ACTO I

  1. CALISTO. __ En esto veo, Melibea, la grandeza de Dios.    

CALISTO.  In this, Melibea, I see heaven′s greatness and goodness.

 2. MELIBEA. __ ¿:En qué, Calisto?

MELIBEA.  In what, Calisto?  

3. CAL. __ En dar poder a natura que de tan perfeta hermosura   te dotasse y facer a mi inmérito. tanta merced   que verte alcançasse, y en tan conueniente lugar,   que mi secreto dolor manifestarte pudiesse.   Sin dubda encomparablemente es mayor tal galardón,   que el seruicio, sacrificio, deuoción y obras pías,   que por este lugar alcançar tengo yo a Dios offrescido,   ni otro poder mi voluntad humana puede conplir.   ¿:Quién vido en esta vida cuerpo glorificado de ningún hombre, como agora el mío?  

CALISTO.  Greatness, in giving such power to  nature, as to endow thee with so perfect a beauty; goodness, in affording me so great a favour as they fair presence, and a place so convenient to  unsheathe my secret grief - a grace undoubtedly so  incomparable, and by many degrees far greater than any  service I have performed can merit from above. What inhabitant here below ever saw a more glorious creature than  I behold?  

  Por cierto los gloriosos sanctos, que se deleytan en la visión diuina, no   gozan más que yo agora en el acatamiento tuyo.  

Certainly, if sublunary bodies can give a celestial reflection or resemblance, I contemplate and find it in thy divine beauty:  had it perpetuity, what happiness beyond it? Yet wretch that I am,  I must live like another  Tantalus; see what I may not enjoy, not touch;  and my  comfort must be the thinking of thy disdainfulness,  thy pleasing coyness,

  Mas ¡O triste¡Que en esto diferimos:   que ellos puramente se glorifican sin temor de caer de tal bienauenturança   y yo misto me alegro con recelo del esquiuo tormento,   que tu absencia me ha de causar.  

and the torment which thy absence will  inflict upon me.  

    4. MELIB. __ ¿:Por grand premio tienes esto, Calisto?  

MELIBEA.  Holdest thou this, Calisto, so great a reward?  

    5. CAL. __ Téngolo por tanto en verdad que,   si Dios me diesse en el cielo la silla sobre sus sanctos,   no lo ternía por tanta felicidad.  

CALISTO.  So great, that if you should give me the greatest good upon earth, I should not hold it  so great a happiness.  

    6. MELIB. __ Pues avn más ygual galardón te daré yo, si perseueras.  

MELIBEA.  I shall give thee a reward answerable to thy deserts, if thou persevere and go on in this manner.  

    7. CAL. __ ¡O bienauenturadas orejas mias, que indignamente tan gran palabra haueys oydo!  

CALISTO.  O fortunate ears¡which are (though unworthily) admitted to hear so gracious a word, such great and comfortable tidings.  

    8. MELIB. __ Mas desauenturadas de que me acabes de oyr.   Porque la paga será tan fiera, qual la meresce tu loco atreuimiento.  

MELIBEA.  But unfortunate, by that time thou hast heard thy doom. For thy payment shall be as foul, as  thy presumption was  foolish, and thy entertainment  as small, as thy intrusion was great.  

  y el intento de tus palabras, Calisto, ha seydo de ingeniode tal hombre como tú,  hauer de salir para se perder en la virtud de tal muger como yo. ¡Vete¡ Vete   de ay, torpe¡   Que no puede mi paciencia tollerar que aya subido en coraçón humano comigo el ylícito amor comunicar su deleyte.  

How durst such a one as thou hazard thyself on the virtue of such a one as I? Go, wretch, begone out of my sight, for my  patience cannot endure that so much as a thought should enter into any man′s heart, to communicate his  mind unto me in illicit love.  

    9. CAL. __ Yré como aquél contra quien solamente la aduersa fortuna pone su estudio con odio cruel.  

CALISTO.  I go; but as one, who am the only unhappy mark, against whom adverse fortune aimeth the extremity of her hate. 

¡Sempronio, Sempronio, Sempronio¡   ¿:Dónde está este maldito?  

 Sempronio, Sempronio, why Sempronio I say, where is this accursed varlet?  

    11. SEMP. __ Estoy aquí señor, curando destos cauallos.  

SEMPR.  I am here, sir, about your horses.  

    12. CAL. __ Pues, ¿: Cómo sales de la sala?  

CALISTO.  My horses, (you knave) how haps it then that thou comest out of the hall?

    13. SEMP. __ Abatióse el girifalte y vínele endereçar en el alcándara.  

SEMPR. The Gryfalcon bated, and I came in to set him on the perch.  

    14. CAL. __ ¡Assí los diablos te ganen¡   ¡Assí por infortunio arrebatado perezcas o perpetuo intollerable tormento consigas,   el qual en grado incomparable a la penosa y desastrada muerte, que espero, traspassa.   ¡Anda, anda, maluado¡   Abre la cámara y endereça la cama.  

CALISTO.  Is ′t e′en so? Now the devil take  thee; misfortune wait on thy heels to thy destruction; mischief light upon thee; let some perpetual intolerable torment seize upon thee in so high a  degree, that it may be beyond all comparison, till it  bring thee (which shortly I hope to see) to a most  painful, miserable and disastrous death. Go, thou unlucky rogue, go I say, and open the chamber  door, and make ready my bed.  

    15. SEMP. __ Señor, luego hecho es.  

SEMPR.  Presently Sir, the bed is ready for you.  

    16. CAL. __ Cierra la ventana y dexa la tiniebla   acompañar al triste y al desdichado la ceguedad.   Mis pensamientos tristes no son dignos de luz.   ¡O bienauenturada muerte aquella, que desseada a los afligidos viene!  

CALISTO.  Shut the windows, and leave the darkness to accompany him, whose sad thoughts deserve no light. Oh death! How welcome art thou, to those who out-live their happiness?   How welcome, wouldst thou but come when thou art called?  

¡O si viniéssedes agora, Eras y Crato, médicos, ¿:Sentiríades mi   mal?  ¡O piedad de silencio, inspira en el Plebérico coraçón,   porque sin esperança de salud no embíe el espíritu perdido con el desastrado Píramo y de la desdichada Tisbe!  

O that Hippocrates and Galen, those learned physicians, were now living, and both here, and felt my pain! O heavens, if ye have any pity in you, inspire that Pleberian heart therewith, lest that my soul, helpless of hope, should fall into the like misfortune with Pyramus and Thisbe.  

    17. SEMP. __ ¿: Qué cosa es?  

SEMPR.  What a thing is this? What′s the matter with you?  

    18. CAL. __ ¡Vete de ay!   No me fables;   sinó, quiçá ante del tiempo de mi rabiosa muerte,   mis manos causarán tu arrebatado fin.  

CALISTO.  Away, get thee gone, do not speak to me, unless thou wilt, that these my hands, before thy time be come, cut off thy days by speedy death.  

    19. SEMP. __ Yré, pues solo quieres padecer tu mal.  

SEMPR.  Since you will lament all alone and have none to share with you in your sorrows, I will be gone, Sir.  

    20. CAL. __ ¡Ve con el diablo!  

CALISTO.  Now the devil go with thee.  

    21. SEMP. __ No creo, según pienso, yr comigo el que contigo queda.   ¡O desuentura¡O súbito mal¡   ¿:Quál fue tan contrario acontescimiento,   que assí tan presto robó el alegría deste hombre   y, lo que peor es, junto con ella el seso?   ¿: Dexarle he solo o entraré allá?  

SEMPR.  With me, Sir? There is no reason that he should go with me, who stays with you.  O unfortunate, O sudden  and unexpected  ill; What contrarious accident, what squint-ey?d  star is it that hath robbed this gentleman of his  wonted mirth? and not of that alone, but of it (which  is worse), his wits. Shall I leave him all alone? or shall I go in to him?

  Si le dexo, matarse ha;   si entro allá, matarme ha.   Quédese; no me curo.   Más vale que muera aquél, a quien es enojosa la vida,   que no yo, que huelgo con ella.  

If I leave him alone, he will kill himself. If I go in, he will kill me. Let him bide alone, and bite upon the bit, come what will, come I care not. Better it is that he die, whose  life is hateful unto him, then that I die, when life  is pleasing unto me,  and say that

   Avnque por al no desseasse viuir, sino por ver mi Elicia,   me deuría guardar de peligros.   Pero, si se mata sin otro testigo, yo quedo obligado   a dar cuenta de su vida.   Quiero entrar.   Mas, puesto que entre, no quiere consolación ni consejo.  

I should not desire to live, save only to see my Elicia, that alone is motive enough to make me look to myself and guard my person from dangers. But admit he should kill himself without any other witness, then must I be bound to give account of his life.  Well, I will in  for that, but put case when I come in, he will take  neither comfort nor counsel:  marry his case is  desperate,  

  Asaz es señal mortal no querer sanar.   con todo, quiérole dexar vn poco desbraue, madure:   que oydo he dezir que es peligro abrir o apremiar las postemas duras, porque más se enconan.  

for it is a shrewd sign of death, not to  be willing to be cured. Well, I will let him alone a while, and give his humour leave to work out itself; I will forbear, till his angry fit be overpassed, and that his hat be come again to his colour. For I  have heard say, that it is dangerous to lance of crush  an impostume before it be ripe, for then it will  fester the more:  

  Esté vn poco.   Dexemos llorar al que dolor tiene.   Que las lágrimas y sospiros mucho desenconan el coraçón dolorido.   Y avn, si delante me tiene, más comigo se encenderá.   Que el sol más arde donde puede reuerberar.   La vista, a quien objeto no se antepone, cansa.   Y quando aquél es cerca, agúzase.   Por esso quiérome sofrir vn poco.  

let him alone awhile, let us suffer him to weep who suffers to sorrow, for tears and sighs do ease the heart that is surcharged with grief; but then again, if he see me in sight, I shall see him more  incensed against me:  for there the sun scorcheth  most, where he reflecteth most:  the sight which hath  no object set before it waxeth weary  and dull, and  having its object, is as quick. And therefore I think  it my best  play, to play least in sight, and to  stay a little longer;  

  Si entretanto se matare, muera.   Quiçá con algo me quedaré que otro no lo sabe, con que mude el pelo malo. Avnque   malo es esperar salud en muerte agena.   Y quiçá me engaña el diablo.   Y si muere, matarme han y yrán allá la soga y el calderón.   Por otra parte dizen los sabios que es grande descanso a los affligidos tener con quien puedan sus cuytas llorar  

but if in the meanwhile he  should kill himself, then farewell he.  Perhaps I may get more by it  than every man is aware of, and cast my skin, changing  rags for robes,  and penury for plenty:  but it is an  old saying, ′He that looks after dead men′s shoes, may  chance to go barefoot′: Perhaps also the devil hath  deceived me, and so his death may be my death, and  then all the fat is in the fire:  the rope will go after the bucket:  and one loss follow another; on  the other side your wise men say, that it is a great  ease to a grieved soul, or one that is afflicted,  to have a companion, to whom he may communicate his sorrow.  

  y que la llaga interior más empece.   Pues en estos estremos, en que estoy perplexo,   lo más sano es entrar y sofrirle y consolarle.   Porque, si possible es sanar sin arte ni aparejo,   más ligero es guarescer por arte y por cura.  

