Horrible and Dreadful Signs (1608 version)

*English translation* of Discours au vray des terribles & espouventables signes apparus sur la mer de Gennes

that appeared on the Sea of Genoa at the beginning of last August with the prodigies of the blood which fell from the sky, in rain near Nice and in several places in Provence,
Together the appearance of two men in the air who fought several times, on the island of Martigue which is a city on the sea five leagues from Marseille.

Paris
Pierre Ménier, portier
of Porte Saint-Victor, 1608.

1. ↑ (old French) doorkeeper
2. ↑ This copy of the Discourse, prepared by Pierre Ménier, is closer the time of the event. Other copies were also publicized in Troyes by Odard Aulmont, and in Genoa.

 Terrible discourse on the signs which appeared on the Sea of Gennes at the beginning of the month of August last in the year 1608.
The prodigies which appear to us are doubtless celestial couriers and postillions, warning us of the misfortunes which are about to befall us, and seeming to urge us to run to the remedies of prayers and fasts in order to appease the wrath of the great God, whom we offend every day.
The Romans as soon as they saw prodigies made sacrifices to the Gods to appease their anger by sacrifices and idolatry.
And we who are Christians nourished in a better school, we must present our contrite and repentant hearts in a holy way, and humbly pray to the Almighty to forgive us our faults, and to want to appease his righteous anger so that the misfortunes that justice has in store for us may be averted. and driven from us by his holy mercy.
*IN PROVENCE AND MARTIGUES*
At the beginning of the month of August in the year 1608, on the sea of Genoa, were seen the most horrible signs which have been spoken or written of in living memory. Some had human appearance with arms seeming covered with scales and holding in each of their hands two horrible flying snakes, which twisted their arms, and only appearing from the navel, above out of the sea and uttering cries so horrible that it was the most terrible thing, and sometimes dipping into the sea, then emerging in other places far away, screaming such horrific cries - boastful that many were sick from the fear they had. They saw some that looked like women; others had human-like bodies, covered with scales, but whose heads were like those of a dragon.
Since the 1st day of the said month they have usually been seen to the great fear of all Genevans. The seigniory fired a few cannon shots to try to get them out of this place, and some 800 cannon shots were fired at them, but in vain, for they were not at all frightened. The churches assembled and, going to the true remedy, made many processions and commanded the Fast. The good Capuchin Fathers ordered the 40 hours to try to appease the wrath of God, with their salutary remedy.
On August 15 appeared on the said sea of the port of Gennes, three carriages each dragging by six figures all on fire, resembling dragons. The said carriages marched, one opposite the other, and were dragged by the said signs which still had their serpents, continuing their terrible cries and approaching quite close to Genoa, so that the spectators, at least the greater part, fled in fright, fearing the effects of such a prodigy but, having turned three times along the harbor after having uttered cries so powerful that they made the surrounding mountains resound, they were all lost in the said sea, and since then no news has been seen or heard of.
This brings great damage to many of the citizens of Genoa, some of them having died of fear, such as the son of Lord Gasparino de Loro, or the brother of Lord Antonio Bagatelo. Several women were also affected by it and had such fright that they died. Since the Te Deum has been sung, they have vanished.
From the coast of Nice and the whole side of Provence both on the side of the sea and the land: we saw natural blood raining down and running and trying to redden the leaves and the fruits of the trees. In Toulon, most of the houses were stained with said blood on the roof, the pavement and the Parish Church of the said place at the exit of the Mass was seen pissing the cornet of true pure and natural blood.
On August 18 in Reillanne in the presence of all the people, we saw such a rain of blood that no one left his house for fear of being stained with the said blood which dripped from the roofs, or which fell directly from the rain. At Lambesc, on August 20, it rained blood in such quantity that it flowed so much along the streets that it was believed that they had cut the throats of an infinity of people in their town. In short, all along the coast from Nice to Marseilles, it rained blood on various days. A prodigy certainly which is not without presaging great effects.
Other things equally worthy of memory happened almost at the same time in the town of the Ile de Martigues. On August 22, two men appeared in the air, each having weapons and shields in their hands and fighting in such a way that they frightened the spectators and after having fought for a long time rested for a moment, then returned to fight and their fight lasted two hours.
On August 20 they fought on foot and bickered to a point that sounded like blacksmiths beating on an anvil. The next day they were on horseback, twirling their horses like soldiers, then bickering so much that one or the other seemed to fall. The next day, some said that each of them had taken a boulevert, or fortress, and after having made a good enough figure facing each other there was a sound like cannon shots, if appalling that the witnesses believed it was the end of the world, then having continued the said days the space of 7 o'clock, all in an instant a thick cloud appeared in the sky and covered so darkly that nothing of 2 o'clock appeared only black clouds and mists, darkened smelling like saltpetre and after the air was purified nothing more of all these extravagant chimeras could be seen.
These marvelous wonders have touched the souls of many Christians who have considered the marvels of the great God and know that he alone is powerful and that by his infinite goodness he wants to warn us before sending us the punishment that is due to us, some have become religious, the others do penance, to appease the wrath of God. The Holy Spirit assists them in this good will.
So be it.