This is the worchinge of the conclusioun to knowe yf that
eny planete be direct or retrograd.
Tak the altitude of eny sterre that is clepid a
planete, and note it wel; and tak eke anon the altitude of any
sterre fix that thou knowist, and note it wel also. Com than
ageyn the thridde or the fourthe nyght next folewing, for than
shalt thou perceyve wel the moeving of a planete, wheither so he
moeve forward or bakward. Awayte wel than whan that thy sterre
fixe is in the same altitude that she was whan thou toke hir
firste altitude. And tak than eft-sones the altitude of the
forseide planete and note it wel; for truste wel yf so be that
the planete be on the right syde of the meridional lyne, so that
his secunde altitude be lasse than hys first altitude was, than
is the planete direct; and yf he be on the west syde in that
condicioun, than is he retrograd. And yf so be that this planete
be upon the est side whan his altitude is ytaken, so that his
secunde altitude be more than his first altitude, than is he
retrograd. And if he be on the west syde, than is he direct. But
the contrarie of these parties is of the cours of the mone; for
certis the mone moeveth the contrarie from othre planetes as in
hir epicicle, but in noon othir manere.