Besides, it is generally received, that the wound which bleeds inward is ever the more dangerous.  Why then in these two extremes hang I in suspense what I were best to do? Sure, the safest is to enter:  and better it is that I should endure his anger, then for fear of his displeasure to forbear  to comfort him. For, if it be possible to cure without art, and without things ready at hand, far easier is it  to cure by art, and wanting nothing that is necessary.  

    22. CAL. __ Sempronio.  

CALISTO.  Sempronio?  

    23. SEMP. __ Señor.  

SEMPR.  Sir.  

    24. CAL. __ Dame acá el laúd.  

CALISTO.  Reach me that lute.  

    25. SEMP. __ Señor, vesle aquí.  

SEMPR. Sir, here it is.  

    26. CAL. __ ¿:Qual dolor puede ser tal,   que se yguale con mi mal?  

CALISTO.  Tell me what grief so great can be, As to equal my misery.  

    27. SEMP. __ Destemplado está esse laúd.  

SEMPR.  This lute, sir, is out of tune.  

    28. CAL. __ ¿:Cómo templará el destemplado?   ¿:Cómo sentirá el armonía aquél, que consigo está tan discorde?? Aquél en quien la voluntad   a la razón no obedece?  

CALISTO.  How shall he tune it, who himself is out of tune? Or how canst thou hear harmony from him, who is at such discord with himself? Or how can he do anything well, whose will is not obedient to reason?  

  ¿:Quien tiene dentro del pecho aguijones, paz, guerra,   tregua, amor, enemistad, injurias, pecados, sospechas, todo a vna causa?   Pero tañe y canta la más triste canción, que sepas.  

Who harbours in his breast needles, peace, war, truce, love, hate, injuries and suspicions; and all these  at once, and from one, and the same cause.  Do thou therefore take this lute unto thee, and sing me the most doleful ditty thou canst devise.  

    29. SEMP. __ Mira Nero de Tarpeya a Roma cómo se ardía:   gritos dan niños y viejos   y él de nada se dolía.  

SEMPR.  Nero from Tarpey doth behold    How Rome doth burn all on a flame;    He hears the cries of young and old,    Yet is not grieved at the same.  

    30. CAL. __ Mayor es mi fuego   y menor la piedad de quien agora digo.  

CALISTO.  My fire is far greater, and less her pity whom now I speak of.  

    31. SEMP. __ No me engaño yo, que loco está este mi amo.  

SEMPR.  I was not deceived when I said, my master had lost his wits.  

    32. CAL. __ ¿:Qué estás murmurando, Sempronio?  

CALISTO.  What′s that , Sempronio, thou mutterest to thyself?  

    33. SEMP. __ No digo nada.  

SEMPR.  Nothing, sir, not I.  

    34. CAL. __ Di lo que dizes, no temas.  

CALISTO.  Tell me what thou sadist:  be not afraid.  

    35. SEMP. __ Digo que ¿:Cómo puede ser mayor el fuego,   que atormenta vn viuo,   que el que quemó tal cibdad y tanta multitud de gente?  

SEMPR.  Marry I said, how can that fire be greater which but tormenteth one living man than that which burnt such a city as that was, and such a  multitude of men?  

    36. CAL. __ ¿:Cómo? Yo te lo diré.   Mayor es la llama que dura ochenta años,   que la que en vn día passa,   y mayor la que mata vn anima,   que la que quema cient mill cuerpos.  

CALISTO.  How? I shall tell thee. Greater is that flame which lasteth fourscore years, than that which endureth but one day.  And greater that fire, which burneth one soul. than that which burneth an hundred  thousand bodies:  

Como de la aparencia   y la existencia,   como de lo viuo a lo pintado,   como de la sombra a lo real,   tanta diferencia ay del fuego, que dizes, al que me quema.   Por cierto, si el del purgatorio es tal,   más querría que mi spíritu fuesse con los de los brutos;   animales, que por medio de aquel yr a la gloria de los sanctos.  

See what difference there is betwixt apparencies and existencies, betwixt painted shadows and lively substances, betwixt that which is counterfeit and that which is real.  So great a difference is there betwixt that fire which thou speakest of and that which burneth me. 

    37. SEMP. __ ¡Algo es lo que digo!   ¡A más ha de yr este hecho¡   No basta loco, sino ereje.  

SEMPR.  I see, I did not mistake my bias; which, for aught I perceive, runs worse and worse. Is it not enough to shew thyself a fool, but thou must also  speak profanely?  

    38. CAL. __ ¿:No te digo que fables alto, quando fablares?   ¿:Qué dizes?  

CALISTO.  Did not I tell thee, when thou speakest that thou shouldest speak aloud? Tell me what′s that thou mumblest to thyself.  

    39. SEMP. __ Digo que nunca Dios quiera tal;   que es especie de heregía lo que agora dixiste.  

SEMPR.  Only I doubted of what religion your lovers are.

40. CAL. __ ¿:Por qué?  

  41. SEMP. __ Porque lo que dizes contradize la cristiana religión.  

  42. CAL. __ ¿:Qué a mi?  

  43. SEMP. __ ¿:Tú no eres cristiano?  

  44. CAL. __ ¿:Yo? Melibeo só y a Melibea adoro   y en Melibea creo y a Melibea amo.  

CALISTO.  I am a Melibean, I adore Melibea, I believe in Melibea, and I love Mleibea.  

  45. SEMP. __ Tú te lo dirás.   Como Melibea es grande, no cabe en el coraçón de mi amo,   que por la boca le sale a borbollones. No es más   menester. Bien sé de qué pie coxqueas.   Yo te sanaré.  

SEMPR.  My master is all Melibea:  who now but Melibea? Whose heart not able to contain her,  like a boiling vessel venting its heat, goes bubbling her name in his mouth. Well, I have now as much as I desire:  I know on which foot you halt, I shall now  heal you.  

   46. CAL. __ Increyble cosa prometes.  

CALISTO.  Thou speakest of matters beyond the moon.  It is impossible.

    47. SEMP. __ Antes fácil.   Que el comienço de la salud es conoscer hombre la dolencia del enfermo.  

 SEMP.  O, Sir, exceeding easy; for the first  recovery of sickness is the discovery of the disease.  

    48. CAL. __ ¿:Quál consejo puede regir   lo que en si no tiene orden ni consejo?  

CALISTO.  What counsel can order that which in itself hath neither counsel nor order?  

    49. SEMP. __ ¡Ha¡ha¡ ha¡   ¿:Esto es el fuego de Calisto?   ¿:Estas son sus congoxas?   ¡Como si solamente el amor contra él asestara sus tiros¡   ¡O soberano Dios, quán altos son tus misterios!   ¡Quánta premia pusiste en el amor,   que es necessaria turbación en el amante¡  

SEMP.  Ha, ha, ha, Calisto′s fire; these, his intolerable pains: as if love had bent his bow,  shot all his arrows only against him. Oh Cupid, how high and unsearchable are they mysteries! What reward hast thou ordained for love, since that so necessary a tribulation attends on lovers?  

  Su límite posiste por marauilla.   Paresce al amante que atrás queda.   Todos passan, todos rompen, pungidos y esgarrochados como ligeros toros.   Sin freno saltan por las barreras.   Mandaste al hombre por la muger dexar el padre y la madre;   agora no no sólo aquello, mas a ti y a tu ley desamparan, como agora Calisto.   Del qual no me marauillo, pues los sabios,   los santos, los profetas por él te oluidaron.  

Thou has set his bounds, as marks for men to wonder at: lovers ever deeming, that they only are cast behind, and that others still out strip them, that all men break through but themselves, like your light footed bulls, which being  let loose in the place, and galled with darts, take  over the bars as soon as they feel themselves pricked.  

    50. CAL. __ Sempronio.  

CALISTO.  Sempronio.  

    51. SEMP. __ Señor.  

SEMPR.  Sir.  

    52. CAL. __ No me dexes.  

CALISTO.  Do not you go away.  

    53. SEMP. __ De otro temple está esta gayta.  

SEMPR. This pipe sounds in another tune.  

    54. CAL. __ ¿:Qué te paresce de mi mal?  

CALISTO.  What dost thou think of my malady?  

    55. SEMP. __ Que amas a Melibea.  

SEMPR.  That you love Melibea.  

    56. CAL. __ ¿:Y no otra cosa?  

CALISTO.  And nothing else?  

    57. SEMP. __ Harto mal es tener la voluntad en vn solo lugar catiua.  

SEMPR.  It is misery enough to have a man′s will captivated and chained to one place only.  

    58. CAL. __ Poco sabes de firmeza.  

CALISTO.  Thou wot′st not what constancy is.  

    59. SEMP. __ La perseuerancia en el mal no es constancia;   mas dureza o pertinacia la llaman en mi tierra.   Vosotros los filósofos de Cupido llamalda como quisierdes.  

