CENTURY X.
Theophilus Garencières translation
I.
French. A l’Ennemy, l’ennemy foy promise, Ne se tiendra, les captifs retenus, Prins preme mort & le reste en chemise, Donnant le reste pour estre secourus. English. To the enemy, the enemy faith promised, Shall not be kept, the prisoners shall be detained, The first taken, put to death, and the rest stripped, Giving the remnant that they may be succoured.
ANNOT.
These words are plain, though the sense be a little intricated, and the contents being of small concernments, deserve no further explanation.
II.
French. Voile Gallere Voile nef Cachera, La grand Classe viendra sortir la moindre, Dix Naves proches le tourneront poulser, Grand vaincüe, unies a soy joindre. English. The Galley and the Ship shall hide their Sails, The great Fleet shall make the little one to come out, Ten Ships near hand, shall turn and push at it, The great being vanquished, they shall unite together.
ANNOT.
These are some particularities of a Sea fight between a great Fleet and a small one, wherein he saith, that some had hid their Sails, belike they were unwilling to come out of the Harbour and to fight; but he saith, that the great Fleet will compel the little one to come out; but ten great Ships will come to help the little Fleet, and after the great one hath been overcome, will joyn themselves to the little Fleet.
III.
French. En apres cinq troupeau ne mettra hors, Un fuitif pour Penelon laschera, Faux murmurer secours venir par lors, Le Chef le Siege lors abandonnera. English. After that, five shall not put out his flock, He’l let loose a runnaway for Penelon, There shall be a false rumour, succours shall come then, The Commander shall forsake the Siege.
ANNOT.
This Stanza is either nonsensical or falsely printed, and what he meaneth by Penelon, is utterly unknown.
IV.
French. Sur la minuit conducteur de l’Armée, Se sauvera subit esvanovy, Sept ans apres la fame non blasmée, A son retour ne dira oncq ouy. English. About midnight the leader of the Army, Shall save himself, vanishing suddenly, Seven years after his fame shall not be blamed And at his return he shall never say yea.
ANNOT.
This is plain of a General of an Army, who shall forsake his Army, and save himself, and yet seven years after when he cometh back, his reputation shall be as clear, as if he never had committed such an errour.
V.
French. Albi & Castres feront nouvelle ligue, Neuf Arriens, Lisbonne, & Portuguez, Carcas. Thoulouze, consumeront leur brigue Quand chef neuf monstre de Lauraguez. English. Albi and Castres shall make a new league, Nine Arriens, Lisbonne, and Portuguez, Carcas. Thoulouse, shall make an end of their confederacy; When the new chief shall come from Lauragais.
ANNOT.
Albi, Castres, Carcassonne, and Thoulouse, are Cities of Languedock, which our Author saith, will enter into a confederacy among themselves, and joyn with Lisbon and the Portuguez, and this shall happen when the general of the Army, shall be one born in Lauragais, which is another of the same Province.
VI.
French. Gardon a Nismes eaux si haut desborderont, Qu’on cuidera Deucalion renaistre, Dans le Colosse la pluspart fuiront, Vesta Sepulchre feu esteint apparoistre. English. Gardon at Nismes, waters shall overflow so high, That they’l think that Deucalion is born again, Most of them will run into the Colossus, And a Sepulchre, and fire extinguished, shall appear.
ANNOT.
Near Nismes there is the River called Gardon, which cometh from St. Romans, and dischargeth it self into the Rhosne at Beaucaire, there is to be seen in that City abundance of Antiquitez, which the Goths had built 1150. years before; there is also many Roman Antiquities, as an Amphitheater, so well builded that neither the Goths nor the Saracens, nor Attila, nor Charles Martel, with all their power, could not utterly demolish it. The Author nameth it Colossus, because its building appeared like a Colossus for solidity.
There is also an ancient Temple which is called the Fountain, builded as a Quadrangle, and supported by two rows of great Pillars, which at present is a Church of Nuns.
This being supposed, the River of Gardon did overflow so much, that its Waters joyning with that of a Flood that happened there the ninth of September 1557. every one thought that Deucalion had been born again. The Author saith this; because in the fables of the ancients. Deucalion is thought to be the Author of the Flood which Ovid mentioneth. During this Flood which was like to overflow the Town, as well as the Countrey, many did retire themselves into that Amphitheater.
And in that ancient Temple of the Fountain, the Waters overthrowing a great many old buildings did discover abundance of Antiquities, and amongst the rest one of those Lamps that burneth always, in the Sepulchre of a Vestal, which went out as soon as it felt the fresh Air.
In confirmation of this, the History of Provence saith, that the storm began about five of the Clock in the Morning, and lasted till Eight of the Clock at night, and that these waters did uncover abundance of Antiquities that were hidden 1100. years before, as Pillars, Portico’s, Medals, Jasper-stones, and serpentine-stones, pieces of broken Vessels, Epitaphs, lodging Rooms, and Caves, and all other things that use to be found in the ruines of a Palace.
There was also heard in the Air Dogs barking, Pillars of fire, Armed men fighting, and were seen two Suns in the Clouds of the Colour of Blood, all which were the sad presages of the Civil Wars of France presently after, and chiefly that of Provence.
The ninth Century in the ninth Stanza, speaketh almost the same, and sheweth that Nismes shall perish by Water.
VII.
French. Le grand conflict qu’on appreste a Nancy, L’Æmathien dira tout je soubmets, L’Isle Britane par Vin Sel en solcy, Hem. mi. deux Phi. long temps ne tiendra Mets. English. A great War is preparing at Nancy, The Æmathien shall say I submit to all, The British Island shall be put in care by Salt and Wine, Hem. mi. two Phi. shall not keep Mets long.
ANNOT.
Nancy is the chief City of Lorrain, and by the Æmathien is understood the French, the British Isle is England, which is said here, shall come into great distress by Salt and Wine, because the Countrey aboundeth in those two Commodities. The last Verse I do not understand, save that Mets is a great City in Lorrain.
VIII.
French. Index & Poulse parfondera le front De Senegalia le Comte a son Fils propre, La Myrnamée par plusieurs de plain front, Trois dans sept jours blessez mort. English. Index and Poulse shall break the forehead, Of the Son of the Earl of Senegalia, The Myrnamée by many at a full bout, Three within seven days shall be wounded to death.
ANNOT.
Senegalia is a Town in Italy, all what can be gathered out of the obscurity of this Stanza, is, that the son of the Earl of that Town shall have his forehead broken, and within seven days after, three more shall be wounded to death.
IX.
French. De Castilon figuieres jour de brune, De femme infame naistra Souverain Prince, Surnum de chausses per hume luy posthume, Onc Roy ne fut si pire en sa Province. English. Out of Castilon figuieres upon a misty day, From an infamous woman shall be born a Soveraign Prince, His surname shall be from Breeches, himself a posthume, Never a King was worse in his Province.
ANNOT.
Castilon figuieres is a petty Town in Provence, in which he saith that a Soveraign Prince shall be born of an infamous Woman, and shall be a posthume, which in Latine signifieth one that is born after his Fathers death; he saith also that his name shall be derived from Breeches and that never a King was worse in his Countrey, whether by worse, he meaneth in manners or fortune, I know not.
X.
French. Tasche de murdre, enormes Adulteres, Grand ennemy de tout le genre humain, Que sera pire qu’ayeulx, Oncles ne Pere, En fer, feu, eau, sanguin & inhumain. English. Endeavour of Murder, enormous Adulteries, A great enemy of all mankind, That shall be worse then Grand-father, Uncle, or Father, In Iron, fire, water, bloody and inhumane.
ANNOT.
This Stanza as well as the next hath relation to the precedent, making mention what a wicked person shall that Posthume be of which he spoke before.
XI.
French. Dessoubs Jonchere du dangereux passage, Fera passer le posthume sa bande, Les Monts Pyrens passer hors son bagage, De Parpignan courira Duc a Tende. English. Below Joncheres dangerous passage, The posthume shall cause his Army to go over, And his Baggage to go over the Pyrenean Mountains, A Duke shalt run from Perpignan to Tende.
ANNOT.
This is still concerning the same posthume or Bastard, who shall cause his Army to pass at Jonchere, and his Bagage to go over the Pyrenean Mountains, which parts Spain from France, and that upon the fear of him a Duke shall run from Perpignan, which is the chief City of Roussillon to Tende, which is a little Town in Provence.
XII.
French. Esleu en Pape, d’Esleu sera mocqué, Subit soudain, esmeu prompt & timide, Par trop bon doux a mourir provoqué, Crainte estainte la nuit de sa mort guide. English. Elected for a Pope, from Elected shall be baffled, Upon a sudden, moved quick and fearful, By too much sweetness provooked to die, His fear being out in the night shall be Leader to his death.
ANNOT.
This Prophecy was fulfilled in the person of the Cardinal Santa Severina, who in the Conclave of Cardinals after the death of Pope Innocent IX. was Elected Pope, and presently after was baffled by the same Cardinals, and Clement the VIII. chosen in his place, for which the other a little while after died for grief.
