SOURCE: "The 'Impure Art' of John Webster," in The Review of English Studies, Vol. IX, No. 35, August, 1958, pp. 253-67.

Thomas Middleton's prefatory poem to Webster's The Duchess of Malfi

In this thou imitat'st one rich, and wise, That sees his good deeds done before he dies; As he by works, thou by this work of fame, Hast well provided for thy living name; To trust to others' honourings, is worth's crime—Thy monument is rais'd in thy life-time; And 'tis most just; for every worthy man Is his own marble; and his merit can Cut him to any figure, and express More art, than Death's cathedral palaces, Where royal ashes keep their court. Thy note Be ever plainness, 'tis the richest coat:

Thy epitaph only the title be—Write, Duchess, that will fetch a tear for thee, For who e'er saw this Duchess live, and die, That could...