A sad relation of a great fire or two ... to the tune of Fortune my foe, or, Aim not too high / by Abraham Miles.

A Sad and True Relation of a great fire or two .

The most terrible and dangerous fire began in the house of Mr. George Delaun , an Hamborough Merchant in Lothberry , neer the Royal Exchange in Cornhil , Where Master Delaun and his Wife being big with Child , Daughter to Sir Thomas Allen of Finchly ▪ Mr. Gilbert , a Merchant , two Maid servants , and a Nurse and her Husband , were all burned to ashes in the merciless flames of fire .

To the Tune of , Fortune my Foe , or Aim not too High .

a half-clothed man and woman, arms raised; at their feet lies a dead woman, and to their right a variety of animals and a woman are being burned in a large fire

GIve thanks , rejoyce all , you that are secure , No man doth know how long life may indure Regard dear hearts , at the truth the authour aims , Concerning those that suffer in fiery flames . On Friday night in the month of last December , Might peirce a stony heart for to remember , The sad mis●ap concerning George Delaun , And of his friends that he did entertain . This George Delaun of whom I do relate , A Hamborough Merchant a man of great estate , He and his Wife for recreation sake , Till eleven at night their pleasures they did take ▪ Then did they all prepare for rest , Master and Mistris and all the welcome guest , And then being in bed so well and w●rm , Sleep closed their eyes & they thought no one harm But well a day it fils my heart with wo , For Timber and Fagots lay in the Seller be late , Some sparks of fire did light into the same , Ther Wood and Oyl 's soon of a burning flame . Then did these fiery flames presently , Brake into the low rooms most vehemently Then to the steling this vehement flame Made passage wide and broad still as it came . Most vehemently it burned then upright , And fired all along where it did light , Less then three hours taking the building round ▪ These buildings brave they all fell to the ground . The people too , likewise they perished , Were burnd to death as they did lye in Bed , Their Spirits to him that gave them is returnd , And their Bodies are to Dust and ashes burnd . A Gentle Woman that was there that Day , Desired all night she was to stay , But she refused , well it went on her side , Or else in fiery flames she had sure died . How the fire was first espyed . It was a womans chance the truth to tell , Did sit up late with a Child that was not well , Hearing a cracking , to seek she did begin , For fear some Villains had been breaking in ▪

The second part to the same Tune .

a woman standing near a fireplace

THen she lookt out at window presently , And then a mighty light she did espy , In discontent it made her to admire , As if an hundred Candles were on fire . In the Merchants lower Rooms she espied , The Violent flames and then aloud she cryed Fire , Fire , and being in dread and fear , And then the Coffee man he did her hear . And then the Coffee man immediately , Looking out at window heard a doleful cry , Lord have mercy on us , we are all undun , We know not how these miseries to s●un . These were the words as some do well remember , About two in the Morn , the 27. of December , But before four the fire did decay , And burnd these stately buildings clean away . O this fire it was so fearful hot , Like a Furnace or Refining Pot , But God he raised instruments in the way , To make this vehement fire then obey . They did so lustily water bring in , Into the fire then they did it fling , And with long hooks the fierceness to allay , Or thousands more it would have brought to decay . Mr. Terils House and others neer danger lay , Even by these fiery flames to melt away , With wet to quench they many ways contrive , To save their goods , their houses and their lives . That in Shore-ditch likewise we may deplore , Three houses burnt with their substance and store , Two or three people that fire did destroy , Some of their limbs in the Rubbish after lay . But now let us Remember Lothbury , And of the sad mischance and misery , Where George Delaun , was burned to the ground . And four lumps of flesh was after found . About the bigness of a mans hand were they , As black as a Coal , and a skul or two their lay ; O little did they think over night being merry ▪ That before morn in fiery flames to fry . All you that are Masters of a family , Govern well your house and fear the God on high , For when to sleep that we do close our eyes , The Lord doth know whither ever we shall rise . By Abraham Miles .