Le Conseiller par ire mis a feu,
Ses adherans iront si bas tracer,
Que le bastard sera demy receu.
English.
From the _English_ Kingdom the worthy driven away,
The Councellor through anger shall be burnt,
His partners shall creep so low,
That the bastard shall be half received.
ANNOT.
This is one of those Prophecies that concern the _English_ Nation, and
which by its event, hath made this Book and the Author thereof famous,
for nothing can be more plain to the meanest capacity, then the sense and
words of these four Verses.
By the first, is meant the Kings most excellent Majesty _Charles_ II.
now Reigning, who being the true Heir to the Kingdom, and most worthy to
rule, was driven out of the Kingdom by a rebellious rout of his Subjects.
The second Verse expresseth, the punishment inflicted upon the
Councellors and Abettors of so hainous a crime, who were most of them
hanged, drawn and quartered, their entrals burnt.
The third Verse, signifieth the low estate of the Abettors of that
pernicious Councel.
The fourth Verse, is understood that bastard Faction, which was like to
supplant _Cromwel_, upon the division of the Army.
LXXXIII.
French.
Les longs cheveux de la _Gaule Celtique_,
Accompagnez d’Estranges Nations,
Mettront captif l’Agent _Aquitanique_,
Pour succomber a leurs intentions.
English.
The long hairs of the _Celtian France_,
Joyned with forrain Nations,
Shall put in prison the _Aquitanick_ Agent,
To make him yield to their intentions.
ANNOT.
The _Celtan France_ is that part of _France_ included between the River
_Loire_, and that of _Scheld_ in _Flanders_. they are called here the
_long hairs_; because in antient time they used to wear long hairs.
LXXXIV.
French.
La grand Cite sera bien desolée,
Des habitans un seul n’y demoura,
Mur, Sexe, Temple, & Vierge violée,
Par Fer, Feu, Peste, Canon, peuple mourra.
English.
The great City shall be made very desolate.
Not one of the Inhabitants shall be left in it,
Wall, Sex, Church, and Virgin ravished,
By Sword, Fire, Plague, Canon, people shall die.
ANNOT.
This is concerning the Town of St. _Quentin_, which was taken by the
_Spaniards_ in the year 1557. upon the 27 of _August_, and 17 days after
the Battle of St. _Laurence_, it was taken by assault, and all the
Inhabitants put to the Sword.
LXXXV.
French.
La Cité prinse par tromperie fraude,
Par le moyen d’Un bean jeune attrapé,
Assaut donné, _Raubine_ pres de _Laude_,
Luy & touts morts pour avoir bien trompé.
English.
The City shall be taken by cheat and deceit,
By the means of a fair young one caught in it,
Assault shall be given, _Raubine_ near _Laude_,
He, and all shall die, for having deceived.
ANNOT.
It is a City that shall be taken by the cheat and deceit of a young fair
man, who himself shall be taken in his craft.
The difficulty lyeth in the third Verse, _viz._ what he meaneth by
_Raubine_ and _Laude_. I could find nothing by transposition of Letters:
therefore I suppose the Author had a mind to reserve the exposition to
himself, and to one that should be clearer sighted than I.
LXXXVI.
French.
Un chef d’_Ausonne_ aux _Espagnes_ ira,
Par Mer, sera arrest dedans _Marseilles_,
Avant sa mort un long temps languira,
Apres sa mort on verra grand merveille.
English.
A chief man of _Ausone_ shall go into _Spain_
By Sea, he shall stay at _Marseilles_,
He shall languish a great while before his death,
After his death great wonders shall be seen.
ANNOT.
Here is nothing obscure but the word _Ausone_, by which is meant the City
of _Bordeaux_, so named by the Author every where, for having brought
forth that famous Latine Poet, and Counsul of _Rome_, _Ausonius_.
LXXXVII.
French.
Classe _Gauloise_ naproche de _Corsegne_,
Moins de _Sardaigne_ tu ten repentiras,
Tretous mourrez frustrez de laide _Greigne_,
Sang nagera, captif ne me croiras.
English.
_French_ Fleet do not come near unto _Corsica_,
Much less to _Sardinia_, thou shalt repent of it,
All of you shall die frustrate of the help _Greigne_,
Blood shall swim, being Captive thou shalt not believe me.
