Tell your echo this, Or flatterers, that like echoes still report What they hear though most imperfect, and not me; For if that you be true unto yourself, I 'll know. CARDINAL. Will you rack me? JULIA. No, judgment shall Draw it from you: it is an equal fault, To tell one's secrets unto all or none. CARDINAL. The first argues folly. JULIA. But the last tyranny. CARDINAL. Very well: why, imagine I have committed Some secret deed which I desire the world May never hear of. JULIA. Therefore may not I know it? You have conceal'd for me as great a sin As adultery. Sir, never was occasion For perfect trial of my constancy Till now: sir, I beseech you—— CARDINAL. You 'll repent it. JULIA. Never. CARDINAL. It hurries thee to ruin: I 'll not tell thee. Be well advis'd, and think what danger 'tis To receive a prince's secrets. They that do, Had need have their breasts hoop'd with adamant To contain them. I pray thee, yet be satisfi'd; Examine thine own frailty; 'tis more easy To tie knots than unloose them. 'Tis a secret That, like a ling'ring poison, may chance lie Spread in thy veins, and kill thee seven year hence. JULIA. Now you dally with me. CARDINAL. No more; thou shalt know it. By my appointment the great Duchess of Malfi And two of her young children, four nights since, Were strangl'd. JULIA. O heaven! sir, what have you done! CARDINAL. How now? How settles this? Think you your bosom Will be a grave dark and obscure enough For such a secret? JULIA. You have undone yourself, sir. CARDINAL. Why? JULIA. It lies not in me to conceal it. CARDINAL. No? Come, I will swear you to 't upon this book. JULIA. Most religiously. CARDINAL. Kiss it. [She kisses the book.] Now you shall never utter it; thy curiosity Hath undone thee; thou 'rt poison'd with that book. Because I knew thou couldst not keep my counsel, I have bound thee to 't by death. [Re-enter BOSOLA] BOSOLA. For pity-sake, hold! CARDINAL. Ha, Bosola! JULIA. I forgive you This equal piece of justice you have done; For I betray'd your counsel to that fellow. He over-heard it; that was the cause I said It lay not in me to conceal it. BOSOLA. O foolish woman, Couldst not thou have poison'd him? JULIA. 'Tis weakness, Too much to think what should have been done. I go, I know not whither. [Dies.] CARDINAL. Wherefore com'st thou hither?
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