XIII.
French. Soubs la pasture d’animaux ruminans, Par eux conduits au ventre Herbi-polique, Soldats cachez, les armes bruit menants, Non loin tentez de Cité Antipolique. English. Under the pasture of Beasts chewing the cud, Conducted by them to the Herbi-polique belly, Souldiers hidden, the Weapons making a noise, Shall be attempted not far from Antipolick City.
ANNOT.
The sense of this is, that some Souldiers disguised like Herds-men, shall lead Oxen into a place where were hidden before Weapons in the Grass, but the Weapons making a noise by their clashing they shall be discovered, not far from a place that he calleth here Antipolique, purposely to rime with Herbipolique in French, which word Herbipolique signifieth a Town of Pasture.
XIV.
French. Urnel, Vaucile, sans conseil de soy mesmes, Hardy, timide par crainte prins vaincu, Accompagné de plusieurs putains, blesme, A Barcelonne aux Chartreux convaincu. English. Urnel, Vaucile, without advice of his own, Stout and fearful, by fear taken and overcome, Pale, and in company of many Whores, Shall be convicted at Barcelone by the Charterhouse.
ANNOT.
This Stanza is an Horoscope, which the Author made upon that Gentleman named Urnel Vaucille, and signifieth that the said man should find himself in such perplexity that he could not be able to take advice what to do, and that fear should make him hide himself, to be apprehended, in a place where he should be taken.
When he was taken, he was presently convicted of those crimes that he was accused of: therefore the Officers of Justice did conduct him to the Charter-house of Barcelone, which is four miles from the said Town, in a place called Campo alegre, for the beauty and situation of it, to that place many Whores did accompany him to receive the punishment they had deserved, therefore the Author saith that he went thither pale, as foreseeing the terrour of the punishment he was to undergo.
XV.
French. Pere Duc vieux d’ans & de soif chargé, Au jour extreme fils desniant l’esguiere, Dedans le puis vif, mort viendra plongé, Senat au fils la mort longue & legere. English. A Father Duke, aged and very thirsty, In his extremity, his son denying him the Ewer, Alive into a Well, where he shall be drowned, For which the Senate shall give the son a long and easie death.
ANNOT.
It is a Duke very aged who shall die of a Dropsie, or of some other burning disease, which will make him very thirsty, the Physitians shall forbid any water to be given him, therefore this Duke shall press his son very much to give him the Ewer, that he may drink his fill, but his son refusing, the Father shall fall into such a rage, that being alone he will go and throw himself into a Well, where he shall be drowned.
This unhappy death will be the cause of much murmuring, and the Senate or Parliament of that place will make enquiry after it, by which enquiry the son will be found guilty, therefore for his punishment, he shall be condemned to a long and easie death, as to live all his days in some Monastery.
XVI.
French. Heureux au Regne de France heureux de vie, Ignorant sang, mort, fureur, rapine, Par non flatteurs seras mis en envie, Roy desrobé, trop de foy en cuisine. English. Happy in the Kingdom of France, happy in his Life, Ignorant of blood, death, fury, of taking by force, By no flatterers shall be envied, King robbed, too much faith in Kitchin.
ANNOT.
This is a Prognostication of a King of France, who though happy in his Reign and Life, and being given to no great vices, as blood, fury, or taking by force, yet shall be much envied and robbed by his Subjects, and chiefly by those he trusteth about his Kitchin.
XVII.
French. La Reyne Ergaste voiant sa fille blesme, Par un regret dans l’estomach enclos, Cris lamentables seront lors d’Angolesme, Et au germain mariage forclos. English. Queen Ergaste seeing her Daughter pale, By a regret contained in her Breast, Then shall great cries come out of Angolesme, And the Marriage shall be denyed to the Cousin German.
ANNOT.
It is unknown what Queen he meaneth by the name of Ergaste; the rest is easie. Angolesme is a City of Gascony or Languedoc.
XVIII.
French. Le rang Lorrain fera place a Vendosme, Le haut mis bas, & le bas mis en haut, Le fils d’Hamon sera esleu dans Rome, Et les deux grands seront mis en defaut. English. The House of Lorrain shall give place to Vendosme The high pulled down, the low raised up, The son of Hamon shall be Elected into Rome, And the two great ones shall not appear.
ANNOT.
The two first Verses of this Prophecy were fulfilled in the time of Henry the third King of France, in whose time the Duke of Guise, and House of Lorrain were grown so powerful in France, that they drove the King from Paris, and assumed themselves a rank and authority over the Princes of the Blood, so that the King was forced to cause them to be slain, after which Henry IV. who was King of Navarre and Duke of Vendosme took his place again as first Prince of the Blood.
The two last Verses are too obscure to be interpreted, and I believe were onely forced by our Author to make up his Rime, as he hath done in several other places.
XIX.
French. Jour que sera pour Roine saluée, Le jour apres le salut, la Priere, Le compte fait raison & valbuée, Par avant humble oncques ne fut si fiere. English. The day that she shall be saluted Queen, The next day after the Evening Prayer, All accompts being summoned and cast up, She that was humble before, never was one so proud.
ANNOT.
It is a woman (be like of a small Fortune) who coming to be a Queen by her humility, the next day after Evening Prayer she shall appear so proud, as the like was never seen.
XX.
French. Tous les amis qu’auront tenu party, Pour rude en lettres mis mort & saccage, Biens publiez par fixe, grand neanty, Onc Romain peuple ne fut tant outrage. English. All the friends that shall have taken the part Of the Unlearned, put to death and robbed, Goods sold publickly by proclamation, a great man seized of them, Never Roman people was so much abused.
ANNOT.
The sense of this is, that a great man that took part with all those that were unlearned shall be put to death, and their goods praised and sold publickly, upon which goods another great man shall seize, and this is to be done in Rome.
There is fault in the Impression of the third French Verse, for instead of fixe it must be fisc and instead of Neanty it must be Nancy.
XXI.
French. Par le despit du Roy soustenant moindre, Sera meurdry luy presentant les bagues, Le Pere & Fils voulant Noblesse poindre, Fait comme a Perse jadis firent les Magues. English. To spite the King, who took the part of the weaker, He shall be murdered, presenting to him Jewels, The Father and the Son going to vex the Nobility, It shall be done to them as the Magi did in Persia.
ANNOT.
This is a King who with his son taking the peoples part against the Nobility shall be killed, in presenting to him Jewels, and he and his son shall be dealt with all as the Magi, that is the Grandees of Persia used to do with their Kings, whom they were wont to murder, or depose.
XXII.
French. Pour ne vouloir consentir au divorce, Qui puis apres sera cogneu indigne, Le Roy des Isles sera chassé par force, Mis a son lien qui de Roy n’aura signe. English. For not consenting to the divorce, Which afterwards shall be acknowledged unworthy, The King of the Island shall be expelled by force, And another subrogated, who shall have no mark of a King.
ANNOT.
This is plain concerning England and the late calamities thereof, when our gracious King for not consenting to the wicked factions of the Parliament then, and that have been acknowledged so since, was expelled by force, and an Usurpator that had not the least sign of a King sat in his place.
XXIII.
French. Au peuple ingrat faites les remonstrances, Par lors l’Armée se saisira d’Antibe, Dans larc Monech feront les doleances, Et a Freius l’un l’autre prendra ribe. English. The remonstrances being made to the ungrateful people, At that time the Army shall seize upon Antibe, In the River of Monaco they shall make their complaints, And at Freius both of them shall take their share.
ANNOT.
This signifieth that at the same time that the remonstrances shall be made to an ungrateful people; the Army shall seize upon the Town of Antibe, which is a Sea Town between France and Italy, and that there shall be great complaints at Monaco, which is another Sea Town near it, and at the place called Freius, both parties shall either agree, or divide their shares.
XXIV.
French. Le captif Prince aux Itales vaincu, Passera Gennes par Mer jusque a Marseille, Par grand effort des forens survaincu, Sauf coup de feu, barril liqueur d’Abeille. English. The captive Prince vanquished in Italy, Shall pass by Sea through Genoa to Marseilles, By great endeavours of forrain forces overcome, But that a Barrel of Honey shall save him from the fire.
ANNOT.
A Prince vanquished in Italy, and taken Prisoner shall come through Genoa to Marseilles, where he shall be once more overcome by strangers, but that a Barrel of Honey shall save him from being burnt. This is the sense of the words as near as I can judge, the judicious Reader may make what construction he pleaseth upon them.
XXV.
French. Par Nebro ouvrir de Brisanne passage, Bien esloignez el tago fara muestra, Dans Pelligouxe sera commis l’outrage, De la grand Dame assise sur l’Orchestra. English. By Nebro to open the passage of Brisanne, A great way off, el tago fara muestra, In Pelligouxe the wrong shall be done Of the great Lady sitting in the Orchestra.
ANNOT.
Here once more I lost my Spectacles, and could not see through, therefore I had rather be silent then coin lies, I shall only tell you, that orchestra in Latine is the seat wherein noble Personages sit at the beholding of Stage-plays.
