Arthur Quiller-Couch, ed. 1919. The Oxford Book of English Verse: 1250–1900.
John Webster. ?1630?219. The Shrouding of the Duchess of Malfi
HARK! Now everything is still, | |
The screech-owl and the whistler shrill, | |
Call upon our dame aloud, | |
And bid her quickly don her shroud! | |
Much you had of land and rent; | 5 |
Your length in clay ‘s now competent: | |
A long war disturb’d your mind; | |
Here your perfect peace is sign’d. | |
Of what is ‘t fools make such vain keeping? | |
Sin their conception, their birth weeping, | 10 |
Their life a general mist of error, | |
Their death a hideous storm of terror. | |
Strew your hair with powders sweet, | |
Don clean linen, bathe your feet, | |
And—the foul fiend more to check— | 15 |
A crucifix let bless your neck: | |
‘Tis now full tide ‘tween night and day; | |
End your groan and come away. |