ANNOT.
The Baron of _la Garde_ coming from _Rome_, where he had carryed
the Cardinals of _Tournon_ and _Lorrain_, received order to go into
_Corsica_, to relieve with ammunition the two Towns, that the _French_
kept still in possession in that Island, _Glasse_ and St. _Boniface_,
which after the general peace made at _Cambray_, _anno_ 1559. were
restored to the Common-wealth of _Genoa_. When he was coming near the
Island, there arose such a storm, that they were constrained to go as
near land as they could, _viz._ in St. _Florents_, till the storm was
over.
At the same time, by reason of the said storm, eleven Ships loaded with
six thousand _Spaniards_, going for _Italy_, took shelter in the same
place, a good way off from the said Baron.
At the first, the _Spanish_ Ships did not spie the _French_ Galleys, but
the Baron _de la Garde_ discovered the _Spaniards_, and bid his Galleys
to set upon them. Two of the _Spanish_ Ships were taken, in which were
1200. or 1500. _Spaniards_, part of which were drowned, and the rest made
slaves.
The Baron chased the rest, but the storm so scattered them, that the nine
escaped.
Before this encounter the _Genoese_ Captain, _Andrew d’Oria_, took all
the Island from the _French_, _Anno_ 1553. and kept it ever since, by
sending continual supplies. On the other side, the King of _France_ sent
supplies by the Lord of _Termes_, to those that were retired in the
Island of _Glasse_.
One time among the rest, about the latter end of the year 1555. there was
sent a notable supplie from the _French_, to which the Author speaketh
now in these tearms.
_French fleet do not come near unto ~Corsica~_, nor _Sardinia_, which is
another Island near _Corsica_. The third Verse giveth the Reason of it;
_ye shall die, being frustrated of the help ~Greigne~_. _Greigne_ is the
Provencal Language, which was the Maternal one of our Author, signifieth
a Galley: The sense therefore is this, you shall be frustrate of the help
of the Galleys, that are under the command of the Baron _de la Garde_,
who carryed unto you men, money, and ammunition; because he shall be then
in pursute of the _Spanish_ fleet, that were scattered by a storm.
In the mean time _Blood shall swim_ in the fight of the Baron _de la
Garde_, and thou, _poor Prisoner_ in that Island, _Thou shalt not believe
me_; those slaves were they, which went in the year 1555. And the Author
saying, _Thou shalt not believe me_, sheweth, that being very famous in
_Provence_, for his Prophecies, the General of the Army had asked him
concerning the success of his Journey, and that he did warn him not to
undertake it; but having an express command from the King, his Master, he
would need go. Therefore he saith, _Poor prisoner thou shalt not believe
me_. We find in this work many examples of those, who went to consult
with the Author concerning the success of their undertakings, as did
the Earl of _Sommerive_, before the besieging of _Bagnole_, to whom he
answered, that he should leave the Trees loaded with a new kind of fruit,
that is to say, of the Rebels, whom he caused to be hanged on Trees.
LXXXVIII.
French.
De _Barcelone_ par Mer si grande Armée,
Toute _Marseille_ de frayeur tremblera,
Isles saisies, de Mer aide fermeé,
Ton traditeur en Terre nagera.
English.
There shall come from _Barcelona_ by Sea so great a fleet,
That _Marseilles_ shall quake for fear,
The Islands shall be seized, the help by Sea shut up,
Thy Traitor shall swim to Land.
ANNOT.
_Barcelona_ is a Town in _Spain_, upon the _Mediterranean_ Sea;
_Marseilles_ is another in _France_, upon the same Sea. The rest is
easie.
LXXXIX.
French.
En ce temps la sera frustrée _Cypre_,
De son secours, de ceux de Mer _Ægée_,
Vieux trucidez mais par _Mesles_ & _Lipre_,
Seduit leur Roy, Roine plus outragée.
English.
At that time _Cyprus_ shall be frustrated
Of its succours, of those of the _Ægean_ Sea,
Old ones shall be killed, but by _Mesles_ and _Lipre_,
Their King shall be seducted, and the Queen more wronged.
ANNOT.
The two first Verses are plain, the two last have need of an _Oedipus_.
XC.
French.
