Fire is the most tolerable third party

Fire is the most tolerable third party

The burnt child dreads the fire.

The burnt child dreads the fire.

Fire is the test of gold; adversity, of strong men.

Fire is the test of gold; adversity, of strong men.

They lepe lyke a flounder out of a fryenge panne into the fyre.

They lepe lyke a flounder out of a fryenge panne into the fyre.

A crooked log makes a strait fire
[A crooked log makes a straight fire.]

A crooked log makes a strait fire
[A crooked log makes a straight fire.]

In ashes of despaire, though burnt, shall make thee live.

In ashes of despaire, though burnt, shall make thee live.

Yet in oure asshen olde is fyr yreke.

Yet in oure asshen olde is fyr yreke.

There can be no great smoke arise, but there must be some fire.

There can be no great smoke arise, but there must be some fire.

Well may hee smell fire, whose gowne burnes.
[Well may he smell fire, whose gown burns.]

Well may hee smell fire, whose gowne burnes.
[Well may he smell fire, whose gown burns.]