[Page] [Page] Poor Robin's PROPHECY.
BEING A true Astronomical Prediction of the Beginning, Continuance, and Catastrophe of the ensuing Year 1679. And what will be the Principal Actions therein.
With Allowance.
LONDON, Printed for W. A. 1679.
Poor Robin's Prophesie.
IT is not long since we had published a certain Pamphlet, intituled the English Oracle, something claiming affinity with this: The Title of which was not confirmed by the Purport. For instead thereof we had a long Circumlocution, condemning the Noble Science of Astronomy, and all it's Speculations; although I esteem him no competent Judge of any matter whereof he hath not some knowledge; and consequently a too bold sentencer of it. That there may be Predictions learnt from that Siderial School is undeniable; being consonant to the judgment of all Antiquity. The reading of Jerusalem's Ruin among the Stars, preceded the accomplishment many years. Nay Postel, a Christian Writer, doth take God and Christ to witness, That in the Hebrew Characters among the Stars (Vidit omnia quae in Rerum naturae constituta sunt,) He saw all things that were constituted by Nature. [Page 2] Nor was Postell Lunatick when he broke forth into that Protestation. But I stay no longer on this Circumstance, lest I should seem guilty of that which I condemn.
If we may credit Albumazar and Ptolemy about the motions of Celestial Bodies, whose influence doth excitate and procure continual change in this lower Region, we shall find this Year, That the Moon's Eclipse will be the cause of many mutations: Her Eclipse I find by my skill will be in one of the Twelve Months of the Year.
Winter.
But let us take the beginning and end of the Year in their due course; And first of all for Winter, according to my account is the first Astronomical Quarter of the Year; and shall have a sooner beginning and longer duration with poor Men than with Rich. This season shall be subject to so great Frosts, that unless lookt to, Charity will not only catch cold, but be congeal'd to a stone; and so instead of its designed kindness, prove the contrary by Oppression. Also I portend that Rich Usurers Purses this Quarter will be so frozen up, that nothing will be found efficacious enough to thaw them but the warm breath of Usury, or some hopeful Mortgage.
Of the Spring.
I predict concerning that season, by the superiour Planets, that there will be such a Spring-tide of Usurers, [Page 3] Brokers, Projectors, Trencher-Flies, cast up this season, when all things are Crescent, that though they nip not (like Pharaoh's Frogs) every flower of the Field, yet will they hurt the most part of all the wholesom Herbs they come to, unless some strong Easterly Wind drive them up the Hill, to that leaveless Tree that bears no fruit of it self, but rids Vermine from others.
Of the Summer Quarter.
Summer, according to the Computation of Astronomy, takes its beginning the twelfth of June. In this Quarter Beggars scorn Barns, and lie in Ditches. And there shall be such a fervent fiery heat abounding, that many unprotected shall not dare to go over the Threshold of the Door, lest some Bayliff (a more hurtful and dangerous object than a Hare) chance to cross their way with ill luck a quarter of a Year after. I portend likewise, That through the extremity of the season, the fat Consciences of divers Men will be melted away into nothing.
Autumn.
This last Quarter of the Year beginneth by my Account when Ceres joyfully expects a fruitful Harvest; after long wishings and longer Toylings. About the latter end of this Quarter, the Chimny-Corner is frequented, yea and many will be so inflam'd with sitting in the Alehouse, that [Page 4] their Mamsy-Noses will be able to light a Candle, and serve in the Night instead of a Lanthorn.
Now for some General Predictions on the whole Year.
This Year 1679. The Golden Number shall have no place in poor Men's Purses. And this Year many shall go sober into Taverns, where, by a certain Metamorphosis, they come out Mad. This Year shall be dub'd many Ale-quaffers into fellowship with that ancient and much desir'd Order of Red-Roses. Likewise, This Year shall be born many strange Children, that when they come to Age, will be so ignorant that they shall not know their own Fathers. And whereas the Eclipse of the Moon this Year is short; it signifies to us that Womens love shall be very short and Momentary; insomuch that hereupon divers great storms shall happen, and many loud Winds, together also with incredible Hailstones, (no lesser than Joint-stools) shall fall upon Mens heads.
I portend also, that sundry other Occurrences shall happen; Many strange and woful Diseases shall Raign: as hollowness of the Heart, infirmities of the Tongue; so that, that Member shall play the Harlot, and lie with all Men.
Moreover also, I foretel to those Patient Things, whose Wives are as light as their Weights, that they shall be troubled with great swellings in the Brows, and unless that Distemper be met and prevented, it will certainly break out into that painful Disease of the Horn-Cholick. Likewise by reason [Page 5] of the abounding of Cherries, Plums, and other stony-fruit this Year; by eating thereof many Men shall be troubled with a Distemper of such a Nature as none can cure but Cunning Women.
I Predict further; many Citizens, Sailors, Advocators and others, shall have great luck in Hunting: for though the Game be too quick of foot which they follow, yet going homewards, they shall have the fortune to meet with some desireable Purchase.
Likewise, This Year I infallibly Prognosticate that Silver shall be dearer than Tin, and Gold more precious than Lead; and, as it is thought by some, so much scarcity of either, that a whole Teem of Knights of the Post shall not be able to draw 100l. through Cheapside, without the help of a substantial Fore-horse.
And lastly, I Prognosticate, That Hens, Capons, Geese, and such Dainties, shall little haunt poor Mens Tables this Year; but fly quite away to fat Churls Houses. And for those Misers, although few things concern them in this Prophesie, yet let me give them this Caveat, That having Clothes enough, they keep themselves warm; and having Coals enough, they provide good Fires; and having a liberal Purse, they go to Bed always with a Cup of Malaga; and having a good Wife, they make much of her: and then for ought I can perceive by my skill, they are like to live as long as they can, though not so long as they would; and not die one hour before their time.