SEMPR.  Perseverance in ill is not constancy, but obstinacy or pertinacy, so they call it in my country; however it please you philosophers of Cupid to phrase it.  

    60. CAL. __ Torpe cosa es mentir el que enseña a otro,   pues que tú te precias de loar a tu amiga Elicia.  

CALISTO.  It is a foul fault for a man to belie that which he teacheth to others:  for thou thyself  takest pleasure in praising thy  Elicia.  

    61. SEMP. __ Haz tú lo que bien digo y no lo que mal hago.  

SEMPR.  Do you that good which I say, but not that ill which I do.  

    62. CAL. __ ¿:Qué me reprobas?  

CALISTO.  Why dost thou reprove me?  

    63. SEMP. __ Que sometes la dignidad del hombre   a la imperfección de la flaca muger.  

SEMPR.  Because thou dost subject the dignity and worthiness of a man to the imperfection and weakness of a frail woman.  

    64. CAL. __ ¿:Muger? ¡O grossero¡Dios, Dios!  

CALISTO.  A woman? O thou blockhead, she′s a goddess.  

    65. SEMP. __ ¿:Y assí lo crees?   ¿:O burlas?  

SEMPR.  Are you in earnest, or do you but jest?  

    66. CAL. __ ¿:Que burlo?   Por Dios la creo, por Dios la confiesso   y no creo que ay otro soberano en el cielo;   avnque entre nosotros mora.  

CALISTO.  Jest? I verily believe she is a goddess.    

    67. SEMP. __ ¡Ha¡ha¡ ha¡   ¿:Oystes qué blasfemia?   ¿: Vistes qué ceguedad?  

    68. CAL. __ ¿:De qué te ríes?  

    69. SEMP. __ Ríome, que no pensaua que hauía peor inuención de pecado que en Sodoma.  

    70. CAL. . __ ¿: Cómo?  

   71. SEMP. __ Porque aquéllos procuraron abominable vso con los ángeles no conocidos   y tú con el que confiessas ser Dios.  

SEMPR.  As goddesses were of old, that is to fall below  mortality, and then you would hope to have a share in  her deity. 

    72. CAL. __ ¡Maldito seas¡ ,   que fecho me has reyr,   lo que no pensé ogaño.  

CALISTO.  A pox on thee for a fool, thou makest me laugh, which I thought not to do today.  

    73. SEMP. __ ¿:Pues qué?   ¿:Toda tu vida auías de llorar?  

SEMPR.  What, would you weep all the days of your  life?  

    74. CAL. __ Sí.  

CALISTO.  Yes.  

    75. SEMP. __ ¿:Por qué?  

SEMPR.  And why?  

    76. CAL. __ Porque amo a aquélla, ante quien tan indigno me hallo,   que no la espero alcançar.  

CALISTO.  Because I love her, before whom I find myself so unworthy, that I have no hope to obtain her.  

    77. SEMP. __ ¡O pusilánimo¡O fideputa¡   ¡Qué Nembrot, qué magno Alexandre,   los quales no sólo del señorío del mundo,   mas del cielo se juzgaron ser dignos.  

SEMPR.  O coward, baser than the son of a whore:   why, Alexander the Great did not only think himself worthy the domination of one only, but of many worlds.  

    78. CAL. __ No te oy bien esso que dixiste.   Torna, dilo, no procedas.  

CALISTO.  I did not well hear what thou sadist: say it again; repeat it again before thou proceed any further. 

     79. SEMP. __ Dixe que tú, que tienes más coraçón que Nembrot ni Alexandre, desesperas de alcançar vna muger,  

SEMPR.  I said, sir, should you, whose heart is greater than Alexander′s, despair of obtaining a woman?  

  muchas de las quales en grandes estados constituydas se sometieron a los pechos y resollos de viles azemileros   y otras a Brutos animales.   ¿:No has leydo de Pasifé con el toro, de Minerua con el can?  

wherefore many, having been seated in highest estate,  have basely prostituted themselves to the embracements  of muleteers and stablegrooms, suffering them to  breathe in their faces with their unsavoury breaths,  and to embosom them between their breasts:  and other  some not ashamed to have companied with brute beasts.  Have you not heard of Pasiphae, who played the  wanton with a bull? and of Minerva,  how she  dallied with a dog?  

    80. CAL. __ No lo creo; hablillas son.  

CALISTO.  Tush, I believe it not, they are but fables.  

    81. SEMP. __ Lo de tu abuela con el ximio, ¿: Hablilla fué?   Testigo es el cuchillo de tu abuelo.  

SEMPR.  And that of your grandmother and her ape,  that′s a fable, too? witness your grandfather′s knife, that killed the villain that did cuckold him.  

    82. CAL. __ ¡Maldito sea este necio¡   ¡Y qué porradas dize!  

CALISTO.  A pox of this cox-comb, what girds he gives!  

    83. SEMP. __ ¿:Escocióte?   Lee los ystoriales, estudia los filósofos, mira los poetas.   Llenos están los libros de sus viles y malos exemplos   y de las caydas que leuaron los que en algo, como tú, las reputaron.   Oye a Salomón do dize que las mugeres y el vino hazen a los hombres renegar.   Conséjate con Séneca y verás en qué las tiene.  

SEMPR.  Have I nettled you, sir? Read your histories, study philosophers, examine your poets; and  you shall find how full their books are of their vile and wicked examples, and of the ruines and destructions whereinto they have ruin, who held them in that high esteem as you do.  Consult with Seneca, and you shall see how vilely he reckons of them.  

  Escucha al Aristóteles, mira a Bernardo.   Gentiles, judíos, cristianos y moros, todos en esta concordia están. Pero lo dicho y lo que dellas   dixere no te contezca error de tomarlo en común.   Que muchas houo y ay sanctas y virtuosas y notables,   cuya resplandesciente corona quita el general vituperio.   Pero destas otras, ¿:Quién te contaría sus mentiras, sus tráfagos,   sus cambios, su liuiandad, sus lagrimillas, sus alteraciones, sus osadías?  

 Hearken unto Aristotle and you shall find that all of them to this agree:  but whatsoever I  have or shall hereafter speak in them, mistake me not,  I pray you, but consider them  as words, commonly  and generally spoken:  for many of them have been  and are holy, virtuous and noble, whose  glorious and resplendent crowns blot out this general reproach. But touching the other, who can recount unto you their falsehoods,  their tricks, their tradings, their  truckings, their exchanging commodities, their  lightness, their tears, their mutabilities, and their boldness  and impudencies?  

  Que todo lo que piensan, Osan sin deliberar. ¿: Sus disimulaciones, su   lengua, su engaño, su oluido, su desamor, su ingratitud,   su inconstancia, su testimoniar, su negar,   su reboluer, su presunción, su vanagloria,   su abatimiento, su locura, su desdén, su soberuia,   su subjeción, su parlería, su golosina, su luxuria y suziedad,   su miedo, su atreuemiento, sus hechizerías, sus embaymientos, sus escarnios,   su deslenguamiento, su desvergüença, su alcahuetería?   Considera, ¡Qué sesito está debaxo de aquellas grandes y delgadas tocas¡  

For, whatsoever they  conceit, they dare to execute without any deliberation  or advisement in the world; their dissemblings,  their talkativeness, their deceits, their forgetfulness, their unkindness, their ingratitude,  their inconstancy, their fickleness, their saying and  gainsaying, and all in a breath; their  windings and turnings, their presumption, their vainglory,  their baseness, their foolishness, their  disdainfulness,  their coyness, their pride,  their haughtiness, their base submissions, their  prattlings, their gluttony, their luxury, their  sluttishness, their timorousness, their witcheries, their cheatings,  their gibings, their  slanderings, and their bawdry. 

      ¡Qué pensamientos so aquellas gorgueras, so aquel fausto, so aquellas largas y autorizantes ropas¡   ¡Qué imperfición, qué aluañares debaxo de templos pintados¡Por ellas es dicho: arma del diablo,  

 Now consider with yourself, what  idle giddy-headed  brains are under those large and fine cobweb veils;  what  wicked thoughts under those gay gorgets,  what pride and arrogancy under those their long,  rich and stately robes; what  mad toys under their painted temples.

  cabeça de pecado, destruyción de parayso.   ¿:No has rezado en la festiuidad de Sant Juan,   do dize: las mugeres y el vino hazen los hombres renegar;   do dize: Esta es la muger, antigua malicia que a Adán echó de los deleytes de parayso;   ésta el linaje humano metió en el infierno;   a ésta menospreció Helías propheta &c?  

    84. CAL. __ Di pues, esse Adán, esse Salomón, esse Dauid, esse Aristóteles. Esse Vergilio, essos que   dizes, ¿:Cómo se sometieron a ellas?   ¿:Soy más que ellos?  

CALISTO.  Tell me, I pray, this Alexander, this Seneca, this Aristotle, this Virgil, these whom thou tell′st me of, did not they subject themselves unto  them? Am I greater than these?  

    85. SEMP. __ A los que las vencieron querría que remedasses,   que no a los que dellas fueron vencidos.   Huye de sus engaños.   ¿:Sabes qué facen?   Cosa, que es difícil entenderlas.   No tienen modo, no razón, no intención.   Por rigor comiençan el ofrescimiento, que de sí quieren hazer.   A los que meten por los agujeros denuestan en la calle.  

SEMPR.  I would you should follow those that did subdue them, not those that were subdued by them. Fly their deceits. Know you, sir, what they do? They  do things that are too hard for any man to understand;  they observe no mean; they have no reason; nor do they  take any heed  in what they do. They are the first themselves that cause a man to love; and themselves are the first that begin to loathe. They will privately pleasure him, whom afterwards they will openly wrong, and draw him secretly in at their  windows, whom in the streets they will publicly rail  at.  They will give you roast meat, and beat you with the spit.  

  Combidan, despiden, llaman, niegan, señalan amor, pronuncian enemiga, ensáñanse presto, apacíguanse luego.   Quieren que adeuinen lo que quieren.   ¡O qué plaga¡   ¡O qué enojo¡.   ¡O qué fastío es conferir con ellas,   más de aquel breue tiempo, que son aparejadas a deleyte!  