XXVI.
French. Le successeur vengera son Beau frere, Occuper Regne soubs ombre de vengeance, Occis obstacle son sang mort vitupere, Long temps Bretagne tiendra avec la France. English. The Successour shall avenge his Brother in Law, Shall hold by force the Kingdom, upon pretence of revenge, That hinderance shall be killed, his dead blood ashamed, A long time shall Brittany hold with France.
ANNOT.
This is plain enough of it self, without any interpretation.
XXVII.
French. Charle cinquiesme & un grand Hercules, Viendront le Temple ouvrir de main bellique, Une Colonne, Jules & Ascan reculez, L’E’pagne, clef, Aigle neurent onc si grand pique. English. Charles the Fifth, and one great Hercules, Shall open the Temple with a Warlike hand, One Colonne, Julius and Ascan put back, Spain, the Key, Eagle were never at such variance.
ANNOT.
Charles the V. was the Emperour, and that great Hercules was Henry the II. King of France, whom he calleth Hercules, because he was King of France, and the Author nameth often in his Stanzas the Kings of France Hercules or Ogmions, because that great Captain of the Antiquity left his name glorious in the Gaules, whence the ancient Historians have given him the name of Hercules Gallicus. Henry the II. also was not only an Hercules by being King of France, but also a great Hercules, because of his Warlike humour, and for his great feats in Arms.
To open the Temple, signifieth to make War, because the Romans in ancient time were wont to shut the Temple of Janus in time of Peace, and kept it open during the War. Cæsar Augustus did shut that Temple once in his time, which was never done before but twice, the first under Numa Pompilius, the second after the overcoming of Charthage.
XXVIII.
French. Second & tiers qui font prime Musique, Sera par Roy en honneur sublimée, Par grasse & maigre presque a deny etique; Rapport de Venus faux rendra deprimée. English. Second and third that make prime Musick, Shall by the King be exalted to honour, By a fat one, and a lean one, one in consumption, A false report of Venus shall pull her down.
ANNOT.
Notwithstanding the obscurity of this sense, and the bad connexion of the words, we may perceive that by this Stanza is meant, that a King having two Mistresses shall exalt them in great honour, till by a report made by a fat woman and a lean one, that is in a consumption, that the said Ladies prove unfaithful to the King, he will depress them as low as they were before.
XXIX.
French. De Pol Mansol dans Caverne caprine, Caché & pris extrait hors par la barbe, Captif mené comme beste mastine, Par Begourdans amenée pres de Tarbe. English. From Pol Mansol in a Goats Den, Hidden and taken, drawn out by the beard Prisoner, led as a Mastiff, By Begourdans shall be brought near to Tarbe.
ANNOT.
Here and in some other places of this work is to be observed, that the Author doth sometimes put two Towns instead of one, that he may distinguish it from others of the same name, as here he calleth Pol Mansol to distinguish the Town of St. Paul, which is three Leagues from the Rhosne, over against the Town of Pont St. Esprit, from that which is in the lower parts of Provence.
The sense therefore of this Stanza is, that this Begourdans (a proper name of a man) shall pull out another by the beard, that was hidden in a Goats Den, and shall lead him captive as far as Tarbe, which is another Town of Provence.
XXX.
French. Nepveu & sang du St. nouveau venu, Par le surnom soustient arcs & couvert, Seront chassez mis a mort chassez nu, En rouge & noir convertiront leur vert. English. Nephew and blood of the Saint newly come, By the surname upholdeth Vaults and Covering, They shall be driven, put to death, and driven out naked. They shall change their red and black into green.
ANNOT.
Here I confess to be at a loss, as may be a wiser man then I.
XXXI.
French. Le Sainct Empire viendra en Germanie, Ismaelites trouveront lieux ouverts, Asnes viendront aussy de la Caramanie, Les soustenans de Terre tous couverts. English. The Holy Empire shall come into Germany, The Ismaelites shall find open places, Asses shall also come out of Caramania, Taking their part, and covering the Earth.
ANNOT.
By the Ismaelites he meaneth the Turks, who brag to be descended from Ismael.
Caramania is a Province of Turky, so that the sense of this Stanza is, that there shall be a great Invasion of the Turks into Germany, and that those of Caramania with their Asses shall come to their help, and shall be in such numbers, as that the Earth shall be covered with them.
XXXII.
French. Le grand Empire chascun en devoit estre, Un sur les autres le viendra obtenir, Mais peu de temps sera son Regne & estre, Deux ans aux Naves se pourra soustenir. English. The great Empire, every one would be of it, One above the rest shall obtain it, But his time and his Reign shall last little, He may maintain himself two years in his Shipping.
ANNOT.
This is plain enough without interpretation.
XXXIII.
French. La faction cruelle a Robe longue, Viendra cacher soubs les pointus Poignards, Saisir Florence, le Duc & le Diphlongue, Sa discouverte par Immeurs & Flagnards. English. The cruel faction of long Robe, Shall come and hide under the sharp Daggers, Seize upon Florence, the Duke and the Diphlongue, The discovery of it shall be by Countrey fellows.
ANNOT.
This is the Prognostication of a conspiracy against the Duke and City of Florence, by those of the long Gown, which shall be discovered by Countrey fellows, that live in places without Walls.
XXXIV.
French. Gaulois qu’Empire par Guerre occupera, Par son Beau-frere mineur sera trahi, Par Cheval rude voltigeant trainera, Du fait le frere long temps sera hay. English. A Frenchman who shall occupy an Empire by War, Shall be betrayed by his Brother in Law a Pupil, He shall be drawn by a rude prancing Horse, For which fact his brother shall be long hated.
ANNOT.
This foretelleth of a Frenchman, who shall by War obtain an Empire or Kingdom, and shall be betrayed by his Brother in Law a Pupil, whom afterwards he shall treacherously cause to mount a fierce prancing Horse, who shall throw him down and drag him, for which the said King shall be hated long after.
XXXV.
French. Puisné Roial flagrant d’ardant libide, Pour se jouir de cousine Germaine, Habit de femme au Temple d’Artemide, Allant murdry par incogneu du Marne. English. The Kingly youngest son heated with burning lust, For to enjoy his Cosen German, Shall in womans apparrel go to the Temple of Artemis; Going, shall be murdered by unknown du Marne.
ANNOT.
This is concerning the younger son of a King, who being extreamly in love with his Cosen German, shall disguise himself in a womans apparel, and shall go so disguised to the Temple of Artemide (that is of some Church Dedicated to the Virgin Mary) to meet her, but in going, shall be murdered by an unknown man named du Marne.
XXXVI.
French. Apres le Roy du Sud guerres parlant, L’Isle Harmotique le tiendra a mespris, Quelques ans bons rongeant un & pillant, Par tyrannie a l’Isle changeant pris. English. After that the King of the South shall have talked of Wars, The Harmotick Island shall despise him, Some good years gnawing one and plundering, And by tyranny shall change the price of the Island.
ANNOT.
The two first Verses are concerning Philip the II. King of Spain, who is called here the King of the South, whom after his vain and frustrated Invasion of 88. the Harmotique Island (that is England) shall deride, and he after that shall have some good years, that is of Peace, still pillaging and plundering his Subjects, and shall change the price of England, that is, make it of a higher value, and more flourishing then ever it was before, as it did prove in Queen Elizabeth’s time.
XXXVII.
French. Grande assemblée pres du Lac du Borget, Se rallieront pres de Montmelian, Passants plus outre pensifs feront projet, Chambray, Morienne, combat Saint Julian. English. A great assembly of people near the Lake of Borget, Will go and gather themselves about Montmelian, Going beyond, they shall make an enterprize, Upon Chambery, Moriene, and shall fight at St. Julian.
ANNOT.
This Lake of Borget is in Savoy, as also Montmelian, Chambery, Moriene, and St. Julian; the meaning of it then is, that a great Army shall be gathered about that Lake, which shall go through Chambery, Moriene, and Montmelian, and shall fight at St. Julian.
XXXVIII.
French. Amour alegre non loin pose le Siege, Au Saint Barbar seront les Garnisons, Ursins, Hadrie pour Gaulois feront plaige. Pour peur rendus de l’Armée, aux Grisons. English. Cheerful love doth lay Siege not far, The Garrisons shall be at Saint Barbar, Ursini, Hadria shall be sureties for the French, And many for fear shall go from the Army to the Grisons.
ANNOT.
The first two Verses are inexplicable; the two last signifie that there shall be an Army of Frens, with whom Hadria (that is Venice) and the Ursini the noblest Family in Italy shall take part, insomuch, that many of the contrary party shall run for fear to the Grisons, which is a Nation dwelling in the Valteline and other Countreis there about, between the Venetians and the Switzers.
XXXIX.
French. Premier fils veusve malheureux mariage, Sans nuls enfans deux Isles en discord, Avant dixhuit incompetant Aage, De l’autre pres plus bas sera l’accord. English. Of the first son a widow, an unhappy match, Without any Children, two Islands at variance, Before eighteen an incompetant Age, Of the other lower shall be the agreement.
