Gris & bureau demy ouverte guerre,
De nuit seront assaillis & pillez,
Le bureau prins passera par la serre,
Son Temple ouvert, deux au plastre grillez.
English.
Between the Gray and sad Gray shall be half open War,
By night they shall be assaulted and plundered,
The sad Gray being taken, shall be put in Custody,
His Temple shall be open, two shall be put in the Grate.
ANNOT.
This Stanza affordeth us a commical History, which is, that about the
year 1601. when there sprang up in _France_ a Kind of Friers, who bosted
themselves to be the true observers of the Rule of St. _Francis_, and
that the Cordeliers and Capushines did not keep it so exactly, but they
had need of a great reformation; the King _Henry_ IV. granted them a
Convent at _Beaufort_, and upon his example many other places desired
them, they went to possess themselves of the house of _la Blamet_, near
_Angiers_; but the Cordeliers being loath to be dispossessed by these
new comers, called _Recollets_, did besiege them by main force, broke
open the Gates, scaled the Walls, the besieged did not defend themselves
by words or exorcismes, but with good Stones and Flints, so that if the
people had not come, the fray would not have ended without murder, some
of them were put in Prison, others kept in Custody: this is the meaning
of the Author, when he saith, _There will be half an open War between the
Gray and the sad Gray_; for the Cordeliers have a Gray habit, and the
Recollets a sad Gray.
LXVI.
French.
Au fondement de nouvelle secte,
Seront les os du grand _Romain_ trouvez,
Sepulchre en Marbre, apparoistra converte,
Terre trembler en _Auril_ mal enfeüvez.
English.
At the foundation of a new sect,
The Bones of the great _Roman_ shall be found,
The Sepulchre shall appear covered with Marble,
The Earth shall quake in _April_, they shall be ill buried.
ANNOT.
The meaning is, that when they shall go about to make a foundation of a
house, for a new Sect of Friers; they shall find the bones of a famous
_Roman_ in a Marble Sepulchre, and that in _April_ the Earth shall quake,
whereby many shall be swallowed up.
LXVII.
French.
Au grand Empire par viendra tout un autres,
Bonté distant plees de felicité,
Rege par un issu non loing du peautre,
Corruer Regnes grande infelicité.
English.
To the great Empire quite another shall come,
Being farther from goodness and happiness,
Governed by one of base parentage,
The Kingdom shall fall, a great unhappiness.
ANNOT.
This needeth no Interpretation.
LXVIII.
French.
Lors que Soldats fureur seditieuse,
Contre leur Chef seront denuit fer livre,
Ennemy d’_Albe_ doibt par main furieuse,
Lors vexer _Rome_ & principaux seduire.
English.
When the seditious fury of the Souldiers,
Against their Chief shall make the Iron shine by night,
The enemy d’_Albe_ shall by a furious hand,
Then vex _Rome_, and seduce the principal one.
ANNOT.
The Lord _de Thou_ doth judiciously observe, that the Pope being
unacquainted with things belonging to War, as to Money, Victuals, and
Ammunition, was easily persuaded by Cardinal _Caraffa_ to make war
against _Spain_, for without being provided of all these things, he put
his Armies into the Field, _nec satis perpendens quám a pecuniâ, milite
ac cæteris rebus ad bellum necessariis imparatus intempestive arma
sumeret_.
In the 15. Book of his History: the Duke of _Vrbin_ had commission to
raise 6000. Foot and 300. Horses in the Dukedom of _Spoleto_, and in
_Mark_ of _Ancona_. _John Caraffe_ the Popes Nephew was made General of
the Army, and being but Earl of _Mortor_, was Created Duke of _Palliano_,
by the confiscation of the goods of _Mark Antony Colonna_. _Camillo
Ursini_ was made General of the Forces in _Rome_, and in the Territory
thereof; _Blasius_ of _Monluc_, the _Mars_ of his time, and by birth a
_Gascon_, was sent by the King to help (with his advice and courage) the
_Romans_, who are always fitter for the Breviary, then for the Sword.
