that a meane heate cannot resolue such â— matter out of the earth and draine thâ— same vp 3 The second effect of a Comet is barrennesse of the earth hunger and the dearth of vittayles in that the earth is caused barren through much drougth and lack of moysture for drougth is as the stepmother vnto all fruites and corne of the earthâ— but moysture is the apt mother vnto all fruites and crescent things on the earth So that such a mightie heat doth excéedinglye drie vp the earth and consumeth the moysture in plantes and trées through which they decay and heare no yéelde noâ—store of fruite Or thus A Comet doth cause harrennesse of the earth in that vnto a Comet a great and much exhalation is required by whose eleuation from the earth the fatnesse of the earth is so drawne vp which thus eleuated the earth after becommeth harren of yéeld and the moysture with which the earth ought to be battened is then through the ouermuch drougth vtterly depriued For whiche cause a Comet is the fore note of hunger and dearth in the same Realme which it specially beholdeth or stretcheth the tayle towardes and from whence it gathered and tooke his substance 4 Comets doe portend the murraine of beastes in that the ayre ensuing is infected and euill disposed through the hote grosse and clowdy exhalations which when beasts draw thereof are then intoxicated and infected and so die Also for that the time then is excéeding hote and the radicall moysture is on such wise drawne vp by the hote aire from the bodies of men and beastes in whoÌ„ the naturall moysture is placed as in the proper seate of the same beastes and other liuing creatures die for which cause it is the minde and councell of the learned Phisitions to vse in the same time moyst and colde meates wherby the radicall moysture may so be increased and preserued 5 Comets mooue battels and seditions and alter Emperies and kingdomes for that in the time of a Comet are many exhalations in the ayre hote drie which doe drie men and kindle heat in them by which they are lightly prouoked to yre after which yre ensueth variance next of the same followeth battell and after battell succéedeth the translation or alteration of gouernements when as the Emperie ensueth the conquerour 6 Comets do portend the death of princes kings gouernors other Magistrates of a coÌ„mon weale in that these leade a more daintie life and féede on finer meates continuallye through which they sooner be infected The death besides of princes and heade gouernors through the difference of many is of worthier report and fame and for that cause more obserued To these I adde that the Choloricke persons are then vehementer mooued through which the perturbations or troubles of mind ensue that procure seditions and battels after which procéede oftentimes the slaughter of many and death of princes for that these many tymes be present in battailes and are lightly prouoked to yre by which the battell ensueth the fiercer and on such wise many come to their death Macrobius left in writing that the death of Constantine was indicated by a Bushie starre of an excéeding bignesse that appeared in the yeare after Christes birth 304. Sundrie examples of Comets THat singuler Philosopher Augustinus Niphus writeth that after the appearing of a Comet in the yeare 1506. there followed within two yeares such a mightie drougth in Lumbardie that from Ianuary vnto the moneth of Nouember there fell no raine at all in that Countrie In the yeare of our Lorde 1165. appeared a mightie Comet or blasing starre in Scotland reaching burning out with two most long beames or tayles after which within .xiiij. dayes Malcolmus the fourth king by name of the Scottes dyed a mayden as the Chronicle reporteth In the yeare of our Lorde 1214. in the moneth of March appeared two fearefull Comets in Scotland the one going before the Sunne and the other following him after which the same yeare when as that most happie and good king William had reigned 49. yeares he then dyed an olde man. In the yeare 1268. there appeared a Comet of a maruellous bignesse about the noonestéede which was séene for manye dayes togither in Scotlande And in the yeare of our Lorde 1271. after and in the ix day of Ianuarie there arose such a cruell winde and mightie tempest withall and hayle stones of such a bignesse that through the same many houses in Scotlande were throwne down burned with fire through the windes which kindled after the same that they there kept in their houses for the vse of fire that the whole Country in a maner was wasted by the fire In the yeare of our Lord. 1538 and in the eightéene day of Ianuarie there appeared a Comet after the setting of the Sunne which was placed in the signe Pisces and the tayle looking or stretching towarde the East after which died immediately the Duke of Saronie In the yeare of our Lorde 1539. and the sixt daye of the moneth of Maye appeared a Comet in the signe Taurus not farre from the head of the Dragon which indured burning for thrée wéekes in a maner after which died Isabell of Portugall the wife of Charles the fift Emperor in the trauaile of childe In that yeare died George Duke of Saronie of an olde and crude rupture before whose death as some write there appeared thrée Comets after the appearaunce of which died the Duke of Cleaue the bishop of Trident and diuers other noble persons and Capitaines In the yeare 1540. began a great coniunction of Saturne and Mars which hapned in Cancer after which followed a marueilous drougth aboue many sommers before so that hay corne and all kinde of pulses became very scarce And this drougth folowed rather as some write after the apperaunce of a Comet the same yeare and great Eclips of the Sunne which happened the seuenth day of Aprill whose beginning was before the Sunne rising and endured in this Eclips two whole houres after the Sunne was risen vppon which followed at Prage a noble Citie in the kingdome of Boheme that the Castell with the Cathedrall Church were burned with fire and many fearefull fiers hapned often in sundrie places as the same had bene by a diuine punishment from heauen And a Commotion hapned the same yeare among the Citizens of Gaunt which Charles the fift Emperour stayed by hys wisedome Many examples more of Comets might here be vttered which for breuitie in so smal a treatise omitted and the rather for that I haue at large written of them and other weightie matters right necessarye in my booke to come forth named the Myrrour of tyme. Other prodigious tokens IN the yeare 1542. were many straunge children and monstruous beastes séene and in that yeare it rayned bloud at Sassen burge in Germanie And in Phriseland that yeare arose a certaine Prophet named George Dauid declaring himselfe to bée Gods nere kinsman and one that coulde counterfaite
he may denie any more Rainebowes than two in speaking Physicallie that may be séene differing in the standing of the colours That is although thrée Rainebowes shall sometimes appeare yet more differ not in the standing of the coulours than two or two onely haue the extreme colours transposed in such maner that the vttermost of the inner Rainebow and the innermost of the outwarder Rainebow is of a red colour And contrariwise the innermost of the inner and the vttermost of the outwarder is of a purple colour the gréene colour alwayes possessing his proper place that is the middle Whereof many Rainebowes proceede THey are caused of the refraction or breaking againe of the Sunne beames from the clowde made bright and couloured by the first that is the inner Rainebow into the néerer clowde And the beames conioyned with the beames from the Sunne into the same place falling doe so imprint or forme newe colours of the Rainebow in the same maner as the colours are caused in the inner Rainebow So that this is the cause why of the outwarder Rainebow the innermost colour is red in that the same is nighest to the sight and for the same cause that light is sent or appeareth to our eye the clearer The other colours are caused by a light imprinted or formed in the déeper partes of the Clowde and so much the more is it mixed of the shadowes and waterie darknesse For which cause these doe a little decline vnto a blacknesse That three Rainbowes may appeare at one time THe first Rainebow is caused through the refraction of the sunne beames and â—his is brightest of all the others 2 The seconde Rainebow is the ymage â—nely of the first for which cause also it is â—he weaker in that the same is caused thoâ—ow the refraction of the beames of the first Rainebow So that the colours of thys Rainebow appeare in the opposite or order â—â—ght against vnto the colours of the first â—ainebow 3 The third Rainebow is the figure and â—mage of the second and this can scarcely be séene in that the same is caused through the refraction of the second Rainebow So that the colours of this Rainebow doe appeare in the opposite order vnto the colours of the second Rainebow and in the lyke order by which the colours of the first Rainebow are séene for the aboue sayde reason Thus in breuitie thrée Rainebowes may appéere at one time in that the clowde may be so thicke that the reflection of beames may the larger stretch forth it selfe In what time of the yeare Rainebow 〈◊〉 for the more part are caused PLynie reporteth in his second booke anâ— 59. Chapiter that in the Sommer on thâ— South part they are not séene after thâ— Equinoctiall haruest at anye hower Iâ— the haruest and Winter are they especiallâ— engendred vnder the East and West partâ— through the abounding or mightie substancâ— of the rayne which the Sunne from ouâ— highest noonestéede descending occupyinâ— then the Sowtherly halfe of the Zodiakâ— runneth lower wherby it cannot consuâ—â— by the proper heate Contrariwise in thâ— Sommer are the seldome séene when as is of lesser substance then that which may be scattered by the heate of the Sunne and the Sunne also at that time ascendeth vnto the highest ouer our heads for which cause the Rainebowe in the Southquarter cannot be séene as aboue vttered Are not the Rainebowes caused through the beames of the other starres OF the Moone we haue said that through hir beames especiallye of the full a Rainebow may be caused And euen lyke in our remembraunce or tyme as in the yeare of Christ .1523 a night Rainebowe was séene After which incontinent folowed a conspiracie of the rusticall sort in Alsatia against the Magistrates In the yere folowing a commotion of the rusticall sort in the Dukedome of the noble Prince of Wirterbergensis An other night Rainbow was séene in the yere .1524 in which yere folowed sone after a most raging and â—ruell sedition which grieuously afflicted and spoyled manye partes of Germany And in the yeare .37 about the ninth houre â—n Paulme Sunday at night being the â—ext day before the full of the Moone a like night Rainebowe was obserued and séene of manye That the Rainebowes are not ingendred through the beames of the other starres may apeare in that such a distance there is of the starres from the earth that no impression of light can be brought to this dewie vapour Or thus their beames through the greatest or furthest distaunce be weaker then that they maye imprint his light with the small bodyes of the dewie vapour Here note that by the beames of the Moone especially at the full a Rainebowâ— may and is wont to be caused hauing like colours in a maner as the Sunnes sauinâ— that the night Rainebow draweth néereâ— vnto a whitenesse as with intensed coloursâ— bicause the darkenesse of the night increaâ—seth the darkenesse of the clowde througâ— which the increased light appéereth the whâ—â—ter euen as a fyre or light that is furtheâ— séene in the night tyme than in the daâ— So that of this Moones Rainebow is oâ— onely colour as the whyte not vnlyke 〈◊〉 mylke when as the clowde of the nigâ—â— colde may be ioyned togither heaped aâ— thickned more than that the Moones ligâ—â— can pierce for which cause a whytenesse appeareth on the hyghest playnnesse of the same Of the windes THe winde is an exhalation hote and dry moued thwartly or laterally about the earth which for the grauitie of the exhalation can not be caried upwarde it therefore falleth downewarde is ouerthwartly caried Or the winde is an agitation of a drie vapour drawne vp into the ayre by the vertue of the Sunne beames Or the winde is a thwart agitation of the ayre through a hote and drie exhalation which drawne vp by the vertue of the starres is sent backe and downewarde through the colde of the middle region ordeyned by naâ—ure that through the same motion the ayre may be dryuen and cleane or pure purged â—n the breathing the corne also by it rypeâ—ed and the Arte besides of sayling exerâ—ised amongst men The matter or subâ—taunce of the windes is a hote and dry exâ—alation grosse and earthly forced downeâ—arde through the coldnesse of the middle â—egion of the ayre whose note is in that the winde dryeth Certaine properties of the windes THe cause why any beast at the South winde blowing lesser hungereth is for that the heate then openeth the powers of the skinne that the inner hote spirite maye breath forth and be dissolued Whereof digestion and naturall strength is caused the weaker and by it bodies filled with a superfluous earthly moysture And the cause why the Southwinde is woont to be vehementer in the night time than in the daye is for that the exhalation of thys wynde is so hote that through the coldnesse of the night it can not be depressed So that by the proper heate drawne vp it ryseth and rageth the vehementer But
