Hillarius. Because that if that Nilus do not increase but twelve cubits, then they have the famine in Egypt: because that if all their grounds are not watered and moysted through the overflowing of the same, those which are not covered are as the sand, and will bring forth no fruit. For it raineth not in Summer, and all their ⟨image 98⟩felicity and riches, dependeth upon Nilus. As Moses declared 1unto the Israelites, comparing Egypt unto the land of Canaan. If the flood Nilus arise up xiif. cubits, yet there shall be tamishment in Egypt. If it increase xiiif. cubits, it bringeth joy: if xv. it bringeth assuredness: if it increase xvf. cubits, it bringeth delights and pleasures. For they have such store and abundance of corn and other goods, that all is plentiful. On the contrary, if it 2increase above measure, they cannot sow, because that the water tarrieth so long that the earth will not be dry to be tilled: But when it increaseth by measure, they make great cheer, taking care for nothing, and therefore they have those Nilometres which measure the height and depth of those waters, and if they know that it ariseth not high enough, for to water all the earth, they make it to be known through out all the Townes and Cities, afterwards every one maketh dykes and 3trenches for to make it the easier to run all abroad. If they know to the contrary, that it will swell and rise up to high, and that through his great abundance of his waters it will let and hinder to sow and till the earth, they make great ramparts and walls round about it for to keep it in, and to cause it to run more slowly. Now therefore doubt not, but that our Egyptians are as wise in their generations, and that they know as well that practise, for to provide and foresee to their Niles and floods, which cause the water to come to their Mills, from which all their fertilities and riches do proceed, and with which they fish and catch the gold, of which yet nevertheless they can never be satisfied. For 4they are as a golf of the sea, in which these rivers do empty themselves, & yet they can never fill the sea. These 5are the dikes of their castles & Lordships wherein doth consist all their fortress, of which none can approach nigh unto them, without being fore afraid & in great danger of killing & drowning.
Hillarius. Bicause that if that Nilus do not encrease but twelue cubytes, then they haue the famine in Aegypt: bycause that if all their groundes are not watred and moysted through the ouerflowinge of the same, those whiche are not couered are as the sande, and wyll brynge foorth no fruite. For it rayneth not in Summer, and all their ⟨image 98⟩felicitie and riches, dependeth vpon Nilus. As Moses declared 1vnto the Israelites, comparinge Aegypt vnto the lande of Canaan. If the floud Nilus arise vppe xiif. cubites, yet there shall be tamishment in Aegypt. If it encrease xiiif. cubites, it bringeth ioye: if xv. it bringeth assurednesse: if it encrease xvf. cubites, it bringeth delightes and pleasures. For they haue such store and aboundaunce of corue and other goodes, that all is plentifull. On the contrarye, if it 2encrease aboue measure, they cannot sowe, bicause that the water tarryeth so longe that the earth wyll not bée drye to bée tylled: But when it encreaseth by measure, they make greate chéere, takynge care for nothinge, and therefore they haue those Nilometres whiche measure the hyght and depth of those waters, and if they knowe that it aryseth not hygh ynoughe, for to water all the earthe, they make it to be knowen through out all the Townes and Cyties, afterwardes euery one maketh dykes and 3trenches for to make it the easier to runne all abrode. If they knowe to the contrary, that it wyll swell and ryse vp to hye, and that throughe hys greate aboundaunce of hys waters it wyll let and hynder to sowe and tyll the earth, they make greate rampers and walles rounde aboute it for to kéepe it in, and to cause it to runne more slowelye. Nowe therefore doubte not, but that our Aegyptians are as wyse in their generations, and that they knowe as well that practise, for to prouide and foresee to theire Niles and flouddes, whiche cause the water to come to theire Milles, from which all their fertilities and ryches do procéede, and wyth which they fishe and catche the goulde, of which yet neuerthelesse they can neuer be satisfied. For 4they are as a goulfe of the sea, in which these ryuers dooe emptie themselues, & yet they can neuer fill the sea. These 5are the dikes of their castles & Lordships wherin doth consist all their fortresse, of which none can approch nigh vnto thē, wythout béeing fore afraide & in great daunger of killing & drowning.
- 1Deutat. bae
- 2Palaemon ex Diony. Non alius tantum fluutorum ditat arenas. Atque trahens limum complec titur ubere can pos.Palaemon ex Diony. Non alius tantum fluutorum ditat arenas. Atque trahens limum complec titur vbere cā pos.
- 3The flood Nilus of the Pope.The floud Nilus of the Pope.
- 4Charybdis.Charibdis.
- 5The dykes of the fortresses of the Papists.The dykes of ye fortresses of the Papists.