Besides these Forces raised within the Church Dominions, _Charles
Caraffa_ gathered all the Bandittes of _Naples_ and _Florence_, and
raised some Regiments of _Switzers_ that came to succour the Pope.
With these Troops the Pope seized upon the most important places and
persons belonging to the _Spanish_ party, as the _Coloneses_ and the
_Vitelly_.
These asked succours of the Emperour _Charles_ the V. who presently
commanded _Ferdinand_ of _Toledo_ Duke of _Alba_ to succour them. He was
then tasked in the _Piemont_ and _Milanes_, to resist the _French_ that
were then under the conduct of the Marshal of _Brissac_.
To conclude his design the better, he wrote many Letters to the Pope and
the Colledge of Cardinals, full of respect and submission, desiring them
to moderate their passion against the _Spanish_ party, but the Pope being
angry by several reports, answered him, complaining of many things, which
made the Duke resolve to the war, and to be there in person.
He took his occasion as a prudent Captain, when the news was brought
to him that the Popes Forces were in mutiny against their General for
want of pay, and made a great tumult in the night, hearing that he was
approaching with a great train of Artillery. _Bzovius_ saith, that the
Earl of _Montor_ regarded more his profit then the Popes Interest, and
kept back a great part of the money that was to pay the Souldiers, whence
proceeded this tumult, which helped much the Duke of _Alva_’s business.
This is the explanation of the two first Verses of this Stanza,
concerning the mutiny of the Souldiers that were in the Popes service,
during which mutiny the enemy d’_Alba_ did not fail to vex Rome; this
word the enemy d’_Alba_ doth not signifie the enemy of the Duke of
_Alba_, as if one should say in Latine _Hostis Albanus_. He did then vex
_Rome_; for in a short time he took _Ponte Corvino_, _Frusino Anagnia_,
_Marino_, _Lavaci_, _Prœneste_, _Tivoli_, _Ostia_, _Neptuno_, _Alba
Vico-Varro_, _Monte Fortino_, and almost all the places of the _Roman_
Territory.
This did streighten _Rome_ so much, that the General _Camillo Ursini_
made several Trenches within the Walls of _Rome_, instead of preserving
the outworks, as _Montluc_ would have persuaded him to do; the alarums
were so great at _Rome_, that _Montluc_ was fain to encourage the
_Romans_, and to make a Warlike Speech to them, which is inserted in his
Works.
Moreover, the same Duke began to seduce the Principals of _Rome_ by his
friends that he had in it, but particularly by the cheat that he put
upon the Pope; for his design being to prevent the _French_ Forces, and
to surprize the Pope, he resolved to go streight to _Rome_, and to bring
his design the better to pass, he sent _Pyrrhus Coffrede_ to the Pope,
to see if there was any way of agreement, to the end that upon this
proposition the Pope should mistrust nothing. In the mean time the Duke
of _Alba_ was coming near _Rome_, at which the Pope was so angry, that he
put this Embassadour in Prison, where he was kept till the conclusion of
the Peace; in this sort were the principal men of _Rome_ seduced, having
no thought of the _Spaniards_ approaches, this is the relation of the
Lord _de Thou_, _Lib._ 16.
LXIX.
French.
La grand pitie sera sans long tarder,
Ceux qui donnoient seront contraints de prendre
Nuds affamez, de froid, soif, soy bander,
Passer les Monts en faisant grand esclandre.
English.
What a great pitty will it be e’re-long,
Those that did give shall be constrained to receive,
Naked, famished with cold, thirst, to mutiny,
To go over the Mountains making great disorders.
ANNOT.
The words of the first Verse, _before it be long_, is the Key of the
Stanza, because we infer from thence it was shortly to happen, as in
truth it did at the latter end of the year 1556. when the Duke of _Guise_
came into _Piemont_ to joyn with the Marshal of _Brissac_. Then the
troops of the _Marshal_ seeing those of the Duke better paid then they
were, forsook the Marshal, the History saith there was above 1500. of
them, and that the Marshal paid the Souldiers of his own money to stay
them.
