The Rāmāyaṇa of Vālmīki 1.37.10

1.37.10

ekaḥ kasyāḥ suto brahman kā bahūñ janayiṣyati
śrotum icchāvahe brahman satyam astu vacas tava

Thus as he spake, with one accord,
To win the grace of that high lord,
The queens, with palms together laid,
In humble supplication prayed:
'Which queen, O Bráhman, of the pair,
The many, or the one shall bear?
Most eager, Lord, are we to know,
And as thou sayest be it so.'