XXIII.
French.
Si _France_ passe outre Mer _Liquistique_, Tu te verras en Isles & Mers enclos, Mahomet contraire plus Mer lā_Adriatique_, Chevaux & Asnes tu rongeras les os.
English.
If _France_ goeth beyond the _Ligustick_ Sea, Thou shall see thy self inclosed with Islands and Seas, _Mahomet_, against thee besides the _Adriatick_ Sea, Of Horses and Asses thou shalt gnaw the bones.
ANNOT.
This is concerning the miseries which the _French_ were to suffer in the Island of _Corsica_, till the peace was concluded in the year 1559. The Author directeth his speech to the _French_ Fleet that went to _Corsica_ in the year 1555.
He saith in the first Verse, _If France goeth beyond the Ligustik Sea_; that is, if thou goest to _Corsica_, which is beyond the _Ligustik_ Sea towards _Africa_. _Thou shalt see thy self enclosed with Islands and Seas_; that is, thou shalt be constrained to keep within those two Towns which thou hast there, without going out either by Land or Sea; not by Sea for want of Ships, nor by Land the Garrisons being weak, because the King had then so much business that he could not suffice all.
Moreover the Author addeth that _Mahomet shall be contrary_; not that he was an Enemy to _France_, but because he was then Master of the _Adriatick_ Sea; so that the _Venetians_, which were then friends to the _French_, could not succour them.
And thus the news of the peace being brought, the _French_ did eat their Horses and Asses, and there was never a peace so well come as to the _French_ that were in _Corsica_.