The great pitty was, when he had no more to give, he was compelled by the
Kings order it self, and against his own inclination to raise some moneys
upon the Countreys. Secondly, to take some Towns and give the plunder to
the Souldiers. Thirdly, to permit the Souldiers to pillage the Countrey.
The Author was willing to foretell this, because there was never a man
more strict in keeping the Martial discipline, then this General was.
The Marshal of _Brissac_ being thus abused, some of his troops forsook
him to follow the Duke of _Guise_, being for the most part naked and
starved with cold, hunger and thirst, which makes the Author to specifie
_hunger, cold and thirst_; want having compelled them to disband, they
went over the Mountains, not of _Piemont_, but the _Apennines_ of
_Montserrat_, and whatsoever thing they found was a Fish for their Net.
LXX.
French.
Un Chef du Monde le grand _Cheiren_ sera,
Plus outre, apres aime, craint, redouté,
Son bruit & los les Cieux surpassera,
Et du seul titre Victeur sort contente.
English.
A Chief of the World the great _Cheiren_ shall be,
Moreover, beloved afterwards, feared, dreaded,
His fame and praise shall go beyond the Heavens,
And shall be contented with the only title of Victor.
ANNOT.
We have said already before, that the Author by the word _Cheyren_
meaneth _Henry_ the II. his Master, by transposition of Letters, who as
he saith was contented with the bare title of Victorieux, when he had
undertaken the protection of the _German_ Princes against the Emperour
_Charles_ the V.
LXXI.
French.
Quand on viendra le grand Roy parenter,
Avant quil ait du tout l’Ame rendue,
On le verra bien tost apparenter,
D’Aigles, Lions, Croix, Courone de Rüe.
English.
When they shall come to celebrate the obsequies of the great King,
A day before he be quite dead,
He shall be seen presently to be allyed
With Eagles, Lions, Crosses, Crowns of Rüe.
ANNOT.
In the general Peace made _Anno_ 1559. two Marriages were concluded, one
of _Elizabeth_ of _France_, daughter to _Henry_ II. King of _France_,
with _Philip_ II. King of _Spain_, which was Celebrated at _Paris_ with
an extraordinary magnificence, in the presence of the Duke of _Alba_,
the Prince of _Orenge_, and the Earl of _Egmont_, who came to fetch the
Princess.
In the Celebrating of these Nuptials happened the unfortunate death of
_Henry_ II. This brought such a sadness to the Court, that the second
match which was between _Margaret_ of _France_, Daughter to _Francis_ I.
and the Duke of _Savoy_ was Celebrated without solemnity.
We must add to this, that the Duke weareth in his Coat of Arms some
Eagles, some Lions, some Crosses, and a Crown of Rue; by this, we
understand this Stanza, which saith, that the King being mortally
wounded, every one was preparing himself to render him the last duties,
which the Author calleth to _Parante_, from the Latine word _Parentare_,
which signifieth to Celebrate the Funeral duties of a man. Thus the
second Verse saith, _before the day that he yieldeth up his Soul_,
in hast was the Marriage Celebrated, between the Lady _Margaret_ of
_France_, and the Duke of _Savoy_, who beareth for his Arms some Eagles,
some Lions, some Crosses, and a Crown of Rue.
LXXII.
French.
Par fureur feinte devotion Divine,
Sera la femme du grand fort violée,
Judges voulants damner telle Doctrine,
Victime au peuple ignorant immolée.
English.
By a faigned fury of Divine inspiration,
The wife of the great one shall be ravished,
Judges willing to condemn such a Doctrine,
A Victimo shall be sacrificed to the ignorant people.
ANNOT.
Of this fact and others as bad, have been seen strange examples, formerly
done by those called _Enthousiastes_, who have committed horrible
villanies, under pretence of divine inspiration, some commiting Incests,
others rapes, others murders, as may be seen at large in the History of
_John de Leiden_, and other desperate Anabaptists, too tedious to be
inserted here; I shall only relate here a little remarkable History, in
confirmation of this, to discover the Wiles of the spirits of error,
transformed into an Angel of Light.
