,
O quel conflit de sang pres deux lapreste,
Pere & Fils Rois, noseront approché.
English.
After a pretty long rain of Milk,
In many places of _Rhemes_ the lightning shall fall,
O what a bloody fight is making ready near them,
Father and Son, both Kings, shall not dare to come near.
ANNOT.
_Rhemes_ is a City in _France_. The rest is easie.
XIX.
French.
En _Lucques_ sang & lait viendra pleuvoir,
Un peu devant changement de Preteur,
Grand Peste & Guerre, Faim & soif sera voir,
Loin ou mourra leur Prince Recteur.
English.
In _Luca_ it shall rain Blood and Milk,
A little before the change of the Magistrate,
A great Plague, War, Hunger and Thirst shall be seen,
A great way off, where their Prince Ruler shall die.
ANNOT.
_Luca_ at present is a strong Town, and a little Common-wealth by it self
in _Italy_, governed by their own Magistrate: That Town is threatned here
to see those prodigies mentioned, a little before the change of their
Government, besides a great Plague and dearth; as also the death of their
chief Magistrate, who shall die far off that Countrey.
As for the _raining Milk and Blood_, they are Prodigies that have
appeared often before, and therefore not incredible, as those that are
Versed in History may justifie: and although the reasons may be drawn
from natural causes, yet would they be too tedious if I should insert
them here.
XX.
French.
Par les Contrées du grand flevue _Betique_,
Loin d’_Ibere_, au Royaume de _Grenade_,
Croix repoussées par gens Mahometiques,
Un de _Cordube_ trahira a la fin Contrade.
English.
Through the Countreys of the great River _Betis_,
Far from _Iberia_, in the Kingdom of _Granada_,
Crosses beaten back by Mahometan people,
One of _Corduba_ shall at last betray the Countrey.
ANNOT.
The great River, called in Latine _Betis_, and in Spanish _Guadalquivir_,
is the River of _Sevilia_, the most famous Town in _Spain_ for Trade.
This River runneth through most of the _Spanish_ Dominions, and
dischargeth it self into the Ocean about the mouth of the Straights,
over against _Barbary_, upon which Coast of _Spain_ lyeth the Kingdom of
_Granada_, the chief City of which is _Corduba_, in _Spanish Cordua_.
This Kingdom was of time almost immemorial, occupied and inhabited by
the _Moores_, till they were expelled and driven back into _Barbary_, by
_Ferdinand_ and _Isabella_, King and Queen of _Castilia_. The rest is
easie.
XXI.
French.
Au _Crustamin_ pres Mer _Adriatique_.
Apparoistra un horrible poisson,
De face humaine & de corps aquatique,
Qui se prendra dehors de l’Hamecon.
English.
In the _Crustamin_ near the _Adriatick_ Sea,
An horrid Fish shall appear,
Having a mans face, and a fishes body,
Which shall be taken without a hook.
ANNOT.
I suppose this _Crustamin_ to be some place so called, near the
_Adriatick_ Sea.
As for Fishes with an humane face, we have several examples of them.
_Ambrosius Paræus_ relateth divers, and in his works hath inserted the
Pictures of them.
1. When _Mena_ was Governour of _Ægypt_, and walked by the _Nilus_ side,
he saw a Sea-man rising out of the River, having an humane shape as far
as the Navel, and with a grave look and fair hairs, intermixed with white
ones, bony Breast, and distinct Arms, the rest of the body was like a
Fish. Three days after in the Morning appeared another Sea-monster like a
woman: those two Monsters appeared so long, that every body had time to
consider them.
2. _Rondeletius_ saith, that in our age was taken a Fish in the Sea
of _Norway_, which every body presently called a Monk, because of the
resemblance.
3. In the year 1531. was seen a Sea-monster, covered with Scales, which
for the resemblance was called a Bishop, _Rondeletius_ and _Gesuerus_
have the Picture of it.
4. In the year 1523. was seen in _Rome_ a Fish about the bigness of a
Child of five years old, that had humane shape to the Navel, except the
ears: So that all those things related of _Tritons_, _Nereides_ and
_Sirens_ seem not altogether fabulous, and we may conclude with _Pliny_:
_Vera est vulgi opinio, quicquià nascatur in parte naturæ ulla, & in
Mariesse, præterque multa quæ nusquam alibi_, lib. 9. cap. 2.
XXII.
French.
Six jours lassaut devant Cité donné,
Livrée sera forte & aspre Bataille,
Trois la rendront, & a eux pardonné,
Le reste a feu & sang trauche taille.
