Meteors, Book 2
THE SECOND BOOKE
Of Fiery Meteors.
A Fiery impression, is an Exhalation set on fire in the highest or lowest region of the aire, or else appearing as though it were set on fire and burning.
They are therefore divided into flames and Apparitions. Flames are they which burn indeed, and are kindled with fire. These are discerned by four ways; by the fashion of them, by their place, by the abundance of their matter, and by the want of their matter. Their placing is after the abundance and scarcity of the matter whereof they consist: for if it be great, heavy and grosse, it cannot be carried so far as the middle region of the ayre, and therefore is set on fire in the lowest region: if it be not so great, light, and full of heat, it passeth the middle region, and ascendeth to the highest, where it is easily kindled and set on fire.
According to their divers fashions, they have divers names: for they are called burning stubble, torches, dauncing or leaping Goates, shooting or falling starres, or candles, burning beames, round pillars, spears, shields, Globes or bowles, firebrands, lampes, flying Dragons or fire drakes, painted pillars, or broched steeples, or blazing starres, called Comets. The time when these impressions doe most appeare, is the night-season: for if they were caused in the day time, they could not be seen, no more then the stars be seen, because the light of the Sunne which is much greater, dimmeth the brightness of them being lesser.
Of the generation of the impression called burning stubble or sparkles of fire.
The generation of this Meteor is this;Sparks of fire. when the matter of the Exhalation is in all parts alike thin, but not compacted or knit together, then some part of it being caryed up into the highest Region, by the fiery heat is set on fire before another part that cometh up after it, and so being kindled by little and little, flieth abroad like sparkles out of a chimney, insomuch that the common people suppose, that an infinite number of stars fall down, whereas it is nothing else but the Exhalation that is thin, kindled in many parts, sparkling as when sawdust or cole-dust is cast into the fire.
Of Torches
TOrches or firebrands are thus generated:Torches. when the matter of the exhalation is long and not broad, being kindled at one end thereof in the highest region of the aire, it burneth like a torch or firebrand, and so continueth till all the matter be burnt up, and then goeth out; none otherwise then a Torch when all the stuffe is spent, must needs burne no longer.
Of dancing or leaping Goates
DAncing Goates are caused when the exhalation is divided into two parts,Dancing Goats as when two torches be seen together, and the flame appeareth to leap or dance from one part to the other, much like as bals of wild fire dance up and down in the water.
Of shooting and falling stars.
A Flying, shooting, or falling star,Shooting Starres. is when the exhalation being gathered as it were on a round heape, and yet not throughly compacted in the highest part of the lowest region of the ayre, being kindled by the sodaine cold of the middle region, is beaten backe, and so appeareth as though a starre should fall, or slide from place to place. Sometime it is generated after another sort; for there is an exhalation long and narrow, which being kindled at one end burneth swiftly, the fire running from end to end, as when a silk thred is set on fire at the one end. Some say it is not so much set on fire, as that it is direct under some Star in the firmament, and so receiving light of that star, seemeth to our eies to be a Star. Indeed sometimes it may be so; but that i… is not so alwayes,The Epicurians Opinion. nor yet most commonly, it may be easily demonstrated. The Epicureans, as they are very grosse in determining the chiefe goodness: so they are very fond in assigning the cause of this Meteor. For they say, that the stars fall out of the firmament, & that by the fall of them, both thunder and lightning are caused: for the lightning (say they) is nothing else but the shining of that Starre that falleth, which falling into a waterie cloud, and being quenched in it, causeth that great thunder, even as hot Iron maketh a noise if it be cast into cold water. But it is evident, that the starres of the firmament cannot fall,Ps. 148 for GOD hath set them fast for ever; he hath given them a Commandement which they shall not passe. And though they should fall into the clouds, yet could they not rest there,The greatnes of Starres but with their weight being driven down, would cover the whole earth.
For the least starre that is seen in the firmament, is greater then all the earth. Here will step forth some merrie fellow which of his conscience thinketh them not to be above three yards about,A proofe of the Starres greatness and say it is a loud lie; for he can see within the compasse of a bushell, more then 20 stars. But if his bushell were on fir… 20 mile of, I demand how bigge it would seeme unto him? He that hath any wit will easily perceive, that starres being by all mens confession, so many thousand miles distant from the earth, must needs be very great, that so far off should be seen in any quantity. Thus much for the shooting or falling starres
Of burning Candles.