The 7 day of _February_ 1526. two Brothers, _Thomas_ and _Leonard
Schyker_, living near the Town of St. _Gal_ in _Switzerland_, did
assemble together with some other Anabaptists, in their fathers house,
where they passed the most part of the night in discourses, making
of faces, and relating of Visions, which every one said he had seen.
The next day, upon break of day; _Thomas_ did lay hold on his Brother
_Leonard_, and dragged him in the middle of the company, bid him kneel
in the presence of his Father and Mother, and of all the rest there
present, and as all the rest of the Company bid him take heed to do any
thing amiss; he answered, that there was no need to fear, and that in
this business, nothing could be done against the Will of the Father;
thereupon he drew his Sword, and cut off the head of his Brother, who
was on his knees, all besotted before this murderer. All the rest being
astonished, and besides their wits for this furious blow, and lamenting
the dead, _Thomas_ ran towards the Town with a fearful Countinance,
as a Phanatick besides himself, without Shooes; and having no Cloaths
but his Shirt and Breeches. At that time the Burg-master of St. _Gal_
was _Joachim Vadian_, a wise and learned person, before whom the said
_Thomas_ stood, crying aloud with a fearful Countenance, that the day of
Judgment was near; saying besides, that strange things had come to pass,
(without telling what) that the will of his Father was done for his part.
The Burg-master after he had reprehended him very much for his madness,
and insolent carriage, commanded a Cloak to be put upon him, and to lead
him home softly back again. But in the mean time, news was brought of his
detestable murder, whereupon he was apprehended, examined, convicted,
and executed. The like hath been done many times for Rapes and Incests:
What is particular here, is, that our Author saith, that the Judges being
willing to punish such Villanies, yet that unhappy accident shall fall,
that an innocent person shall be put to death (belike) instead of the
guilty, to please the people.
LXXIII.
French.
En Cité grande en moyne & artisan,
Pres de la porte logez & aux murailles,
Contre modene secret, Cave disant,
Trahis pour faire sous couleur d’espousailles.
English.
In a great City a Monk and an Artificer,
Dwelling near the Gate, and the Walls,
Near an old woman, ’tis a secret saying Cave,
A Treason shall be plotted under pretence of a Marriage.
ANNOT.
_Paradin_ maketh mention, that in the year 1552. a Monk deceived the
Marshal of _Brissac_, making him believe that he would put him in
possession of the Town of _Quizres_, if he would give him so much for
reward. The Marshal used all the Caution possible, not to be deceived
by that Imposter, who took Money on both sides, _viz._ the _French_ and
the _Spaniards_; nevertheless the Monk plaid the Knave with him, and the
undertakings proved prejudicial to the _French_, though not considerably
by reason of the precaution of the said Marshal.
The same Author writes, that in the year 1555. the 17 of _August_,
the _Spaniard_ had designed to retake _Cazal_, the same way that the
_French_ had surprised it. First, they had got a Widow in the Town, who
received the undertakers in her house, which was near the Gate, and the
Wall. Secondly there was a Marriage to be made between two persons of
quality, where great Cheer and rejoycings were to be. Thirdly they got
a woman that carryed Herbs to sell in the Town, and under the Herbs the
Letters were hidden. The Author says likewise, that there was a Monk and
a Tradesman, that lodged at this Widows house, those two actors in this
business, _viz._ the Monk said Tradesman, ane secretly to the woman that
sold Herbs, _Cave_, which signifies take heed, they said these words
_secretly near Matrone_, that is, they whisperd in her ear _Cave_. Their
design was to betray the Town, under pretence of a Marriage, but it did
not succeed; because the Letters in the womans Basket were intercepted,
the Vulgar impression hath a fault in the third Verse, where there is
Modene instead of Matrone, and another in the fourth Verse, when instead
of Treason, they have put for betrayed. The History obligeth us to
correct it, as we have done.
LXXIV.
French.
Le dechassé au regne tournera,
Ses ennemis trouvez des conjurez,
Plus que jamais son temps triomphera,
Trois & septante a mort trop asseurez.
English.