English.
Six days shall the assault be given to the City,
A great and fierce Battle shall be fought,
Three shall surrender it and be pardoned,
The rest shall be put to fire and sword, cut and slasht.
ANNOT.
Some famous City must be here understood, which the Author hath not
named. The same shall be assaulted for six days continually, and in
conclusion shall be surrendred or betrayed by three men, who shall
be pardoned, and all the rest put to Fire and Sword. Most men that
have knowledge in History, interpret this of the City of _Magdebourg_
in _Germany_, that was destroyed with Fire and Sword by the Earl of
_Tilly_, General for the Emperour against _Gustavus Adolphus_, King of
_Swedeland_. For the like devastation and cruelty was never heard of in
_Europe_.
XXIII.
French.
Si _France_ passe outre Mer _Liquistique_,
Tu te verras en Isles & Mers enclos,
Mahomet contraire plus Mer l’_Adriatique_,
Chevaux & Asnes tu rongeras les os.
English.
If _France_ goeth beyond the _Ligustick_ Sea,
Thou shall see thy self inclosed with Islands and Seas,
_Mahomet_, against thee besides the _Adriatick_ Sea,
Of Horses and Asses thou shalt gnaw the bones.
ANNOT.
This is concerning the miseries which the _French_ were to suffer in the
Island of _Corsica_, till the peace was concluded in the year 1559. The
Author directeth his speech to the _French_ Fleet that went to _Corsica_
in the year 1555.
He saith in the first Verse, _If France goeth beyond the Ligustik Sea_;
that is, if thou goest to _Corsica_, which is beyond the _Ligustik_ Sea
towards _Africa_. _Thou shalt see thy self enclosed with Islands and
Seas_; that is, thou shalt be constrained to keep within those two Towns
which thou hast there, without going out either by Land or Sea; not by
Sea for want of Ships, nor by Land the Garrisons being weak, because the
King had then so much business that he could not suffice all.
Moreover the Author addeth that _Mahomet shall be contrary_; not that
he was an Enemy to _France_, but because he was then Master of the
_Adriatick_ Sea; so that the _Venetians_, which were then friends to the
_French_, could not succour them.
And thus the news of the peace being brought, the _French_ did eat their
Horses and Asses, and there was never a peace so well come as to the
_French_ that were in _Corsica_.
XXIV.
French.
De l’Entreprise grande confusion,
Perte de gens Thresor innumerable,
Tu ny doibs faire encore tension,
_France_ a mon dire fais que sois recordable.
English.
From the undertaking great confusion,
Loss of people and innumerable Treasury,
Thou oughtest not yet to tend that way,
_France_ endeavour to remember my saying.
ANNOT.
This is annexed and hath relation to the precedent, therefore needeth no
other interpretation.
XXV.
French.
Qui au Royaume _Navarrois_ parviendra,
Quand la _Sicile_ & _Naples_ seront joints,
_Bigorre_ & _Landes_ par _Foix_ lors on tiendra,
D’Un qui d’_Espagne_ sera par trop conjoint.
English.
He that shall obtain the Kingdom of _Navarre_,
When _Sicily_ and _Naples_ shall be joyned,
_Bigorre_ and _Landes_ then by _Foix_ shall beheld
Of one who shall too much be joyned to _Spain_.
ANNOT.
_Bigorre_ is a Town in _Gascony_, the _Landes_ is a desert Countrey about
_Bourdeaux_ wherein nothing groweth but _Pine-Trees_, _Foix_ is a Country
of _Gascony_, called the County, of _Foix_. The rest is easie.
XXVI.
French.
Des Rois & Princes dresseront simulachres,
Augures, creux eslevez aruspices:
Corne victime dorée, & d’_Azur_ & de Nacre,
Intrepretez seront les extispisces.
English.
Some Kings and Princes shall set up Idols,
Divinations and hollow raised Divinators,
Victim with gilded Horns, and set with _Azur_ and Mother of Pearl
The looking into the Entrals shall be interpreted.
ANNOT.
I can find nothing in this but a description of the Heathens sacrifices
in ancient times, where they brought the Victim, that is, the beast
that was to be sacrificed, trimmed in a gallant manner, having the
Horns gilded, and set with Azure and Mother of Pearl, and after the
Entrals were taken out, by the inspection of them they practised their
Soothsaying. This inspection of Entrals was called by the Latines
_Extispicium_, from the word _Exta_ which signifieth Entrals, and
_specto_ which signifieth to look.
