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.<br /><br />Anne Bradstreet<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/the-four-elements/