WHen the Exhalation carried up into the highest part of the ayre,Burning candles. is in all parts thereof of equall and like thinness, and also long, but not broad, it is set on fire and blazeth like a candle, until the Exhalation be quite consumed.
Of burning Beames and round Pillars.
THese are caused,Burning Beames and round pillars when the Exhalation being long and not very broad, is set on fire all at once, and so burneth like a great beame or logge. The difference of Beames and Pillars is this; for beams are when they seeme to lie in length in the ayre, but they are called Pillars, when they stand right up, the one end neerer to the earth then the other
Of Burning Speares.
BUrning speares are generated,Burning Speares. when a great quantity of exhalations, which may be called a dry cloud, is set on fire in the middest, and because the cloud is not so compact, that it should suddenly rend, as when thunder is caused, the fire breaketh out at the edges of the cloud, kindling the thin Exhalations, which shoot out in great number like fiery speares, or darts, long and very small; wherefore they continue not long: but when they fayle, within a short while after, more fire breaking out, they shoot as many more in their place: and likewise, when they are gone, others succeed, if the quantity of the matter will suffice, more then a douzen courses. This impression was seene in London, Anno Dom. 1560. the thirty day of Ianuary, at eight of the clock at night, the ayre in all other places being very darke; but in the North-east where this cloud burned, it was as light as when the day breaketh toward the Sunne rising, in so much that plaine shaddow of things opposite was seene. The edge of this cloud was in the fashion like the Raynebow, but in colour very bright, and oftentimes casting forth almost innumerable darts of wonderfull length, like squibs that are cast into the ayre, saving that they move more swiftly then any squibs.
Of Shields, Globes or Bowles.
THese Meteors also have their name of their fashion,Shields, Globes or Bowles. because they are broad, and appeare to be round; otherwise their generation differeth not from the cause of the like impressions before mentioned.
Of Lampes.
THe Lampe consisteth of an Exhalation that is broad and thick,Lampes. but not equally extended; namely, smaller at one end then at another, which being kindled about the middest thereof, burneth like a lampe. The cause why, as well this impression, as many other, appeareth round, is not for that alwaies they are round indeed, but because the great distance causeth them to seem so. For even the square formes far off seem to be round. … is written, that a Lamp fell down at Rome, when Germanicus Caesar set forth forth the fight of sword players.
Of flying Dragons or fire Drakes.
Flying Dragons,Flying Dragons, or fire Drakes, or as Englishmen call them, fire-Drakes, be caused on this manner. When a certaine quantity of …apors are gathered together on a heap, …eing very neere compact, and as it were …ard tempered together, this lump of …apors ascending to the region of cold, …forcibly beaten back; which violence …f moving is sufficient to kindle it; …lthough some men will have it to be …used between 2 clouds, a hot and a …ld; then the highest part, which was …iming upward, being by reason more …btill and thin, appeareth as the Dra…ns neck, smoking, for that is was …ely in the repulse bowed or made …oked, to represent the Dragons belly. …e last part by the same repulse turned …ward, maketh the tayle, appearing …aller for that it is both further off, … also for that the cold bindeth it▪ …is dragon thus being caused, flyeth …ng in the ayre, and sometime turneth …nd fro, if it meet with a cold cloud eat it back, to the great terrour of … that behold it: of whom some … it a fire Drake: some say it is the …ill himselfe, and so make report …thers. More then 47 yeeres ago…, on May day, when many young folk went abroad early in the morning, remember by six of the clocke in th… forenoone, there was newes come to London, that the Devill, the same morning, was seen flying over the Thames▪ afterward came word, that he lighte… at Stratford, and there was taken an… set in the Stockes, and that though h… would fane have dissembled the matte… by turning him selfe into the likenes… of a man, yet was he known well enoug… by his cloven foot. I knew some the… living, that went to see him, and returning, affirmed, that he was seen flying in the ayre, but was not take… prisoner. I remember also, that som… wished he had been shot at with Gun… or shafts, as he flew over the Thame… Thus do ignorant men iudge of the things that they know not. As for th… Devill, I suppose, it was a flying Dr… gin, whereof we speake, very fearefu… to looke upon, as though he had … because he moveth, whereas it is n…thing else but clouds and smoake: … mighty is God, that he can feare … enemies with these and such like op… rations, whereof some examples may be found in holy Scripture.
