Page:The Tragedy of the Duchesse of Malfy (1623).pdf/5



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 of Fame, Ha'st well provided for thy Living Name; To trust to others Honorings, is Worth's Crime, Thy Monument is rais'd in thy Life Time; And 'tis most just; for every 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 ever 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 live, and dye, That could get off under a Bleeding Eye?

Ut Lux ex Tenebris ictu percussa , Illa, (Ruina Malis) claris fit Vita Poetis.

Thomas Middletonus,1em2em