 They will invite you unto them, and presently send you packing  with a flea in your  ear; call you, and yet exclude you; seal you her  love, and yet proclaim hate; quickly be won, and  quickly be lost; soon pleased, and as soon  displeased;  and (which is the true humour of a  woman) whatsoever her will divines, that must be  effected. Her apprehensions admit no delays; and be they impossible to be attained to, yet not effecting  them, she straightway censures it want of wit or  affection, if not both. O what a plague? what a  hell? nay, what a loathsome thing is it for a man to  have to do with them any longer than in that short  prick of time  that he holds them in his arms, when  they are prepared for pleasure!

    86. CAL. __ ¡Ve¡   mientra más me dizes y más inconuenientes me pones, más la quiero.   No sé que es es.  

CALISTO.  Thou seest, the more thou tell′st me, and the more inconveniences thou settest before me,  the more I love her. I know not  how nor what it  is, but sure I am, that so it is.  

    87. SEMP. __ No es este juyzio para moços, según   veo, que no se saben a razón someter,   no se saben administrar.   Miserable cosa es pensar ser maestro el que nunca fue discípulo.  

SEMPR.  This is no fit counsel I see for young men, who know not how to submit themselves to reason, nor to be governed by discretion; it is a miserable thing to think that he should be a master, who was  never any scholar.  

    88. CAL. __ ¿:Y tú qué sabes?   ¿:Quién te mostró esto?  

CALISTO.  And you, sir, that are so wise, who I pray taught you all this?  

    89. SEMP. __ ¿: Quién? Ellas.   Que, desque se descubren, assí pierden la vergüença ,   que todo esto y avn más a los hombres manifiestan.   Ponte pues en la medida de honrra,   piensa ser más digno de lo que te reputas.   Que cierto, peor estremo es dexarse hombre caer de su merescimiento,   que ponerse en más alto lugar que deue.  

SEMPR.  Who? why, they themselves, who no sooner  discover their shame, but they lose it. For all this and much more than I have told you, they themselves will manifest unto men. Balance thyself then aright in the true scale of thine honour, give thy reputation its due proportion, its just measure, and think yourself to be more worthy than in your own esteem you repute yourself. For, believe me, worse is that extreme, whereby a man suffers himself to fall from his own worth, than that which makes a man over- value himself, and seat himself in higher place than beseem him.  

    90. CAL. __ Pues, ¿: Quién yo para esso?  

CALISTO.  Now, what of all this? What am I  the better for it?  

    91. SEMP. __ ¿: Quién? Lo primero eres hombre y de claro ingenio.   Y más, a quien la natura dotó de los mejores bienes que tuuo,   conuiene a saber, fermosura, gracia, grandeza de miembros, fuerça, ligereza.   Y allende desto, fortuna medianamente partió contigo lo suyo en tal quantidad, que los bienes, que tienes de dentro, con   los de fuera resplandescen.  

SEMPR.  What?  why this: first of all, you are  a man; then, of an excellent  and singular wit; to  this, endued with those better sort of blessings,  wherewith Nature hath endowed you, to wit, wisdom,  favour,  feature, largeness of limbs, force,  agility,  and abilities of body. And to these,  fortune hath in so good a measure shared what is hers  with thee, that these thy inward graces are by thy outward the more beautified.  

  Porque sin los bienes de fuera, de los quales la fortuna es señora,   a ninguno acaece en esta vida ser bienauenturado.   Y más, a constelación de todos eres amado.  

For, without these outward goods, whereof fortune is chief mistress, no man in this life comes to be happy. Lastly, the stars were so propitious at thy birth and thyself born under so good a planet, that thou art beloved of all.  

    92. CAL. __ Pero no de Melibea.   y en todo lo que me as gloriado, Sempronio, sin proporción ni comparación se auentaja Melibea.   Mira la nobleza y antigüedad  de su linaje,   el grandíssimo patrimonio, el excelentíssimo ingenio, las resplandescientes virtudes, la altitud y enefable gracia,  

CALISTO.  But not of Melibea. And in all that, wherein thou dost so glorify my gifts, I tell thee (Sempronio) compared with Melibea′s, they are but as stars to the sun, or dross compared to gold. Do but  consider the nobleness of her blood, the ancientness  of her house, the great estate she is born unto, the  excellency of her wit, the splendour of her virtues,  her stately,  yet comely carriage, her ineffable gracefulness  in all that she doth:  and lastly,  

  la soberana hermosura, de la qual te ruego me dexes hablar vn poco,   porque aya algún refrigerio.   Y lo que te dixere será de lo descubierto;   que, si de lo occulto yo hablarte supiera,   no nos fuera necessario altercar tan miserablemente estas razones.  

her divine beauty, whereof, I pray thee, give me leave  to discourse a little, for the refreshing  of my  soul. And that which I shall tell thee, shall be  only of what I have discovered and lies open to  the eye:  for, if I could discourse of that which is  concealed,  this contestation would be needless,  neither should we argue thereupon so earnestly as now  we do.  

    93. SEMP. __ ¡Qué mentiras y qué locuras dirá agora este cautiuo de mi amo!  

SEMPR. What lies and fooleries will my captivated master now tell me?  

    94. CAL. __ ¿:Cómo es eso?  

CALISTO.  What′s that?  

    95. SEMP. __ Dixe que digas, que muy gran plazer hauré de lo oyr.   ¡Assí te medre Dios, como me será agradable esse sermón.  

SEMPR.  I said, I would have you tell me; for I shall take great pleasure in hearing it;  so fortune  befriend you Sir, as this speech  of yours shall be pleasing unto me.  

    96. CAL. __ ¿:Qué?  

CALISTO.  What sayest thou?  

    97. SEMP. __ Que ¡ Assí me medre Dios,   como me será gracioso de oyr!  

SEMPR. That fortune would so befriend me, as I shall take pleasure to hear you.  

    98. CAL. __ Pues porque ayas plazer,   yo lo figuraré por partes mucho por estenso.  

CALISTO.  Since then that it is so pleasing unto thee, I will figure forth unto thee every part in her, even in the fullest manner that I can devise.  

    99. SEMP. __ ¡Duelos tenemos¡   esto es tras lo que yo andaua.   De passarse haurá ya esta importunidad.  

SEMPR.  Here′s a deal of do indeed:  this is that I looked for, though more than I desired; it will be a tedious piece of business, but I must give him the hearing.  

    100. CAL. __ Comienço por los cabellos.   ¿:Vees tú las madexas del oro delgado, que hilan en Arabia?   Más lindos son y no resplandescen menos.   Su longura hasta el postrero assiento de sus pies;   después crinados y atados con la delgada cuerda,   como ella se los pone,   no ha más menester para conuertir los hombres en piedras.   

CALISTO.  I will begin first with her hairs; hast thou see those skeins of fine twisted gold which are spun in Arabia? Her hairs are more fine, and shine no less than they; the length of them is to the lowest pitch of her heel; besides, they are daintly combed  and dressed and knit up in knots with curious fine  ribboning, as she herself pleaseth to adorn and set  them forth, being of power themselves, without any  other help, to transform men into stones.  

    101. SEMP. __ ¡Mas en asnos.  

SEMPR.  Into asses rather.  

    102. CAL. __ ¿:Qué dizes?  

CALISTO.  What sayest thou?  

    103. SEMP. __ Dixe que essos tales no serían cerdas de asno.  

SEMPR.  I say that these could not be asses; hairs.  

    104. CAL. __ ¡Veed qué torpe y qué comparación!  

CALISTO.  See what a beastly and base comparison this fool makes!  

    105. SEMP. __ ¿: Tú cuerdo?  

SEMPR. It is well, sir, that you are so wise.  

     106. CAL. __ Los ojos verdes, rasgados;   las pestañas luengas; las cejas delgadas y alçadas;   la nariz mediana; la boca pequeña;  

CALISTO.  Her eyes are  quick, clear and full;  the hairs to those lids rather long  than short;  her eyebrows  thinnish, not thick of hair, and so  prettily arched,  that by their bent they are much  the more beautiful; her nose of such a middling  size,  as may not be mended; her mouth little;  

   los dientes menudos y blancos; los labrios colorados y grosezuelos;   el torno del rostro poco más luengo que redondo;  

her  teeth small and white; her lips red and plump; the  form of her face rather long than round;  

   el pecho alto; la redondez y forma de las pequeñas tetas,   ¿:Quién te la podría figurar?   ¡Que se despereza el hombre quando las mira¡   La tez lisa, lustrosa; el cuero suyo escurece la nieue;   la color mezclada, qual ella la escogió para sí.  

her breasts placed in a fitting  height; but their rising roundness, and the  pretty pleasing fashion of her little  tender nipples, who is able to figure forth unto thee? So  distracted is the eye of man when he does behold them;  her skin as smooth, soft and sleek  as satin, and her whole body so white, that the snow seems  darkness unto it; her colour so mingled,  and of so  singular a temper, as if she had chosen it herself.  

    107. SEMP. __ ¡En sus treze está este necio!  

SEMPR.  This fool is fallen into his thirteens. O how he overreaches!  

    108. CAL. __ Las manos pequeñas en mediana manera, de dulce carne acompañadas;   los dedos luengos; las vñas en ellos largas y coloradas, que parescen rubíes entre perlas.  

CALISTO.  Her hands little, and in a measurable manner and fit proportion accompanied with her sweet flesh; her fingers long; her nails large and well coloured, seeming rubies intermixed with pearls.  

  Aquella proporción, que veer yo no pude,   no sin duda por el bulto de fuera juzgo incomparablemente ser mejor,   que la que Paris juzgó entre las tres Deesas.  

The proportion of those other parts which I could not  eye, undoubtedly (judging things unseen, by the seen)  must of force be incomparably far better than that  which Paris gave his judgment of, in the difference  between the three goddesses.  

    109. SEMP. __ ¿:Has dicho?  

SEMPR.  Have you done, sir?  

    110. CAL. __ Quan breuemente pude.  

CALISTO.  As briefly as I could.  

    111. SEMP. __ Puesto que sea todo esso verdad, por ser tú hombre eres más digno.  

SEMPR.  Suppose all this you say were true, yet in that you are a man, I still say, you are more worthy than she.  

