The true prophecies or prognostications of Michael Nostradamus, physician to Henry II. Francis II. and Charles IX. Kings of France, and one of the best astronomers that ever were. / A work full of curiosity and learning. Translated and commented by Theophilus de Garencieres, Doctor in Physick Colleg. Lond.

by Nostradamus

III.

French.

Fleuve qu’esproune le nouveau nay Celtique,

Sera en grande de l’Empire discorde:

Le jeune Prince par gent Ecclesiastique,

Le Sceptre osté Corone de concorde.

English.

The River that makes tryal of the new born Celtick,

Shall be at great variance with the Empire,

The young Prince shall be an Ecclesiastical person,

And have his Scepter taken off, and the Crown of concord.

ANNOT.

This River is the River of Rhyne, because the ancient French when they had a King newly born, they used to put him upon a Target, to make him swim upon that River, to try whether by his swimming he was lawfully begotten or no; the meaning therefore is, that this new born Celtique or French King shall be at variance with the Empire, and that in his young years the Clergy shall take his Scepter and Crown from him.