The Duchess of Malfi
whose faces do belie their hearts Are witches ere they arrive at twenty years, Ay, and give the devil suck. DUCHESS. This is terrible good counsel. FERDINAND. Hypocrisy is woven of a fine small thread, Subtler than Vulcan's engine:[20] yet, believe 't, Your darkest actions, nay, your privat'st thoughts, Will come to light. CARDINAL. You may flatter yourself, And take your own choice; privately be married Under the eaves of night——    FERDINAND. Think 't the best voyage That e'er you made; like the irregular crab, Which, though 't goes backward, thinks that it goes right Because it goes its own way:  but observe, Such weddings may more properly be said To be executed than celebrated. CARDINAL. The marriage night Is the entrance into some prison. FERDINAND. And those joys, Those lustful pleasures, are like heavy sleeps Which do fore-run man's mischief. CARDINAL. Fare you well. Wisdom begins at the end:  remember it.        [Exit.]    DUCHESS. I think this speech between you both was studied, It came so roundly off. FERDINAND. You are my sister; This was my father's poniard, do you see? I 'd be loth to see 't look rusty, 'cause 'twas his. I would have you give o'er these chargeable revels:   A visor and a mask are whispering-rooms That were never built for goodness,—fare ye well—   And women like variety of courtship. What cannot a neat knave with a smooth tale Make a woman believe? Farewell, lusty widow.        [Exit.]    DUCHESS. Shall this move me? If all my royal kindred Lay in my way unto this marriage, I 'd make them my low footsteps. And even now, Even in this hate, as men in some great battles, By apprehending danger, have achiev'd Almost impossible actions (I have heard soldiers say so), So I through frights and threatenings will assay This dangerous venture. Let old wives report I wink'd and chose a husband.—Cariola, To thy known secrecy I have given up   More than my life,—my fame. CARIOLA. Both shall be safe; For I 'll conceal this secret from the world As warily as those that trade in poison Keep poison from their children. DUCHESS. Thy protestation Is ingenious and hearty; I believe it. Is Antonio come? CARIOLA. He attends you. DUCHESS. Good dear soul, Leave me; but place thyself behind the arras, Where thou mayst overhear us. Wish me good speed; For I am going into a wilderness, Where I shall find nor path nor friendly clue To be my guide.        [Cariola goes behind the arras.]        [Enter ANTONIO]                    I 
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