Vaticinia seu praedictiones illustrium virorum... Vaticini overo predittioni d' huomini illustri

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...the Church, which is called a dove by Solomon. This new pastor was raised to the Pontifical office by these men. He previously remained for a long time in the scent of the Lilies, meaning near Alessandro Farnese whose family emblem was the lily. With the wisdom of a serpent—I speak of Gregory XIII—who used his labor continuously and increased him with many honors, even the dignity of the Cardinalate, he will gladden the Church and scatter the wicked.

In the fifth place, he speaks of Pius V. The magnitude of his goodness will never be erased by oblivion, circumscribed only by the boundaries of the sun's movement. He arose from Bosco meaning 'the Woods', a village in the Alexandrian region of Insubria Lombardy, although his ancestors previously lived in Bologna with much splendor and nobility. He brought no small help to the Christian republic, as he applied every thought and care to the observation of the Council of Trent, to attacking the King of the Turks, and to pursuing heretics who sprouted among the French and some Italians. By these things, it is aptly said that the Church would be exalted by his administration, virtues, and labors.

The Boii, Senones, and Insubres are numbered among the principal barbarians who once invaded and afflicted Italy, migrating from elsewhere. They came from beyond the mountains, leaving France and expelling the Etruscans to settle in those places now called Lombardy. From the Insubres, therefore, that is from Milan and its district, arose Pius IV. Through the holy Council of Trent, he settled heresies. So that the truth of the faith might shine more clearly, he applied every effort against the Innovators Protestant reformers, whose curses he restrained; thus they can say nothing against us except by vomiting blasphemies. He surrounded the Pontifical seat with the strength of towers; namely, the canons of the Council, the dogmas of faith, the purging of errors that had crept into the Christian people, and other sanctions for observing moral discipline. Or someone might interpret these towers as the eminent men whom he chose for the order of the most noble Fathers the Cardinals, who were great in number and outstanding in integrity of life, prudence in conducting affairs, and filled with every kind of virtue.

Urban VII shone like a bright sun under the mitre, or Pontifical crown, while his admirable integrity and innocence of life served as an example to all. Most especially, when he was raised to the highest peak and declared Supreme Pontiff, he exhibited himself as conspicuous. He radiated with all brilliance, beauty of character, and a will inclined toward the good. It seemed to everyone that they saw a new sun shining in the city and the world, even if he breathed his last breath shortly thereafter. Mild and peaceful of heart, acting like a father, he wished to be called Urban to signal how he would govern the Christian republic. This name is said to be derived from Urbanity courtesy or refinement. He said this was often in his mind so that he would remember the purpose he had firmly determined.

It has been said more than once that a Dragon is carried on the insignia of the Boncompagni lineage, from which we saw Gregory XIII arise. During his Pontificate, many things most famously accomplished by him are numbered, which maintain a symmetry with the long duration in which he sat on the Apostolic throne. But since these things will be spoken of in his life, which will be published without delay, I will deliberately leave them unspoken. Furthermore, I pass over the fact that in the Second Part, which we shall take care to add to this book and the predictions of Abbot Joachim, not a few things are commemorated together with the rest that the same Abbot announced to the French, Flemish, Germans, Sarmatians, and Italians. Therefore, wait with a calm mind, readers, until those labors are promulgated, with which you will satisfy your curiosity.

The poets tell the story that Parthenope, one of the Sirens of the Mediterranean Sea, threw herself into it, and gave her name to the city built there (which is now Naples).