Chapter LVIII: French

Trenché le ventre, naistra avec deux testes,
& quattre bras, quel qu’ans entiers vivra,
Jour qu’Aquilare celebrera ses festes,
_Fossan_, _Thurin_, chef _Ferrare_ fuiera.

English.

Slit in the belly, shall be born with two heads,
And four Arms, it shall live some years,
The day that _Aquilare_ shall celebrate his Festivals,
_Fossan_, _Thurin_, chief _Ferrare_ shall run away.

ANNOT.

In the first Verse the Author speaketh of a Monster that had two heads, and four Arms, and the Belly slit, that is to say, it was a female.

His Son _Cæsar_ in his History of _Provence_, saith, that in the Town of _Senan_ in _Provence_, a Child was born with two heads, and that it was foretold by some that were skilful in Astronomy, by which words I guess he spake of his Father, sith the Astrologers cannot foretel the birth of a particular Monster, and therefore _Nostradamus_ only was able to do it in those days.

He saith in the same place, that it was born in _February_ 1554. and was brought to _Salon_ to be shewed to his Father, and thence was carried to _Claudius_ Earl of _Savoy_ Governour of _Provence_, who commonly had his residence at _Salon_.

He maketh no mention if he had four Arms, nor what Sex it was of, it may be that being in swadling cloths, nobody took notice of the Arms or Sex.

The Author Prophecieth that it should live some years, it may be two or three, and that is was preserved to see, whether in time it should have the use of its Senses, of the Tongue, and understanding of its two Heads, to see whether there were two Souls, or onely one, and to say the Truth. I think that in such an accident both Heads ought to be Baptized, that in case there should be two Souls, both should partake of the blood of Christ, for their Eternal Salvation.

I do not find in the same History how long it lived, it being a thing not much material to History. In the third Verse he marketh, _The day that _Aquilare_ shall celebrate his Festivals_; and in the fourth he saith that _Fossan, Thurin, chief Ferrare shall run away_.

To understand this, one must suppose here that the Town of _Cazal_ is called here the chief of _Ferrare_; because it is the chief City of _Montserrat_, and as _Paradin_ saith, is called _Cazal_ St. _Bas_, a handsom and strong place, honoured with many Nobles and antient Families, as of the Earls of St. _George_ and of _Biandratte_.

Secondly, We must suppose that in the year 1554. the Lord _Figuerol_, Lieutenant to the Governour of _Milan_ did command in that place. Of this _Figuerol_ I find in the Author of the four Volumes of the States and Empires, (when he speaketh of _Spain_) that the House of _Figueroas_ was the root of that of _Aquilar_, which hath several branches, out of which came the Duke of _Feria_, and the Marquess of _Pliego_, so that _Figuerol_ and _Aquilar_ is the same thing.

If it be objected that _Figueroas_ and _Figuerol_ are not the same, _Paradin_ teacheth us, that this _Figuerol_ was bred up amongst the _Genoeses_, and the corrupted _Italian_ of _Genoa_ may have named the Captain _Figuerol_ in stead of _Figueroas_.

Thirdly, We must suppose here that _Cazal_ was taken in the night that is between _Shrove-Tuesday_ and _Ash-Wednesday_, and that from _Shrove-Sunday_ to that day there were great rejoycings, because of a famous Marriage that was made between two persons of quality, where the Lord _Figuerol_ was one of the chief persons invited.

Fourthly, That these rejoycings were the occasion of the taking of _Cazal_; because the Lord _Salvaison_ Governour of _Verrüe_ hearing of this Feast, resolved to be among them, though with a different intention. He had before hand made himself sure of one _Fontarole_, who under pretence to sell fruit, went up and down the Town to spie what was a doing.

Fifthly, The resolution of surprizing _Cazal_ was agreed upon, and the time appointed to be the night between _Shrove-Tuesday_ and _Ash-Wednesday_, when the Governour, Inhabitants and Souldiers should be buried in sleep, weary of debaucheries committed the day before.