in the day time through the Sunnes heate thinned and sometimes spent whereof with such a force as in the night it can not blowe The Haruest and Spring are the aptest tymes of the yeare for the wyndes seing in those partes of the yeare manye exhalations are drawne vp which when of the Sunne beames they can not be spent through his absence they then gyue matter to the winds But in the Sommer and Winter doe the windes lesser blow For in the Sommer time the exhalations are burned by the Sunnes heate and in the Winter tyme the powers of the earth are shut so close or hard togither thorowe the intensed colde that no matter can breath forth And this worthie to be noted and marueyled at that at the blowing of the North winde Welles and deepe pittes of water sende vp more fumes then at the blowing of the South winde The cause why the Northerly windes and Southerly doe oftner blowe but the Easterly and Westerly sildomer is for that the exhalations drawne vp by the Sunne and flying the heate of the Sunne fall vnto the sides Or otherwise that in these places they finde a space and are not consumed or spent by the heate of the Sunne which is caused in the East and Weast which places the Sunne occupyeth twise in the daye and consumeth there the vapours After when the Sunne departeth into the Northerly signes he is then higher than that he can let or hinder the ascending of the exhalations But when he departeth into the Southerly signes through his néerenesse vnto the earth the beames then stretch thwarte and through this thwartnesse they be so weake that they can not waste or spende the exhalations The cause why the windes at the beginning arise softer and blow weaker is for that as we haue afore taught of the causes of the thwarte course of the windes Aristotle vttereth the cause of the circulare motion of the ayre For the ayre togither with the swift motion of heauen is drawen about So that it is manifest that all thinges to bée moued togither which be in it Seing the exhalation is hote and dry and through his lightnesse drawne vpwarde and by the cold of the middle region so letting depressed it can not of this discende downe right For thys through his lightnesse alwayes ascendeth And caried by a thwart maner that it can not of the same descende downe right For which cause it must néedes insue that the winds are caried by a thwart course The cause of the vehemencie of the windes is that the breath or winde forced through the fortitude of the colde sendeth forth the exhalation For how mightier the same depresseth the exhalation ascending so much the stronger doth the same mooue forewarde the ayre The windes also are caused the vehementer through the multitude of the exhalation ascending which with the same descending is matched or ioyned For on such wise the strengthes are increased and of the same it muste néedes force the ayre the mightier The cause why in the great heate and extreme colde little winde bloweth is for that in the same Sea soone the exhalation the foode of the winds is then spent by the Sunne but in this the earth shut with the colde can not then breath forth fumes Or playner to wryte the intensed or mightie heate of the Summer burneth and wasteth the vapour or exhalation drawne vp before it may giue or yéelde matter for the windes And in the time of the cold winter through the contrarie cause the windes lesse blow For the extreame colde of the winter shutteth the poores of the earth that nothing can then breath forth the cause that winds cease after showers of raine is for that before the raine the powers of the earth are opened out of which the matter of the windes issueth which of the raine especially of the more aboundaunt showers are then shut togither stopped that nothing may more breath forth wherof the winde must néedes cease The cause that after the blowing of the North winde the other windes ceasse is for that the same winde is colde and drye which then shutteth the powers of the earth and letteth the breathing forth except in the spring tyme For in the same time through the order of nature and the Sunne comming then vnto vs the earth opening it selfe subdueth the matter for the more part with the Northerly winds And why the windes be oftner colde is for that the windes although they be ingendred and procéede of a hote and drie vapour yet doe they breath colde The same hapneth or is caused through the farre motion of the ayre by colde places euen as by the mouth the winde or hote breath farre of moued or extended cooleth Why the West winde blowing the Dogs then euill hunt is for that it especially confoundeth the ayre and of all the windes it is the most contynuall or longest lasting and toucheth especially the earth Certaine obseruations of the windes MOst marueylous is the highest God which alone made all thinges both in heauen and earth and in the vse of the winds he would in many maners that the testimonies of his prouidence to be known to vs For when the earth néedeth watering it onely not vseth and needeth raine but the windes to helpe so that the winde ariseth by which the clowdes are gathered that showers may shed and be sprinckled on the earth and the earth sufficiently fed Further that the strengths of the earth quayle not through the raynie superfluousnesse it needeth with the drying the Sunne beames and wyndes agréeable which taketh vp the vnprofitable moysture that the same may be dried vp that like a spunge the earth may soke drinke in and digest the raine 2. It much auayleth the Phisition to coÌ„sider and foreknowe the approching tempestes and windes the natures and workings of them agréeable vnto eche places that he may hereof foresee the sicknesses or disseases publikely kylling in haste how by Arte he may eyther let and remoue them or if he can not stay them by his skil then maye he â—éeke an apt waye and order for the curing of such sicknesses Of which matter maye you reade a like instruction vttered of Hypocrates in the tyme of the pestilence 3. A rednesse about the Sunne Moone is a note of windes to insue 4. Where in the Sommer time lightnings and thunder happen there a strong winde shortly after bloweth 5. In the Haruest and Winter lightnings doe cease winds and how mightier the lightnings and thunder are so much the more doe they cease the windes 6. Any dreaming of byrdes the nexte day winde to follow as some report 7. In the Wynter windes about the the morning blowâ— but in the Sommer about the Euening In the winter from the East part but in the Sommer from the West 8. Those temporall North windes in the Sommer when they shal blow a long tyme togither and the Haruest is windie doe declare a caulme Winter to insue
Iune at Tigurie manye sunnes were séene and about them thrée circles in the next yere folowing a cruel battle fought within the Countrie of Heluetia In the yere 1532. and in the eleuenth day of Aprill in the seconde houre of the daye thrée perfite sunnes and bright with two Rainebowes were séene to many In the yere of our Lorde 1551. about the Calends of Aprill in the famous Vniuersitie of Witebergensis thrée Sunnes wyth sundrie celestiall circles were séene And in the same yeare in the. 28. day of February thrée sunnes with diuers circles were séenâ— at Antwarpe In the yeare of our Lorde 1553. on the Saterday before Palme Sunday in the morning betweene seauen and eyght thrée sunnes appeared of which the middle shyned the brighter and the other two of eyther side red and bloudie These being set and in the night tyme thrée Moones were séene In the yeare 1554. in Bauaria and in the borders of the same Countrie in the Moneth of March sundrie maner Sunnes were séene with certaine celestiall circles At Ingolstadie in Germany in the sixt day of March two Sunnes with a Rainebow betwéene eyght and nine in the forenoone At Norenberge in the 23. day of March about one at after noone both Sunnes and Arckes appeared togither included wyth christalline circles for thrée houres togither with a beame into a iust length extensed In the yere 1555. the tenth day of Februarie thrée Sunnes were séene in the yeare 1556. in the thirde Caldends of August nere Basill the firmament being cléere thrée Sunnes were séene togither In the same yeare in the sixt daye of December the singuler learned of the Vniuersitie of Witebergensis obserued thrée sunnes in the Firmament In the yere 1567. on saint Steuens day in the tenth houre before noone at Francoforde were thrée sunnes verie bright séene for an houre and a halfe of which the one towarde the East the other towarde the West placed and a celestiall Bowe in the top of heauen that turned againe the backe to the thrée sunnes And in the same yeare were séene againe thrée sunnes in the fourth daye of Maye about the seauenth houre at euening Of thunder what the â—ame is THunder is a fearefull noyse in a thicke clowde which is forced by an exhalation hote and drie included wythin a clowde which with a rumbling séeking issue forth brasteth out bâ— great violence and on eche side beateth and shaketh the clowde Plynie reporteth that it is a noyse caused through the quarter of the compact fyre breaking out of the clowde Or it may thus be defined that the thunder is a noyse caused in the clowdes through the dryuing and smyting of the exhalation vnto the sides of the clowde Albertus wryteth that it is the crack and noyse of a drie vapour issuing forth of a moyst clowde Seneca in his second booke of naturall questions thus defineth thunder it is a spirite or breath sayth he running in the clowdes that causeth the thunder and after it hath contended wyth the resistant matter brasteth out which in that running awaye kindleth the fyre And the variety of the noyses or rumbling of the thunder is caused of the same that the clowdes be vnequall and that they haue as it were certayne hollow places and are no where whole togither The kindes of thunder THe thunder is after two maner or wayes For the thunder is eyther vehement or great or else weake or small The thunder weake or small is when an exhalation runneth forth in the clowdeâ— and is driuen from side to side without rupture and breaking of the clowde And this is after thrée wayes as crashing whistling and blowing 1. The same crashing or making a noyse like to the rubbing of a coarde is caused through the smyting of clowds which euen then are chaunged into water and it is like to the noyse which is heard in the quenching of a hote burning yron in colde water 2. The same whistling is when the exhalation is not yet kindled nor forted forth and that the clowdes in thicknesse are not a like equall so that in diuers partes of them especially in the thinner doth the exhalation brast forth Of which this whisteling thunder is the like noyse as is of the winds blowing stronglye through narrow holes where the vapour not yet forced forwarde by dyuers partes of the clowde breaketh in the ende through the thinner 3. The blowing thunder is when the clowde is so weake that it can not keepe the exhalation kindled So that before the vapour is kindled the same issueth forth without anye vehement noyse euen lyke the noyse that the Smithes Bellowes cause or make The vehement or great thunder is when the exhalation strongly and vehemently cutteth or breaketh the clowde through which a fearefull noyse is caused euen like to the tearing of a broade cloth And this is fower maner of wayes as eyther it is rumbling eyther breaking or tearing a sunder eyther violent or cracking 1. The same rumbling or making a hydeous noyse is when the vapour or exhalation shaketh the clowde with a certain rumbling but medleth not togither The thunder also is a sounding which maketh a noise â–ª lyke to the humming of many men talking in a Cloyster or such like vaulted place as when the vapour doth so much smite the sides of the clowde but not cleaueth and that flame then appeareth as it were thorow a clothe torne a sunder 2. The thunder cutting is the same which first smiteth it but after cutteth out the clowde which noyse immediatly sheweth the thwart lightning brasting forth The violent thunder is the same which by one inforcement cleaueth the clowde 3. The thunder cracking or shaking is when the exhalation kindled deuydeth the clowde of which certayne partes issue This kinde of thunder maketh the lyke noyse as the cracking of wet woode burning in the fyre For it is a vapour kindled and dry which in the issuing breaketh a sunder the clowde euen like as air Egge layed on coales that brasteth The efficient cause of the thunder is the sunne working with the other hote starres as the Astrologians report For when the Sunne Iupiter Mars and Mercurie are placed in hote signes and fete places especially when Iupiter is ioyned to Mars by any condition of beames are woont to cause thunder and to prepare the matter of them The matter of the thunder is a compounde vapour or an exhalation very hote and drie conioyned with a moyst vapour This matter is drawne up by the heate of the sunne vnto the middle region of the ayre where it chaungeth into a moyste clowde or is togyther eleuated wyth a moyst vapour as affirmeth Aristotle by which compaâ—ed and thrust togither in the ende brasteth forth A question might here be moued how it hapneth that thunder is sometimes heard in the ayre and no clowds appearing The aunswere is that the same hapâ—eth when the exhalation is beaten backâ—â— by the middle region of the ayre and kindâ—â—d for so much it
