Man is to man the sorest, surest ill.
A previous blast foretells the rising storm;
O’erwhelming turrets threaten ere they fall; 219
Volcanos bellow ere they disembogue;
Earth trembles ere her yawning jaws devour;
And smoke betrays the wide-consuming fire:
Ruin from man is most conceal’d when near,
And sends the dreadful tidings in the blow.
Is this the flight of fancy? Would it were!
Heaven’s Sovereign saves all beings, but himself,