CHAP. XII.
Elogies given to Nostradamus by several Authentical Authors.
IF several Authors either by envy or ignorance have defamed our Author, others of no small repute have taken his defence in hand.
D' Aurat one of the most excellent Poets of France, living at the same time as Nostradamus, made a few explications of his Prophecies, which as the report goes, did please the Readers. I am sorry I could not get them, it would have been some ease to me; for it is easier to add than to invent. The first Volume of the Lord la Croix du Main, maketh honourable mention of him, the same saith, that his Motto was Faelix Oviam prior Aetas, Happy the first Age that was contented with their Flock, shewing by that, what esteem he had of frugality and sincerity of man∣ners, and what aversion he had against the Vices of his Age, the unruliness of man∣ners, and consenage of men. Ronsard the Prince of the French Poets singeth his praises: The Lord Boucher in that great Volume, intitled the Mistical Crown, in favour of the future Croisade, doth vindicate our Author from Calumny, and ex∣poundeth some of his Prophecies pretty happily.
I will not relate here what his Son Caesar Nostradamus writeth modestly of him in his History of Provence, under Lewis the XII. Henry the II. and Charles the IX. his Evidence may be suspected, because of the Consanguinity.
One of the greatest Wits of this last Age, who desireth to be nameless, giveth him this Character.
First, That God Almighty hath chosen Michael Nostradamus among the com∣mon sort of Christians, to impart unto him the knowledge of many prodigious and extraordinary future things.
Secondly, He maintaineth, that after the Apostles and Canonical Prophets, he is the first of all in three things in his certainty and infallibility, in the generality and in the quantity. As to the first, he doth not doubt but the Abbot Joachim ought to give him place; for though he hath foretold somethings that have come to pass, he hath written a hundred others which are meer fopperies.
Thirdly, He maintaineth that the Emperour Leo in his prophetical Tables is far below him; for he doth only aim at those things which regard the Eastern Empire, as Theophrastus. Paracelsus hath done for the Western.
Concerning the quantity of things, he maintaineth, that none of the others can dispute it with him; for Nostradamus hath made above a thousand stanza's (if we had them all) each of which containeth two or three prophetical Truths, some of which regard the East, others the West, others some private Kingdoms and States others private and particuler things. and all with Truth and certainty.