cleaueth then the aire méeting it and breaketh open the same through which it causeth a little or low noise of thunder euen like the noyse that are heard sometimes in the ayre after the maner of armed horsemen swift ryding What the finall cause of the thunder THe finall causes and effects of the thunder are well wayed and knowne in that the ayre first by the thunder is purged and the euill vapours consumed yea the pestilence and other contagiousnesse often clensed and put away In the seconde for that the thunders doe often bring showres with them through which the earth plentifully yéeldeth In the thirde the almightie God thundereth in the clowdes to the ende that men may be procured vnto a due reuerence and feare towardes him and they abashed and warned of the deuine yre may heartily repent them as it is written in the .104 Psalme at the voyce of the thunder shall the people be afrayde In the fourth that the wicked obstinà te and impenitent which euen like Gyaunts wage battle against heauen maye be destroyed eyther with lightning Thunder Hayle and such darts of God as the Historie mencioneth of the people in Egipt vnto the Mount Synay What the colours of the clowdes warne and foreshew in the thunders THe clowde in the thunder being whyte is little or nothing to be feared For it signifieth the exhalation to be weake and the great abundance of vapours 2 The clowde in the thunder being very blacke pressing the vapour strongly togyther through his thicknesse sendeth a noyse lightly forth very feareful especially when the inner fume copious and thicker can not be broken or deuided a sunder wythout a great inforcement 3. The clowde from black waxing red or being red procureth a mightier cracke and noyse than the black clowde For thys is verie thick and hath or contayneth much of the fyrie vapour 4. The clowde with a blackish rednesse waxing gréene or appearing gréene is the most perillous of all and verie much to be feared if the same consisteth or abydeth directly ouer any Citte or house This clowde for the rednesse hath many fyrie vapours For the blacknesse an aboundant vapour thickned togither For the gréenenesse the mightie aboundance of water Of these a mightie and fearefull rumbling is to be looked for in the ayre 5. The same clowde often sheddeth and sendeth downe mightie hayle and prodigious stories in the lightnings not wythout most grieuous losse and destruction both of men beasts Cities and other matters The cause why before and after the thunder mightie or stormy windes arise is forhat the hotter and drier part of the exhalaâ—â—n pressed togither of the colde clowde compassing about which through his drynesse â—iercing the clowde and issuing forth doth â—ooue the ayre and causeth the winde So â—hat after the clowde broken and the vapour driuen or sent forth in the ayre expeâ—â—ence teacheth that the windes by a great â—â—forcement to be mooued or driuen forâ—arde The cause why the verie often thundeâ—â—gs threaten the Pestilence most grieuous and murrayne to beastes and the corruption also to crescent things which we féede vpon is for that the corrupt vapours grosse and clammy drawne vp with the vapour and exhalation corrupting the lowest region of the ayre are shed againe and infect the ayre Cardanus writeth that those thundrings be daungerous which contynue about an houre and they foreshew to that region in which they happen battailes and seditions for the more part and a most great desolation to come The daylie experience instructeth vs that through the thunder vehemently rumbling and the lightning both Wyne and Beere sellars are greatly harmed For the Wines lose their colour and naturall tast through the fyrie heate and vertue pierceing and burning The Béere or Ale also through the mightie noyse and violent motion purchaseth an egernesse by which it is caused lesse apt to be drunke And although the Sommer heate be the especiall cause that drinkes and liquors sowre or be eager ye the thunder and lightning procure a sodaine alteration yea in the Winter Moneths when the heate by little and little causeth the same The drinkes and Wines layde in a déepe seller vaulted receyue lesser harme of the thunder than those layde a highe in a bourded seller The Vinters vse plates of yron with salt or with Flint-stones or with the braunches of the Bay or Walnut trée and put them on the vessels when the béere or Ale hath lost the naturall taste or waxeth sowre you maye help eche with Phisick and swéete smelling things purchase the proper taste of these as with the roote of the Flower de Luce the Ginger the Nutmegge the Cloues the Bay berries and the drie leaues of the same the Calamus odoratus the Organy the Béetes c. The Wines sowred and hauing lost the naturall colour through the mightie noyse of the thunder may be recouered both of the colour and proper tast if â—o be the Wines shifted into other vessels being well washed and this decoction that is of the Bay leaues the Myrtill tree the Fennell the Iuniper berries and Orminium infused before for a tyme in the vessels and after the drying the Wines ponred in Certaine foreknowledges of thunder THe prognosticatings of tempestes are not onely pleasaunt to be knowne but right profitable to be learned as well of husbandmen as of those trauelling by sea and lande Of which onely certayne generall of Thunders shall here briefely be vttered that may rightly be applyed 1. The Sunne in the morning or at Euening in the Sommer tyme and vnto these the haruest beginning and the spring quite gone with an accustomed heate shyning séene also in a hollow and bigge or verie thick clowde threatneth great thunder to follow 2. The shootings in the night out of the foure quarters of the world a black clowde arysing out of the South wastingly running doe eyther foreshew thunder lightnings to followe or a mightie comming of windes verie tempestious blowing in that region and these according to the season of the yere 3. If a boysterous whirle winde vehemently blowing hapneth eyther in the Sommer the spring or haruest that shall lift or take vp strawes dust other things by a sodaine and the element spred or couered with black clowdes doth portend thunder and showres of raine to be at hande 4. If the Sommer and hote dayes and those which went before them of the spring and the haruest dayes that folow waxe and be hote aboue the season of the yeare and a Rainebow sheweth it selfe at the Weste in the going downe of the Sunne pronosticateth fearefull thunder lightnings greatly to be doubted 5. The morning thunder and in the Winter time doth pronounce winde and showers of raine but the noone tyme thunders especially foreshew great showers 6. Thunderings moued and heard in the last houre of the daye as at Euening doe eyther demonstrate a mightie tempest of the Sea or the celestiall yre 7. In the Sommer if it lesse
swollen in the face or procured leprous The same hapneth thorowe the fyre receyued by the poores of the countenaunce and eyes which like swelleth the face and dryeth vp the christaline humour that is cause of the blindnesse 14. The places of such which are striken and burnt with the lightnings are caused colder than the other partes of the body eyther for that the greater heate draweth away with it the lesser or else in that by the great violence the vitall heate is so extinguished quite in those places by report 15. Such bodyes striken with the lightning haue or possesse after a Brimstonie sauour in that the matter of the lightning is Brimstonie as the Philosopher Niphus reporteth 16. This Niphus vttreth that the lightning spéedier burneth solyde and harde bodyes than the soft as the same of skill knowne and many tymes obserued 17. The thunderbolt sent forth with the lightning neuer déeper runneth or entreth into the earth than fiue foote after the opinion of sundrie obseruers 18. In the yeare 1553. in the Month of Iuly in a towne of Germany named Smelunicensis whyle the people before dinner were at deuine seruice a mightie light sodaynedly shyned and a lightning in the same killed two persons and about thirtie other persons with his force and vehemencie of the exhalation threwe to the earth which yet through the goodnesse of God contrarie to mans iudgement and estimation were yet preserued aliue of which also certaine had their garmentes burnt yet their bodyes vnharmed by a myracle of God. 19. The Romaynes in times past diuined and iudged of the lightnings which if those came from the left part or side of heauen and returned into the same agayne they pronounced those to be happy and prosperous For on such wise Anchyses after the Romayne maner prognosticated good luck if the lightning hapned on the left side And Cicero in his second booke de Diuinatione reporteth the same to be good luck in al matters traueyled about if the lightning shall happen on the left side But the Gréekes and Barbarians iudged the lightninges prosperous that came on the right side The Baye trée is sildome harmed with the lightning which rather of practise than by reason alowed for so much as it hath thys repulsiue vertue of the lightning through the inner cause or of heauen Of which Tiberius Caesar was woont in the tempest of lightning to weare on his head a Garlād of Bayes supposing hymselfe to be defended thereby 20. In the yeare 1551. at Crutzburge a Citie in Germany a certaine honest man hauing his house stricken with lightning sitting then at table eating perished wyth his Dogge lying flat at his féete but an Infant sitting or being néere to the father nothing at all harmed The mother of Hieronymus Fracastorius going with chylde with him dyed with the stroke of lightning the Infant remayning vnharmed which wonderfully foreshewed by it the singular fame of that childe to come What an Earthquake is AN Earthquake is a passion or affection of the earth a breaking forth or trembling a smyting or agitation when an exhalation is included in the bowels of the same séeking a violent issuing forth in the which this so smyteth shaketh the earth And of the same smiting is the Earthquake named Or it is a certaine working by which the earth is moued caused especially of winde or drie vapours inclosed within the hollownesse of the earth and through the heate of the sunne and other starres heated and enforced by which motion and enforcement this so shaketh that oftentymes houses yea whole Cities and townes are throwne downe and suncke with the same that the sinnes of men may be punished and others called vnto repentaunce How many kindes of Earthquakes there are OF the earthquake whether the same maye happen or no I beleue no man doubteth seing Hystories report so manye examples and experience of late yeares hath made the same knowne sufficiently to vs The kindes to come to the matter are knowne to be fower principally which are vttered of Plynie in his second Booke and 82. Chapiter Some report more and some vtter fewer kindes which through