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

LXXVII.

French.

Entre deux Mers dressera promontoire,

Qui puis mourra par le mors du Cheval,

Le fier Neptune pliera Voile noire,

Par Calpre, & Classe aupres de Rocheval.

English.

Between two Seas shall a Promontory be raised,

By him, who shall die by the biting of a Horse,

The proud Neptune shall fold the black Sail.

Through Calpre, and a fleet shall be near Rocheval.

ANNOT.

I could not find what he meaneth by Calpre, nor by Rocheval, which I suppose to be the proper names of places, when he saith, that proud Neptune shall fold the black Sail; he maketh an allusion to the History of Theseus, Son of Ægeus King of Athens, who being sent with other Children into Candia, to become a prey to the Minotaure, his Father sent the Ship with black Sails, as in a case of Mourning, charging Theseus, that if he came back again safe he should put on white Sails, but coming in sight of Athens, Theseus for joy forgot to put on the white Sails, so that his Father Ægeus thinking he had miscarried, cast himself from a Rock into the Sea, so that he saying that Neptune shall fold the black Sail, he meaneth, that there shall be joyful news.