Sad News from Salisbury, And other Parts of the West of ENGLAND.  
Being an Account of a most sad and Dreadful Frost and Snow, which happened on the 23d. of December, 1684. in and about most Parts of the West of England, which Froze to Death many poor passengers who Traveled the Road, besides many Beasts, Incredible to believe, but that some who were in the same Storm are alive to justify the truth thereof, the like scarce ever being known in this Kingdom.  
To the Tune of, Aim not too High.  
 

GOod Christians all that live both far & near,  
A sad and dreadful story you shall hear,  
Which I do hope will warning be to all,  
Lest greater judgements on this land befall.   

'pon the three and twentieth of December  
A day which some have reason to remember,  
A dreadful storm did happen in the West,  
Whose sad effects shall chief be expressed.   

As Passengers along the Road did go  
The North-east wind most bitterly did blow,  
And flakes of Snow did from the Heaven's fall,  
As if it meant destruction unto all,   

The Carrier's that the road full well did know,  
Did lose their way, by reason of the Snow,  
Many were forced to refine their breath,  
And in this tempest frozen were to death.   

Collins the Taunton Carrier, people say,  
Upon the Douns did strangely lose his way,  
Two of his Passengers were starved with cold,  
A fearful Spectacle for to behold.   
 
 

And Mathews that belonged to Shaftsbury,  
Did bare a part in this extremity,  
Two Horses died, and by the Snow and Frost,  
Some say the use of both his hands are lost.   

Two Passengers that were both Man and wife  
In this extremity did part with life,  
It would have grieved a stony heart to see't,  
How these poor souls lay starved feet to feet.   

And this for truth report us plainly tells,  
The Carrier that belonged to Bath and Wells,  
His own dear Son was frozen unto death;  
And on the Douns did lose his day rest breath.   

The father grieved to see his son so lost,  
By reason of this sharp and cuel Frost,  
It was a great affliction to his mind,  
Yet forced was to leave his corpse behind.   

My Lady Fines that at New-Tony dwelled,  
One of her Servants this cold season felt,  
He froze to death was driving of his Cart,  
Which pierced his tender Lrdy to the heart.   

A Shopkeeper that did to Market go,  
To Salisbury, was like wise lost also,  
With many more which here I shall omit,  
Yet this sad time I never shall forget,   

And thirty more in Somerstshire were lest  
In this unusual Snow and cruel Frost,  
Who little thought when they went out of door,  
Their wives & children they should see no more,   

Near Tiverton in Devonshire they say,  
As many to the Markets took their way,  
Were in this Tempest lost, and ne'er were found,  
Till at the last found starved on the ground.   

This judgement came from gods almighty hand  
For sins committed in our native land,  
Lord grant that it to us a warning be  
And teach us how to shun iniquity.   

Our sins for vengeance do to Heaven cry,  
Yet we like sinners live in vanity,  
O grant that we our sinful lives may mend,  
That we may live with thee when life doth end.   

From storms & tempests Lord preserve u● still,  
Teach us thy holy laws for to fulfil,  
So shall we gainers be by losing breath,  
And ride triumphant o'er the second death.    

For the better satisfaction of the Incredulous, I here insert the Names of several who have sufficiently tasted of the bitterness of this outrageous Storm and Frost, and are yet alive to testify the Verity thereof.  
Mr. Mathews the Carrier of Shaftsbury, who had several of his Cattle died, and he himself lost the use of both his hands: Mr. Morris and Mr. Clark, Carriers to Exeter and Shaftsbury, were much endangered of their lives: the Carrier to Bath and Wells, had one passenger froze to death besides his own Son, a man and his Wife going with the Taunton Carrier, were both froze to death, and found dead foot to foot, with about 30 more near Evil in Somersetshire; and 6 or 7 near Chard, and many more, besides some store of Horses and Oxen, too many to be here inserted.  
FINIS.   

Printed for P. Brooksby, at the Golden Ball in Pyecorner.