the dyuersitie the plentie or paucytie of the exhalations and force of the qualities aryse and are caused The first kinde is named the falling or shaking downe the seconde the gaping open the thirde the trembling beating or shaking the fourth the casting vp What the ruine is THe ruine falling or shaking downe is when much and great store of drye vapour or winde applying and dryuing by great force into one place forceth it selfe and turneth the same sodainly vpsydowne except the motion spéedily runneth on the other side which fallen no more harme insueth With thys was Smyrna the most noble Citie of the lesser Asia shaken throwne downe as appeareth in the Apocalipse in the first and second Chapiter And the sonne of God commaunded the Church of Smyrna to wryte this notable comfort Retayne fayth and beleeue stedfastlye vnto death and I shall giue to thee a crowne of lyfe Seneca nameth it an inclynation in that the earth leaneth to one side like a ship For as a ship leaning vnto one side is drowned through the mightie waight in it vnlesse the same waight spéedilye be turned vnto the other side through which the ship is so restored recouered as it were Euen so with the great plenty of spirites or winde it applyeth and driueth vnto one side of the earth doth in a maner ouerthrowe the same vnlesse the contrarie part restoreth the part inclyned Reade Liuius lib. 2. tertia Decadis What the Gaping is THe gaping is when the earth rendeth with a large opening and that a déepe hollownesse appeareth and the breath or winde mighty and vehement breaking violently forth doth on such wise sinke downe and swallowe vp Townes and Cities Or thus this gaping is a rending or cleauing of the earth when the earth sinketh downe and swaloweth vp Cities houses townes and Castels yea great hilles and mightie rockes with great ryuers and mightie lakes of water in such maner that these are neuer after séene Where this swalloweth vp any buildings fortresses or townes in the places appéere none other than large and déepe holes or goulfes What the Pulsation is THe Pulsation is when the earth as the same swelling vp aryseth by force of the windes that the buildings in that time leane from one side to the other as a Ship on the Sea and sinketh soone after downe againe which Aristotle nameth a beating or dryuing vp Otherwise is the same named an agitation shaking or trembling Or this otherwise when with great violence the earth is lifted vp in such maner that Castels and buyldings through their shaking appere ready to fall and the same doth immediatly sinke and settle downe agayne Which maner is procured when the whole force of the spirits laboureth and séeketh an issue vpwards euen as the kindled Gunpowder that searcheth way to brast forth which at the
windes 34 Certaine properties of the windes 34 Certaine obseruations of the windes 37 Of the impressions named Parelia and Paraeselinae The definitions 48 The similitude 42 The ende and effect of these 42 Certaine examples of these 43 Of thunder what the same is 45 The kindes of thunder 46 What the finall cause of the thunder 48 What the coulours of the clowdes warne and foreshew in the thunders 48 Certaine foreknowledges of thunder 50 Of that lightning named Fulgur what the same is and of the others 52 Of the fearefull and violent lightning 54 What the lightning Dart is 60 The manner of the ingendring of the Stone 60 Of the maruellous force nature and miracles of the lightnings 61 What an Earthquake is 65 How manye kindes of Earthquakes there are 66 What the ruine is 66 What the Gaping is 66 What the Pulsation is 67 What the fourth kinde is 67 What the materiall cause is 68 What the formall cause is 69 Which the obiect or place is of the Earthquake 70 How the ingendring is or of the maner of the ingendring of Earthquakes 71 What the finall causes are 72 What the effects are 74 Which the signes be of an earthquake 74 FINIS ¶ A briefe Catologue of rare wonders and fearefull sightes seene aswell on earth as in the element The sundrie definitions effects and significations of Comets A Comet after the opinion of Albertus is an earthlye grosse vapour whose partes much gather to it ascending from the lowest parte of heat vnto the vpper part of the same where the fire that toucheth the holownesse there shed forth and burning so that it often sheweth long sheddeth out 2. A Comet is a hote and drie matter fatte discous and earthly whose partes be thicke drawne vp by vertue of the celestiall bodies vnto the vpper regioÌ„ of the aire where through the nearenesse of the fire and might of the substaunce set on fire and caried circularely with the motion of the vpper region of the aire which drawne by that motion is so caried about 3. A Comet after the opinion of Leopoldus is an earthly vapour hauing grosse partes mightily thickning togither ascending by vertue of starres vnto the vpper parte of heate where being kindled and caried circularely with the aire signifieth the alteration of kingdomes and other great matters in this worlde 4. A Comet is an earthly exhalation hote and drie fatte and clammie with the partes thicke gathered by vertue of the starres and drawne from the bowels of the earth by little and little and perticularlye vnto the vpper region of the aire where nighest the fire through the disposition and multitute of the matter is dilated being kindled burneth wyth a long tract shedde forth is circularly moued after the condition and maner of a starre vnder which it is gathered or vnder the circulare motion of the vpper region of the aire The explication or plaine declaration of the definition THis larger definition and description contayneth the causes and maner of the increasing of the Comet and the same sufficient clearly for it must nedes insue that the substaunce of a Comet to be an earthly and viscous exhalatioÌ„ or otherwise it would soone be wasted of the burning colour and the space of time is most short in which a Comet is séene as not continuing aboue seuen dayes yet a Comet appeareth and is séene manye tymes for 40. dayes togither or somewhat longer vntill all the substance of it in the burning be in the end consumed being also drawne with this circulare motion most swift Although Plinie witnesseth that Comets haue beene séene which were as immooueable in the place Of the continuance and motions of Comets CArdanus writeth that the longest time of them except by miracle doth scarcely exceede six moneths so that for the most part the substance of a Comet is spent by the thirtie day or sooner but neuer ending before the seuenth day The motion of a Comet is thrée maner of wayes the one from the Cast into the West the seconde from the West into the East and the thirde diuers as from the West into the South or from the North into the West the excéeding greatnesse and most spéedie increase of them is marueylous in that appearing at the first but a foote brode doe after a fewe dayes occupie a fourth part of the Zodiacke The place where a Comet often ingendreth A Comet after the minde of Cardanus is oftner engendred in the North and especiallye in that part of heauen named the Milkie way from the Tropickes without yet are they gathered and caused somtimes vnder the Equinoctiall somtimes nighe the Winter Tropicke and else where but oftner as I haue sayde about the North in which part I obserued sayth Cardanus thrée Comets in thrée seuerall yeres In the night after the Euening are Comets apparantly séene yet not the like in the day except by a mightie meanes and occasion It is manifest that many Comets may be séene togither as in the age of Carolus Martellus in the month of Ianuarie were two Comets séene within fourtéene dayes togither of which the one went before the Sunne and the other folowed him with the â—ayles looking and stretched toward the North and this hapned in the yeare of mans redemption seuen huÌ„dred twentie and sixe Two other Comets appeared togither in the yeare of mannes health 1337. which not in a short time in that as companions they ended togither after two monthes complete And to the learned it is well knowne that if they happen with an Eclips then through the vertues doubled they produce much more and daungers long continuing How some interprete the motion of Comets THere be some sayth Cardanus which thus write of Comets that if they tende toward the South such signifie raine to insue if vnto the North then drought to follow if vnto the East then the pestilence and other mightie daungers if vnto the West then the best or a happie yeare and temperate And the like Porphirius that worthie Philosopher wrote but as I suppose deceyued in this séeing a Comet procéeding against the order of the signes doth signifie the mutation of lawes for that cause the Comet which tendeth from the East into the West signifieth the alteration of lawes in that it is caried agaynst the order of the signes so that when it may signifie the same alone it happeneth that a temperate yeare followeth yet doth it not signifie the temperament of the yeare The kinds and sundrie formes of Comets maye you learne in my booke of the Myrrour of time with other profitable matters The ende effect and significations of Comets THe ende of Cometes is to prepare drought the Pestilence hunger battels the alteration of kingdomes and common weales and the traditions of men Also windes earthquakes dearth landâ—louds and great heate to follow The sayde Comets portende both many other harmes and that mightie to men 2 A Comet is the note of a great drougth in
setting are they all dead so that these by due proofe are knowne not to lyue aboue a day 37. The ryuer Matronas Celtas deuydeth it selfe from that riuer Belgas which for the straunge propertie greatly to be wondred at in that the common sort affirme that this riuer to be as a destinie or mighty hazarde of lyfe to manye for so much thys ryuer daylie purchaseth to it some pray as hath bene noted of a long tyme by those dwelling fast by 38. In the Mountaynes of Modena in Lumbardie in a place named Mount Zibbius is there a Well out of which runneth a lyuely and singuler water in thys doe men at this day gather a mightie quantitie of Oyle which is knowne of many to be of a miraculous vertue in that the same worketh so maruailous effects on mans bodye as in healing al aches the most griefes and diseases of the body and in the healing also of woundes and sores not inferiour to the artificiall Baulme this of most men named the true Oyle of Peter 39. In the Countrie of Burgony there is a certaine burning Lake in which if a flaming or burning fyrebrande be quenched the same immediately goeth out or is quenched through the moysture consisting in it and a fyrebrand readie quenched dipped in this doth immediatly kindle burne through the fierie Brimstonie heate consisting also in it which is found hote and dry in the fourth degrée 40. There be certaine waters knowne at this day which haue the taste of Wine in that they runne by some swéete iuyce in the earth As by a like in Paphlagonia is reported to be a Well of a wynie taste which causeth the persons drinking of the water to become soone after dronke The cause of which dronkennesse is that the same containeth much of the spirites of the Brimstonie passages which on such wise fill the braine of the creatures with sumes ▪ And a like to this is reported that the ryue◠Lincestius to haue waters comming to it of such a propertie that they make persons dronke euen like Wine 41. In the Countrie of Boëmia is a Well of sharpe tast neare that Citie which they name Bilen the water of which the inhabiters thereabout vse in the morning in the stéede of burning Wyne or Aqua vitae 42. Aristotle also wryteth that in the Countrie of Sicilia to be a soower Well which the poore people vse in the stéede of Vinigar as others wytnesse of the same 43. In Scythia also some report that there to be a bitter Well the water of which running into the ryuer not farre distaunte causeth it to taste bitter 44. Certaine Welles and riuers there be excéeding hote especiallye those which issue and runne out by Brimstonie veynes of the earth and other hote places the waters of which are much pierceing and drying by reason of the propertie through which these profite vnto the drying vp of corrupt and rotten humours in diseased bodies And such hote or bathwaters are at certaine times dronke that they may supply euacuations and clensings of the body and reduce it vnto a suit temperatnesse Of certaine fyerie impressions and first of the same named of most men the foolish fyre THe light going before and folowing after men in the ayre especially in the night doe later wryters report