Page 2175 - Shakespeare - Vol. 1
P. 2175
AARON
Why, what a caterwauling dost thou keep!
What dost thou wrap and fumble in thy arms?
NURSE
O, that which I would hide from heaven’s eye,
Our empress’ shame and stately Rome’s disgrace! [60]
She is delivered, lords, she is delivered.
AARON
To whom?
NURSE
I mean, she is brought abed.
AARON
Well, God give her good rest! What hath he sent her?
NURSE
A devil.
AARON
Why, then she is the devil’s dam; a joyful issue.
NURSE
A joyless, dismal, black, and sorrowful issue.
Here is the babe, as loathsome as a toad
Amongst the fair-faced breeders of our clime.
The empress sends it thee, thy stamp, thy seal,
And bids thee christen it with thy dagger’s point. [70]
AARON
’Zounds, ye whore! is black so base a hue?
Sweet blowse, you are a beauteous blossom, sure.
DEMET RIUS
Villain, what hast thou done?
AARON