Le grand _Satyre_ & _Tygre_ d’_Hircanie_,
Don presenté a ceux de l’Occean,
Un chef de Classe istra de _Carmanie_,
Qui prendra Terre au _Thyrren Phocean_.
English.
The great _Satyr_ and _Tyger_ of _Hircania_,
Shall be a gift presented to those of the Ocean,
An Admiral of a fleet shall come out of _Carmania_,
Who shall Land in the _Thyrren Phocean_.
ANNOT.
_By the great Satyr and Tyger of Hircania_, is meant, the King of
_Persia_, who is also King of _Hircania_, abounding with _Tygers_.
That King of _Persia_ shall be made a gift to those of the Ocean; that
is, shall be either drowned in it, or do some wonderful things upon it.
_Carmania_ is a Province in _Asia_, belonging to the _Turk_.
The _Thyrren Phocean_ is the City of _Marseilles_ in _France_, so called
by the Author in this Book; because it was a Colony of the _Phocenses_
in _Greece_; it is also called _Thyrren_, because it is seated upon the
_Tyrrhenean_ Sea, as _Virgil_ saith,
————_Thyrrenum navigat Æquor_.
XCI.
French.
L’Arbre qu’estoit par long temps mort seiché,
Dans une nuit viendra a reverdir,
Son Roy malade, Prince pied attaché,
Craint d’ennemis fera Voiles bondir.
English.
The Tree that had been long dead and withered,
In one night shall grow green again,
His King shall be sick, his Prince shall have his foot tied,
Being feared by his enemies, he shall make his Sails to rebound.
ANNOT.
The two first Verses are Metaphorical, and are to be understood of a
considerable person, who having been for a long time despised and under a
cloud, shall on a sudden rise again and be in repute. The two last Verses
are intelligible enough.
XCII.
French.
Le monde proche du dernier periode,
_Saturn_ encor sera tard de retour,
Translat Empire devers Nations brode,
L’œil arraché a _Narbon_ par Autour.
English.
The world being near its last period,
_Saturn_ shall come yet late to his return,
The Empire shall be translated into _brode_ Nations,
_Narbon_ shall have her eye pickt out by a Hawk.
ANNOT.
The meaning of the first and second Verses is, that the world shall be at
an end, before _Saturn_ hath performed his whole course, which (if I do
not mistake) is thought by the Astronomers to be of 36000. years.
The third Verse signifieth, that before the end of the world, the Empire
shall be translated or possessed by a black Nation, for _brode_ in old
_French_ signifieth black, whence it cometh that to this day they call a
handsom black woman, _une belle Brode_, that is a fair black woman.
_Narbon_ is a famous City in _Languedoc_, and the seat of an Archbishop.
XCIII.
French.
Dans _Avignon_ tout le Chef de l’Empire,
Fera arrest, pour _Paris_ desole,
_Tricast_ tiendra l’_Annibalique_ ire,
_Lion_ par change sera mal consolé.
English.
In _Avignon_ all the Chief of the Empire,
Shall stay, by reason of _Paris_ being desolate,
_Tricast_ shall stop the _Annibalik_ anger,
_Lion_ by change shall be ill comforted.
ANNOT.
The first and second Verse signifie, that the Pope once more shall keep
his seat in _Avignon_, which is a Town in _France_ belonging to the
Pope, and where formerly they kept their See, for the space of above an
hundred years. As for the word _Tricast_, there must be a foul errour
in the impression or else; I must confess I understand it not. By the
_Annibilik_ anger, is meant those of _Barbary_, where _Annibal_ was born.
_Lion_ is a famous Town in _France_, where is kept the greatest trading
for Bills of Exchange.
XCIV.
French.
De cinq cens ans plus compte l’on tiendra,
Celuy qu’estoit l’ornement de son temps,
Puis a un coup grande clarté donra,
Que pour ce Siecle les rendra tres-contens.
English.
For five hundred years no account shall be made,
Of him who was the ornament of his time:
Then on a sudden he shall give so great a light,
That for that age he shall make them to be most contented.
ANNOT.
The words and the sense are plain.
XCV.
French.
Lu Loy _Morique_ on verra defaillir,
Apres un autre beaucoup plus seductive,
_Boristhenes_ premier viendra faillir,
Par dons & langue une plus attractive.
English.