    112. CAL. __ ¿:En qué?  

CALISTO.  In what?  

    113. SEMP. __ En que ella es imperfecta, por el qual   defeto desea y apetece a ti y a otro menor que tú.   ¿:No as leydo el filósofo do dize:   assí como la materia apetece a la forma, así la muger al varón?  

SEMPR.  In that she is imperfect:  out of which defect, she lusts and longs after yourself, or some one less worthy. Did you never read that of the philosopher, where he tells you that, as the matter desires the form, so woman desires man?  

    114. CAL. __ ¡O triste, y quándo veré yo esso entre mí y Melibea!  

CALISTO.  O wretch that I am, when shall I see this between me and Melibea?  

    115. SEMP. __ Possible es.   Y avnque la aborrezcas, cuanto agora la amas,   podrá ser alcançándola y viéndola con otros ojos, libres del engaño en que agora estás.  

SEMPR.  It is possible that you may:  and as possible that you may one day hate her as much as now you love her, when you shall come to the full enjoying  of her, and to looking on her with other eyes, free  from that error which now blindeth your judgment.  

    116. CAL. __ ¿:Con qué ojos?  

CALISTO.  With what eyes?  

    117. SEMP. __ Con ojos claros.  

SEMPR.  With clear eyes.  

    118. CAL. __ Y agora, ¿:Con qué la veo?  

CALISTO.  And with what, I pray, do I see now?  

    119. SEMP. __ Con ojos de alinde, con que lo poco parece mucho y lo pequeño grande.   Y porque no te desesperes,   yo quiero tomar esta empresa de complir tu desseo.  

SEMPR.  With false eyes, like some kind of spectacles, which make little things seem great, and great little. Do not you despair; myself will take this business in hand, not doubting but to accomplish your desire.  

    120. CAL. __ ¡O¡Dios te dé lo que desseas¡! Qué   glorioso me es oyrte;   avnque no espero que lo has de hazer!  

CALISTO.  Jove grant thou mayest: howsoever, I am proud to hear thee, though hopeless of ever obtaining it.  

    121. SEMP. __ Antes lo haré cierto.  

SEMPR.  Nay, I will assure it you.  

    122. CAL. __ Dios te consuele.   El jubón de brocado, que ayer vestí, Sempronio, vistétele tú.  

CALISTO.  Heav′n be thy good speed; my cloth of gold doublet, which I wore yesterday, it is thine, Sempronio. Take it to thee.  

    123. SEMP. __ Prospérete Dios por este y por muchos más, que me darás.   De la burla yo me lleuo lo mejor.   Con todo, si destos aguijones me da,   traérgela he hasta la cama.   ¡Bueno ando¡   Házelo esto, que me dio mi amo;   que, sin merced, impossible es obrarse bien ninguna cosa.  

SEMPR.  I thank you for this, and for many more which you shall give me. My jesting hath turn′d to my good.  I hitherto have the better of it. And if my  master clap such spurs to my sides,  and give me such  good encouragements, I doubt not but I shall bring  her to his bed. This which my master hath given me is a good wheel to bring the business about: for without reward, it is impossible to go well through with anything.  

    124. CAL. __ No seas agora negligente.  

CALISTO.  See you be not negligent now.  

    125. SEMP. __ No lo seas tú, que impossible es fazer sieruo diligente el amo perezoso. ′  

SEMPR.  Nay, be not you negligent; for it is impossible that a careless master should make a diligent servant.  

    126. CAL. __ ¿:Cómo has pensado de fazer esta piedad?  

CALISTO.  But tell me, how dost thou think to purchase her pity?  

    127. SEMP. __ Yo te lo diré.   Días ha grandes que conosco en fin desta vezindad vna vieja barbuda, que se dize Celestina, hechicera, astuta, sagaz   en quantas maldades ay.  

SEMPR.  I shall tell you.  It is now a good while ago, since at the lower end of this street, I fell  acquainted with an old bearded woman called Celestina,  a witch, subtle  as the devil, and well practiced  in all the rogueries  and villainies that the world  can afford,  

  Entiendo que passan de cinco mill virgos los que se han hecho y deshecho por su autoridad en esta cibdad.   A las duras peñas promouerá y prouocará a luxuria, si quiere.  

one who in my conscience hath marred and  made up again a hundred thousand maidenheads in  this city: such a power, and such authority she  hath, what by her persuasions and other her cunning  devices, that none can escape her: she will move hard  rocks, if she list, and at her pleasure provoke them to  luxury.  

    128. CAL. __ ¿:Podríala yo fablar?  

CALISTO.  O that I might but speak with her!  

    129. SEMP. __ Yo te la traeré hasta acá.   Por esso, aparéjate, seyle gracioso, seyle franco.   Estudia, mientra vo yo, de le dezir tu pena tan bien como ella te dará el remedio.  

SEMPR.  I will bring her hither unto you; and therefore prepare yourself for it,  and when she comes, in any case use her kindly,  be frank and  liberal with her; and whilst I go my ways, do you  study and devise with yourself, to express your pains  as well as, I know she is able to give you remedy.  

    130. CAL. __ ¿:Y tardas?  

CALISTO.  O but thou stayest too long.  

    131. SEMP. __ Ya voy.   Quede Dios contigo.  

SEMPR.  I am gone, sir.   

    132. CAL. __ Y contigo vaya.  

CALISTO.  A good luck with thee. You happy  powers that predominate human actions, assist and be  propitious to my desires, second my intentions,  prosper Sempronio′s proceedings and his success, in  bringing me such an advocatrix as shall, according to  his promise, not only negotiate, but absolutely  compass and bring to a wished period the preconceived  hopes of an incomparable pleasure.  

  ¡O todopoderoso, perdurable Dios!   Tú, que guías los perdidos y los reyes orientales por el estrella precedente a Belén   truxiste y en su patria los reduxiste, humilmente   te ruego que guíes a mi Sempronio,   en manera que conuierta mi pena y tristeza en gozo   y yo indigno merezca venir en el deseado fin.  

    133. CELESTINA. __ ¡ Albricias¡albricias! Elicia.   ¡Sempronio ¡Sempronio !  

CELESTINA.  Elicia, what will you give me for my good news? 

SEMPR.  Sempronio is come.

134. ELICIA. __ ¡ Ce¡ce¡ce!  

ELICIA.  O hush!   Peace, peace!  

    135. CEL. __ ¿:Por qué?  

CELEST.  Why? What′s the matter?  

    136. ELIC. __ Porque está aquí Crito.  

ELICIA.  Peace, I say, for here is  Crito  

    137. CEL. __ ¡Mételo en la camarilla de las escobas¡   ¡ Presto¡Dile que viene tu primo y mi familiar.  

CELEST.  Put him in the little chamber where the besoms be. Quickly, quickly, I say, and tell him a cousin of yours and a friend of mine is come to see you.  

    138. ELIC. __ Crito, retráete ay.   Mi primo viene.   ¡ Perdida soy!  

ELICIA.  Crito, come hither, come hither quickly. O my cousin is come, my cousin is beneath. What shall I do? Come quickly, I am undone else.  

    139. CRITO. __ Plázeme. No te congoxes.  

CRITO.  With all my heart:  do not vex yourself.  

    140. SEMP. __ ¡Madre bendita¡ ¡Qué desseo traygo¡gracias a Dios, que te me dexó ver!  

SEMPR.  O my dear mother, what a longing have I had to come unto you! I thank my fate, that hath given me leave to see you.  

     141. CEL. __ ¡Fijo mio¡ rey mio¡Turbado me has.   No te puedo fablar.   Torna y dame otro abraço.   ¿:Y tres días podiste estar sin vernos?   ¡ Elicia¡Elicia¡Cátale aquí!  

CELEST.  My son, my king, thou hast ravished me with thy presence,  I am so over joyed, that I cannot speak to thee; turn thee about unto me, and  embrace me once more in thine arms. What? three whole  days? so long away together, and never see us? Elicia, Elicia, wot you who is here?  

    142. ELIC. __ ¿:A quién, madre?  

ELICIA.  Who, mother?  

    143. CEL. __ A Sempronio.  

CELEST.  Sempronio, daughter.  

    144. ELIC. __ ¡Ay triste¡   ¡Qué saltos me da el coraçón¡   ¿:Y qué es dél?  

ELICIA.  Out alas; O how my heart rises! How it leaps and beats in my body! How it throbs within me!   And what of him?  

    145. CEL. __ Vesle aquí, vesle. Yo me le abraçaré; que no tú.  

CELEST.  Look here, do you see him? I will embrace him, you shall not.  

    146. ELIC. __ ¡Ay¡ Maldito seas, traydor¡   Postema y landre te mate y a manos de tus enemigos mueras   y por crímenes dignos de cruel muerte en poder de rigurosa justicia te veas.   ¡Ay, ay!  

ELICIA.  Out, thou accursed traitor¡Impostumes, pox, plagues and botches consume and kill thee! Die thou by the hands of thine enemies, and  that, for some notorious crime worthy cruel death,  thou mayest see thyself fall into the rigorous hands of justice. Ay, ay me!  

    147. SEMP. __ ¡Hy¡hy¡ hy!   ¿:Qué has, mi Elicia?   ¿:De qué te congoxas?  

SEMPR. Hy, hy, hy¡Why, how now, my Elicia? What is it that troubles you?  

    148. ELIC. __ Tres días ha que no me ves.   ¡Nunca Dios te vea, nunca Dios te consuele ni visite¡   ¡Guay de la triste,   que en ti tiene su esperança y el fin de todo su bien!  

ELICIA.  What?  Three days? Three whole days away? And in all that time not so much as once come and see me?  Not once look upon me? Fortune never look on thee, never comfort thee, not visit thee: Woe to that woman, wretched as she is, who in thee places her hope, and the end of all her happiness!  

    149. SEMP. __ ¡Calla, señora mia¡   ¿:Tú piensas que la distancia del lugar es poderosa de apartar el entrañable amor, el fuego, que está en mi coraçón?   do yo vo, comigo vas, comigo estás. No   te aflijas ni me atormentes más de lo que yo he padecido.   Mas di, ¿:Qué passos suenan arriba?  

