Note 879 — Chapter VIII · THE WATERS
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“Nobis humanam qui sortem vivimus infra,
Rem satis est sciri, nesciri causa sinatur.”
—Philippis, VI, 550–551.
William the Breton in another connection (Philippis, VIII, 43–99) discusses the tides near Mont St. Michel in Brittany. His information appears to have been fairly correct, and he notes among other details that there is exceptionally high water at the times of the vernal and autumnal equinoxes. He makes no attempt to explain the cause of the ebb and flood, asserting that this transcends the knowledge of man. He puts forth, however, the singular suggestion that it is just as likely that the tides may cause the motion of the moon as vice versa, because the sea was created before the moon:
“Rursus an a luna maris hec inflatio fiat,
An magis a pelago fluat hec variatio lune,
Cum pelagus luna constet prius esse creatum,
Posteriusque sui nunquam sit causa prioris,
Nullaque res habitum trahat a non ente vel actum.”
—Philippis, VIII, 73–77.