We shall see the _Morish_ Law to decline,
After which, another more seducing shall arise,
_Boristhenes_ shall be the first that shall fall,
By gifts and tongue that Law shall be most seducing.
ANNOT.
This foretelleth the declining of the _Mahometan_ Religion, after which
another Religion shall be set up worse then the _Mahometan_. The first
decay of it shall begin in _Scythia_, a Kingdom belonging to the King of
_Persia_, through which runneth the River _Boristhenes_.
XCVI.
French.
Chef de _Fossan_ aura gorge coupée,
Par le Ducteur du Limier & L’curier,
Le fait patré par ceux du Mont _Tarpée_,
_Saturne_ en _Leo_ 13. de _February_.
English.
The Chief of _Fossan_ shall have his throat cut,
By the Leader of the Hunt and Greyhond,
The fact committed by those of the _Tarpeian_ Mountain,
_Saturn_ being in _Leo_ the 13. of _February_.
ANNOT.
_Fossan_ is a City in _Piemont_, belonging to the Duke of _Savoy_, the
Chief man or Governour of which is threatned here to have his throat cut
by some Souldiers, either of _Rome_, or belonging to _Rome_, signified
here by the _Tarpeian_ Mountain, upon which the Capitol was built, and
this fact to be committed by one that shall be a famous Huntsman; upon
the 13 of _February_, _Saturn_ being then in the Sign of _Leo_.
XCVII.
French.
Nouvelle Loy, Terre neuve occuper,
Vers la _Syrie_, _Judée_ & _Palestine_,
Le grand Empire, _Barbare_ corruer,
Avant que _Phebe_ son Siecle determine.
English.
A new Law shall occupy a new Countrey,
Towards _Syria_, _Judea_ and _Palestina_,
The great _Barbarian_ Empire shall fall down,
Before _Phœbe_ maketh an end of her course.
ANNOT.
The words and sense are plain.
XCVIII.
French.
Deux Royal Freres si fort guerroieront,
Qu’entreux sera la guerre si mortelle,
Qu’un chacun places fortes occuperont,
De Regne & vie sera leur grand querelle.
English.
Two Royal Brothers shall War so much one against the other,
That the War between them shall be mortal,
Each of them shall seize upon strong places,
Their quarrel shall be concerning Kingdom and Life.
ANNOT.
This needeth no interpretation.
XCIX.
French.
Aux Champs Herbus d’_Alein_ & du _Varneigre_,
Du Mont _Lebron_ proche de la _Durance_,
Camps des deux parts conflict sera si aigre,
_Mesopotamie_ defaillira en _France_.
English.
In the Meadow Fields of _Alein_ and _Varneigre_,
Of the Mountain _Lebron_ near the _Durance_,
Armies on both sides, the fight shall be so sharp,
That _Mesopotamia_ shall be wanting in _France_.
ANNOT.
_Alain_ and _Varnaigre_ are two small Towns in _France_, seated by the
Mountain _Lebron_, near the River called _Durance_, where the Author
saith there shall be such a sharp fight, that _Mesopotamia_ shall be
wanting in _France_, to understand this you must know, that _Mesopotamia_
is a Countrey between two Rivers from the Greek words μεσος, which
signifieth middle, and ποταμὸς which signifieth a River, the meaning then
of the Author is, that the Battle so sharp, the ground shall be wanting
to bury the dead.
C.
French.
Entre _Gaulois_ le dernier honoré,
D’homme ennemy sera victorieux,
Force & terreur en moment exploré,
D’Un coup de trait quand mourra l’envieux.
English.
He that is the least honoured among the _French_,
Shall be Conqueror of the man that was his Enemy,
Strength and terrour shall in a moment be tried,
When the envious shall be killed with an Arrow.
ANNOT.
This is plain.
THE PROPHECIES OF Michael Nostradamus.
_CENTURY_ IV.
I.
French.
Sera du reste de sang non espandu,
_Venice_ quiert secours estre donné,
Apres avoir bien lon temps attendu,
Cité livrée au premier Cor sonné.
English.
There shall be a remnant of blood unspilt,
_Venice_ shall seek for succours,
After having long waited for it,
The City shall be surrendred at the first sound of the Trumpet.
ANNOT.