Of the Pyramidall Pillar like a spire or broached Steeppe
THis sharpe poynted pillar,Of Spires is generated in the highest region of the ayre, and after this sort: When the Exhalation hath much earthly matter in it, the lighter parts and thinner (as their nature is) ascending upward, the grosser, heavier, and thicker, abide together in the bottome, and so is it of fashion great beneath, and small poynted above, and beeing set on fire it is so seene, and thereof hath his name.
Of fire scattered in the ayre.
FIre scattered in the ayre,Fire scattered. or illuminations, are generated in the lowest region of the ayre, when very drie and hot Exhalations are drawne up, and meeting with cold clouds, are sent back again, which motions doe set them a fire; whose parts being not equally thick or ioyned together, seeme as though fire were scattered in the ayre: Yea sometimes, the whole ayre seemeth to burne, as though it would rayne fire from Heaven, and so it hath come to passe, burning both Cities and Townes. Then iudge how easy it was for God to raine fire upon Sodom and Gomorra, for their sins and wickedness.
Of lights that goe before men, and follow them abroad in the fields, by the night season.
THere is also a kind of light that is seen in the night season & seemeth to goe before men,Light that goeth before men, & followeth them in the night or to follow them, leading them out of their way into waters, and other dangerous places. It is also very often seene in the night, of them that saile on the Sea, and sometime will cleave to the mast of the Shippe, or other high parts, sometime slide round about the Shippe, and either rest in one part till it goe out, or else be quenched in the water. This impression seene on the land, is called in Latine Ignis fatuus, foolish fire, that hurteth not, but onelyonly feareth fooles. That which is seene on the Sea, if it be but one, is named Helena; if it be two, it is called Castor and Pollux.
The foolish fire is an Exhalation kindled by meanes of violent moving, when by cold of the night, in the lowest region of the ayre, it is beaten downe; and then commonly, if it be light, seeketh to ascend upward, and is sent down againe; so it danceth up and downe. Else if it move not up and downe, it is a great lumpe of glewish or oyly matter that by moving of the heat in it selfe, is enflamed of it selfe, as moyst hay will bek indled of it selfe. In hot and fennie Countries, these lights are often seene, and where is abundance of such unctuous and fat matter, as about Church-yards, where through the corruption of the bodies there buried, the earth is full of such substance: wherefore in Church-yards, or places of common buriall, oftentimes are such lights seene, which ignorant and superstitious fooles have thought to be soules tormented in the fire of Purgatory. Indeed the Devill hath used these lights (although they be naturally caused) as strong delusions to captive the minds of men with feare of the Popes Purgatory, whereby he did open injury to the blood of Christ, which onelyonly purgeth us from all our sins, and delivereth us from all torments both temporall and eternall, according to the saying of the wise-man, The soules of the righteous are in the Hands of God, and no torment toucheth them. But to returne to the lights, in which there are yet two things to be considered. First, why they lead men out of their way. And secondly, why they seeme to follow men and goe before them. The cause why they lead men out of the way, is, that men, while they take heed to such lights, and are also sore afraid, they forget their way, & then being once but a little out of their way, they wander they wot not whither, to waters, pits and other very dangerous places. Which, when at length they hap the way home, will tell a great tale, how they have beene led about by a spirit in the likenesse of Fire. Now the cause why they seeme to goe before men, or to follow them, some men have said to be the moving of the ayre, by the going of the man, which ayre moved, should drive them forward if they were before, and draw them after if they were behind. But this is no reason at all that the Fire, which is oftentimes three or foure miles distant from the man that walketh, should be moved to and fro by that ayre which is moved through his walking, but rather the moving of the ayre and the mans eyes, causeth the fire to seeme as though it moved, as the Moone to children seemeth, if they are before it, to run after them: if she be before them, to run before them, that they cannot overtake her, though she seeme to be very neere them. Wherefore these lights rather seeme to move, then that they be moved indeed.