SEMPR.  No more, dear love. Thinkst thou, sweetheart, that distance of place can divorce my inward and emboweled affection from thee? Or dead but the least spark of that true fire which I bear in my bosom? Where-e′er I go, thou goest with me; where I am, there art thou. Thou hast not felt more affliction and torment for me, than I have suffered and endured for thee. But soft; methinks I hear somebody′s feet move above. Who is it?  

    150. ELIC. __ ¿:Quién? Vn mi enamorado.  

ELICIA.  Who is it? One of my sweethearts.  

    151. SEMP. __ Pues créolo.  

SEMPR.  Nay, like enough, I easily believe it.  

    152. ELIC. __ ¡Alahé! Verdad es.   Sube allá y verle has.  

ELICIA.  Nay, it is true:  go up and see else.  

    153. SEMP. __ Voy.  

SEMPR.  I go.  

    154. CEL. __ ¡Anda acá¡   Dexa essa loca, que ella es liuiana y, turbada de tu absencia,   sácasla agora de seso.   Dirá mill locuras.   Ven y fablemos.   No dexemos passar el tiempo en balde.  

CELEST.  Come hither, my son, come along with me, let this fool alone, for she is idle headed, and almost out of her little wits; such thought hath she taken for thy absence.  Regard not what she says, for she will tell you a thousand flim flam tales; come, come with me, and let us talk. Let us not spend the time thus in idlements.  

    155. SEMP. __ Pues, ¿: Quién está arriba?  

SEMPR.  But, I pray, who is that above?  

    156. CEL. __ ¿:Quiéreslo saber?  

CELEST.  Would you know who?  

    157. SEMP. __ Quiero.  

SEMPR.  I would.  

    158. CEL. __ Vna moça, que me encomendó vn frayle.  

CELEST.  A wench recommended unto me by a friar.  

    159. SEMP. __ ¿: Qué frayle?  

SEMPR.  What friar?  

    160. CEL. __ No lo procures.  

CELEST.  Oh, by no means.

    161. SEMP. __ Por mi vida, madre, ¿:Qué frayle?  

SEMPR. Now as you love me, good mother, tell me what firar is it?  

    162. CEL. __ ¿:Porfías? El ministro el gordo.  

CELEST. Lord, how earnest you be? You would die now, if you should know him.  Well, to save your longing, it is that fat friar′wench: I need say no more.  

    163. SEMP. __ ¡O desauenturada y qué carga espera !  

SEMPR.  Alack, poor wench, what a heavy load is she to bear!  

    164. CEL. __ Todo lo leuamos.   Pocas mataduras as tú visto en la barriga.  

CELEST.  You see, we women must bear all, and it were greater, we must endure it:  you have seen but few murders committed upon a woman in private.  

165. SEMP. __ Mataduras no; mas petreras sí.  

SEMPR.  Murders?  No, but many great swellings,  besides bunches, blains, boils, kernels, and a pox,  what not? 

166. CEL. __ ¡ Ay burlador!  

CELEST.   Now fie upon you, how you talk; you  do but jest I am sure.  

167. SEMP. __ Dexa, si soy burlador; muéstramela.  

SEMPR.  If I do but jest, then let me see her.  

    168. ELIC. __ ¡ Ha don maluado! ? Verla quieres?   ¡Los ojos se te salten¡,   que no basta a ti vna ni otra. ¡Anda¡   véela y dexa a mi para siempre.  

ELICIA.  O wicked wretch, dost thou long to see  her?  Let thy eyes start out of thy head  and drop  down at thy feet: for I see that it is not one wench  that can serve your turn; I pray  go your ways, go  up and see her, but see you come at me no more.  

    169. SEMP. __ ¡ Calla, Dios mio¡? Y enójaste?   Que ni la quiero ver a ella ni a muger nascida.   A mi madre quiero fablar y quédate adiós.  

SEMPR. Be patient, my dear, thou that art the  only idol of my devotion;  is this the gall that  wrings you?  This your grief?  Nay, if this make you  so angry, I will neither see her nor any other woman  in the world.  I will only speak a word or two with my  mother, and so bid you adieu.  

    170. ELIC. __ ¡ Anda, anda¡vete, desconoscido y está otros tres años,   que no me bueluas a ver!  

ELICIA. Go, go , begone, ungrateful,  unthankful  as thou art, and stay away three years more if thou  wilt, ere ever thou see me.  

    171. SEMP. __ Madre mia, bien ternás confiança y creerás que no te burlo.   Toma el manto y vamos,   que por el camino sabrás lo que, si aquí me tardasse en dezirte impediría tu prouecho y el mio.  

SEMPR.  Mother, you may rely upon what I have  told you, and assure yourself that,  of all the women  in the world, I would not  jest or dissemble with  you: put on your mantle then, and let us go; and by  the way I will tell you all.  For, if I should stay  here dilating upon the business  and protract the  time in delivering my mind, it would  turn much to  both our hurts and hinder thy profit and mine. 

    172. CEL. __ Vamos. Elicia, quédate adiós, cierra la puerta. ¡Adiós paredes!  

CELEST.  Let us go  then; Elicia, farewell;  make fast the door; farewell, walls.   

    173. SEMP. __ ¡ O madre mia¡   Todas cosas dexadas aparte,   solamente sey atenta y ymagina en lo que te dixere   y no derrames tu pensamiento en muchas partes.   Que quien junto en diuersos lugares le pone, en ninguno le tiene;   sino por caso determina lo cierto.   y quiero que sepas de mí lo que no has oydo   y es que jamás pude, después que mi fe contigo puse, desear bien de que no te cupiesse parte.  

SEMPR.  So law.  Now, mother, laying all  other things apart, listen unto me, be attentive to  that which I shall tell you;  let not your ears go a-  wool-gathering, nor scatter your thoughts, nor  divide them into many parts: for he that is everywhere  is nowhere, and cannot, unless it be by chance,  certainly determine anything.  I will that you know  that of me, which as yet you never heard.  Besides, I  could never since the time that I first entered into  league with thee and had plighted my faith unto  thee, desire that good, wherein thou mightest not  share with me.  

    174. CEL. __ Parta Dios, hijo, de lo suyo contigo,   que no sin causa lo hará,   siquiera porque has piedad desta pecadora de vieja.   Pero di, no te detengas.   Que la amistad, que entre ti y mí se affirma,   no ha menester preámbulos ni correlarios ni aparejos para ganar voluntad. Abreuia   y ven al fecho,   que vanamente se dize por muchas palabras lo que por pocas se puede entender.  

CELEST.  And Jove, my good son, share his  good blessings with thee, which  (if so it please  him) he shall not do without cause; because thou  takest pity of this poor wicked old woman.  Say on  therefore, make no longer delay, for that friendship,  which betwixt thee and me hath taken such deep  rooting, needeth no preambles, no circumlocutions, no  preparations or insinuation to win affection.  Be  brief therefore and come to the point; for it is idle  to utter that in many words, that may be understood in  a few.  

    175. SEMP. __ Assí es. Calisto arde en amores de Melibea.   De ti y de mí tiene necessidad.   Pues juntos nos ha menester, juntos nos aprouechemos.   Que conoscer el tiempo y vsar el hombre de la oportunidad hace los hombres prósperos.  

SEMPR.  It is true: and therefore thus - Calisto  is hot in love with Melibea, he stands in need of  thine and my help, and because e needs our joint furtherance, let us join together to make some  purchase of him.  For to know a man′s time, to make  use of opportunity,  and to take occasion by the foretop, and to work upon a man whilst his humour  serves him, why it is the only round by which many  have climbed up to prosperity. 

    176. CEL. __ Bien has dicho, al cabo estoy.   Basta para mí mescer el ojo.   digo que me alegro destas nuevas, como los cirujanos de los descalabrados.   Y como aquéllos dañan en los principios las llagas   y encarecen el prometimiento de la salud,   assí entiendo yo facer a Calisto.   alargarle he la certenidad del remedio, porque,   como dizen, el esperança luenga aflige el coraçón   y, quanto él la perdiere, tanto gela promete.   ¡Bien me entiendes!  

CELEST.  Well, has thou said:  I perceive thy  drift.  The winking  or beckoning of the eye is  enough for me;  for, as old as I am, I can see day at  a little hole.  I tell thee,  Sempronio, I am as glad of this thy news, as surgeons of broken heads.   And as they at the first go festering the wounds, the  more to endear the cure, so do I mean to deal with Calsito: for I will still go prolonging the certainty  of his recovering of Melibea, and delay still the  remedy.  For, as it is in the proverb, delayed hope  afflicteth the heart.  And the farther he is off from  obtaining, the fairer will he promise to have it  effected.  Understand you me?  

    177. SEMP. __ Callemos, que a la puerta estamos   y, como dizen, las paredes han oydos.  

SEMPRO. Hush.  No more.   We are now at the  gate, and walls, they say, have ears. 

    178. CEL. __ Llama.  

CELEST.  Knock.  

    179. SEMP. __ Tha, tha, tha.  

SEMPR. Tha, tha, tha.  

    180. CAL. __ Pármeno.  

CALISTO.   Parmeno!  

    181. PARMENO. __ Señor.  

PARM. Sir.  

    182. CAL. __ ¿: No oyes, maldito sordo?  

CALISTO.  What a pox, art thou deaf?  Canst thou  not hear?  

    183. PARM. __ ¿:Qué es, señor?  

PARM.  What would you, sir?  

    184. CAL. __ A la puerta llaman; corre.  

CALISTO.  Somebody knocks at the gate.  Run. 

    185. PARM. __ ¿:Quién es?  

PARM.  Who′s there?  

    186. SEMP. __ Abre a mí y a esta dueña.  

SEMPR.  Open the door for this matronly dame and  me.  

    187. PARM. __ Señor, Sempronio y vna puta vieja alcoholada dauan aquellas porradas.  

PARM.  Sir,  wot you who they are that knock so  loud?  It is Sempronio and an old bawd he hath  brought along with him.  O how she is bedaub′d with  painting!  

