The Roman Countrey in which the Augur did interpret,
Shall be too much vexed by the French Nation,
But the Celtique Nation shall fear the hour,
The Northwind had driven the Navy in too far.
ANNOT.
Since the Reign of Henry the II. King of France, the Historians do not mention that the Countrey about Rome hath been troubled by the French Armies. It was only in the time of Paul the IV. who was assisted by the French Troops, under the conduct of the Lord Strozy, and Captain Monluc, therefore this Stanza belongeth to the time of that Kings Reign.
And indeed what he foretelleth here, came to pass in the year 1556. for the Countrey about Rome was vexed by the French Nation, who went about then to take the places, which the Duke of Alba had taken from the Pope, and thereby caused those disorders, which commonly are incident to War.
The second Verse saith, the Countrey shall be too much vexed, and not a little, because Monluc, whom the Author calleth the quick Gascon, did continually torment the Enemies, which could not be done without a great prejudice to the Countrey; Moreover, his Troops being for the most part Gascons, and consequently active men; the Soldiers did more harm than ordinary.
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.