In the first Verse he saith, that this Countrey about _Rome_ was marked by an _Augury_, to be the place upon which the sad effect of the _Augury_ should fall, which proved true; for the first of _March 1556_, appeared a Blazing Star, which did presage to that Countrey of _Rome_, its disaster. _Roman Countrey in which the Augur did interpret_, that is to say, which the _Augur_ did signifie, and presage should be vexed by the _French_ Nation. Afterwards the Author saith, that the same _French_ Nation, or _Celtique_, shall fear the hour when _Boreas_ should drive to far the Fleet, that is to say, shall fear much, when the Baron _de la Garde_ was so troubled with the storm (as we have said) and in truth it was _Boreas_, or the _Northwind_, that drove him into St. _Florents_ road. C. French. Dedans les Isles si horrible tumulte, Rien on n’orra qu’une bellique brigue, Tant grand sera des predareurs l’Insult, Qu’on se viendra ranger a la grand ligue. English. In the Islands shall be so horrid tumults, That nothing shall be heard but a Warlike surprise, So great shall be the insult of the Robbers, That every one shall shelter himself under the great League. ANNOT. This is plain, if by the great League, you understand the soundest and most powerful party. THE PROPHECIES OF Michael Nostradamus. _CENTURY_ III. I. French. Apres Combat & Bataille Navale, Le grand _Neptune_ a son plus haut beffroy, Rouge adversaire de peur de viendra pasle, Mettant le grand _Occean_ en effroy. English. After the fight and Sea Battle, The great _Neptune_ in his highest Steeple, The red adversary shall wax pale for fear, Putting the great _Occean_ in a fright. ANNOT. I find no mystical sence in this, unless by the red adversary he should understand the _Pope_, because clothed in Scarlet. Therefore I leave the explication to the judgement of every particular Reader. II. French. Le Divin Verbe donra a la substance, Compris Ciel, Terre, or occult au lait mystique, Corps, Ame, Esprit, ayant toute puissance, Tant sous ses pieds comme au Siege Celique. English. The Divine Word shall give to the substance, Heaven and Earth, and Gold hid in the mystical milk, Body, Soul, Spirit, having all power, As well under his feet, as in the Heavenly Seat. ANNOT. I desire the judicious Reader, and chiefly if he be given to the Hermetick Philosophy, to take a special notice of this Stanza, for in it is contained the secret of the _Elixir_ or Philosophers Stone, more clearly and plainly then in the _Tabula Smaragdina_ of _Hermes_, which to make appearent, we shall expound it Verse by Verse.