ANNOT.
Although the words be intricate, nevertheless the sense is plain, concerning Francis the II. King of France, who being married young, and before he was 18. years of Age, to Mary Stuart Queen of Scotland, died presently after, and left her a widow, and also England and Scotland (which he calleth here two Islands) at variance among themselves; of the last Verse the sense is very obscure, and hath relation to what did happen afterwards to the said Mary Queen of Scots and Dowager of France.
XL.
French. Le jeune nay au Regne Britannique, Qu’aura le Pere mourant recommandé, Iceluy mort Londre donra topique, Et a son fils le Regne demandé. English. The young man born to the Kingdom of Britanny, Whom his Father dying shall have recommended, After his death London shall give him a topick, And shall ask the Kingdom from his son.
ANNOT.
This Prophecy is plain, concerning his Majesty King Charles II. now Reigning, who having been recommended by his dying Father to his Subjects, presently after his death they turned tail, and took the Kingdom from him for a good while.
XLI.
French. En la frontiere de Caussade & Charlus, Non gueres loing du fond de la valée, De Ville Franche Musique a son de Luths, Environnez Combouls & grand myrtée. English. Upon the Frontiere of Caussade and Charlus, Not far from the bottom of the Valley, Of Ville Franche there shall be Musick of Lutes, Great dancing and great company of people met together.
ANNOT.
Caussade, Charlus, and Villefranche are little Towns in Provence, not far one from another; the rest is easie.
XLII.
French. Le Regne humain d’Angelique geniture, Fera son Regne, paix, union tenir, Captive guerre demy de sa closture, Long temps la paix leur fera maintenir. English. The humane Reign of an Angelical brood, Shall cause his Reign to be in peace and union, Shall make War, captive shutting it half up, He shall cause them to keep peace a great while.
ANNOT.
This is only a foretelling of some Gallant Prince, who shall maintain his Subjects in great peace and tranquility.
XLIII.
French. Le trop bon temps, trop de bonté Roiale, Faits & desfaits prompt, subit, negligence, Leger croira faux, despouse loiale, Luy mis a mort par sa benevolence. English. The time too good, too much of Royal bounty, Made and unmade, nimble, quick, negligence, Fickle shall believe false o’ his loyal Spouse, He shall be put to death for his good will.
ANNOT.
This is concerning another King, who through his too much goodness, simplicity and negligence, shall make and unmake those about him, and being fickle, shall believe false reports, made concerning his own wife; and at last by his to much goodness, shall be put to death.
XLIV.
French. Par lors qu’un Roy sera contre les siens; Natif de Blois subjuguera Ligueres, Mammel, Cordube, & les Dalmatiens, Des sept puis l’ombre a Roy estrennes & Lemures. English. At that time that a King shall be against his own, One born at Blois shall subdue the Ligures, Mammel, Cordua and the Dalmatians, After that the shadow of the seven shall be to the King a new-years gift and Hoggoblins.
ANNOT.
Blois is a City in France; Ligures are the Genoeses, in Latine called Ligures; as for Mammel I cannot tell what to make of it; Cordua is a City of Spain, and the Dalmatians is a Nation near the Adriatick Sea, and under the Venetians; I leave the interpretation of the last Verse to the ingenious Reader.
XLV.
French. Lombre du Regne de Navarre non vray, Fera la vie de sort illegitime, La vers promis incertain de Cambray, Roy d’Orleans donra mur legitime English. The shadow of the Reign of Navarre not true, Shall make the life of illegitimate chance, The uncertain allowance from Cambray, King of Orleans shall give a lawfull Wall.
ANNOT.
The Reign or Kingdom of Navarre is called not true, because the King of Spain doth possess it, and not the King of France, who is the lawful King thereof, as also in regard of the Kings of France, and before of Jane of Albret, and Antony of Bourbon.
This Kingdom being not true in regard of the said ones, the title and quality is called here shadow. The Author saith that the quality of the King of Navarre shall make the life of illigitimate chance, because after the death of Francis the II Catherine of Medicis being not opposed in the Regence by Antony of Bourbon King of Navarre, she was willing to gratifie him in what she could.
And because his Brother Lewis Prince of Condé had been condemned to death, and not executed, it was a fair occasion for her to shew the King of Navarre how much she did defer to him. Therefore twelve days after the death of King Francis, he was freed out of Prison, and was admitted to justifie himself under the King of Navarre’s Bail.
Thus the shadow of the Kingdom of Navarre not true, did cause the life of a Prince to be saved, but that life was illegitimate, and that Kingdom not true by chance, that is, by accident, because of the death of King Francis.
Leaving off the third Verse to be explained after the fourth; King (saith the Author) shall give Orleans for legitimate, because Charles the IX. who during the life of Francis the II. did bear the title of Duke of Orleans, did succeed his Brother; thus the Verse saith that Orleans shall give a King for legitimate.
Now for the third Verse, you must suppose that by the Treaty at Madrid 1526. and after this by that of Cambray, the King Francis the I. did part with the Sovereignty of Flanders, and of all the Low Countreis in favour of Charles the V. Emperour, it is of that uncertain allowance of Cambray, of which the Author talketh here, and saith, that in that time viz. of the death of Francis the II. that allowance shall be uncertain, because Francis the I. having no power of himself to renounce the rights and dependance of the Crown of France, the Parliament that was assembled then, would have made void that allowance without breaking the Peace, declaring that the Kings of France ought to preserve the right they had upon the Low-Countreis, and to require them again upon any occasion, and upon that France did not refuse the Election which the Low-Countreis made of the Duke of Alencon for their Sovereign Prince and Duke of Brabant.
XLVI.
French. Vif sort mort de l’or vilain indigne, Sera de Saxe non nouveau Electeur, De Brunswick mandra d’amour signe, Faux le rendant au peuple seducteur. English. The living receives his death from Gold, infamous slut! Shall be of Saxony not the new Elector, From Brunswick shall come a sign of love, Falsly persuading the people that he is a seductor.
ANNOT.
This Prophecy is concerning an old Elector of Saxony, who being in health before, shall die suddenly, being poisoned in a golden Cup by a woman, whom he calleth here infamous slut.
And that from Brunswick (a Countrey adjacent to Saxony) shall come a Messenger, upon pretence of Love, who shall persuade the people that the said Elector was a Seducer.
XLVII.
French. De Bourze Ville a la Dame Guyrlande, L’on mettra sus par la trahison faite, Le grand Prelat de Leon par Formande, Faux Pellerins & Rauisseurs deffaite. English. From Bourze City belonging to the Lady Garlant, They shall impose by a set treason, The great Prelate of Leon by Formande, False Pilgrims and Ravishers destroyed.
ANNOT.
I believe that there is a fault here in the impression, and that instead of Bourze it must be Bourges, which is a famous City in France, and Capitol of the Province of Berry, for I do not know any Town in Europe called Bourze. What he meaneth by the Lady Garlant is unknown. I believe also that instead of Leon it should be Lyon, which is another famous City, and the first Archbishoprick of the said Kingdom. Formande is a barbarous word, and I believe put in only to make up the Rime, as he hath done in several other places, as much then as can be gathered out of the sense is this, that from that City Bourges, which usually is a Dowry for a Queen of France, which is called here Garlant, shall a treason be hatched against the Archbishop of Lion, which I suppose came to pass in the time of Henry the III. when Peter of Pinac Archbishop of the said Lion, being accused by the Deputies of Bourges for siding with the League, escaped narrowly to be killed, when the Duke of Guise and the Cardinal his brother were. Queen Catherine of Medicis the Kings Mother having then the said Province and Town of Bourges for her jointure.
The last Verse hath no relation to the three foremost, and hath its interpretation by it self, which is plain enough.
XLVIII.
French. Du plus profond de l’Espagne ancienne, Sortants du bout & des fins de l’Europe, Trouble passant aupres du Pont de Laigne, Sera deffaits par bande sa grand troppe. English. From the utmost part of old Spain, Going out of the extremities of Europe, He that troubled the travellers by the Bridge of Laigne, Shall have his great Troop defeated by another.
ANNOT.
Every Traveller knoweth that Castille (which is taken here for Spain) is divided into two parts viz. Castilia la Vecchia, and Castilia la Nuova, our Author then saith that out of Castilia la Vecchia, which is situated at the further end of Europe on that side, shall come a band of men, who shall destroy the Thieves that robbed and vexed the Travellers by the Bridge of Laigne, which it seemeth was an infamous place for robbing.
XLIX.
French. Jardin du Monde aupres de Cité neufve, Dans le chemin des Montagnes cavées, Sera saisi & plongé dans la Cuve, Beuvant par force eaux Soulphre envenimées. English. Garden of the World, near the new City, In the way of the digged Mountains, Shall be seized on, and thrown into the Tub, Being forced to drink Sulphurous poisoned waters.
ANNOT.
This word Garden of the World, doth signifie a particular person, seeing that this Garden of the World was seized on and poisoned in a Tub of Sulphurous water, in which he was thrown.