Of Helena, Castor and Pollux
WHen the like substance in the lowest region of the ayr,Helena, Castor, Pollux. over the Sea, by the like occasion is set on fire, if be one only, it is called Helena; if their be two, they are called Castor, and Pollux. These impressions will oftentimes cleave to the mast, and other parts of Ships, by reason of the claminesse and fatnesse of matter. Helena was of the Heathen men taken as a Goddesse, the daughter of Jupiter and Leda. Castor and Pollux were her brethren. Helena was the occasion that Troy was destroyed; therefore the Mariners by experience trying, that one flame of fire appearing along, signified tempest at hand, supposed the same flame to be the goddesse Helena, of whom they look'd for nothing but destruction. But when two lights are seen together, they are a token of fair weather, and good luck: the Mariners therefore beleeved that they were Castor and Pollux, which sayling to seek their sister Helena being carried to Troy by Paris, were never seen after and thought to be translated into the number of the Gods that gave good successe to them that sayl, as we read in the last Chapter of the Acts of the Apostles, that the Ship wherein S. Paul sayled, had a badge of Castor and Pollux. A naturall cause why they may thus foreshew either tempest or calmnesse, is this; One flame alone may give warning of a tempest, because that as the matter thereof is compact, and not dissolved; so it is like, that the matter of the tempest (which never wanteth) as wind and clouds, is still together, and not dissipated, then is it like not long after to arise. By two flames together may be gathered, that as this Exhalation which is very thick, is divided: so the thick matter of tempests is dissolved and scattered abroad by the same cause that this is divided. Therefore not without a reason, the Mariner to his mates may promise a prosprous course.
Of flames that appeare upon the haires of men or beasts.
THere is another kind of fiery impression,Flames upon haires of men and beasts. which is flames of fire upon the haires of men and beasts, especially horses. These are sometime clammy Exhalations, scatered abroad in the air in small parts, which in the night, by resistance of the cold, are kindled, cleaving on horses eares, on mens heads and shoulders that ride or walke. In that they cleave upon hayres, it is by the same reason that the dew will be seen also upon haires or garments, whose wooll is high, as frize mantels and such like. Another sort of these flames are caused, when mens or beasts bodies being chafed, send forth a …at and clammy sweat, which is in like manner kindled as the sparks of fire that are seene when a black horse is curried.Livius. Servius Tullius. Livius reporteth of Servius Tullius, that as he lay asleep, being a child, his hair seemed to be all on a flame, which for all that did not burn his hair or hurt him. The like history he reciteth of one Marius a Knight of Rome, that as he made an Oration to his Soldiers in Spain, they saw his head burning on a light fire, and himself not ware of it. Thus much concerning these Flames.
Of Comets or Blazing Stars.
A Comet is an exhalation hot and dry,Comets or blazing Starres▪ of great quantity, fat and clammy, hard-compact like a great lump of pitch, which by the heat of the Sun is drawn out of the Earth into the highest region of the Air, and there by the excessive heat of the place is set on fire, appearing like a star with a blazing tayl; and somtime is moved after the motion of the Air which is circular, but it never goeth down out of the compass of sight, though it be not seen in the day-time for the brightness of the Sun, but still burneth until all the matter be consumed. An argument of the greatness is this, that there was never any Comet yet perceived but at the least it endured 7 days; but much longer they have been seen; namely forty days long, yea fourscore days; and some, six months together. Wherefore it must needs be a wonderfull deal of matter that can give so much nourishment for so great and fervent fire, aud for so long a time.
There are considered in a Comet specially the Colour and Fashion, which both arise of the disposition of the matter.
Their Colours be either white, ruddy, or blew. If the matter be thin, the colour is white; if it be meanly thick, then is the Comet ruddy, after the colour of our fire; but when the matter is very thick, it is blew, like the burning of brimstone. And as the matter is more or less after this disposition, so is the Comet of colour more or less like to these three principal colours: some yellowish, some duskish, some greenish, some watchet, &c.
In Fashion are noted three differences; for either they seem to be round, with beams round about, or with a beard hanging downward, or else with a tayl stretched out sidelong in length. The first fashion is when the matter is thickest in the midst, and thin round about the edges; the second is when the Exhalation is upward thick, and in length downward also meanly thick; the third form is like the second, saving that the tayl hangeth not down but lyeth aside and is commonly longer then the beard.
