
Why didst not thou pity her? What an exc...
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The Duchess has just been murdered on the orders
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Why didst not thou pity her? What an excellent
Honest man might'st thou have been
If thou hadst borne her to some sanctuary
Or bold in a good cause, opposed thyself
With thy advanced sword above thy head
Between her innocence and my revenge!
I bade thee, when I was distracted of my wits,
Go kill my dearest friend, and thou hast done’t.
For let me but examine well the cause:
What was the meanness of her match to me?
Only I must confess, I had a hope,
Had she continued widow, to have gained
An infinite mass of treasure by her death.
And that was the main cause: her marriage,
That drew a stream of gall, quite through my heart.
For thee, (as we observe in tragedies
That a good actor many times is cursed
For playing a villain’s part) I hate thee for’t.
And for my sake say thou has done much ill well.
John Webster, The Duchess of Malfi Act 4, Sc.2 ll.285-303.
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