Sixthly, This resolution was so happily put into execution, that _Figuerol_ hearing the noise of the _French_ being in Town, came out of his house, having only his night Gown upon him, and a Halbert in his hand, to quiet those whom he only thought to be some drunken persons; but hearing the cry of _France, France_, he presently retired into the Castle, with all those that were come to the Nuptials.

Seventhly, The Marshal of _Brissac_ coming about seven of the Clock in the Morning, caused the Tower of _Cazal_ to be assaulted, which was taken with a considerable loss of the _French_, and after that the Castle which held out 12 days.

All this being supposed, mark what the Author saith in the third Verse.

The day that _Aquilare_ shall celebrate his Festivals, that is, the day that _Figuerol of the house of Aquilare shall celebrate his Festivals_, not only one Festival, but his Festivals, that is of three days.

_Fossen_, _Thurin_, saith the fourth Verse, _Chief Ferrare shall run away_.

_Fossen_, _Thurin_, doth not signifie two Towns, but one onely; for although _Fossen_ and _Thurin_ be two Towns, of which _Fossen_ in the time of the Wars in _Italy_ under _Henry_ II. belonged to the _Spaniard_, and _Thurin_ to the _French_. These two Towns signifie but one, which is that of _Fossen_, to which to distinguish it from _Marseilles_, he giveth the Epithete of _Thurin_, so much as to say, that he speaketh of _Fossen_ a Town of _Piemont_, the chief Town of which is _Thurin_, and not of _Fossen_, which the Author taketh often for _Marseilles_.

Which the Author maketh plain, when he saith in the singular number, that _Fossen, Thurin, chief Ferrare shall run away_, to shew that it is onely one Town of which he speaketh, otherwise if he had intended to speake of two, he would have put it in the plural number, which is more manifest by the History, wherein we learn that _Fossen_ belonged to the _Spaniards_, and _Thurin_ to the _French_, and consequently, being of contrary parties, they could neither follow, nor fly from a Town which belonged to one of them.

If any one should object, that the sense of the fourth Verse is, that the _Chief Ferrare_ shall fly or follow these two Towns, the preceding reason is repugnant to that sense; because a Town that is of one party, cannot be friend to two Towns, one of which is of its party, and the other of the contrary.

The reading of this work shall convince every body, that the Author setteth down sometimes two Towns for one, to distinguish them from others, as he nameth _Paul Mansol_, to distinguish that Town of St. _Paul_, which is three Leagues from the _Rhosne_, over against _Pont_ St. _Esprit_, from that St. _Paul_ which is in _Provence_.

Now that _Fossen_ in _Piemont_ shall run from _Cazal_ the chief City of _Montserrat_, because that being taken by the _French_, _Fossen_ could not expect but perpetual damages from it.

But why? will you say, doth the Author speak rather of _Fossen_, than of other places that held for the _Spaniards_? I answer, because _Fossen_ was the strongest place that the _Spaniards_ had in _Piemont_ and which could not be taken by the _French_, though her neighbour _Saviliane_ was, as we shall shew hereafter.

In the Vulgar impression of this Stanza, there is two faults, one is, that in the first Verse it puts _Aquileya_, which is a Town that is not in _Italy_, truth it is, that there is _Aquilee_ a little above _Venice_, but this hath no correspondency with _Fossen_, _Thurin_, nor the _Chief of Ferrara_.

In the fourth Verse the impression setteth down _shall follow_, which maketh nonsense, and therefore I put _shall run away_, which is a word in _French_ near the other, and maketh a compleat sense, to which agreeth the birth of that Monster in _February_, and the taking of _Cazal_ in the Month of _March_. In that year, _John Statius_ setteth _Shrove-Tuesday_ upon the 16 of _February_, and consequently we must say, that the Town was not taken that year 1554. for the Citadel was taken 12 days after, which should have been the 19 of _February_, and notwithstanding the History marks that it was taken upon the 14 of _March_.