The History may be this, that Nostradamus passing for a Prophet and a great Astrologer in his time, abundance of people came to him to know their Fortunes, and chiefly the Fathers to know that of their Children, as did Mr. Lafnier, and Mr. Cotton, Father of that renowned Jesuit of the same name, very like then that Mr. du Jardin having a son did ask Nostradamus what should become of him, and because his son was named Cosmus, which in Greek signifieth the World, he answered him with these four Verses.
Garden of the World, for Cosmus of the Garden, In his travels shall be taken hard by the New City, in a way that hath been digged between the Mountains, and there shall be thrown in to a Tub of poisoned Sulphurous water to cause him to die, being forced to drink that water which those rogues had prepared for him.
Those that have learned the truth of this History, may observe it here. This ought to have come to pass in the last Age, seeing that the party mentioned was then born when this Stanza was written, and this unhappy man being dead of a violent death, there is great likelyhood, that he was not above forty years old.
There is another difficulty, to know which is that new City, there being many of that name in Europe, nevertheless the more probable is, that there being many Knights of Maltha born in Provence (the native Countrey of our Author) it may be believed that by the new City he meaneth the new City of Maltha called la Valete, hard by which there is paths and ways digged in the Mountains, which Mountains are as if it were a Fence and a Barricado against the Sea, or else this Cosmus might have been taken by Pyrats of Algiers, and there in the new City of the Goulette be put to death in the manner aforesaid.
L.
French. La Meuse au jour Terre de Luxembourg, Descouvrira Saturne & trois en Lurne, Montaigne & plaine, Ville, Cité & Bourg, Lorrain Deluge, trahison par grand hurne. English. The Maes by day in the Land of Luxembourg, Shall discover Saturn, and three in the Lurne, Mountain and plain, Town, City, and Countrey Town, A Lorrain flood, treason by a great hurne.
ANNOT.
The Maes is a River that runneth through a part of Lorrain and Luxembourg; as for the words Lurne and hurne I do not understand them, neither do I think they are to be found in all the French Language, both obsolete and modern; all what I can gather out of this, is, that a great overflowing of the River Maes, shall be both in Luxembourg and Lorrain, insomuch that three Leaden Mines (which is meant here by Saturn) shall be discovered, and after that, a great Treason shall happen in the said Lorrain.
LI.
French. Des lieux plus bas du Pais de Lorraine, Seront des basses Allemagnes unis, Par ceux du Siege Picards, Normans, du Maine, Et aux Cantons se seront reunis.
ANNOT.
The sense of this is, that the lower Lorrain and Germany being united together, shall have War with the other three Nations, of Picards, Normans, and Manceaux, which having Besieged a Town, shall constrain the Lorrainers and Low-germans, to unite themselves with the Cantons of Switzerland.
LII.
French. Au lieu ou Laye & Scelde se marient, Seront les Nopces de long temps mamée, Au lieu d’Anvers ou la grappe charient, Jeune vieillesse conforte intammée. English. In the place where Laye and Scelde are united, Shall the Nuptials be, that were long a doing. In the place of Antwerp where they draw the grape, The young unspotted will comfort the old Age.
ANNOT.
There is fault in the Impression, for instead of Laye it must be Lis, which is a River that runneth through Flanders, and dischargeth it self into the Scelde, which is the River that passeth at Antwerp, the sense therefore of this Prophecy is, that in the place where the River of Lis joyneth with the Scelde, there shall the Nuptials be consummated that were long a doing, and the place of Antwerp, where they unload the Wines, there shall a young unspotted Lady Marry, and comfort an old man.
LIII.
French. Les trois Pellices de loing s’entrebattront, La plus grand moindre demeurera a l’ecoute, Le grand Selin n’en sera plus patron, Le nommera feu, pelte, blanche, route. English. The three Concubines shall fight one with another a far off, The greatest less shall remain watching, The great Selin shall be no more their Patron, And shall call it fire, pelte, white, route.
ANNOT.
This Prophecy is concerning the Turkish Empire, where three of the great Turks Concubines, which in Latine are called Pellices, shall make War one against another, the great Turk himself favouring neither party.
LIV.
French. Née en ce Monde par Concubine furtive, A deux hault mise par les tristes nouvelles, Entre Ennemis sera prinse Captive, Et amenée a Malines & Bruxelles. English. Born in this world from a stolen Concubine, Set up at two heights by the sad news, Shall be taken Prisoner among the Enemies, And brought to Malines and Bruxelles.
ANNOT.
This is concerning some Lady of quality, born of a Concubine, who shall be set up by reason of some sad news that shall be brought, and afterwards shall be taken Prisoner, and carryed to Malines and Bruxelles, two Cities of the Low-Countreys.
LV.
French. Les malheureuses Nopces celebreront, En grande joye mais la fin malheureuse, Mary & Mere Nore desdaigneront, Le Phibe mort, & Nore plus piteuse. English. The unhappy Nuptials shall be celebrated, With great joy, but the end shall be unhappy, Husband and Mother shall scorn Nore, The Phybe dead, and Nore more pitifull.
ANNOT.
If by Phybe we understand the Admiral of Chastillon, and by Nore, Queen Margaret of Valois, the rest will be easie. For in the year 1572. a Match was made between Henry the IV. then King of Navarre, chief of the Protestant party, and Margaret of Valois, Sister to Charles the IX. to this Wedding were the chief of the Protestant party invited, who were there Massacred, and among the rest Gaspard of Coligny, Lord of Chastillon, and Admiral of France, whom he calleth here Phybe. And when he saith, that Husband and Mother shall scorn Nore, he sheweth the slight Opinion and regard that the Queen Mother had for her Daughter, and Henry the IV. for his Wife, whom he after repudiated.
LVI.
French. Prelat Roial soy baissant trop tiré, Grand Flux de Sang sortira par sa bouche, Le Regne Anglicque par Regne respiré, Long temps mort vif en Tunis comme souche. English. Royal Prelate bowing himself too much, A great flood of Blood shall come out of his mouth, The English Reign by Reign respited, A great while dead, alive in Tunis like a Log.
ANNOT.
A Prelate, is a man of eminent dignity in the Church, the Royal prelate must be a Churchman of the Royal Blood, who bowing himself too much, shall fall into an Hæmorhagie or Flux of Blood at his Mouth. The third Verse signifieth, that the Kingdom of England shall be relieved from some distress by another Kingdom or Prince that had been a Slave a great while at Tunis, and lyen there, dead alive like a Log of Wood.
LVII.
French. Le sublevé ne cognoistra son Sceptre, Les enfans jeunes des plus grands honnira, Oncques ne fut un plus ord cruel estre, Pour leur Espouses a mort noir bannera. English. The exalted shall not know his Scepter He shall put to shame the young Children of the greatest, Never was one more dirty and cruel, He shall banish to Black death their Spouses.
ANNOT.
This is concerning a great Tyrant, who being exalted to the dignity of a King, shall not know how to govern; but shall slight and put to shame the Children of the greatest Nobility, and shall banish their Wives out of the Land; this hath a relation to the late Tyrant Cromwell.
LVIII.
French. Au temps du dueil que le Selin Monarque, Guerroiera le jeune Æmathien, Gaule bransler, pericliter la barque, Tenter Phocens au ponant entretien. English. In the time of mourning, when the Monarch Selin, Shall make War against the young Æmathien, France shall quake, the Ship shall be in danger, Phocens shall be attempted, the business shall be in the West.
ANNOT.
You must observe here, that by Æmathien the Author meaneth the King of France, as he doth in many other places; and by Selin, he meaneth the great Turk, because such was the name of him that lived in his time, this being presupposed the meaning of this is, that the great Turk shall fight against the King of France, and shall attempt Phocens, which is Marseilles, as being a Colony of the old Phocenses in Græcia, which shall cause all France to quake, and the Ship to be in danger, which is Paris, who beareth a Ship for its Arms.
LIX.
French. Dedans Lion vingt & cinq d’une haleine, Cinq Citoyens Germains, Bressans, Latines, Par dessous Noble conduiront longue traine, Et descouvers par abboy de Mastins. English. In Lyons five and twenty of a breadth Five Citizens Germans, Bressans, Latines, Under Noblemen shall conduct a long Train, And shall be discovered by the barking of Mastiffs.
ANNOT.
The Marshal of St. André, Governour of Lyon being absent, the Protestants undertook the taking of it, at the solicitation of some principal Lords at Court, among whom were named the Prince of Condé, and the Vidame of Chartres, Francis of Vendosme, Knight of the Order. The Abbot of Savigny, who did supply the place of the Governour, and was named Antony of Albon, since that Archbishop of Arles, having discovered this Conspiracy, went to surprise the undertakers, but as he was going upon the night of the 5 of September, he met with some of the confederates upon the Bridge of Saone, which made him retreat with some loss.
The next day having gathered more Forces, he took three of them that were strangers and young, the rest escaping, those three were hanged the next Saturday, which was the 7 of that Month.
The Marshal being come to Town, there was Execution made upon some of the Inhabitants, to the number of 4 that were hanged.