This to my judgement is concerning the Siege of _Candia_, in which the
_Venetians_ for the space of about twenty years desired and expected
succours from the Christian Princes, which came so slowly, that the City
was fained to surrender upon honorable terms, which is the meaning of the
first Verse, _There shall be a remnant of blood unspilt_.
II.
French.
Par mort la _France_ prendra voiage a faire,
Classe par Mer, marcher Monts _Pyrenées_,
_Espagne_ en trouble marcher gent militaire,
Des plus grands Dames en _France_ emmenées.
English.
By reason of a death, _France_ shall undertake a Journey,
They shall have a Fleet at Sea, and march towards the _Pyrenes_,
_Spain_ shall be in trouble by an Army,
Some of the greatest Ladies in _France_ carried away
ANNOT.
The whole sense of this is, that by reason of some bodies death, _France_
shall make war against _Spain_ by Sea and Land, and put _Spain_ in great
trouble.
The fourth Verse saith, that some of the greatest Ladies in _France_
shall be carried away, but the question is, whether by the _Spaniards_,
or (which is more probable) by their own Husbands going to war against
_Spain_.
III.
French.
D’_Arras_ & _Bourges_ de Brodes grands enseignes,
Un plus grand nombre de _Gascons_ battre a pied,
Ceux long du _Rhosne_ saigneront les _Espagnes_,
Proche du Mont ou _Sagunte_ sassied.
English.
From _Arras_ and _Bourges_ many colours of black men shall come,
A greater number of _Gascons_ shall go on foot,
Those along the _Rhosne_ shall let _Spain_ blood,
Near the Mountain where _Saguntus_ is seated.
ANNOT.
_Arras_ and _Bourges_ are Cities of _France_. As for _brodes_, we have
said before that it signifie brown men, such as are the _Gascoins_,
inhabiting the Province of _Aquitania_ near _Spain_.
_Saguntus_ is a City in _Spain_, that was destroyed by the _Romans_.
IV.
French.
L’Important Prince fasché, plaint & querelle,
De rapts & pillé par Coqs & par Libiques,
Grand & par Terre, par Mer infinis Voiles,
Seule _Italie_ sera chassant _Celtiques_.
English.
The considerable Prince vexed, complaineth and quarelleth,
Concerning rapes and plunderings done by the Cocks and Libiques
Great trouble by Land, by Sea infinite Sails,
_Italy_ alone shall drive away the _French_.
ANNOT.
This considerable Prince was _Philip_ the II. King of _Spain_, who was
vexed to see the Cocks, that is the _French_, and Libiques that is the
_Turks_ joyned together, under _Barbarossa_ to commit so many Rapes and
violences upon his Subjects.
V.
French.
Croix Paix, soubs un accomply Divin Verbe,
L’_Espagne_ & _Gaules_ seront unis ensemble,
Grand clade proche & combat tresacerbe,
Cœur si hardy ne sera qui ne tremble.
English.
The Cross shall have peace, under an accomplished Divine Word,
_Spain_ and _France_ shall be united together,
A great Battle near hand, and a most sharp fight,
No heart so stout but shall tremble.
ANNOT.
We have said before that by _Divine Word_, we must not understand the
second person of the Trinity, but a Divine or Theologian, called in Greek
θεόλογος, which also signifieth _Divine Word_. Therefore the meaning of
the first Verse is, that under the Goverment of some eminent Divine, (be
like a good Pope) the Cross shall have peace, that is, the Christian
Religion shall be in Peace, and persecution shall cease. The last three
Verses are plain.
VI.
French.
D’Habits nouveaux apres faite la treuve,
Malice, trame, & machination,
Premier mourra qui en fera la preuve,
Couleur _Venise_, insidiation.
English.
After the new Cloaths shall be found out,
There shall be malice, plotting and machination,
He shall die the first that shall make trial of it,
Under colour of _Venice_, shall be a conspiracy.
ANNOT.
Everybody may be as wise as I in the interpretation of this.
VII.
French.
Le fils mineur du grand & hay Prince,
De Lepre aura a vingt ans grande tache,
De dueil mourra triste & mince,
Et il mourra la ou tombe chair lache.
English.
The younger Son of the great and hated Prince,
Being twenty years, old shall have a great touch of Leprosie,
His mother shall die for grief, very sad and lean,
And he shall die of the disease loose flesh.
ANNOT.