Therefore we must conclude, that it was taken the year following 1555. and to say truth, in that year _Ash-wednesday_ was the 27. of _February_; in that day the Town was taken, and two days after the Tower of _Cazal_; after which the Citadel was besieged the second of _March_, and the first _Saturday_ of Lent, and was taken twelve days after, which was the 14. of _March_, which convinceth me that _Cazal_ was taken in the year 1555. upon the 27. of _February_, and therefore that this Stanza is wholly Prophetical.

LIX.

French.

Les exilez deportez dans les Isles,
Au changement d’un plus cruel Monarque,
Seront meurtris & mis dans les Scintilles,
Qui de parler ne seront este parques.

English.

They banished that were carried into the Islands,
At the change of a more cruel Monarque,
Shall be murdered, and put in the sparks of fire,
Because they had not been sparing of their tongues.

ANNOT.

This is very plain, and signifieth no more, but that some persons that were banished into Islands, and could not hold their tongues; upon the coming of a Monarque, more cruel than his Predecessor, shall be murdered, and burnt.

LX.

French.

Un Empereur naistra pres d’_Italie_,
Qui a l’Empire sera vendu bien cher,
Diront avec quels gens il se ralie,
Qu’on trouvera moins Prince que Boucher.

English.

An Emperour shall be born near _Italy_,
Who shall cost dear to the Empire,
They shall say, what people he keepeth company!
He shall be found less a Prince, than a Butcher.

ANNOT.

This Prophecy is for the future; for since _Nostradamus_’s time till now, such an Emperour was not heard of, that was born near _Italy_, that cost the Empire so dear, and proved more a Butcher, than a Prince.

LXI.

French.

La Republique miserable infelice,
Sera vastée du nouveau Magistrat,
Leur grand amas de l’exil malefice,
Fera _Suede_ ravir leur grand contract.

English.

The miserable and unhappy Common-wealth,
Shall be wafted by the new Magistrate;
Their great gathering from exiled persons,
Shall cause _Swedeland_ to break her Contract.

ANNOT.

The two first Verses foretell what hath happened to _England_ under the Government of a Common-wealth, and how their new Magistrate _Cromwel_ made a havock of them. The third and fourth Verses, mention what great sums they exacted from those of the Kings party, and how for that cause _Swedeland_ foresook their friendship.

LXII.

French.

La grande perte las que feront les Lettres,
Avant le Circle de Latona parfait,
Feu, grand Deluge, plus par ignares Sceptres,
Que de long siecle ne se verra refait.

English.

Alas what a great loss shall learning suffer,
Before the Circle of the Moon be accomplished,
Fire, great flood, and more by ignorant Scepters,
Then can be made good again in a long age.

ANNOT.

Here the Author bemoaneth the loss of one eminent person in Learning, be like of _Julius Scaliger_, who lived in his time, and was once his intimate friend, the two last Verses that great miseries, as Fire and Flood shall happen by the ignorance of Princes.

LXIII.

French.

Les Fleaux passez, diminué le Monde,
Long temps la Paix, Terres inhabitées,
Seur marchera par le Ciel, Terre, Mer & Onde,
Puis de nouveau les Guerres suscitées.

English.

The Scourges being past, the World shall be diminished,
Peace for a great while, Lands inhabited,
Every one safe shall go by Heaven, Land and Sea,
And then the Wars shall begin a fresh.

ANNOT.

This foretelleth a great tranquillity every where, and after that, Wars again:

LXIV.

French.

De nuit Soleil penseront avoir veu,
Quand le Pourceau demy homme on verra,
Bruit, Chant, Bataille au Ciel battre apperceu,
Et bestes brutes a parler on orra.

English.

They shall think to have seen the Sun in the night,
When the Hog half a man shall be seen,
Noise, Singing, Battles in Heaven shall be seen to fight,
And brute beasts shall be heard to speak.

ANNOT.

This Stanza is full of prodigies that are to happen, and for that in the last Verse, it is no great wonder, for many brute beasts have spoken, speak now a days, and shall speak hereafter.

LXV.

French.

Enfant sans mains, jamais veu si grand Foudre,
L’Enfant Royal au jeu d’esteuf blessé,
Au puy brisez, fulgures allant moudre,
Trois sur les champs par le milieu troussez.

