ABSTRACT
Sir, let it not appear strange that I do aspire to your patronage. Things that taste of any goodness love to be sheltered near goodness. Nor do I flatter in this, which I hate; only touch at the original copy of your virtues. Some of my other works, as 'The White Devil', 'The Duchess of Malfi', 'Guise'(1) and others, you have formerly seen. I present this humbly to kiss your hands and to find your allowance. Nor do I much doubt it, knowing the greatest of the Caesars have cheerfully entertained less poems than this; And had I thought it unworthy I had not enquired after so worthy a patronage. Yourself I understand to be all courtesy. I doubt not therefore of your acceptance, but resolve that my election is happy. For which favour done me I shall ever rest
Your Worship's humbly devoted John Webster
Note
1 Although Webster's 'The Guise' is mentioned in Archer's playlist in 1656, it has since disappeared. It possibly followed 'The Duchess of Malfi' in Webster's career, and is a major loss in the Webster canon.
