 | The Tragedy of The Dutchesse of Malfy |  |
In the iust VVorth, of that well Deseruer, Mr. Iohn Webster, and Vpon this Maister-peece of Tragœdy.
In
this Thou imitat'st one Rich, and Wise,
That sees His Good Deedes done before he dies;
As He by Workes, Thou by this Worke by Fame,
Ha'st well prouided for thy Liuing Name;
To trust to others Honorings, is Worth's Crime,
Thy Monument is rais'd in thy Life Time;
And 'tis most iust; for euery Worthy Man
Is his owne Marble; and his Merit can
Cut Him to any Figure, and expresse
More Art, then Deaths Cathedrall Pallaces,
Where Royall Ashes keepe their Court: thy Note
Be euer Plainnes, 'tis the Richest Coate:
Thy Epitaph onely the Title bee,
Write, Dutchesse, that will fetch a teare for thee,
For who e're saw this Dutchesse liue, and dye,
That could get off vnder a Bleeding Eye.
That sees His Good Deedes done before he dies;
As He by Workes, Thou by this Worke by Fame,
Ha'st well prouided for thy Liuing Name;
To trust to others Honorings, is Worth's Crime,
Thy Monument is rais'd in thy Life Time;
And 'tis most iust; for euery Worthy Man
Is his owne Marble; and his Merit can
Cut Him to any Figure, and expresse
More Art, then Deaths Cathedrall Pallaces,
Where Royall Ashes keepe their Court: thy Note
Be euer Plainnes, 'tis the Richest Coate:
Thy Epitaph onely the Title bee,
Write, Dutchesse, that will fetch a teare for thee,
For who e're saw this Dutchesse liue, and dye,
That could get off vnder a Bleeding Eye.
In Tragædiam.
Vt Lux ex Tenebris ictu percussa Tonantis;
Illa, (Ruina Malis) claris fit Vita Poetis.
Illa, (Ruina Malis) claris fit Vita Poetis.
Thomas Middletonus, Poëta & Chron: Londinensis.
| The Tragedy of The Dutchesse of Malfy | |