to be the foolishe fyre in that the same often appéereth to saylers and men traueyling by lande as eyther going before or following them and maketh a man a foole by seducing him This light also is named Helena when it as one Candle is séene or appeareth alone which besids is reported to be the fyrebrand and pestilence of Saylers For as Helena brought destruction on Asia and Greece euen so hath it bene obserued that when this light hath bene séene alone to haue caused great daunger to saylers Yet such fyres oftentimes are but fantasticall sightes and méere illusions of spirites as the Author prooueth by sundry reasons And this is not named the foolishe fyre of the burning onely but for the longer continuing going before and folowing any person in the ayre For those two Candels or lightes are often tymes séene to go before or to follow men walking or ryding especially in the night and such trauayling on the Sea not without some terrour or feare The foolishe fyre is ingendred of a vapour conglutinated or compact togither in hys partes which then are kindled so that not of the clowde méeting it but of the vehement beating or smyting togyther of the partes in themselues And these two Castor and Pollux be ingendred in the lowest region of the ayre of a fatter fume vnctuous and inflammable which through the coldnesse of the night ayre is so dryuen togither thickned The place where the foolishe fyre doth appéere is knowne to be oftner by the report of wryters in hote places and Countries Yet some agrée that this light is oftner séene in moyst places and regions In that out of Marishe and fumous places or out of a clammy grounde the thick and fat exhalation is eleuated being soone kindled and according to the proportion of the heat doth it ascende eyther more or lesse Or thus out of a clammye earth as in Churchyardes Kitchines and low valleys the thicke and fatte substaunce is eleuated which may soone be kindled and according to the proportion of the heate doth this eyther more or lesse ascende The substaunce is kindled through the concourse of two contrarie qualities which contende in themselues for the vapour is hote and the night ayre colde The reason also why this light doth both folow and flie from men is through the motion of the ayre which by the walking or running is forced So that the faster the man runneth towarde it so much the faster both the same impression flie from him but if he runneth from it then doth it follow him in that the ayre moued doth force the same substaunce An Hystoricall example of this Meteorū may a man read in Plutarchus which he affirmeth in the life of Lysander The cause of Castor and Pollux and where these engendred THese two Castor and Pollux appéers like a double fyre in forme of two burning Candels caused of the exhalation or fatter vapour and vnctuous raysed vnto the lowest region of the ayre in the night which contending with the night colde is so kindled that cleaueth sometimes to the crosse yardes of shippēs and continuing so long burning through the thicknesse and fatnesse of it vntill the substaunce shall be spent And by a peculiar and vayne superstition the people in auncient time supposed and ascribed Castor and Pollux to be the brethren of Helena in that when the Saylers and Maryners had obserued these sitting on both the crosse yardes they supposed and hoped that a more happie course and fortunate successe of the ship to insue through the help as they thought of the two brethren which they beléeued to delyuer them from perill and hazard of perishing and for the same accompted
them among the number of the Gods. So that these two appearing togither were euermore foreshewers of a safe and prosperous course of the ship in that by the comming of them they supposed that other threatning impression appéering alone named Helena to be driuen awaye And for the same they assigned that power to Castor and Pollux and named them the Gods of the Sea. For that impression appéering alone is knowne to threaten euermore daunger in that the exhalation as yet compact can not immediatly be scattered and spent whereof through the long tariance in sight and thick substaunce of burning is the great hazarde of perishing at hande But the two lights or candels appéering doe contrariwise signifie in that these declare that the thicke substaunce to be in a maner spent and the tempest which began to aryse broken and quyeted or brought caulme So that after the appéeraunce of them no daunger at all remayneth but a quiet or caulme Sea rather to ensue To conclude the solitarie lights doe note matter to abound in the ayre of which the tempests are ingendred For when the thick substaunce of the exhalations and cause of the vntemperatnesse is in a maner spent then caulmnesse of the Sea insueth But where the exhalation is ouermuch compact which immediatly is not scattered through the long continuance and the grosse substaunce of burning there doth it declare a perillous tempest Wherof Seneca writeth that when in a great tempest Starres or lightes appeared as they were cleauing to the Sayle the Maryners in ieopardie thought and affirmed themselues then to be holpen by the power of Castor Pollux But the cause of a better hope is it appéereth euen then that the tempest to be broken and the winds to cease Of the flying Dragon in the ayre what the same is Or thus the vapour on such wise kindled expelled from a cold clowde is in the middle bended like the belly of a Dragon but in the forepart is the vapor stretched narrow representeth the figure of the neck from it do sparks as it were by brething issue forth The flying Dragon is ingendred of a vapour not vehemently hote drawne vp mightely coagulated and pressed togither and placed betwéene a colde hote clowde Or thus this great impression of the ayre is wrought and caused beneath the middle region when the exhalation drawne vp vnequall not vehemently hote and stronglye coniealed the two contrarie clowdes place betwéene the one a colde clowde expelling the vapour as contrarie to it from whence the belly of the Dragon beginneth the other a hote clowde receyuing it and through the smalenesse this expresseth the forme of the neck and the vttermost or furthest part nere the colde clowde appéereth as a taile drawne narrow togither For the propertie of colde is to gather or binde hard and narrow togyther To conclude the two clowdes doe here concurre as the hote and cold clowde For that cause the exhalation placed in the middle inclyneth it selfe vnto the hote clowde for the plentie of fyre and doth in the middle concurre and is there bended For the beginning and ende are néere matched or ioyned to the cold clowde So that it séemeth in the beginning to breath smoke forth through the nighnesse of the moyst clowde The first part séemeth the grosser or bigger in that the same is newe kindled but the furthest part or ende appeareth the straighter or smaller in that the same is nighe to the quenching out through which is this bended And the reason why at the vanishing of the Dragon a smoke is scattered abrode is for that the hote and burning clowde contrarie to the colde procureth a smoke as the like appéereth in gréene woode burning or for that the matter scattered through the colde clowde smoketh Of the Dragon inuented of the wicked which they vse in dyuers maners to purchase them vnlawfull gayne Phisick of the same doth here vtter no reason as that the same is prepared and made of a vapour and exhalation For well knowne it is that their Dragon to be wrought by the pollicie of Deuils and inchantments of the wicked as sundrie examples lamentable doe make manifest at this day As the like in the yere 1532. in manye Countries were Dragons crowned séene flying by flocks or companies in the ayre hauing Swines snowtes sometimes were there séene foure hundred flying togither in a companie Of the fire cleauing and hanging on the partes of men and beastes THis impression for troth is prodigious without any Phisicke cause expressing the same when as the flame or fire compasseth about anye persons heade And this straunge woonder and sight doth signifie the royall assaultes of mightie Monarchies and kinges the gouernmentes of the Emperie and other matters worthie memory of which the Phisicke causes sufficient can not be demonstrated Seing then such fyers or lightes are as they were counterfets or figures of matters to come it sufficiently appeareth that those not rashely to appeare or showe but by Gods holy will and pleasure sent that they maye signifie some rare matter to men This light doth Virgill write of in the seconde booke of Aeneados of Ascanius which had a like flame burning without harme on his heade Also Liuius in his first booke and Valerius Maxi. reporte of Tullius Seruius a childe who sléeping on bedde such a flame appeared on his heade and burned rounde about the heade without harme to the woonder of the beholders which sight pronounced after his ripe age the comming vnto royall estate What is to be thought of the flame or fyre which cleaueth to the heares of the heade and to the heares of Beastes EXperience witnesseth that the fyre to cleaue manye times to the heades and eares of beastes and often times also to the heades and shoulders of men ryding and going on Foote For the exhalations dispearsed by the ayre cleaue to the heares of horses and garments of men which of the lightnesse doe so ascend and by the heate kindled Also this is often caused when men and other beastes by a vehemēt and swift motion wax very hote that the sweate fattie and clammye is sent forth which kindled yeldeth this forme And the like maner in all places as afore vttered as eyther in moyst and clammie places and marishes in Churchyards Cloysters Kitchins vnder Galosses valleys and other places where many deade bodies are laide doe such burnings lightes often appeare The reason is in that these places the earth continually breatheth forth fatte flumes grosse and clammy which come forth of dead bodyes and when the fume doth thus continually issue forth then is the same kindled by the labouring heate or by the smiting togither euen as out of two flint stones smitten togither fyre is gotten Cardanus in his .14 booke and .69 Chapter of the varietie of things reporteth that a certaine friende of his after his comming home about an houre past in the night put of the cloake that he customably ware from whose
backe behinde sprang sparckes scatteringly and whiles he remooued and layde the cloake downe againe such sparckles lept forth as before Who at the sight of these was stricken with a double feare and by good reason for within fiftéene dayes after was he accused of enimies for the detestable practise of poysoning and for the same earnestly layde in wayght to be slaine To conclude it appeareth that such fyres are séene in moyst Kitchins Sinckes or Guttours and where the Orfall of beastes killed are throwne or in such places most commonly are woont to be séene Such fires cleauing doe marueylously amase the fâ—arfull Yet not all fires which are séene in the night are perfite fiers in that many haue a kinde without a substaunce and heate as those which are the delusions of the Deuill well knowne to be the Prince of the world and flyeth about in the ayre Of the fearefull gaping and deepe opening of the Elements The definitions THis gaping or large opening of the aire is when heauen by a sodaine light of the great exhalation kindeled vnder the Clowdes is as it were opened 2 The gaping is when any space of heauen descendeth and by a sodaine light of the great exhalation kindeled vnder the Clowdes as if heauen were opened appeareth or that heauen parted a sunder without crack or noise gapeth and the same part séemeth to throwe or cast forth fire which sheweth as it were the mightie burning of some place to the great terror and feare of the beholders this at the appearaunce pronounceth drye tempestes to follow 3 The gaping is when fyre as out of heauen parted a sunder séemeth to fall cast forth through a thicke clowde 4 The gaping or wide opening is when fire out of heauen parted a sunder séemeth as it were to fall forth of a holow Caue A difference betweene the gaping and deepe opening MAny Philosophers doe briefely distinguishe them on this wise when the partyng a sunder in heauen is but small then is the same named a déepe opening But when the parting in heauen is large and the déepenesse of the Clowdes great then is the same named a gaping So that this Clowde comming in the middle betwéene if it shall be small then is the same named the opening if great then the same named the large or wyde gaping What the efficient