So I was called for, and did tell the King and Duke of York what
I saw, and that unless his Majesty did command houses to be
pulled down, nothing could stop the fire, They seemed much
troubled, and the King commanded me to go to my Lord Mayor [Sir
Thomas Bludworth.] from him, and command him to spare no houses,
but to pull down before the fire every way. The Duke of York bid
me tell him, that if he would have any more soldiers, he shall:
and so did my Lord Arlington afterwards, as a great secret. Here
meeting with Captain Cocke, I in his coach, which he lent me, and
Creed with me to Paul's, and there walked along Watling-street,
as well as I could, every creature coming away loaded with goods
to save, and here and there sick people carried away in beds.
Extraordinary good goods carried in carts-and on backs. At last
met my Lord Mayor in Canning-street, like a man spent, with a
handkercher about his neck. To the King's message, he cried,
like a fainting woman, "Lord! what can I do? I am spent:
people will not obey me. I have been pulling down houses; but
the fire overtakes us faster than we can do it.
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