Chap. 34. Of the Great Similitude in every particular between the Two dismal Confla∣grations of Old Rome and New Troy.

A Conflagration followd, whe∣ther* by chance or by the Treachery of the Prince is un∣certain; for Authors have delivered both. It was begun in that part of the City where those sorts of Wares and Merchandizes lay that were most apt to feed the flames. The Peo∣ple all in Consternation and Ambiguous what to avoid, what course to take, some fill'd up the Streets, others lay scatter'd in the Fields adjoyning, wringing their hands and bewailing Page  94 their irrecoverable losses; Others that labour'd to quench the Raging Flames, toyl'd and moyl'd in vain, while the Panim Emissaries publickly nourished the Conflagration with fresh fuel, and being apprehended, boasted the Protection of him that set them at work. So that afterwards tho the Prince seem'd to take a great deal of care of the Distressed Multitude, yet it signify'd nothing, in regard there was a Rumour spread, that while the City was all on flame, he enter'd into his Domestick Theatre, and sang the burning of Troy.