cause is THe efficient cause of this gaping is the onely beames of the Sunne and the other starres for it hath drawne to the ayre a light and rare fume which through his tenuitie or thinnesse or for the heate forcing within the clowde or for the agitation of the Clowde néere is it kindled euen as the Gunpowder made of brimstone and Nyter that lighlye taketh and forciblie burneth What the matter and forme is THe matter is an exhalation thinne and light which as it is sodainely kindled euen so doth it sodainely burne This fume doth lightly take fire and is scattered The formall cause is that agitation of the fume in the aire which kindleth it Although this fume maye heate by the owne accorde yet heateth it more when the same flyeth vp vnto the vpper region of the ayre where lightly it is kindled This forme is diuers according to the diuersity of the matter and place For when the exhalatioÌ„ falleth thorow a thick clowde the déepenesse in heauen appéereth greater and the greater truely when the middle partes of the exhalation are thick and in the compasse about thin And lesser it appeareth when the thicknesse of the middle clowdes is not so much Or thus the forme is an agitation of the exhalation kindeled which if it fall thorow a thicke clowde the déepenesse in heauen appéereth the greater Yea greater when the middle partes of the exhalation thicke and in the compasse about shall be thin Or otherwise by a thick clowde the colour black the gaping shall appéere purple or bloudie As the lyke purple colour is séene when the black shall be mixed with a whyte clowde Or as the sunne sometimes at his rysing is séene or the fyre in a grosse smoke Otherwise the cause of the white colour is the clearenesse of the ayre through which the light is séene for when through a cleare and not so black a clowde it is fallen the light then is named as a flame shyning Of these may you reade more in Seneca What the ende of the gapings be PLynie wryteth that the Gapings to be foreshewers of mightie perils not that as causes go before but for the same go before that these euils may inuade and come that is happen certaine and for the more part as be battels seditions and infinite like calamities And such rare sights of the Gapings and others often are shewed to vs yea without Phisick causes that these may moue christian mindes to repentance Yet doe many Physically denote at the appearaunce drie tempests to insue And this is worthie to be noted that the Astrologians pronounce battels to arise and come out of the same place where this gaping is séene Certaine examples of lyke effect hapned in our time as first in the yere 1529. and in the ninth day of Ianuary betwéene the hower of nine ten of the night a mighty Gaping was séene throughe Germany reaching from the East into the North vnto the Sommer setting in the West After which in the same yere insued that violent breaking in of the Turkes into Germany And the Nystoriographers haue noted the same that in the time of Tiberius Caesar a mightie Gaping was séene after which such a fyre fell to the earth when Philiâ— king of Macedonie brought Greece in subiection Virgill doth account this large Gapingâ— to be among the number of the feareful toâ—kens in that the death of the valiant Turâ—nus slayne by Aeneas was by the same foreshewed The Commentatour vpon thâ— second booke of Plynie wryteth that an other fearefull Gaping was séene in the yerâ— 1536. and in the sixtene day of December betwéene sixe and seauen of the clock in the night stretching from the North into the Winter West setting after which within a short time ensued but a small lightning with thunder so that little harme succéeded at that time The Author sawe a terrible Gaping in the East in the yere .1565 and in the .26 daye of Nöuember after fiue of the clock in the morning How many Rainebowes may be sene togither at one time ARistotle whom Plynie followeth supposeth that thrée Rainebowes can hardlye be caused nor more then thrée at anye time bicause the one is euermore darcker than the other in suche manner that the thirde reflection is caused the weakest that it cannot attaine or reach vnto the Sunne But experience reproueth both Aristotle and Plynie in that thrée Rainebowes may well appéere or be séene togither yea more sometimes in this our age haue bene séene but such accounted for woonders by which God sheweth to men matters to come as maye rightly be gessed And that the same may be Vitellio also witnesseth although
reâ—â—esented the forme and ymage of the sunne â—nd Moone The materiall cause is a thicke â—owde equall and regulare which is plaâ—â—d by a thwarte maner of the sunne so that â—yther aboue nor beneath him nor right before him it standeth but placed at the one side And this matter thicke and waterie that the refraction may be caused the better and this regulare also that it may the more giue and shewe an vniforme ymage of the sunne And waterie that the Sunne may the commodiouser be represented euen as the like is caused in water So that the clowde prudently is placed on the one side and not vnder the Sunne nor right against for if right against then woulde the same be a Rainebow if vnder the sunne then would Halo be caused And this for the more part is caused in the East or West through the disposition of the clowde The formall cause is the refraction of the sunne beames in the clowde being at the one side which altogyther as a Glasse receyueth the sunnes beame and the colour which then is in the sunne it causeth euen the like to appéere as when of a light ayre through his thicknesse the sight is broken For the beames falling vnto the same clowde thus fashioned and of the same broken vnto the sight especiallye in that clowde not being ouer thicke thinne or blacke doe expresse the ymage of the sunne To conclude when a dewie clowde or vapourous is in anye part pierced then are the Sunne beames gathered in that hole and by the refraction shed vnto the sight so that such a brightnesse appéereth as if the sunne it selfe where séene For thys Parelius is as the ymage of the sunne appearing in a great looking Glasse And hereof it is that manye sunnes sometimes are sayde to appeare togither as two or thrée So that the first is the figure of the sunne it selfe the second and third consisteth through the breaking of the sunne beames in the clowde placed on the one side by which thrée sunnes or more are oftentimes séene As the like by experience was obserued that the king of Polelande sawe togyther sixe sunnes after which folowed that Fraunces the French king was taken prisoner for the tyme. The similitude AS the drie exhalation and that vehemently hote in pierting the vpper region of the kindled starre doth represent a â—orme and sphericall figure through the farlesse euen so a strong and mightie vapour flying into the highest of the middle ayre giueth the forme of the sunne and causeth a circle to appéere The ende and effect of these THe finall cause Phisick or the materiall effect of Pareliorum is the foreshewing signifying and pronouncing of rayne to come abounding of a moyst matter For they signifie that the ayre to contayne much matter or substaunce of showers especially if Parelia shall be placed in the South region of heauen For the greatest clowds hereof waxe ouercharged in that the South ayre is better and sooner chaunged into water than the North ayre But to the Diuines or Theologically these many tymes porâ—ende and foreshewe feareful and straunge matters so that they be often in doubt what will follow except anye by hap woulde make a coniecture of them For as all celestiall impressions in a maner haue a certaine hid or secret signification in nature which is not materiall euen so doe Parelij alwayes portende somâ— singuler will and effect deuine to be looked for so that many sunnes are sildome séene but that eyther conspiracies be attempted or the alteration of kingdomes or some new matters laboured about the subuersion and disposâ—ng in religion To conclude the cause of these is so secret and diuine that the great conspiracies of Monarchies the dissentions of Kings and Princes and the fearefull vprores and commotions of other Empyries ciuill battels and other lamentable matters to men are wreshewed by such impressions Certaine examples of these IN the yeare of our Lorde 1157. in the Moneth of September were thrée sunnes togyther séene the skie then being verie cléere and within a fewe dayes after of the same moneth thrée Moones were séene and in that moone also possessing the middle place a whyte crosse was séene After which a great discorde folowed among the Cardynals in the election of their highe Byshop and a lyke controuersie among the Princes electours in the election of the Emperour of Rome In the reigne of Henry the seconde king of Englande and in the Calends of October for thrée howres almost were séene thrée circles about the Sunne after which vanished awaye two sunnes séemed to appeere After this sight insued a discorde betweene the king and the Archebishop of Caunterburie And Frederick Emperour besseged Mylayne for seauen yeres almost and in the ende sacked and spoyled the Citie lamentably In the yere 1169. thrée sunnes were séene in the West in the Nonis of September and after two houres two of them vanished the same which possessed the middle did set alone in the Weste and in the lyke maner the next yere folowing thrée Moones appeared In the yere 1314. before the ciuill battle of Lewys of Bauare and Frederick of Austrige which contended and fought for the Empyrie thrée â—unnes were séene in heauen and a discention also of the electours â–ª and other attempts folowed In the yere of our Lord. 1469. at Rome were thrée sunnes séene after which an vprore of the Citizens folowed And the samâ— yeare a battle fought in Italie Frannceâ— Duke of Mylayne dyed and for the segniâ—ritie many contended by great conspiracies In the yeare 1492. after the middle of December in Polelande were thrée sunnes séene at noone after which Vladislaus king of Hungarie ouercame Maximilian and Casimirus king of Polelande left his lyfe or dyed thys yeare before whose death a Comete went which appéered for two Moneths togither after the sunne setting In the yeare 1514. in the tenth day of Ianuarye and seauentéene of March thrée sunnes were séene in heauen of which the middle was greatest and in the eleuenth of Ianuary and seauentéenth of March thrée Moones were like séene in the same yeare the Sweueland men stirred an vprore agaynst the Duke of Wirtenbergensis which much vexed hym And aboue 40. thousande Moscouites were slayne of the Polanes by the ryuer Boristhenes In the yeare of our Lorde 1523. at Tigurie in Helueria in the sixt Nonas of May thrée sunnes were séene togyther and sundrie circles séene togither in heauen after which in the same yeare folowed a reformation of Churches with the casting forth of Idols instituted and stablyshed at Tigurie In Holland the same yeare a great commotion attempted In the yere 1525. before the death of Lewes king of Hungarie in Hungarie were séene thrée sunnes which without doubt signified y thrée kings should contende for the Emperie as Ferdinandus Duke Iohn of Saxonie and the great Lurke In the yeare 1527. in Sweueland thrée sunnes and sundrie celestiall circles were séene In the yere 1528. and in the seauentéene day of