After that there were informations made concerning the Authors and Abettors of the said conspiracy, and many other Citizens and strangers were put to Prison, and besides them the Vidame of Chartres, who was carryed to Paris, and put into the Bastille, and after that in the Tournelles, where he died before his process was ended, the 23 December 1560.
It is what our Author saith in this stanza; in the first Verse he saith, that there were five and twenty of a breadth, of whose five and twenty there was five Citizens of the Town, and the rest were Germans, Bressans and Italians, of these Citizens 4 were hanged, and three of the strangers.
Those 25 undertakers, of which the Author saith, that under Noblemen they shall conduct a long Train; that is, that under the support and favour of many Noblemen, they would undertake a thing that should not end so soon as it proved afterwards; for although this enterprise did fail, yet was the beginning of horrid combustions that followed afterwards.
This enterprise it seemeth was discovered by barking of Mastiffs.
The Apology for the City of Lyon treateth at large of this, and nameth all those conspirators, who for the most part were of Germany and Geneva.
LX.
French. Je pleure Nice, Monaco, Pise, Genes, Savone, Sienne, Capoue, Modene, Malthe, Le dessus sang & glaive par estrenes, Feu, trembler Terre, eau, malheureuse nolte. English. I bewail Nice, Monaco, Pisa, Genoa, Savona, Sienna, Capoua, Modena, Maltha, Upon them blood and sword for a new years-gift, Fire, Earth-quake, water, unhappy nolte.
ANNOT.
All these Cities are situated by the Mediterranean Sea, and most of them upon that part of it, which is called the River of Genoa, and are threatned here by all the plagues above mentioned; as for the word nolte it is a barbarous one, forced here to make up the Rime in French.
LXI.
French. Betta, Vienne, Comorre, Sacarbance, Voudront livrer aux Barbares Pannone, Par picque et feu, enorme violence, Les conjurez d’escouverts par Matrone. English. Betta, Vienna, Comorre, Sacarbance, Shall endeavour to deliver Pannone to the Barbarians, By Pike, and fire, extraordinary violence! The conspirators discovered by a Matron.
ANNOT.
It seemeth that there will be a conspiracy of some men out of all the above mentioned Cities, to surrender Hungary (which in Latine is called Pannonia) to the great Turk, but that conspiracy shall be discovered by a Matron, that is, a grave ancient Woman.
LXII.
French. Pres de Sorbin pour assaillir Hongrie, L’Heraut de Bude le viendra advertir, Chef Bizantin, Sallon de Sclavonie, A Loy d’Arabes les viendra convertir. English. Near Sorbin, to invade Hungary, The Herald of Buda shall come to give them notice of it, Chief Bizantin, Sallon of Sclavonia, Shall come to turn them to the Arabian Religion.
ANNOT.
This seemeth to have a relation to the precedent, and that near that place he calleth Sorbin, preparations shall be made to Invade Hungary, but they shall have notice of it by some body of Buda.
He that is called here Chief Bizantin, is the great Turk or his grand Vizir, who hath his abode in Constantinople, anciently called Bizantium.
LXIII.
French. Cydron, Ragusa, la Cité au Sainct Hieron, Reverdira le medicant secours, Mort fils de Roy part mort de deux Heron, L’Arabe, Hongrie, feront un mesme cours. English. Cydron, Raguse, the City of Saint Hieron, Shall make green again the Physical help, The Kings Son dead, by the death of two Herons, Arabia and Hungary shall go the same way.
ANNOT.
The meaning of this is, that when those three Cities named in the first Verse shall have need of succours, and that a Kings Son shall die in flying two Herons, then shall Arabia and Hungary be under the same Master.
LXIV.
French. Pleure Milan, pleure Lucques, Florence, Que ton grand Duc sur le Char montera, Changer le Siege pres de Venise s’advance, Lors que Colonne a Rome changera. English. Weep Milan, weep Lucques, and Florence, When the great Duke shall go upon the Chariot, To change the Siege near Venice he goeth about, When Colonne shall change at Rome.
ANNOT.
This Prophecy seemeth to portend the change of the See of Rome in some place near to Venice, and this is to happen when the great Duke of Tuscany shall ascend upon a Triumphant Chariot, and that the House of Colonne (which is the more powerfull in Rome) shall take his part.
LXV.
French. O vaste Rome ta ruine s’aproche, Non de tes Murs, de ton sang, & substance, L’aspre par lettres fera si horrible coche, Fer pointu mis a tous jusques au manche. English. O great Rome thy ruine draweth near, Not of thy Walls, of thy blood and substance, The sharp by Letters shall make so horrid a notch, Sharp Iron thrust in all to the haft.
ANNOT.
This is a confirmation of the foregoing Prophecy, by which it is said that the destruction of Rome shall not be in her Walls, blood or substance, but onely by Letters or Doctrine that shall put quite down the Roman Religion.
LXVI.
French. Le Chef de Londres par Regne l’Americh, L’Isle d’Escosse tempiera par gelée, Roy, Reb. auront un si faux Antechrist, Que les mettra tretous dans la meslée. English. The Chief of London by Reign of America, The Island of Scotland shall catch thee by a frost, King and Reb. shall have so false an Antichrist, As will put them altogether by the ears.
ANNOT.
I conceive this Prophecy can be appropriated to no body better then Oli. Cromwel, who is called here the Chief of London by Reign of America, that is, by Reign of confusion, whose projects and treasons were all brought to nought, by the victorious Mars of the ever renowned General Monck, who came with his Army from Scotland to London in the Winter time, he is called also a false Antichrist, because he was an enemy to King and Reb. that is Respublica or Common-wealth.
LXVII.
French. Le tremblement si fort au mois de May, Saturne, Caper, Jupiter, Mercure au Bœuf, Venus aussy, Cancer, Mars en Nonnay, Tombera gresle lors gresse qu’un œuf. English. The Earth-quake shall be so great in the month of May, Saturn, Caper, Jupiter, Mercury in the Bull, Venus also, Cancer, Mars in Nonnay, Then shall fall Hail bigger then an Egge.
ANNOT.
The meaning is, that when all these Cœlestial bodies shall be so disposed, that there will be a fearful Earth-quake and Hail.
LXVIII.
French. L’Armée de Mer devant Cité tiendra, Puis partira sans faire longue allée, Citoyens grande proye en Terre prendra, Retourner classe reprendre grand emblée. English. The Fleet shall stand before the City, Then shall go away for a little while, And then shall take a great troop of Citizens on Land, Fleet shall come back and recover a great deal.
ANNOT.
It seemeth here he speaketh of two Fleets, one of which shall stand a little while before a Town, and carry a great many Citizens away, but that the other Fleet shall come in the mean time, and redeem them.
LXIX.
French. Le fait luysant de neuf vieux eslevé, Seront si grands par Midy Aquilon, De sa sœur propre grandes alles levé, Fuyant meurdry au buisson d’Ambellon. English. The bright actions of new old exalted, Shall be so great through the South and North, By his own Sister great forces shall be raised, Running away he shall be murdered near the bush of Ambellon.
ANNOT.
The question here is, whether this neuf vieux in French or new old in English be the proper name of a man, or be a Metaphor, to express a young man of an ancient Family, when the Reader hath satisfied himself upon that, the rest is easie enough.
LXX.
French. L’œil par objet fera telle excroissance, Tant & ardente que tombera la Neige, Champ arrousé viendra en decroissance, Que le Primat succombera a Rhege. English. The eye by the object shall make such an excressency, Because so much, and so burning shall fall the Snow, The Field watered shall come to decay Insomuch that the Primat shall fall down at Rhege.
ANNOT.
All this is nothing but an extraordinary great Snow that shall fall about Rhegio a City of Italy, whereby the Fields shall be drowned and fall to decay; insomuch, that the chief men, called here Primate shall fall to poverty.
LXXI.
French. La Terre & l’Air geleront si grand eau, Lors qu’on viendra pour Jeudy venerer, Ce qui sera jamais ne fut si beau, Des quattre parts le viendront honorer. English. The Earth and the Air shall freeze with so much water, When they shall come to worship Thursday, That which shall be never, was so fair, From the four parts they shall come to honour him.
ANNOT.
This signifieth an exceeding great frost, which shall happen on a Holy Thursday, where the ground and sky shall be so clear, that men may come from the four parts (viz. of the Earth) without trouble for to worship.
LXXII.
French. L’an mil neuf cent nonante neuf, sept mois, Du Ciel viendra un grand Roy d’effrayeur, Resusciter le grand Roy d’Angoumois, Avant apres, Mars Regner par bonheur. English. In the year a thousand nine hundred ninety nine, and seven months, From Heaven a great terrible King, To raise again the great King of Angoulesme, Before and after, Mars shall Reign luckily.
ANNOT.
He that is called here King of Angoulesme was Francis the I. as gallant a Prince as ever France had, who before he was King went by the title of Duke of Angoulesme; the rest is easie.
LXXIII.