English.

A child without hands, so great Lightning never seen,
The Royal Child wounded at Tennis,
Bruised at the Well, Lightnings, going to grind,
Three shall be strucken by the middle.

ANNOT.

The meaning of all this is, that when a child shall be born without hands, there shall be fearful Lightning; a Royal child shall be hurt at _Tennes_, and by that Lightning some shall be bruised by a Well, and in a Mill, and three in the Field shall be killed.

LXVI.

French.

Celuy qui lors portera les nouvelles,
Apres un peu il viendra respirer,
_Viviers_, _Tournon_, _Montferrand_ & _Pradelles_,
Gresle & tempeste les fera souspirer.

English.

He that then shall carry the news,
A little while after shall draw his breath,
_Viviers_, _Tournon_, _Montferrant_, and _Pradelles_,
Hail and storm shall make them sigh.

ANNOT.

This Stanza hath a connexion with the foregoing, for the two first Verses signifie, that he who shall carry the news of that fearful Lightning, and of the mischief done by it, shall have much ado to recover his breath.

In the last two Verses, the Towns are named which shall suffer most by that storm, and chiefly by the Hail and the Wind.

LXVII.

French.

La grand famine que je vois approcher,
Souvent tourner puis estre universelle,
Si grande & longue qu’on viendra arracher,
Du Bois racine, & l’Enfant de mamelle.

English.

What a great famine do I see drawing near,
To turn one way, then another, and then become universal,
So great and long, that they shall come to pluck
The root from the Wood, and the child from the breast.

ANNOT.

The words and sense of this are plain, and foretell a great famine, which being first in one Countrey and then in another, shall at last become general, and last so long, that people shall pluck the Roots from the Trees, and the children from the breast to feed upon.

LXVIII.

French.

O quel horrible & malheureux tourment,
Trois innocens qu’on viendra a livrer,
Poison suspect, mal garde tradiment.
Mis en horreur par Bourreaux enyvrez.

English.

O to what a horrid and unhappy torment
Shall be put three Innocents!
Poison shall be suspected, evil Keepers shall betray them,
They shall be put to horrour by drunken Executioners.

ANNOT.

This is very plain concerning three innocent persons, who shall be delivered up by their unfaithful keepers, and shall be put to great torments by drunken Executioners, which torments shall be suspected to come by poison.

LXIX.

French.

La grand Montagne ronde de sept Stades,
Apres Paix, Guerre, Faim, Inondation,
Roulera loing, abisuant grand contrades,
Mesmes antiques, & grand Fondation.

English.

The great Mount in compass seven Stades,
After Peace, War, Famine, and Innundation,
Shall tumble a great way, sinking great Countries,
Yea ancient Buildings, and great Foundation.

ANNOT.

A Stade cometh from the Greek word σταδιον, ἀπὸ τῆς στασεος, because _Hercules_ did overrun so much ground at one breath; but what space of ground the Author meaneth by seven Stades, is unknown to me. The rest of the Prophecy may very well be appropriated to the last fearful eruption of Mount _Ætna_, which sunk so many Towns and Buildings, and the relation of which is so handsomly and truly made by the most honourable the Earl of _Winchelsey_, who was an eye witness to it, in his return from his Embassy at _Constantinople_.

LXX.

French.

Pluye, Faim, Guerre en _Perse_ non cessée,
La foy trop grande trahira le Monarque;
Par la finie en _Gaule_ commencée,
Secret augure pour a un estre parque.

English.

The Rain, Famine, War, in _Persia_ being not ceased,
Too great credulity shall betray the Monarque;
Being ended there it shall begin in _France_,
A secret Omen to one that he shall die.

ANNOT.

The meaning of the two first Verses, is, that while the Rain, Famine, and War shall be in _Persia_, a Monarque shall be betrayed by his credulity. The third Verse signifieth that this Rain, Famine and War being ended in _Persia_, it shall begin in _France_. And the fourth Verse, that this shall be an Omen to a great Person of his approaching death.