    188. CAL. __ Calla, calla, maluado, que es mi tía.   Corre, corre, abre.   Siempre lo vi, que por huyr hombre de vn peligro, cae en otro mayor.   Por encubrir yo este fecho de Pármeno,   a quien amor o fidelidad o temor pusieran freno,   cay en indignación desta, que no tiene menor poderío en mi vida que Dios.  

CALISTO.  Peace, peace, you villain; she is my  aunt.  Run, run,  you rascal, and open the door.   Well, it is  an old saying, and, I perceive, as  true,  The fish leaps out of the pan and falls into  the fire. And a man, thinking to shun one danger,  runs into another worse than the former.  For I,  thinking to keep close this matter from Parmeno, on  whose neck, either out of love, faithfulness, or fear,  reason hath laid her reins, I have fallen into the  displeasure of this woman, who hath no less power over  my life than Jove himself. 

    189. PARM. __ ¿:Por qué, señor, te matas?   ¿:Por qué, señor, te congoxas?   ¿:Y tú piensas que es vituperio en las orejas desta el nombre que la llamé?   No Lo creas;   que assí se glorifica en le oyr, como tú, quando dizen: ¡Diestro cauallero   es Calisto¡   y demás desto, es nombrada y por tal título conocida.   Si entre cient mugeres va y alguno dize: ¡Puta vieja¡,   sin ningún empacho luego buelue la cabeça y responde con alegre cara.   En los conbites, en las fiestas, en las bodas,   en las cofadrías, en los mortuorios,   en todos los ayuntamientos de gentes, con ella passan tiempo.   Si passa por los perros, aquello suena su ladrido;   si está cerca las aues, otra cosa no cantan;   si cerca los ganados, balando lo pregonan;

PARM.  Sir, why do you vex yourself?  why grieve  you?  Do you think that in the ears of this woman the  name by which I now call her doth any way sound  reproachfully?  Believe it not.  Assure yourself, she  glories as much in this name, as oft as she hears it,  as you do when you hear some voice, Calisto to be a  gallant gentleman.  Besides, by this is she commonly  called and by this title is she of all men generally  known.  If she pass along the streets among a hundred women, and some one perhaps blurts out, See, where′s  the old bawd; without any impatiency, or any the  least distemper, she presently  turns herself about,  nods the head and answers them with a smiling countenance  and cheerful look.  At your solemn  banquets, your great feasts, your weddings, your  gossippings, your merry meetings, your funerals and  all other assemblies  whatsoever, where there is any  resort of people, thither doth she repair, and there  they make pastime with her. And if she pass by where  there be any dogs, they straightway bark out this name; if she come amongst birds, they have no other  note but this; if she light upon a flock of sheep,  their bleatings proclaim no less; if she meet with  beasts, they bellow forth the same; the frogs that lie  in ditches, croak no other tune: come she amongst your  smiths, your carpenters, your armourers, your  ferriers, your brasiers, your joiners, why, their  hammers beat all upon this word.  In a word, all sorts  of  tools  and instruments return no other echo in  the air; your  shoe-makers sing this song,  your  comb-makers join with them;  your gardeners, your ploughmen, your reapers, your  vine-keepers pass away the painfulness of their labours,  in making her the subject of their  discourse; your table-players  and all other  gamesters never lose, but they peal forth her  praises: to be short, be she wheresoever she be, all  things whatsoever are in this world repeat no other  name but this.  O what a devourer of roasted eggs was  her husband!   What would you more?  Not one stone that  strikes against another, but presently noiseth out,  ′Old whore′.  

    190. CAL. __ Y tú ¿:Cómo lo sabes y la conosces?  

CALISTO.  How canst thou tell?  Dost thou know  her?  

    191. PARM. __ Saberlo has.   Días grandes son passados que mi madre, muger pobre, moraua en su vezindad,   la qual rogada por esta Celestina, me dio a ella por siruiente;   avnque ella no me conoçe, por lo poco que la seruí   y por la mudança, que la edad ha hecho.    
192. CAL. __ ¿: De qué la seruías?  

PARM.  I shall tell you, sir, how I know her.  It  is a great while ago since my mother dwelt in her  parish, who, being entreated by this Celestina, gave  me unto her to wait upon her, though now she know me  not,  grown out perhaps of her remembrance, as well  by reason of the short time I abode with her, as also  through the alteration which age hath wrought upon me.
CALISTO.  What service didst thou do her?  

    193. PARM. __ Señor, yua a la plaça y trayale de comer y acompañáuala;   suplía en aquellos menesteres, que mi tierna fuerça bastaua. Pero de   aquel poco tiempo que la seruí,   recogía la nueua memoria lo que la vejez no ha podido quitar.   tiene esta buena dueña al cabo de la ciudad, allá cerca de las tenerías, en la cuesta del río, vna casa apartada, medio cayda, poco compuesta y menos abastada.   Ella tenía seys oficios, conuiene sauer:   labrandera, perfumera, maestra de fazer afeytes y de fazer virgos, alcahueta y vn poquito hechizera.   Era el primer oficio cobertura de los otros,   so color del qual muchas moças destas siruientes entrauan en su casa a labrarse y a labrar camisas y gorgueras y otras muchas cosas.   Ninguna venía sin torrezno, trigo, harina o jarro de vino y de las otras prouisiones,   que podían a sus amas furtar.   Y avn otros furtillos de

PARM.  I went into the market place, and fetched  her victuals;  I waited on her in the streets, and  supplied her wants in other the like services as far  as my  poor sufficiency and slender strength was able to perform.  So that, though I continued but a  little while with her, yet I remember everything as  fresh as if it were but yesterday, insomuch that old  age hath not been able to wear it out.  This good  honest whore,  this grave matron forsooth, had at  the very end of the city, there where your tanners dwell, close by the waterside, a lone house, somewhat  far from neighbours, half of it fallen down, ill  contrived and worse furnished.  Now, for to get her  living, ye must understand, she had six  several  trades:  she was a  laundress, a perfumeress, a  former of faces, a mender of cracked maiden heads, a bawd, and had some smatch of a  witch; her first trade was a cloak to all the rest,  under colour whereof,  being withal a piece of a semptress, many young wenches that were of your  ordinary sorts of servants, came to her house to work,  some on smocks, some on gorgets and many other things.   But not one of them that came  thither but brought  with her either bacon, wheat, flour, or a jar of wine,  or some other the like provision, which they could  conveniently steal from their mistresses, and some  other thefts of greater quality,  making her house  (for she was the receiver, and kept all things close)  the rendezvous of all their roguery.  She was a  great friend to your students, noblemen′s caterers, and  pages:  

  A estos vendía ella aquella sangre innocente de las cuytadillas, la qual ligeramente auenturauan en esfuerço   de la restitución que ella les prometía.   Subió su fecho a más: que por medio de aquéllas comunicaua con las más encerradas,   hasta traer a execución su propósito.   Y aquéstas en tiempo onesto, como estaciones, processiones de noche, missas del gallo,   missas del alua y otras secretas deuociones. Muchas encubiertas vi entrar en su casa.   Tras ellas hombres descalços, contritos y reboçados, desatacados, que entrauan allí a llorar sus pecados. ¡ Qué tráfagos, si piensas, traya¡   Hazíase física de niños, tomaua estambre de vnas casas, dáualo a filar en otras, por achaque de entrar en todas.   Las vnas:   ¡Madre acá¡; las otras: ¡Madre acullá¡; ¡Cata la vieja¡; ¡Ya viene el ama¡: de todos muy conocida.   Con todos estos afanes, nunca passaua sin missa ni bísperas ni dexaua monesterios de frayles ni de monjas.  

  to these she sold that innocent  blood of these poor miserable souls who did easily  adventure their virginities, drawn on by fair promises  and the restitution and reparation which she would  make them  of their lost maidenheads.  Nay, she  proceeded so far, that by cunning means she had access and communication with your very Vestals,  and never left them,  till she had brought her purpose to pass.  And what  time do you think she chose when she would deal with  any of these?  At  the time of their chiefest  ceremonies; as when they kept their most mysterious  celebration of the feasts of their Vesta, nay, and that most strictly solemnized day of Bona Dea, where  it is death to admit men, even then by unheard of  disguises she had her plots and projects effectually working upon them to the utter abolition of their vows  and virginity.  Now, what think you, were the  trades and merchandise wherein she dealt?  She  professed herself a kind of physician,  and feigned that she had good skill in curing of little  children; she would go and fetch flax from one house,  and put it forth to spinning to another, that she  might thereby have pretence for the freer access unto  all:  one would cry, ′Here mother;′ and another,  ′There mother:′ ′Look′, says the third, ′where the old woman comes; yonder comes that beldam so well known to  all.′  Yet notwithstanding all these her cares,  troubles and trottings to and fro, being never out  of action, she would never miss any great meeting, any religious processions, any nuptials, love ties, balls,  masks or games whatsoever;

