The Fire, Air, Earth and water did contest br Which was the strongest, noblest and the best, br Who was of greatest use and might'est force; br In placide Terms they thought now to discourse, br That in due order each her turn should speak; br But enmity this amity did break br All would be chief, and all scorn'd to be under br Whence issu'd winds & rains, lightning & thunder br The quaking earth did groan, the Sky lookt black br The Fire, the forced Air, in sunder crack; br The sea did threat the heav'ns, the heavn's the earth, br All looked like a Chaos or new birth: br Fire broyled Earth, & scorched Earth it choaked br Both by their darings, water so provoked br That roaring in it came, and with its source br Soon made the Combatants abate their force br The rumbling hissing, puffing was so great br The worlds confusion, it did seem to threat br Till gentle Air, Contention so abated br That betwixt hot and cold, she arbitrated br The others difference, being less did cease br All storms now laid, and they in perfect peace br That Fire should first begin, the rest consent, br The noblest and most active Element.