thundreth than lightneth signifieth raine to insue 8. The Sommer thundrings hapning at noone and at Euening is a note of raine to folow 9. If mightily thundring it then rayneth not yet doth it shewe raine comming for the more part and this hapneth according to the condition of the ayre and season of the yeare 10. Plynie affirmeth that if it shal thunder when Hennes doe sit that the Egges to perishe but this generally doe women of experience denie 11. Hermes an obseruer of celestiall matters wryteth that the thunders of Ianuarie to promise mightie windes and the aboundaunce of corne The thundring in February threatneth the death of manye and especially of the riche The thundring in the Moneth of March portendeth mightie windes firtylitie and populare battels The thunders of Aprill promise a good and ioyous yere The thundering in May thretneth famine and scarcitie The thunders of Iune signifie a fruitfull yéelde and the plentie of victuals The thunders of Iuly promise a plentifull increase of victuals but the scarcitie of fruites The thundring in August portendeth a prosperous estate of the common welth but many diseases and sicknesses The thunders of September signifieth firtilitie but the death of the Nobilitie The thundring in October pronounceth mightie windes with the scarcitie of fruites and victuals The thunders of Nouember promise the large increase of corne and ioy to men The thunders of December declare the aboundance of victuals and agréement of the people The learned Beda wryteth that if thunder be first heard comming out of the East quarter the same foresheweth before the yere go about or be ended the great effusion of bloud That if thunder first heard out of the West quarter then mortalitie and a grieuous plague to insue That if thunder be first heard out of the South quarter threatneth the death of many by shipwrack That if thunder be first heard out of the North quarter doth then portend the death of wicked persons and the ouerthrowe of many Other obseruations of the auncient that may be vsed of any that will without superstition as touching the thunder may a man further reade in my booke of the Myrrour of time Of that lightning named Fulgur what the same is and of the others IT is an exhalation kindled through the often agitation like to towe by which the matter séeketh issue which yet to the earth falleth not or the same is when the onely fyre sheweth So that the same is caused when the clowde is thinne and yéeldeth to the breaking forth of the fyre without noyse The lyke is that named Fulgetrum sauing that it sheweth weaker and of lesser light although many name the Fulgetrum to be the often repeatings togither of the fyre which the lyke are vsuall in Haruest That flashing much lyke a glistring light is the same which out of the kindled exhalation aryseth which by the sides of the clowde is forced and driuen forth Or it is the sodaine appearance through time of the subtill vapour and kindled running along by the ayre which is discerned before the thunder be heard and no marueyle in that the light is farre swifter than the noyse and the sight alwayes goeth before the hearing as by a like in the cutting of timber yet after nature is the light the later For the exhalation hote and drie is caried into the middle region of the ayre and before it higher assendeth of the vapour togither eleuated and forced into a thick clowde is the same compassed and included and when it can delate it selfe no more through the waterie and colde clowde it then wandreth about the whole clowde and séeketh issue forth which when it findeth not as disdayning breaketh then the clowde through which violent breaking forth is that noyse caused which we name the thunder and togither with that motion in which it wandred by the clowde and claue the clowde is the same kindled and when this sparseth the flame as it were abroad in the ayre then is it named Fulgur The difference betwéene the thunder and broade lightning is that the thunder is the selfe same noyse in the ayre which the vapour causeth running in the clowde and séeking issue forth But the broade lightning is the selfe same fyerie brightnesse which aryseth of the vapour issued and kindled For when it contended through the resistaunce and brake forth that flying away kindled the fyre The flashing lightning properly is none other than a brightnesse of the exhalation kindled and breaking forth of the clowde which shyneth abroade in the ayre But that named Fulgetrum is a lesser lightning and darcker flame in the aire So that the same is named Fulmen or the perillousser lightning when the whole exhalation kindled is sent downewarde But that weaker lightning named Fulgur is when the brightnesse onely of that exhalation kindled shyneth in the aire Thus Seneca reporteth in the first booke of naturall questions That the clowdes meanely smyting togyther cause the weake lightnings but the clowdes smyting togyther by a greater force cause the violent lightnings The diuersitie of colours in the lightning procéedeth of the diuersitie of matter in that one whiles whyte and cléere an other whyles yealow and darke and other whiles red and fumous or darke it appeareth euen as the dyuers colours that are discerned in the clowdes The whyte and cléere lightning procéedeth of the subtill and thinne vapour or of a thinne exhalation in a clowde ouer waterie whereof it sustaineth not a vehement heate and burning Hereof the bodyes which this toucheth doth it little or nothing burne so that more by beame than by the fyre doth it harme This sometymes is profitable to fruites and a little to the leaues of Trées if it hapneth in an apt place and time The darcke yealow lightning procéedeth of a thinne and somewhat clammye fume in which the flame is shyning and portendeth a vehement heate and perillous fyre if the same especially be sent downewarde The red lightning is caused through a thicke clowde and the exhalation well fermented or mixed togither which brasteth forth with a terrible noyse in the swelling ayre The grosser vapour of this hardly kindled procureth a verie daungerous flame which euen through the middle of the raine forceth and worketh his fearefull properties This lightning many times setteth cities on fire and burneth euen into the earth water not preuayling or able to resist it such is the mightie force of this celestiall fyre that so violently and grieuously destroyeth The fumous and somewhat black lightning procéedeth of a verie earthly and obscure yet a matter mightily burning whose clowde in that it containeth very much of the viscous moysture is woont to fabricate or forme a black or yronnie stone which in the shot sent forth burneth hastilye mightie bodyes of trées and sundrie other most solide matters without shewe or signe left behinde yea these and other matters this cleaueth destroyeth and vtterly wasteth The lightnings in the night are playner and more apparant
matter when it is sent downe striketh and entreth into the thinner bodyes and smyting into solyde bodyes forthwith dissolueth destroyeth and wasteth whose force for troth is to be marueyled at Otherwise is the same reported to be cléere and flaming This lightning is diuersly caused For the matter otherwise of the lightning hath verie much of the earthly and viscous matter For which cause it burneth the resistaunt matters especially if of the same substaunce which may be burned they consist and imprinteth or sheweth the notes of burning yet the matter sometimes of the lightning consisteth of the vapours verie subtill and impure Hereof the bodyes thinne and hauing poores this entereth without any note or shewe of hurte and corrupteth the inner members and the solyde bodyes resisting doth it part into péeces consumeth them So that this slayeth a man or anye lyuing beast wythout any wounde appearing or note of hurt And this also melteth the golde or siluer in mens purses the purses remayning vnperished Albertus magnus applyeth vnto the lightnings of this kinde the depriuing of sight and the swelling of the face For so much as we often sée men beholding the lightnings become blynde yea and the face by that meanes so swollen that a man can hardly knowe after the person The same is caused through the thinnesse and porositie of our skinne and eyes which lightly receiue the subtil vapour so that this corrupteth the radicall moysture of the face and swelleth the face and dryeth also the radicall moysture of the eyes through which dryed blindnesse of necessitie must insue In what time of the yere the lightnings oftner happen is here vttered For the sightnings in Winter sildome appeare to vs and the reason as Plynie reporteth is in that the materiall cause is not so copious as in other times the same is woont to be for in the Winter tyme the exhalation is onely moyst and colde which gathered into the clowdes receyueth a verie hote force and although the same shall not be perceyued yet is it sodainely extinguished through the force of the colde Further euery vapour of the earth is stiffe and verie colde For which cause in Scythia and in the Countries farther North it is to be supposed that it sildome lightneth And in Sommer in the hotter Countries fewe lightnings are cauâ—sed for that in the Sommer the exhalatioâ— is onely hote and dry which in no maner oâ— verie hardly can be gathered and thickneâ— into a clowde Whereof in Aethiopia â—â—gypt and in the Countries vnder the Trâ—â—pick of Cancer for the excéeding heat lighâ—â—ning doe sildome happen But with vs iâ— the Sommer time dwelling Northwardâ— lightnings are oftner caused in that the heate of sommer is not so great that it can consume all the matter or substaunce of the clowdes Euen so in the meane seasons of the yere as in the spring time and haruest lightnings are oftner caused in that the constitution of these seasons ministreth to the ayre much matter as wel dry as moyst The cause why man or beast is so slayne that no token of the hurt or wounde appeareth is for that the force and subtilnesse of the kindled vapour by which at a 〈◊〉 pierceth through the skinne and penetrable fleshe through out porouse and blasteth the vitall members with a pestilent poyson and wyth the venymous qualitie and vertue which all lightnings are named to haue it slayeth The same may verie well be applyed vnto the foote hurt and the shooe not perished and to the sap of trées corrupted the trée remayning whole without any corruption of the woode The cause why money is so molten with the lightning the purse or money bagge remayning whole and the sworde in like maner the sheath abyding vnperished is for that these bodies are porouse which lightly yéelde to the mighty spirite and subtill lightning vapour in which if such a mighty force of striking be through the great violence it then parteth into small péeces the resistaunt and harde bodyes if such a force of burning it then melteth Such is the violence of this that it throweth downe pinnacles of stone yea Towers most stronglye wrought and other buyldings mightie stones also it parteth in péeces such matters which haue anye resistaunce and hardnesse in them this ouerthroweth The cause why lightnings often smyte most highe places as stéeples towers and among trées the high Oke in especiall and highe Mountaynes is for that such which be the higher are the more open to iniuries of the clowdes in the ayre and by the course running here and there these bodies in the waye resisting happen to be striken and spoyled And euerye agent mightier worketh néere hand then that which by a great space is distaunt The other cause deuine is in that euill spirits dwelling in the ayre doe often stirre vp and cause through Gods suffraunce cruell tempestes and spoyle lyke places by Gods due vengeaunce The cause why nettes lying in the water may be burned of the lightning is for that the flame of the same hath much of the Brimstonie and viscous matter so that fallen into water it may burne the same hauing attayned the due matter And the same doe our Artificers proue in Gunpowder of which the whole Arte insueth the celestiall lightnings And the lyke in a maner may a man sée in lyme which through the powring vpon of water waxeth hote and is kindled The cause why the lightning cutteth or parteth a vessell in péeces or is burnt with the lightning the Wyne remayning whole togither for a certaine space as if the same were coagulated is through the lightning which hath verye much of the Brimstonie substance and viscositie in it which by piercing into the whole substance of the Wine is sparsed hereof through the heate what soeuer is fast holding is forced and sent into the furthest extending of the Wine both dryed and boyled agayne through the fyrie spirite of the lightning that worketh a certaine skinne which stayeth the Wine from running forth for a certaine time and the same as it were with a skinne compassed about retayneth So that these miraculously are caused by one inforcement and as it were in a moment The same iudgement may be vttered of the others lyke What the lightning Dart is THe same is the stone of the lightning as the later wryters report which sometimes in wedge forine sometimes rounde and sometimes in piller forme falleth with a mightie force into the earth and both cleaueth scattreth destroyeth and burneth the resistaunt bodyes and matters The manner of the ingendring of the Stone THe vapour of the lightning is drye and sometimes somewhat clammy of a certayne Metallyne matter earthly and thick which through the much motion and diuers agitation falling into a moyst clowde is conglutynated euen like meale tempered with water and baked and in the ende hardned into a solyde yronnie or stonnie Masse euen lyke potters clay baked into a stone This exhalation aswell flashing forth of