French. Le temps present avecque le passé, Sera jugé par grand Jovialiste, Le Monde tard de luy sera lassé, Et desloial par le Clergé juriste. English. The time present, together with the past, Shall be judged by a great Jovialiste, The World shall at last be weary of him, And he shall be thought unfaithful by the Canon-Law Clergy.
ANNOT.
This Prophecy concerneth meerly Francis Rabelais, who was the greatest Jovialist, that is, Merry-man that ever was, and did so lash and censure the abuses of every profession, and chiefly of the Clergy, that to this very day he goeth among them for an Atheist, and a Prophaner of Sacred and Civil things.
LXXIV.
French. An revolu du grand nombre septiesme, Apparoistra au temps jeux d’Hecatombe, Non esloignez du grand age milliesme, Que les entrez sortiront de leur Tombe. English. The year of the great number seven being past, Shall be seen at that time the sports of Hecatombe, Not far from the great age thousand, That the Buried shall come out of their Graves.
ANNOT.
Hecatombe signifieth a Sacrifice, wherein a hundred beasts were killed.
The sense therefore is this, that when the year a thousand seven hundred is past, that such sport of Hecatombe shall be seen again, not far from the sixth Millenary, when the day shall rise, for it is a common opinion among the Learned, that as God Created the World in six days, and rested the seventh, so when the World hath lasted six thousand years, for a thousand years before God are as one day, there shall be an Eternal Sabbath and a Resurrection, both of the just and unjust.
LXXV.
French. Tant attendu ne reviendra jamais, Dedans l’Europe, en Asia apparoistra, Un de la ligne yssu du grand Hermes, Et sur tous Rois de Orient croistra. English. So long expected shall never come Into Europe, in Asia shall appear, One come forth of the line of the great Hermes, And shall grow above all the Kings in the East.
ANNOT.
All is plain, but only this, whether he taketh Hermes as a King of Ægypt, or as the Father of the Hermetick Philosophers.
LXXVI.
French. Le grand Senat decernera la Pompe, A un qu’apres sera vaincu chassé, Des adhærans seront a son de trompe, Biens publiez, ennemy dechassé. English. The great Senate will decree a Pomp, To one who after shall be vanquished and expelled, The goods of his partners shall be Publickly sold, and the enemy shall be driven away.
ANNOT.
What Senate and particular man he meaneth, is the only difficulty in this.
LXXVII.
French. Trente adhærans de l’Ordre des Quirettes, Bannis, leurs biens donnez ses adversaires, Tous leurs bienfaits seront pour demerites, Classe espargie, delivrez aux corsaires. English. Thirty associated of the Order of Quirettes, Banished, their goods shall be given to their adversaries, All their good deeds shall be imputed to them as crimes, The Fleet scattered, they shall fall into the hands of Pyrates.
ANNOT.
I could not find any man or Author that knew what is meant here by Quirettes, which is only the difficulty of this Stanza.
LXXVIII.
French. Subite joye en subite tristesse, Sera a Rome aux graces embrassées, Dueil, cris, pleurs, larm, sang, excellent liesse, Contraires bandes surprises & troulsées. English. Sudden joy shall turn into a sudden sadness, At Rome to the embraced graces, Mourning, cries, weeping, tears, blood, excellent joy, Contrary Troops surprized and carryed away.
ANNOT.
There is nothing difficult here, but what he meaneth by Embraced graces, for my part I believe them some new married Couples, who in the middle of their jollity shall fall into these disasters.
LXXIX.
French. Les vieux chemins seront tous embellis, L’on passera a Memphis somentrées, Le grand Mercure d’Hercule fleur de lys, Faisant trembler Terre, Mer, & Contrées. English. The old ways shall be made all fair, There shall be a passage to Memphis Somentrées, The great Mercury of Hercules Flower de luce, Making the Earth, the Sea, and the Countreys to quake.
ANNOT.
This word Somentrees, being altogether barbarous, is the reason that neither sense nor construction can be made of all these words.
LXXX.
French. Au Regne grand, du grand Regne Regnant, Par force d’armes les grands Portes d’airain, Fera ouvrir le Roy & Duc joignant, Port demoly, nef a fonds jour serain. English. In the great Reign, of the great Reign Reigning, By force of Arms the great Brass Gates, He shall cause to be open, the King being joyned with the Duke, Haven demolish’d, Ship sunk on a fair day.
ANNOT.
The words and the sense are plain, though the parties be unknown.
LXXXI.
French. Mis Tresor Temple, Citadins Hesperiques, Dans iceluy retire en secret lieu, Le Temple ouvrir, les liens fameliques, Repris, ravis proye horrible au milieu. English. A Treasure put in a Temple by Hesperian Citizens, In the same hid in a secret place, The hungry bonds shall cause the Temple to be open, And take again and ravish, a fearful prey in the middle.
ANNOT.
This is concerning a Treasure hid by Spaniards (called here Hesperian Citizens) in a Church, which the people of a Town being poor, and almost starved, caused to be open, and did ransack it, but in the middle of it they found a strange prey, but what it was God knows.
LXXXII.
French. Cris, pleurs, larmes viendront avec couteaux, Semblant faux donront dernier assaut, L’entour parques planter profons plateaux, Vifs repoussez & meurdris de plain saut. English. Cries, weeping, tears, shall come with daggers, With a false seeming they shall give the last assault, Set round about they shall plant deep, Beaten back alive, and murdered upon a sudden.
ANNOT.
This seemeth to have a relation to the Scalado of Geneva, of which you shall have a full account in the 69 Stanza, of the twelfth Century.
LXXXIII.
French. De batailler ne sera donné signe, Du Parc seront contraints de sortir hors, De Gasp l’entour sera cogneu l’enseigne, Qui fera mettre de tous les siens a mort. English. There shall no sign of battle be given, They shall be compelled to come out of the Park, Round about Gasp shall be known the Ensign, That shall cause all his own to be put to death.
ANNOT.
This Prophecie was fulfilled in the year 1556. by the Marshal of Brissac in Piemont, when he took the Town of Vignal by assault, where 1200. Neapolitans were put to the Sword, who were called the braves of Naples; because they were all very gallantly habited, and the Governour being wounded, cast himself desperately into a Well, whence the Marshal caused him to be taken up, and to be cured of his wounds.
In this conflict there was no sign of Battle given; because it was done by the rashness of a Souldier, Bastard of a Bastard of the house of Boissy, who without expecting the command of the General, went alone upon the breche, and after he had against the Enemies, drew his Sword, and did fight a great while hand to hand without being wounded.
Some of his Companions seeing his valour, did follow him, and others came to their help, and these carryed along with them all those that were appointed to give the assault; insomuch that by a kind of Warlike emulation, all did carry themselves so valliantly, that after a long and stout resistance, they routed the Enemies, and put all the Garrisons to the Sword.
It is what the Author saith in the first and second Verse, seeing that those that were appointed to give Battle, every one in his Regiment or Squadron, were compelled by emulation to come out of their Park; that is, from the Precinct of place wherein they were. The third Verse addeth, that round about the Ensign of Gasp. shall be known; that is, in the assault the Captain of that place, named Gaspar Pagan, was remarked to fight valliantly every where the French did assault, which the Marshal of Brissac seeing, as also the forwardness of his men commanded the general assault to be given. The Captain seeing the Town taken, though he had above twenty wounds, for marks of his Valour, yet by that despair threw himself into a Well, near which the Marshal passing, heard his voice, and caused him to be drawn out, and cured of his wounds.
This Captain being resolved to perish in this assault, did cause all his own to be put to death, as the fourth Verse saith. The History of this Town was famous, for which the Marshal of Brissac did present Gifts to the most Valiant, and among the rest to this Bastard, after he had put him in jeopardy of his life, for having violated the Military Orders in a matter of such concernment. That Town of Vignal is situated upon a Mountain of the Countrey of Montserrat, of a difficult access, where no pieces of Ordinance can be brought up, but by the help of Mens Arms; after the taking of it, the Marshal did cause it to be raised even to the ground, because it could not be useful to the French, that had many other places to keep, and might have been very beneficial to the Spaniard.
LXXXIV.
French. Le Naturel a si haut, haut non bas, Le tard retour sera marris contens. Le Recloing ne sera sans debats, En emploiant & perdant tout son temps. English. The Natural to so high, high not low, The late return shall make the sad contented, The Recloing shall not be without strife, In employing and loosing all his time.
ANNOT.
The Recloing, being a forged word, without signification, and being the Key of all this Stanza, no body can tell what to make of it.
LXXXV.
French. Le vieil Tribun au point de la Trehemide, Sera presse Captif ne delivrer, Le vueil non vueil, le mal parlant timide. Par legitime a ses amis livrer. English. The old Tribun, at the point of the Trehemide, Shall be much intreated not to deliver the Captain, They will not will, the ill speaking fearful, By legitimate shall deliver to his friends.
ANNOT.
The old Treban is an old Captain or Governour of a Town, who shall be much entreated not to deliver at the end of the Trehemede (that is, three Months) one that he kept prisoner, but will they or not, he shall lawfully deliver him to his friends.
LXXXVI.