This is easie to be understood, if we remember that _Charles_ IX. King
of _France_, younger son to _Henry_ II. died of a foul disease, and his
Mother _Catharine_ of _Medicis_ died of grief.
VIII.
French.
La grand Cité dassaut prompt repentin
Surpris de nuit, gardes interrompus,
Les Excubies & veilles Saint _Quentin_,
Trucidez gardes, & les Portails rompus.
English.
The great City shall be taken by a sudden assault,
Being surprised by night, the Watch being beaten,
The Court of Guard and Watch of Saint _Quentin_
Shall be killed, and the Gates broken.
ANNOT.
This great City was the City of St. _Quentin_ in _Picardy_, taken by
assault by _Philip_ the II. _Anno_ 1557.
IX.
French.
Le Chef du Camp au milieu de la presse,
D’un coup de flesche sera blessé aux cuisses,
Lors que _Geneve_ en larmes & destresse,
Sera trahie par _Lozanne_ & _Souisses_.
English.
The Chief of the Camp in the middle of the crowd,
Shall be wounded with an Arrow through both his thighs,
When _Geneva_ being in tears and distress,
Shall be betrayed by _Lozane_ and the _Switzers_.
ANNOT.
The words and sense are plain.
X.
French.
Le jeune Prince accusé faucement,
Mettra le camp en trouble & en querelles,
Meurtry le chef par le souslevement,
Sceptre appaiser, puis guerir escroüelles.
English.
The young Prince being falsely accused,
Shall put the Camp in trouble, and in quarrele,
The chief shall be murdered by the tumult,
The Scepter shall be appeased, and after cure the Kings-evil.
ANNOT.
This Prophecie must needs be concerning _England_ or _France_; for there
is but those two Kings that challenge the cure of the Kings-evil.
XI.
French.
Celuy quaura couvert de la grand Cappe,
Sera induit a quelque cas patrer,
Les douze rouges viendront soüiller la nappe,
Soubs meurtre, meurtre se viendra perpetrer.
English.
He that shall be covered with a great Cloak,
Shall be induced to commit some great fact,
The twelve red ones shall Soil the Table-cloth,
Under murder, murder shall be committed.
ANNOT.
Every one may interpret this as well as I, provided that by the _twelve
red ones_, he understandeth twelve Cardinals.
XII.
French.
Le Camp plus grand de route mis ensuite,
Gueres plus outre ne sera pourchassé,
Ost recampé & legion reduite,
Puis hors, des _Gaules_ du tout sera chassé.
English.
The greatest Camp being in disorder, shall be routed,
And shall be pursued not much after,
The Army shall incamp again, and the Troops set in order,
Then afterwards, they shall be wholly driven out of _France_.
ANNOT.
This Prophecie is concerning an out-landish Army that shall invade
_France_, and though numerous, yet shall be put to flight, and shall not
be much pursued: therefore it shall incamp again, and collect and gather
again its Troops, and afterwards shall be wholly driven out of _France_.
I am much mistaken if this Prophecie came not to pass, when the Duke of
_Parma_ at the head of a _Spanish_ numerous Army came into _France_ in
favour of the League; for _Henry_ IV. met him at the siege of _Roven_,
beat him off, and suffered him to retire quietly, and as the common
saying is, made him a Golden Bridge, to retreat into the Low-Countries
again.
XIII.
French.
De plus grand perte nouvelles rapportées,
Le rapport fait le camp festonnera,
Bandes unies encontre revoltées,
Double _Phalange_, grand abandonnera.
English.
News being brought of a great loss,
The report divulged, the Camp shall be astonished,
Troops being united and revolted,
The double _Phalange_ shall forsake the great one.
ANNOT.
This hath a connexion with the precedent; for while the Prince of
_Parma_ was busied in _France_, news was brought to his Camp, that the
_Hollanders_ had taken _Antwerp_, which discouraged his whole Host, and
made him retire with all speed.
The Word _Phalange_ signifieth a Battailion or part of an Army, which
being expressed here by the word _double Phalange_, signifieth, that both
Horse and Foot deserted the Duke of _Parma_ upon the hearing of this news.
XIV.
French.
La mort subite du premier personage,
Aura changé & mis un autre au Regne,
Tost, tard venu a si haut & basage,
Que Terre & mer faudra que lon le craigne.
English.