The expelled shall come again to the Kingdom,
Her enemies shall be found to be the Conspirators,
More than ever his time shall triumph,
Three and seventy appointed for death.
ANNOT.
This is a clear and express prediction of the happy restauration of his
sacred Majesty, and our dread Sovereign _Charles_ II. now Reigning,
who after a long exile is come again to enjoy his own Kingdom, and
to flourish more than ever he did before, by these seventy appointed
to death, are meant the Judges and murderers of his Father, who with
some few others of the same gang made about that number, and some of
which have payed their shot by the hand of publick Justice, others have
prevented their shame by dying before hand, others have been their own
Executioners, and those that remain, lead a life worse then death it
self; so true it is that vengeance dances the round.
LXXV.
French.
Le grand Pilot sera par Roy mandé,
Laisser la classe pour plus haut lieu atteindre,
Sept ans apres sera contrebandé,
_Barbare_ Armée viendra _Venise_ craindre.
English.
The great Pilot shall be sent for by the King,
To leave the Fleet, and be preferred to a higher place,
Seven years after he shall be countermanded,
A _Barbarian_ Army shall put _Venice_ to a fright.
ANNOT.
This needeth no further explanation.
LXXVI.
French.
La Cité antique d’_Antenorée_ forge,
Plus ne pouvant le Tyran supporter,
Le manche feint au Temple couper gorge,
Les siens le peuple a mort viendra bouter.
English.
The ancient City founded by _Antenor_,
Being not able to bear the Tyrant any longer,
With a fained haft, in the Church cut a throat,
The people will come to put his servants to death.
ANNOT.
The City founded by _Antenor_ (who was Companion and came into _Italy_
with _Æneas_) is _Padua_, a University of the _Venetians_, of which it is
said here, that being no longer able to bear a Tyrant, the said Tyrant
shall be murdered in the Church with a knife hidden in a haft, and all
his Men and Servants killed by the people of the Town.
LXXVII.
French.
Par la victoire du deceu fraudulente,
Deux classes une, la revolte _Germaine_,
La Chef meurtry & son fils dans la Tente,
_Florence_, _Imole_ pourchassez dans _Romaine_.
English.
By the deceitful victory of the deceived,
One of the two Fleets shall revolt to the _Germans_,
The Chief and his Son murdered in their Tent,
_Florence_, _Imole_ persecuted in _Romania_.
ANNOT.
The three first Verses are plain. _Florence_ and _Imole_ are two Cities
of _Italy_, seated in the Province of _Romania_.
LXXVIII.
French.
Crier victoire du grand _Selin_ croissant,
Par les _Romains_ sera l’Aigle clamé,
_Ticin_, _Milan_, & _Gennesny_ consent
Puis par eux mesmes _Basil_ grand reclamé.
English.
They shall cry up the victory of the great _Selins_ half Moon,
By the _Romans_ the Eagle shall be claimed,
_Ticin_, _Milan_ and _Genoa_, consent not,
Then by themselves the great _Basil_ shall be claimed.
ANNOT.
The first Verse foretelleth some conquests of the _Turks_, whose Arms
is the half Moon. The second Verse signifies, the _Romans_ shall move
the Emperour to succour them, which is the Eagle. _Ticin_, _Milan_ and
_Genoa_ shall refuse to give help, and afterwards they shall call the
great _Basil_ (which in Greek signifies the great King, from βασίλευς) to
their help.
LXXIX.
French.
Pres de _Tesin_ les habitants de _Logre_,
_Garonne_ & _Saone_, _Seine_, _Tar_, & _Gironde_:
Outre les Monts dresseront promonitoire,
Conflict donné, _Pau_ franchi, submerge onde.
English.
Near the _Tesin_ the Inhabitants of _Logre_,
_Garonne_ and _Saone_, _Seine_, _Tar_ and _Gironde_,
Shall erect a promontory beyond the Mountains,
A Battle shall be fought, the _Po_ shall be passed over, some
shall be drowned in it.
ANNOT.
_Tesin_ is the River that passeth by _Milan_. _Garonne_, _Saone_,
_Seine_, _Tar_, and _Gironde_ are Rivers of _France_. _Po_ is the
greatest River of _Italy_.