XXVII.
French.
Prince _Libique_ puissant en Occident,
_Francois_ d’_Arabe_ viendra tant enflammer,
Scavant aux Lettres sera condescendent
La Langue _Arabe_ en _Francois_ translater.
English.
A _Libian_ Prince being powerful in the West,
The _French_ shall love so much the _Arabian_ Language,
That he being a Learned man shall condescend,
To have the _Arabian_ tongue translated into _French_.
ANNOT.
This Prophecy is _de Futuro_, and is concerning a _Libian_ Prince
(now _Libia_ is a Kingdom of _Africa_) who shall be a powerful man in
the West, and being a lover of learning shall condescend to have the
_Arabian_ Language translated into _French_, because the _French_ at that
time shall be much in love with it.
XXVIII.
French.
De Terre foible & pauvre parentale,
Par boute & paix parviendra a l’Empire,
Long temps regner une jeune femelle,
Qu’oncques en Regne nen survint un si pire.
English.
One weak in Lands and of poor Kindred,
By thrusting, and peace shall attain to the Empire,
Long time shall Reign a young woman,
Such as in a Reign was never a worse.
ANNOT.
The words are so plain, that every body may interpret them.
XXIX.
French.
Les deux Neveux en divers lieux nourris,
Navale pugne, Terre peres tombez,
Viendront si haut eslevez aguerris,
Venger l’Injure ennemis succombez.
English.
The two Nephews brought up in divers places,
A Sea fight, fathers fallen to the Earth,
They shall came highly educated, and expert in Arms,
To avenge the injury, their enemies shall fall down under them.
ANNOT.
This is concerning two _Nephews_, who shall be educated in divers places,
and grow expert in Arms, their Fathers shall be killed, but those
_Nephews_ shall come, and having fought at Sea, shall revenge the injury
done to them, overcoming their enemies.
XXX.
French.
Celuy qu’en luitte & fer au fait Bellique,
Aura porte plus grand que luy le prix,
De nuit au lit six luy feront la pique,
Nud sans harnois subit sera surprins.
English.
He who in Wrestling and Martial affairs,
Had carried the prize before his better,
By night Six shall abuse him in his bed,
Being naked, and without harness, he shall suddenly be surprised.
ANNOT.
Many attribute this to the Earl of _Montgomery_ in _France_, who having
run a tilt against _Henry_ II. unfortunately killed him, for which, and
for being of the Protestant party, he was afterwards beheaded, though
quarter had been given him.
XXXI.
French.
Aux Champs de _Mede_, d’_Arabe_, & d’_Armenie_,
Deux grands Copies trois fois sassembleront,
Pres du Rivage d’_Araxes_ la mesgnie,
Du grand _Soliman_ en Terre tomberont.
English.
In the fields of _Media_, _Arabia_, and _Armenia_,
Two great Armies shall meet thrice,
Near the Shore of _Araxes_, the people
Of great _Solyman_ shall fall down.
ANNOT.
This signifieth no more, but the loss of three famous Battles on the
_Turks_ side, against the _Persians_.
The first that I find after the coming out of these Prophesies, is the
Battle of _Sancazan_, seven miles from _Tauris_, and hard by the River
_Araxes_, where 20000 _Turks_ were slain, without any considerable loss
of the _Persians_; this was in the time of _Amurath_ the III. Emperour
of the _Turks_, and son to _Selyman_ the second. The other two Battles
I could not make good, because I want the supplement of the _Turkish_
History, as also because they have not yet happened.
XXXII.
French.
Le grand sepulchre du peuple _Aquitanique_,
S’aprochera aupres de la _Toscane_,
Quand _Mars_ sera pres du coin _Germanique_,
Et au terroir de la gent _Mantuane_.
English.
The great grave of the _Aquitanick_ people,
Shall come near _Tuscany_,
When _Mars_ shall be in the _German_ corner,
And in the Territory of the _Mantuan_ people.
ANNOT.
The Lord of _Thou_ saith in his History, that the Cardinal _Caraffa_ got
by the King of _France_’s permission, out of _Corsica_, several Troops
of _Gascons_, and brought some with them, to the number of about 2000
which were quartered about _Rome_. Many of them were among the Troops of
the Duke of _Guise_, being allured thither by the reputation of their
Countreyman Captain _Monluc_.
The Author foretelleth, that they shall find their Graves near _Tuscany_,
because the Territory of _Rome_ joyneth to that Province.