Page 2178 - Shakespeare - Vol. 1
P. 2178
He is your brother, lords, sensibly fed
Of that self blood that first gave life to you,
And from that womb where you imprisoned were
He is. enfranchisèd and come to light:
Nay, he’s your brother by the surer side,
Although my seal be stampèd in his face.
NURSE
Aaron, what shall I say unto the empress?
DEMET RIUS
Advise thee, Aaron, what is to be done,
And we will all subscribe to thy advice: [130]
Save thou the child, so we may all be safe.
AARON
Then sit we down and let us all consult.
My son and I will have the wind of you;
Keep there; now talk at pleasure of your safety.
DEMET RIUS
How many women saw this child of his?
AARON
Why so, brave lords! when we join in league,
I am a lamb: but if you brave the Moor,
The chafèd boar, the mountain lioness,
The ocean swells not so as Aaron storms.
But say again, how many saw the child? [140]
NURSE
Cornelia the midwife, and myself,
And no one else but the delivered empress.
AARON
The empress, the midwife, and yourself:
Two may keep counsel when the third’s away:
Go to the empress, tell her this I said.
[He kills her.]
