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
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
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
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
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
clifts nor beating or shaking with the great floods of waters yet the sounder and faster any grounde of the earth is so much the more harmed at the shaking for so much it mightier shutteth in the exhalations and compelleth an inforcement in the cause The Ilands and the valleys are sildome molested with the Earthquake for so much as the partes of the earth in themselfe are pressed togither and are but a little porouse so that these cannot enter in An earthquake is sildome caused in moyst places for so much as the moysture hindreth or letteth the exhalation to come vnto strength of which the Philosopher reporteth that in the floodes of the Sea Pontus a lesse Earthquake to be caused for so much as the huge sea about cooleth the exhalations and on such wise letteth them In the sandie and grauily places as are the places Northerly farre sildomer is an Earthquake caused yea scarcely any Earthquake at all caused in those places for so much as the same grounde is a thinner earth and lesser solyde nor so thicke compact and that the fumes ascend by little and little without force How the ingendring is or of the maner of the ingendring of Earthquakes THe Earthquake is caused when the exhalations and vapours included in the caues and hollowe places or passages of the earth contende togither and by his nature séeke on highe to breake forth but through the earth close stopped not finding way by force shake the same and cause it to tremble and in the ende breake forth so that the earth oftentimes causeth eyther a gaping or déepe caue or goulfe or the same throwne vp on heigth after the maner of a hill or Mountayne of which great Mountayne◠happen to be suncke and swallowed vp in a Goulfe as sundrie lyke we reade in the Hystories yea great waters and ryuers drunke vp and the course of waters chaunged and lande floodes caused in the mayne lande Or thus the earth contayneth in it selfe a much exhalation which it heating conceaueth through the fierie efficacie and vertue of the Sunne the Planets and fixed starres This spirite for that the same is subtill is most apt to be inforced So that when by it this drie spirite runneth included within the earth séeking issue is so by his force lifted vp and driuen from one hollownesse into another Of which this when for the solyde nature of the earth and stopped passages of the earth can not issue or passe forth procureth lightly and soone a trembling in it selfe caused through the beating and driuing back so that retayned this strongly moueth and shaketh the earth or séeking his waye and the spirite driuen by a narrow body of the earth laboreth with a most strong contention For into the proper and naturall place this contendeth to flie which through the mightie stopping letted of the compact earth is the same driuen backe into the earth which at the length laboureth to issue causing the same to tremble and casteth vp the earth ▪ in the breaking forth like to a hill vntil it be issued yea this sometimes cleaueth the same and openeth it in the issuing forth at two sides Aristotle vttereth other notes for after the earth beaten vp he reporteth that great windes to breath and flie vp and that fyre and ashes to be cast forth So that water not to be the special cause of the earthquake for the water should otherwise be still if the same were not blowne and driuen Nor such a swiftnesse or hastinesse of the trembling coulde be caused if so much could be procured in the waters swelling and that the earth could very often breake But it often breaketh not in the tremblings shakings of the earth Yet doth this pronounce the great plentie of vapours included in the caues of the earth driuen like windes by their force and agitation sparsed by certain places which when the same is caused it instructeth that those places to tremble thorowe the might of the vapours forced For it is manifest that the earth to be full of vapours the thundring or rumbling which is heard in the shaking of the earth is a note of the flying vapours And for so much as the vapours open the passages of the earth a water sometimes is shed out of the earth of which no such plentie consisteth or is in the great Mountaynes that might like smite them Howe so great a heape of earth of so thinne and light a body as the winde may be cast vp doth the Philosopher Aristotle here vtter by a similitude as in our bodies spirites included are cause of the tremblings or shakings and beating of the pulses euen so hapneth in the same earth when a great force of the vapours gathered mooue and shake it wyth their force What the finall causes are THe finall cause of an Earthquake is the signification verie sad heauie of matters and haps to come as of battels landfloodes mutation of Emperies the dearth of victuals c. For the Earthquakes alwayes pronounce great calamities as Plynie witnesseth where he reporteth that the Citie of Rome neuer trembled but that the same was a foreshewe of some happe to come or insue so that the Romanes curiously obserued the Earthquakes as the same is manifest in their Hystories Of the earthquake Cardanus reporteth that the earth to be cleaued through a vapoure and not to be doubted but that the same to prognosticate great sedicions Yea the great earthquakes denounce eyther a Battayle or the Plague or a Tirannicall oppression these also cause a dearth of corne and famine Yet the earthquakes somtimes threaten no other euils than the ouerthow of proper Cities and Townes and destruction or mortalitie of those persons which dwell in them These hitherto Cardanus The holy Scriptures vtter the same that in these motions the Lorde God exerciseth and sheweth his most seuere ire punishing with these the peoples sinnes by a iust iudgment vnlesse they spéedily repent For it is written in the seconde booke of Kinges and xxij Chapter that the ire of God was mooued and the earth trembled for so much as the Lorde God was angrie with them Euen so before the Turckes tooke Gréece for thrée whole dayes togither the Earthquake shooke the borders néere bounding and many buildings fell downe Before the Peloponesian Battayle the countrie of Laconia was so fearefully shaken with an Earthquake that whole townes fell and much people destroyed and ouerwhelmed in the fall of them Eutropius writeth that in the next yeare after the death of Paule the Apostle Laodicoea and Colossa were suncke with an Earthquake in which example both a punishment of the wicked was séene which contemned Paules doctrine and a signyfication of calamities to come on Asia bordering néere by and of the crueltie which Domitianus exercysed in the same part of the worlde when he compelled S. Iohn the Apostle to liue in exile The like hapned an Earthquake before the death of Theodosius the second which endured for sixe monethes