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THe Rain-bow is the shining and rebounding of beams of light, which turn to the contrary vapour again in the cloud, which is opposite to the Sun; and so according to the diversity of the thinnesse of that cloud do the beams appear, red above, yellow in the midle, and
green in the lower parts, but in themselves all this while they have no real colour, that is a true colour. Here note, that the neerer the Sun is to the Horizon, the grea∣ter is the Rain-bow.
If the Rain-bow appear or be visible in the morning it signifies moisture (unlesse great drought of the air work the contrary) if in the evening, fair weather; Moreover, if the Rain-bow appear fair, it betokens foul weather, but if it appear foul, look for fair weather, the greener the more rain, the reder the more wind.
Rain is a cold vapour, and earthly humour or fumosi∣ties out of water attracted by the clouds: I omit to speak of prodigious and miraculous rains, as Milk, Blood, Flesh, &c. They who desire to read suck like, see Pli∣nius, lib. 2. cap. 58.
It is a cold moist vapour, drawn up in the day by the faint heat of the Sun, and descends again in the night, where it is either congealed (as in Winter) or resolved into water (as in Summer) Frost in the Spring or Har∣vest is a sign of fair weather.
Snow is a moist vapour, drawn up to the midle Regi∣on of the Air, then thickened and frozen into the body of a Cloud, and so congealed, descendeth into Fleeces.
Haill is a Cloud resolved into water, congeals in its de∣scension, the higher it comes, and the longer it tarrieth in the Air, the rounder is the Haill.
Winds is a multitude of dry exhalations drawn up from the earth, enforcing it self here and there.
Plenty of Winds, entered into Holes or Caves of the Earth, which being absent from above the Earth (causeth quietnesse) at last their violent bursting out (the earth sudden by closing again) causeth the Earthquake.
A fiery clould appearing in the Element like a little Pillar. The obscurity and darknesse of the Sun (without Clouds) and strangely coloured, as bloody, &c. is a to∣ken of Earthquakes to come. Also when deep Well waters are seen to tremble at the bottome; or if the wa∣ters there be infected: Also a great quietnesse by Sea and Land, and especially long absence of Winds. Moreover, strange sights and apparitions in the Air: or the noise and clamours (as it were) of men in the Clouds, rushings of Harnesse, Mournings and Lamentations, &c.
Thunder is the quenching of fire in a cloud, or a hot and dry exhalation mixed with moisture, carried up to the midle Region, and wrapping it self in a cloud which is moist, there ariseth a strife; the heat beating, and with a mighty violence breaketh the sides of the cloud with a thundering noise; the fire disperses and flashes, thence comes the lightning.
10. Thunders in the morning signifieth wind, about noon rain, in the evening great tempests. —Some write that Sundayes thunder, signifieth the death of Learned men: Mundayes, the death of women: Tuesdayes, the plenitude of corn and grain: Wednesdayes, the death of harlots, and bloodshed: Thursday, plenty of sheep and corn: Fryday, the slaughter of a great man, and other horrible murders: Saturndayes thunder, a ge∣neral Pestilent Plague, and great dearth.
A Comet is a Flame working in a dry and hot exhala∣tion, drawn up to the highest part of the Air: its mat∣ter or substance after it's burnt and dispersed, provoketh winds, it signifieth corruptions in the Air, Earthquakes, Wars, dearth of Corn, a common Death of man and Beast.
A Whirlewind is a most sudden and violent blast, break∣ing forth from the narrow passages of the Clouds, as it
were winding, is vehemently carried and dashed against the earth, and so riseth back like a Ball, windeth about what it findeth, and bearing aloft all that's within its power.