THE Dreadful Uoice OF FIRE, Begun at Edinburgh, the 3d of February 1700.  
— Quis, talia fando,  
Temperate a Lachrymis?—  

THE Elements. Earth, Water, Air, and Fire,  
Make happy M 〈…〉 sometime they conspire  
A part, or in Society 〈…〉  
The varnished honour 〈◊〉 Man, frail and vain.  
Jamaica lately was a dreadful Scheme,  
And sad Example, of this threatening Theme;  
Earth opened its mouth, ' 'gainst people bad,  
(Because to Heaven, no mouths these people had)  
And, weary of its Bu●●●● did enclose  
Them in its hollow womb; There to disclose  
The real darkness, which their Sins did love,  
And En'mity against the Powers above;  
For which just Heaven sent them a packing thence.  
Like Corah, Dathan, for their sad Offence  
The World was drowned last by Watt●●● large  
Deludge; Which did its Vials soon discharge,  
Upon the Earth, scorched by the heat of Lust,  
Which them condemned, not to be burnt to dust,  
But from a Sea of Lust, straight to be sent  
By Water, to the Pit of Punishment.  
This night, the El'ments did, in strife, contand  
For Umpirage, and which should most commend  
Their active Vigour, to the double Senses,  
Of Knowing Men; when Fire (alas) Commences  
A Tragic Act; which, in short to rehearse  
Shall be the Scope, of this ensueing Verse.  
In Rob'sons' Land, 'bout Ten a Cloak at Night,  
Happened a Fire, soon showing clear and bright;  
And, in a Trice, from North-East, did o'erspread,  
The Fabric whole, well covered with Lead;  
And as if pinched in narrow bounds it went,  
Straight for St Geils; but soon it did Repent,  
And stayed at the Statue, thence did flee  
North watd to th' Croce, to serve its Luxury.  
How did it Triumph o'er the sturdy Oak?  
And did obscure fair Cynthia, by its smoke?  
Dislodging soon the Loving Man and Wife,  
The Family and Children, without strife;  
From Babel's Tower them sending to the deep  
Of saodest Plight, yea some amidst their sleep.  
Vulcan was now inexorable grown;  
Not Piety nor Riches, would he oune;  
Best Gifts of Heaven and earth he did disdain,  
Threatening with blood, his Fury to maintain;  
And, deaf as Adria, did neglect the Cries,  
Of rich and poor, all in deep Miseries;  
Yea did invade the day of Holy Rest,  
And so the Foun, with hideous flames, molest,  
He raged so, so domineered he,  
As, but himself, no other God could be,  
At last, by Holy Prayers, he was appeased.  
And then his force and cruel fury ceased.  
Hence learn ye Mortals, what great madness be,  
To build up houses, thrice five stories high,  
Or to put Trust, in any earthly Thing,  
Save in Great GOD, of Heaven and Earth the King;  
But trust in him alone, who can defend  
You, from sad accidents, and dreadful End;  
And now repent, and to the Lord now turn,  
Lost he should you, in Flames eternal, burn.   
FINIS.