Fire is the most tolerable third party

Fire is the most tolerable third party

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

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

E'en from the tomb the voice of nature cries,
E'en in our ashes live their wonted fires.

E'en from the tomb the voice of nature cries,
E'en in our ashes live their wonted fires.

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.

Flame is very near to smoke.
[Lat., Flamma fumo est proxima.]

Flame is very near to smoke.
[Lat., Flamma fumo est proxima.]

Yet in oure asshen olde is fyr yreke.

Yet in oure asshen olde is fyr yreke.

A little fire is quickly trodden out;
Which, being suffer'd, rivers cannot quench.

A little fire is quickly trodden out;
Which, being suffer'd, rivers cannot quench.

Divert her eyes with pictures in the fire.

Divert her eyes with pictures in the fire.

O joy! that in our embers
Is something that doth live.

O joy! that in our embers
Is something that doth live.