LXXX.
French.
De _Fez_ le Regne parviendra a ceux d’_Europe_,
Feu leur Cité, & Lame tranchera,
Le grand d’_Asie_ Terre & Mer a grand troupe,
Que bleux, pars, Croix a mort dechassera.
English.
The Kingdom of _Fez_ shall come to those of _Europe_,
Fire and Sword shall destroy their City,
The great one of _Asia_ by Land and Sea with a great troop,
So that blews, greens, Crosses to death he shall drive.
ANNOT.
This is strange Prophecy if it prove true, _viz._ that the Kingdom of
_Fez_ (which is in _Africa_) shall be taken by those of _Europe_, and the
Town put to Fire and Sword, after which the great one of _Asia_ (meaning
the great Turk) shall come by Land and by Sea with an innumerable Army,
and shall drive and destroy all before him.
LXXXI.
French.
Pleurs, cris & plaincts, heurlemens, effrayeur,
Cœur inhumain, cruel, noir & transy:
_Leman_, les Isles de _Gennes_ les majeurs,
Sang espancher, tochsain, a nul mercy.
English.
Tears, cryes and complaints, howlings, fear,
An inhumane heart, cruel, black, astonished,
_Leman_, the Islands the great ones of _Genoa_,
Shall spill blood, the Bell shall ring out, no mercy shall be given.
ANNOT.
This foretels bloody Wars only, and needs no interpretation.
LXXXII.
French.
Par les Deserts de lieu libre & farouche,
Viendra errer Neveu du grand Pontife,
Assomme a sept avec lourde souche,
Par ceux qu’apres occuperont le _Scyphe_.
English.
Through the Deserts of a free and ragged place,
The Nephew of the Pope shall come to wander,
Knockt in the head by seven with a heavy Club,
By those who after shall obtain the _Scyphe_.
ANNOT.
This signifies that the Nephew of a Pope shall be driven away, and shall
wander in a desert place, where he shall be knockt in the head by seven
men, one of which shall afterwards enjoy the Papacy; for _Scyphe_ is a
Latine word, signifying a Cup or Chalue, such as the _Romish_ Priests say
Mass with, and take the Sacrament.
LXXXIII.
French.
Celuy qu’aura tant d’honneurs & caresses,
A son entrée en la Gaule _Belgique_,
Un temps apres sera tant de rudesses,
Et sera contre a la fleur tant bellique.
English.
He that shall have had so many honours and welcoms,
At his going into _Flanders_,
A while after shall commit so many rudenesses,
And shall be against the warlike flower.
ANNOT.
This is positively concerning the Duke of _Alencon_, Brother to _Henry_
III. King of _France_, who having been sent for by the States of the
Low-Countreys, and received with much honour to be their General and
Governour against the _Spaniard_, did most unworthily break his trust,
and being come to _Antwerp_, he was so ravished with the beauty and
riches of the Town, that he seized upon it for himself, but was beaten
out by the Citizens, and most of his men killed.
The fourth Verse saith. _He shall be against the warlike flower_; that
is, his action shall be against Military Honour, and common practice of
Honourable Souldiers.
LXXXIV.
French.
Celuy qu’en _Sparte_ _Claude_ ne veut regner,
Il fera tant par voye seductive,
Que du court, long, le sera arraigner,
Que contre Roy fera sa perspective.
English.
He that _Claudius_ will not have to reign in _Sparta_,
The same shall do so much by a deceitful way,
That he shall cause him to be arraigned short and long,
As if he had made his prospect upon the King.
ANNOT.
I believe the words of _Claudius_ and _Sparta_ here are Metaphorical, and
the Author was unwilling they should be known.
The sense is, one shall be hindred from Reigning by another, whom he
shall accuse of Treason against the King.
LXXXV.
French.
La grand Cité de _Tharse_ par _Gaulois_,
Sera d’estriute captifs tous a _Turban_,
Secours par Mer du grand _Portugalois_,
Premier d’esté le jour du sacre _Vrban_.
English.