French. Comme un Gryphon viendra le Roy d’Europe, Accompagne de ceux d’Aquilon, De rouges & blancs conduira grande Troupe, Et Iront contre le Roy de Babylon. English. As a Griffin shall come the King of Europe, Accompanied with those of the North, Of red and white shall conduct a great Troop, And they shall go against the King of Babylon.
ANNOT.
This is concerning the King of Swedeland, Gustavus Adolphus, who is called here the King of Europe; because he lived in a part of it, and because he was one, if not the most gallant Prince of his time, who with a great Army of his Subjects, named here those of Aquilon, invaded Germany, and made War against the Emperour, whom he calleth here the King of Babylon, either because he is a great favourer of the Roman Church, or because the Empire, by reason of so many sovereign Princes in it is like a Babel and confusion.
The great Troop of Red and White, were his own Souldiers, whom he distinguished by their several habits. Clothing them with several Colours, to breed an emulation among them, there being the Red Regiment, the White, the Blew, the Yellow, the Green, &c.
LXXXVII.
French. Grand Roy viendra prendre port pres de Nice, Le grand Empire de la mort si en fera Aux Antipodes posera son genisse, Par Mer la Pille tout esvanouira. English. A great King shall land by Nice, The great Empire of death shall interpose with it. He shall put his Mare in the Antipodes, By Sea all the Pillage shall vanish.
ANNOT.
A great King shall land hard by Nice, which is a Sea Town in Savoy, but he shall have a great loss of his men by death, and the Sea shall swallow all his plunder.
LXXXVIII.
French. Pieds & Cheval a la seconde veille, Feront entrée vastiant tout par Mer, Dedans le Port entrera de Marseille, Pleurs, cris & sang, onc nul temps si amer. English. Foot and Horse upon the second Watch, Shall come in destroying all by Sea, They shall come into the Harbour of Marseilles, Tears, cryes and blood, never was so bitter a time.
ANNOT.
This is so clear that it needeth no interpretation.
LXXXIX.
French. De Bricque en Marbre seront les Murs reduits, Sept & cinquante années pacifiques, Joye aux humains renevé l’aqueduct, Santé, grands fruits, joye & temps mellifique. English. The Walls shall be turned from Brick into Marble, There shall be peace for seven and fifty years, Joy to mankind, the Aqueduct shall be built again, Health, abundance of fruit, joy and mellifluous time.
ANNOT.
After so many calamities Prognosticated by the Author, he promiseth here seven and fifty year of a golden Age, but when? he maketh no mention.
XC.
French. Cent fois mourra le Tyran inhumain, Mis a son lieu scavant & debonnaire, Tout le Senat sera dessoubs sa main; Fasche sera par malin temeraire. English. The inhumane tyrant shall die a hundred times, In his place shall be put a Learned and mild man, All the Senate shall be at his command, He shall be made angry by a rash malicious person.
ANNOT.
This Prognostication is easie to be understood, only it is indeterminate, and specifieth neither time nor persons.
XCI.
French. Clergé Romain l’an mil six cens & neuf, Au chef de l’an fera Election, D’un gris & noir de la Campagne yssu, Qui oncques ne fut si malin. English. The Roman Clergy in the year a thousand six hundred and nine, In the beginning of the year shall make choice Of a gray and black, come out of the Countrey, Such a one as never a worse was.
ANNOT.
Wanting the Chronology of the Popes, I have not set down who that Pope was, then whom our Author saith there never was a worse, but the time being so punctually prefixed, it will be an easie matter for the Reader to find out satisfaction in this point.
XCII.
French. Devant le Pere l’Enfant sera tué, Le Pere apres entre cordes de jonc, Genevois peuple sera esvertué, Gisant le Chef au milieu comme un tronc. English. The Child shall be killed before the Fathers eyes, The Father after shall enter into ropes of rushes, The people of Geneva shall notably stir themselves, The Chief lying in the middle like a log.
ANNOT.
This Prophecy is twofold, the two first Verses foretel of a man that shall have his Son killed before his eyes, and himself afterward shall be strangled by a rope made of Rushes.
The two last Verses are concerning the people of Geneva, who (as he saith) shall lustily bestir themselves, while their Captain, Chief, or Commander shall carelesly lie like a log.
XCIII.
French. La Barque neuve recevra les Voiages, La & aupres transfereront l’Empire, Beaucaire, Arles, retiendront les Hostages, Pres deux Colomnes trouvées de Porphyre. English. The new Ship shall make journeys Into the place, and thereby where they shall translate the Empire, Beaucaire, Arles, shall keep the Hostages, Near them shall be found two Columns of Porphyry.
ANNOT.
This Prophecy is concerning three things, the first is of a considerable new Ship, that shall sail several times into a place where the Empire shall be translated.
The second is concerning two Towns of Languedoc, Beaucaire, and Arles, who shall not surrender the Hostages that they had.
The third is concerning two Columns of Porphiry that shall be found there about.
XCIV.
French. De Nismes, d’Arles, & Vienne contemner, Nobeyront a ledict Hesperique, Au Labouriez pour le grand condamner, Six eschapez en habit Seraphique. English. From Nismes, d’Arles and Vienna contempt, They shall not obey the Spanish Proclamation, To the Labouriez for to condemn the great one, Six escaped in a Seraphical habit.
ANNOT.
It seemeth that those three aforenamed Towns will refuse to obey a Spanish Proclamation, that would compel them to condemn a great man; as for Labouriez it is a barbarous and non-sensical word.
The last Verse signifieth, that six shall escape, cloathed in Franciscan habits, called here Seraphical, because the Franciscans believe that a Seraphin did appear to St. Francis their Patron, from whence their Order is called by many the Seraphical Order.
XCV.
French. Dans les Espagnes viendra Roy trespuissant, Par Mer & Terre subjugant au Midy, Ce mal sera rabaissant le croissant, Baisser les aisles a ceux de Vendredy. English. A most potent King shall come into Spain, Who by Sea and Land shall make great Conquests towards the South, This evil shall beat down the horns of the new Moon, And slack the Wings of those of Friday.
ANNOT.
A great and potent King shall come out of Spain, who by Sea and Land shall make great Conquest towards the South, that is Barbary, which shall be a great prejudice to the Turkish Empire, who hath for his Arms a new Moon; And slack the wings of those of Friday, that is, of the Turks, because they keep the Friday for their Sabbath. This Prophecy was fulfilled by Philip the II. King of Spain, who drove away all the Moores out of the South part of it, and took a great many places in the Coasts of Barbary.
XCVI.
French. Religion du nom des Mers viendra, Contre la Secte fils Adaluncatif, Secte obstinée deplorée craindra, Des deux blessez par Aleph & Aleph. English. Religion of the name of the Seas shall come, Against the Sect son Adaluncatif, Obstinate Sect deplorate shall be afraid, Of the two wounded by Aleph and Aleph.
ANNOT.
I confess my ignorance in the intelligence of this Stanza.
XCVII.
French. Triremes pleines tout aage captifs, Temps bon a mal, le doux pour amertume, Proye a Barbare trop tost seront hastifs, Cupide de voir plaindre au vent la plume. English. Triremes full of Captives of all Age. Time good for evil, the sweet for bitter, Pray to the Barbarian, they shall be too hasty, Desirous to see the feather complain in the wind.
ANNOT.
Triremes are Galleys with three benches of Oares, the rest is much of the nature of the former.
XCVIII.
French. La splendeur clairëa Pucelle joieuse, Ne luira plus, long temps sera sans Sel, Avec Marchans, Ruffiens, Loups, odieuse, Tous pesle mesle monstre universel. English. The clear splendour of the merry Maid, Shall shine no more, she shall be a great while without Salt, With Merchants, Ruffans, Wolves, odious, All promiscuously, she shall be an universal Monster.
ANNOT.
This is concerning a famous beauty, who in her latter age shall prostitute her self to all comers.
XCIX.
French. A la fin le Loup, le Lion, Bœuf & l’Asne, Timide dama seront avec Mastins, Plus ne cherra a eux la douce Manne, Plus vigilance & custode aux Mastins. English. At last the Wolf, the Lion, Oxe and Asse, Fearful Doe, shall be with the Mastiffs, The sweet Manna shall no more fall to them, There shall be no more watching and keeping of Mastiffs.
ANNOT.
This is a Prognostication of a general peace all Europe over.
The sweet Manna shall no more fall to them, signifieth that the Europeans shall be fed no more with Manna, as the Jews were in the Desert, but shall pass to the Land of Promise, that is of peace and quietness.
C.
French. Le grand Empire sera par l’Angleterre, Le Pempotan des ans plus de trois cens, Grandes Copies passer par Mer & Terre, Les Lusitains n’en seront pas contens. English. The great Empire shall be in England, The Pempotan for more then three hundred years, Great Armies shall pass through Sea and Land, The Portugueses shall not be contented therewith.
ANNOT.
This is a favourable one for England, for by it the Empire, or the greatest Dominion of Europe is promised to it, for the space of above three hundred years, at which the Portugueses or Spaniards shall much repine.
