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

LI.

French.

Contre les rouges Sectes se banderont,

Feu, eau, fer, corde, par paix se minera,

Au point mourir ceux qui machineront,

Fors un que monde sur tout ruinera.

English.

Against the red, Sects shall gather themselves,

Fire, water, iron, rope, by peace it shall de destroyed,

Those that shall conspire shall not be put to death,

Except one, who above all shall undo the World.

ANNOT.

The name of red Sects, may very well be applied to the Protestants of France, against whom in those days it seemed that fire, Water, Iron and Rope had conspired, for they were put to death by each one of those fatal instruments for their Religion sake. This is a lively expression of the unhappy Massacre of the Protestants in France upon St. Bartholomews day 1572.

The two last Verses signifie, that all the Contrivers of that Councel, were of opinion at first to proceed some other way, but only the Duke of Guise, who was the principal actor in it, and whom our Author saith, did undo the world; for he was the cause of mischief, not only then but ofterwards.