Chapter XCIX: French

Terroir _Romain_ qu’interpretoit _Augure_,
Par gent _Gauloise_ par trop sera vexée,
Mais Nation _Celtique_ craindra l’heure,
_Boreas_, classe trop loing l’avoit poussée.

English.

The _Roman_ Countrey in which the _Augur_ did interpret,
Shall be too much vexed by the _French_ Nation,
But the _Celtique_ Nation shall fear the hour,
The Northwind had driven the Navy in too far.

ANNOT.

Since the Reign of _Henry_ the II. King of _France_, the Historians do not mention that the Countrey about _Rome_ hath been troubled by the _French_ Armies. It was only in the time of _Paul_ the IV. who was assisted by the _French_ Troops, under the conduct of the Lord _Strozy_, and Captain _Monluc_, therefore this Stanza belongeth to the time of that Kings Reign.

And indeed what he foretelleth here, came to pass in the year 1556. for the Countrey about _Rome_ was vexed by the _French_ Nation, who went about then to take the places, which the Duke of _Alba_ had taken from the _Pope_, and thereby caused those disorders, which commonly are incident to War.

The second Verse saith, _the Countrey shall be too much vexed_, and not a little, because _Monluc_, whom the Author calleth the _quick Gascon_, did continually torment the Enemies, which could not be done without a great prejudice to the Countrey; Moreover, his Troops being for the most part _Gascons_, and consequently active men; the Soldiers did more harm than ordinary.

In the first Verse he saith, that this Countrey about _Rome_ was marked by an _Augury_, to be the place upon which the sad effect of the _Augury_ should fall, which proved true; for the first of _March 1556_, appeared a Blazing Star, which did presage to that Countrey of _Rome_, its disaster.

_Roman Countrey in which the Augur did interpret_, that is to say, which the _Augur_ did signifie, and presage should be vexed by the _French_ Nation.

Afterwards the Author saith, that the same _French_ Nation, or _Celtique_, shall fear the hour when _Boreas_ should drive to far the Fleet, that is to say, shall fear much, when the Baron _de la Garde_ was so troubled with the storm (as we have said) and in truth it was _Boreas_, or the _Northwind_, that drove him into St. _Florents_ road.

C.

French.

Dedans les Isles si horrible tumulte,
Rien on n’orra qu’une bellique brigue,
Tant grand sera des predareurs l’Insult,
Qu’on se viendra ranger a la grand ligue.

English.

In the Islands shall be so horrid tumults,
That nothing shall be heard but a Warlike surprise,
So great shall be the insult of the Robbers,
That every one shall shelter himself under the great League.

ANNOT.

This is plain, if by the great League, you understand the soundest and most powerful party.

THE PROPHECIES OF Michael Nostradamus.

_CENTURY_ III.

I.

French.

Apres Combat & Bataille Navale,
Le grand _Neptune_ a son plus haut beffroy,
Rouge adversaire de peur de viendra pasle,
Mettant le grand _Occean_ en effroy.

English.

After the fight and Sea Battle,
The great _Neptune_ in his highest Steeple,
The red adversary shall wax pale for fear,
Putting the great _Occean_ in a fright.

ANNOT.

I find no mystical sence in this, unless by the red adversary he should understand the _Pope_, because clothed in Scarlet. Therefore I leave the explication to the judgement of every particular Reader.