The time of their generation is oftnest in Autumn or Harvest: for in the Spring there is too much moisture,The temper of the four quarters. and too little heat to gather a Comet; in Summer is too much heat which will disperse and consume the matter that it cannot be joined together; as for Winter, it is clean contrary to the nature of a Comet which is hot and dry, Winter being cold and moyst: therefore no time so meet as Autumn.
Now for so much as many Learned men have gone about to declare the signification of Blazing stars,The signification of Comets. we will omitt nothing that hath any shadow of Reason, but declare what is written of them.
Such things as are set forth of the betokening of Comets are of two sorts: The first is of natural; The second of Civil or Politick Effects.
They are said to betoken Drought, Barrenness of the Earth and Pestilence.
Drought, because a Comet cannot be generated without great heat; and much moysture is consumed in the burning of it.
Barrenness, because the fatness of the Earth is drawn up whereof the Comet consisteth.
Pestilence, for so much as this kinde of Exhalation corrupteth the Air, which infecteth the bodies of men and beasts.
The Second sort might well be omitted,Aristot. saving that Aristotle himself disdaineth not to seek out Causes for some of them.
Generally it is noted of all Historiographers, that after the appearing of Comets most commonly follow great and notable Calamities. Beside this, they betoken (say some) Wars, Seditions, Changes of Commonwealths, and the Death of Princes and Noble men.
For what time Comets do shine, there be many hot and dry Exhalations in the Ayr, which in dry men kindle heat whereby they are provoked to Anger: of Anger commeth brawling: of brawling, fighting and war: of war, victory: of victory, change of Commonwealths: then also Princes living more delicately then other men, are more subject to infection; and therefore dye sooner then other men. If it were lawfull to reason of this sort, we might enduce them to betoken not only these few things, but all other things that chance in the world.
Yet these predictions have a shew of Reason: though it be nothing necessary; but it is a wonder to see how the Astrologians dote in such devices; they are not ashamed to an earthly substance to ascribe an heavenly influence, and in order of judgment to use them as very stars. Surely, by as good reason as to the Celestial stars they attribute Divine influences and effects. But this their folly hath been sufficiently detected by divers godly and learned men, and this place requireth no long discourse thereof. Wherefore this shall suffice, both for the natural Causes of Blazing stars, and also for all Flames in general. It followeth therefore that with like brevity we declare the Causes of Fiery Apparitions.
Of Apparitions.
AN Apparition is an Exhalation in the lowest or highest Region of the Air,Apparitions. not verily burning, but by refraction of light either of the Sun or of the Moon seeemeth as though it burned: which appearance of colour riseth not of the mixtion of the four qualities, as it doth in bodies perfectly mixed, as Herbs, Stones, &c. but only the falling of light upon shadow: the light is instead of white, and the shadow of darkness instead of black. These diversly mixed according to the divers dispositions of the Exhalation, which ministreth variety by thickness or thinness, cause divers Colours.
There be commonly recited three kindes of Fiery Apparitions; Colours, Wide-gapings, and Deep holes which appear in the Clouds.
Of Colours.
Colours are here meant when there is nothing else to be noted but the Colours of the clouds:Colours in the Aire. and they are caused (as it is said) by casting the light into the shadowy Cloud, according as it exceedeth more or less in thickness; whereof some be very bright-white, and that is when the Exhalation is very thin; some yellowish, when the Exhalation is thicker; some ruddy, when it is meanly thick; and very black, when it is very thick. The red and ruddy Colours are seen in the morning and evening, when the light of the Sun is not in his full force: for at other times of the day his light is too vehement, clear, strong and peircing. Thus much of Colours.
Of Wide-gaping.
Wide-gaping is caused when an Exhalation is thick in the midst, and thin on the edges,Wide gaping of clouds in the Aire. then the light being received into it, causeth it to appear as though the sky did rend, and fi…e break out of it.
Of round opening Hiatus.
These holes called Hiatus, Round opening in the Aire.differ from Wide-gapings in nothing but that they be less, and therefore seem as though they were deep pits or holes, and not rending or gaping; And these be those Apparitions that appear Fiery, and yet be not so indeed. Therefore let this be sufficient to have shewed the natural Causes of all Fiery Meteors.