last finding issue to passe causeth the earth swelled vp to fal and settle agayne in the proper place What the fourth kinde is THe same is when a mightie and huge substance of earth like to a Mountaine is throwne out of the earth or when anye part of the earth sincketh déepe downe thorowe which eyther floodes lakes or riuers or else fires brast forth This kinde doth Aristotle verie well open where he vttereth that the motion of the earth now caused in certaine places doth not cease before that winde which had moued forwarde to cast vp the earth on a great heigth aboue grounde and lyke a storme of smoke and ashes issued forth which like lately hapned by the Sea Heraclea and before néere the Iland Hiera which is one of them which at this day they name Aeolias For in this a part of the earth swelled and rose vp with a noyse into the kinde of a light hill which at the last breaking a sunder much winde issued that sent vp fyre and ashes This also procureth the ouerflowings of the Sea when the bottome of the same is raysed and swollen vp through which manye Ilandes appeare that were neuer seene before The learned Aristotle reporteth that the Countrie Egypt in time past was a great Goulfe of the Sea which through an Earthquake as it shoulde séeme procured to be drye lande and remayning in the same maner vnto this day a like reporteth Herodotus What the materiall cause is THe materiall or effectiue cause neare to the Earthquake is the exhalation hote and drie or the winde engendred and included within the caues or dennes of the earth which séeking a violent issue at hys naturall places breaketh forth of the earth and causeth in this maner a violent shaking of the earth And that the earth of hys proper nature is drie and prepareth vapours and exhalations the same in a maner at this day séemeth a maruell to fewe of any knowledge For the same is sufficiently knowne that it is caused by accidence Yet further the true cause of the earthquake or trembling of the earth is the winde or drie vapour grosse and earthly included of the earth and otherwise sent in or there ingendred so that manifest it is that such spirites or winde to be ingendred in the earth For well knowne is this that the earth of it selfe is drye but the same moystened with daylie showers of rayne and the poores shut harde togither that the exhalation ingendred or conceyued brasteth not forth and salt or sea waters cause the like in that these through the saltnesse close or shut the poores of the earth with which the same is on euerye side compassed and in a maner swimmeth or runneth ouer it and after with the beames of the sunne heating doth ingender a great aboundance of exhalations which not so much breaketh vp into the ayre but that within it selfe often retayneth drye spirites or vapours both grosse and earthly which cause the Earthquake This sentence of Plynie of the materiall cause doe the Philosophers affirme and prooue that the same through the gathering of the spirites is ingendred and Aristotle in these coniectures proueth by a lyke reason that the Earthquake may so be caused The first reason is taken of mans body in which windy spirites when in it they are included are woont to cause a trembling or shaking where the venting forth could not be caused A second reason he gathereth and taketh of the condition of a quyet or caulme ayre and season when as the tyme is cléere and a great stilnesse in the night and at Noone Here or at that time the spirites included in the earth can not breath forth A thirde reason through the plentye of matter which caused greater in the spring and haruest than in the other quarters or partes of the yere Of which in those tymes for the more part are Earthquakes caused A fourth reason he vttreth of experience for so much as the same by vse is found that the agitation not to cease vntill the whole force of spirites shall haue breathed forth The fift and last of the precedent sounde for the earth causeth a roring or sounde thorowe the windie spirite met before the same be smytten resisted The selfe same confirmeth the reason of the tyme and places For these are caused a little before the Sunne rysing at what tyme the windes are woont for the more part to arise In the Equinoctials also when the greater force of vapours consisteth than in the Solstices and through the straight or narrow places of the Sea in which straight places the winde is included is wont there to be violenter and séeking the caues or hollow places doth so smite and shake the earth What the formall cause is THe formall cause is the agitation and smyting of the earth for the drie vapours and windes there included by hys vertue are lifted or forced vp séeking issue forth but when this is no where open thorowe the passages of the earth stopped are driuen and sent back warde with no meane force through which stryuing the earth in the ende is smitten and shaked For by the ouermuch heate or colde is the issue of vapours procured of which the smyting is caused A sure an euident note of this are the windes in mans bodye included For those shake euen the whole body when by force at the last they breake forth and the lyke is caused in the belching and refting and in all other agitations of the bodye of what condition soeuer they be So that the same which procureth the winde aboue the earth and in the clowds thunder the same causeth a trembling or shaking in the passages of the earth Which the obiect or place is of the Earthquake THe great Earthquakes are caused in the Sea coastes where many exhalations may be included For the Sea entreth into the earth as it were by certayne pypes and holloweth the same where after the spirites or windes are ingendred which when they contende to issue forth are repelled or driuen back of the Sea floodes and are on such wise hid againe in the bowels of the earth which after increased nor with those séeketh issue doe then smite against the sides of the earth Aristotle reporteth that the most mightie Earthquakes to be there caused where the Sea daylie floweth or the Countrie is spungeous or the same aboundeth wyth hollow places caues and déepe dennes For which cause he affirmeth that such tremblings to happen oftner about Hellespontus Achaia Sicilia and Euboea through the Sea running neare by which as by certaine pypes entreth into these places and through his coldenesse dryueth inwarde the exhalations The Countrie of Hollande and other hollow places through the multitude of caues and inwarde holes rightlye named Holeland which both the same and others like are subiect to this euill In places farre from the Sea are fewer Earthquakes caused in that the earth there is not so hollowed and the Sea causeth not
and shooke Constantinople and many other places of Asia The earth gaping manye Townes were suncke The Sca one where flying the gaping suncke and running an other waye on the earth ouerwhelmed drowned many townes These later yeares were lyke examples seéne in Germanie after which lamentable alterations insued in the Romaine Empire What the effects are THese are most lamentable that through an Earthquake both the sincking and ouerthrow of howses and Cities are caused as in the time of Tiberius Coesare hapned where in one night twelue Cities fell with an earthquake Also perticuler lande floods For in this agitation of the earth doth much water sometimes breake forth when the exhalation being déepe is driuen foorth by a great force for in that motion is the earth oftentimes dylated and oftentimes Ilands Cities and mightie mountaynes by a mightie gaping suncke and swalowed and a Region through the shaking of an Earthquake be spoyled Forsomuche as Ilandes Countries and Hilles are driuen vp and caused to appeare through an earthquake Yea a gréeuous pestilence many times ensueth an Earthquake For so muche as fumes and venimous vapors putrified in the bowels of the earth doe infect the ayre with their rottennesse And this putrified exhalaion they name Memphitis that is a putried vapour Which the signes be of an earthquake THe first note the learned vtter of the Eclipsis for the region or countrie vnto which the shadow of the Eclips of the lights as of the Sunne and Moone is conuerted or extendeth is woonte for the more parte to be subiect to the harme of the earthquake the same the certayner if the Eclipse happen in the tayle of the Dragon which howe muche the greater and generaller the same shall be so muche the mightier shall the shaking of the earthquake be but howe much the smaller so much the weaker c. 2 The second note doth the Sunne offer and shewe when for certaine dayes the Sunne shineth dimme and darcke without any clowde couering him and a meruellous calmenesse with a couldenesse in the morning and after the Sunne setting the element being cléere a thinne clowde is stretched narrowe and a longe by the ayre hath béene obserued that an earthquake often to followe 3 The thirde a firie clowde expressing the kinde and forme of a burning piller in the ayre yeldeth a most true and sure note as Calistines the Philsopher reporteth of an Earthquake to ensue 4 In the fourth the water in déepe pits and welles before an Earthquake is without a manifest cause troubled and infected with a saltie sauour or with some other vngratefull smell and taste not naturall and this through the pestilent exhalations which long within the earth haue beene inclosed and begin somewhat to be sent abroade as vttered first Pherecides the instructer of the wise Pythagoras of whom the learned Plinie mentioneth in his second booke and 79. Chapter And the like Cicero in hys fift booke de Diuinatione 5 In the fift a marueylous quietnesse and stilnesse of the windes silent in the region of of the earth subiect to the motion and earthquake shutte in and inclosed for certayne Monethes afore as the same obserued by the auncient 6 In the sixt by the seas and waues surging a note may be gathered and learned which the saylers perceyue vndoubted to insue when as the sea rageth and beateth without mightie windes procuring the like swelling And the partes and things within shippes like shake as buildings on the earth and with a noyse hard vnder the earth that foreshewe that motion or the earthquake 7 In the seuenth a thinne clowde after the maner of a strake or line very small towarde the setting in the West long and white is séene for the more part to go before an agitation or trembling of the earth by which note Anaximander confirmed sometymes to the Lacedemonians for truth their predictions of these matters 8 In the eight that Birdes with many foure footed beastes leaue or forsake the apt places redy to the shaking of the earth séeking and abiding in newe places by which these may so defende them from the iniurie nere hande and this so well proued and knowne by obseruations as witnessed in the bookes of the auncient 9 In the ninth the earth neuer trembleth or no earthquake is caused but when the sea is calme and still and the ayre so maruellous still that the Foules flying haue not breath nor ayre to beare them in their flight nor neuer haue but after windes breathed forth of hollowe vaynes and Caâ—es of the earth included before in the same 10 In the tenth a fearefull roring thundring and hideous sounde like to the crie of men and a noyse sometimes like to the clittring of harnest men heard in the earth before the earthquake commeth But it sometimes hapneth that this great roring or thundring is heard in the earth no earthquake at all ensueth as when the winde without beating and trembling of the earth findeth issue to passe 11 In the eleuenth that the Sunne is séene of many for certaine dayes before very mistie and dimme of light as though hée lost his light or appéered as he were bloudie which dymnes or lyke sight to our eyes is caused through lacke of the wind to dissolue and purge this thick and grosse ayre which at that tyme is inclosed within the bowels of the earth 12 To these may be added a twelfth note which is the appearing of a Comet or blasing starre a tyme before In these if many notes concurre the signification is the more certaine For none of these notes alone is to be considered and taken that the same may bée sufficient vnto the signifying or foreshewing of an earthquake Let this suffise gentle reader as touching the marueylous force and miracles of the lightnings with the other wonderfull apparitions in the ayre concluding that these are vttered part for mans instruction and comfort and part as warnings to all christians for the amendment of lyfe by the fearefull examples manifested in this treatise not wythout the singular prouidence of God in the forewarning vs in such maner of the manye daungers hanging ouer our heades in these perillous dayes Thus my intent brought to an ende in most brieâ—â— maner I ende this treatise FINIS