  Esto porque allí fazía ella sus aleluyas y conciertos.   y en su casa fazía perfumes, falsaua estoraques, menjuy, animes, á ámbar, algalia,   poluillos, almizcles, mosquetes. Tenía vna cámara llena de alambiques, de redomillas, de barrilejos   de barro, de vidrio, de arambre, de estaño, hechos de mill faziones. Hazía solimán,   afeyte cozido, argentadas, bujelladas, cerillas, llanillas, vnturillas, lustres, luzentores, clarimientes, alualinos y otras aguas de rostro,   de rasuras de gamones, de cortezas de spantalobos, de taraguntia, de hieles, de agra, de mosto,   destiladas y açucaradas. Adelgazaua los cueros con çumos de limones, con turuino,   con tuétano de corço y de garça, y otras confaciones. Sacaua agua para oler, de rosas, de azahar, de jasmín,   de trébol, de madreselua y clauellinas, mosquetas y almizcladas, poluorizadas, con vino. Hazía lexías para enrubiar, de sarmientos, de carrasca,   de centeno, de

they were the only markets, where she made  all her bargains. And at home in her own house she  made perfumes, false and counterfeit storax, Benjamin,  Gumme, Anime, amber, civet, powders, musk and mosqueta.   She had a chamber full of limbecks, little vials,  pots, some of earth, some of glass, some brass, and  some tin, formed in a thousand fashions.  She made  sublimated mercury, boiled confections for to clarify  the skin, waters to make the face glister, paintings,  some white, some vermilion, lip salves, scarlet dyed  cloths fitted purposely for women to rub their faces  therewith, ointments for to make the face smooth,  lustrifications, clarifications, pargetings, fardings,  waters  for the morphews, and a thousand other  slibber-slabbers:  some made of the lees of wine, some  of daffodils, some of the barks and rinds of trees, some of scar-wolf,  otherwise called cittibush or  trifolium, some of tarragon, some of centaury, some  of sour grapes, some of must  or new wine taken from  the press, first distilled and then after sweetened with sugar.  She had a trickle to supple and refine the skin with the juice of Lemmons, with turpentine, with the marrow of dear, and of heron-shawes, and a thousand like confections: she distilled sweet-waters of roses,  of flowers, of oranges, of jasmine, of three-leafed  grass, of woodbine, of gilly-flowers, incorporated  with musk and civet, and sprinkled with wine:  she made likewise lees, for to make the hair turn yellow,  or of the colour of gold; and this she composed of  the sprigs of the vine, of holm, of rye, of horehound  intermixed with saltpeter, with alum, milfoil,  which  some call yarrow or nose-bleed, together with divers  other things.  The oils, the butters, and the greases  which she used, it is loathsome to tell you  and would you turn your stomach; as of kine, bears,  horses, camels, snakes, conies, whales, herons,  bitters, bucks, cats of the mountains, badgers, squirrels, hedgehogs and others.  For her preparatives  for bathings, it is a wonderful thing to acquaint you  with all the herbs and roots which were ready gathered  and hung up a-high in the roof of her house:  as  chamomile, rosemary, marsh-mallows, maidenhair,  bluebottle, flowers of elder and of mustard, spike and  white laurel,  buds of roses, rosecakes,  gramonilla, wild-savory, green figs, picodorae, and  folia-tinct.  

  Los azeytes que sacaua para el rostro no es cosa de creer: de estoraque y de jazmín, de limón, de pepitas, de violetas, de menjuy, de alfócigos,   de piñones, de granillo, de açofeyfas, de neguilla, de altramuzes, de aruejas y de carillas y de yerua paxarera.   Y vn poquillo de bálsamo tenía ella en vna redomilla, que guardaua para aquel rascuño, que tiene por las narizes.   Esto de los virgos, vnos facía de bexiga y otros curaua de punto. Tenía en vn tabladillo, en vna caxuela pintada,   vnas agujas delgadas de pellejeros y hilos de seda encerados y colgadas allí rayzes de hojaplasma y fuste sanguino,   cebolla albarrana y cepacauallo.   Hazía con esto marauillas: que, quando vino por aquí el embaxador francés, tres vezes vendió por virgen vna criada, que tenía.  

  The oils which she extracted for the  face, it is incredible to recount, of storax and of  jasmine, of lemons, of apple-kernels, of violets, of  benivy, of fisticnuts, of pine apple kernels, of  grape-stones, of jujuba, of axenuz or melanthion, of  lupines, of pease, of carilla, and paxarera; and a  small quantity of balsamum she had in a little vial,  wherewith she cured that scotch given her overthwart  her nose.  For the mending of lost maidenheads, some  she holp with little bladders, and other some she  stitched up with the needle.  She had in a little cabinet or painted work-box certain fine small  needles, such as your glovers sow withal, and threads  of  the slenderest and smallest silk, rubbed over with wax:  she had also roots hanging there of folia-plasme, fuste-sanguinio, squill or sea-onion, and  ground thistle.  With these she did work wonders; and when the French ambassador came thither, she made sale  of one of her wenches three several times for a  virgin.  

    194. CAL. __ ¡ Así pudiera ciento!  

CALISTO.  So she might a hundred as well.  

    195. PARM. __ ¡ Sí, santo Dios¡Y remediaua por caridad muchas huérfanas y cerradas, que se encomendauan a ella.   Y en otro apartado tenía para remediar amores y para se querer bien. Tenía huessos de coraçón de cieruo,   lengua de bíuora, cabeças de codornizes, sesos de asno, tela de cauallo, mantillo de niño, haua morisca, guija marina, soga de ahorcado,   flor de yedra, espina de erizo, pie de texó, granos de helecho, la piedra del nido del á águila   y otras mill cosas. Venían a ella muchos hombres   y mugeres y a vnos demandaua el pan do mordían;   a otros, de su ropa; a otros, de sus cabellos; a otros, pintaua en la palma letras con açafrán; a otros, con bermellón; a otros, daua vnos coraçones de cera, llenos de agujas quebradas   y otras cosas en barro y en plomo hechas, muy espantables al ver. Pintaua figuras, dezía palabras en tierra.   ¿:Quién te podrá dezir lo que esta vieja fazía? Y todo era burla y mentira.  

PARM.  Believe me,  Sir, it is true as  I tell you. Besides, out of charity  forsooth,  she relieved many orphans and many straggling wenches,  which recommended themselves unto her.  In another partition she had  her knacks for to help those  that were love-sick, and to make them to be beloved  again  and obtain their desires. And for this  purpose she had the bones that are bred in a stag′s  heart, the tongue of a viper, the heads of quails, the  brains of an ass, the cauls of young colts  when they  are new foaled, the bearing cloth of a new-born  babe, barbary beans,  a sea-compass, a horn-fish,  the halter of a man that hath been hangesd, ivy-  berries, the prickles of a hedge-hog, the foot of a badger, fern-seed, the stone of an eagle′s nest, and a  thousand other things. Many both men and women came  unto her:  of some she would demand a piece of that  bread where they had bit it; of others, some part of  their apparel; of some she would crave to have of  their hair; others, she would draw characters in the palms of their hands with saffron; with other  some  she would do the same with a kind of colour which you  call vermilion; to others she would give hearts made  of wax and stuck full of broken needles; and  many other  the like things, made in clay and some in  lead, very fearful and ghastly to behold:  she would  draw circles, portrait forth figures and mumble  many strange words to herself,  having her eyes still fixed on the ground.  But who is able to  deliver unto you those things that she hath done?  And  all these were mere mockeries and lies.  

    196. CAL. __ Bien está, Pármeno. Déxalo para más oportunidad. asaz soy de ti auisado. Téngotelo   en gracia No nos detengamos, que la necessidad desecha la tardança.   Oye. Aquélla viene rogada.   Espera más que deue. Vamos, no se indigne.   Yo temo y el temor reduze la memoria y a la prouidencia despierta.   ¡Sus¡Vamos, proueamos.   Pero ruégote, Pármeno, la embidia de Sempronio,   que en esto me sirue y complaze no ponga impedimiento en el remedio de mi vida.   Que, si para él houo jubón, para ti no faltará sayo.   Ni pienses que tengo en menos tu consejo y auiso, que su trabajo y obra:   como lo espiritual sepa yo que precede a lo corporal   y que, puesto que las bestias corporalmente trabajen más que los hombres, por esso son pensadas y curadas; pero no amigas dellos.   En la tal diferencia

CALISTO.  Parmeno, hold thy hand;  thou hast  said enough; what remaineth, leave it till some  fitter opportunity.  I am sufficiently instructed by  thee, and I thank thee for it; let us now delay them  no longer, for necessity cuts off slackness.  Know  thou that she comes hither requested, and we make her  stay longer than stands with good manners.  Come, let  us go, lest she be offended  and take it ill.  I  fear, and fear  makes me more and more think upon  her, quickens my memory, and awakens in me a more provident carefulness how I communicate my self unto her. Well, let us go ourselves as well as we can against all  inconveniences.  But I pray thee, Parmeno,  let me  entreat thee that the envy thou bearest unto Sempronio who is to serve and pleasure me in this  buisiness, be not an impediment to that remedy,  whereon no less than the safety of my life relieth.  And, if I had a doublet for him, thou  shalt not want a madillion. Neither think thou, but  that I esteem as much of they counsel and advice as of his labour and pains; and as  brute beasts, we see, do labour more bodily than men,  for which they are well respected of us and carefully  looked unto, but yet for all this we hold them not in  the nature of friends  nor affect them with the like  love:  the like difference do I make between thee  and Sempronio, and laying aside all power and dominion  in myself, under the privy seal of my secret love sign  myself unto thee for such a friend.  

    197. PARM. __ Quéxome, señor, de la dubda de mi fidelidad y seruicio, por los prometimientos y amonestaciones tuyas.   ¿:Quándo me viste, señor, embidiar o por ningún interesse ni resabio tu prouecho estorcer?  

PARM.  Sir, it grieves me not a little that you  should seem doubtful of my fidelity and faithful  service, which these your fair promises and demonstrations  of your good affection cannot but  call into question and jealousy.  When, sir, did you  ever see my envy prove hurtful unto you? Or when for  any interest of mine own or dislike  did I ever show  myself cross, to cross your good, or to hinder what  might make for your profit?  

   198. CAL. __ No te escandalizes.   Que sin dubda tus costumbres y gentil criança en mis ojos ante todos los que me siruen están.   Mas como en caso tan árduo, do todo mi bien y vida pende, es necessario proueer, proueo a los contescimientos.   Como quiera que creo que tus buenas costumbres sobre buen natural florescen,   como el buen natural sea principio del artificio. Y no más;   sino vamos a ver la salud.  

CALISTO.  Take it not offensively nor misconstrue  my meaning:  for assure thyself thy good behaviour  towards me and thy fair carriage and gentle  disposition makes thee more gracious in mine eyes than  any, nay, than all the rest of my servants.  But  because in a case so difficult  and hard as this,  not only all my good, but even my life also wholly  dependeth, it is needful that I should,  in all that  I am able, provide for myself, and therefore seek to  arm myself  in this sort as thou see′st against all  such casualties,  as may endanger my desire;  howsoever,  persuade thyself that thy good  qualities, as far excel every natural good as every  natural good excelleth the artificial from whom it  hath its beginning.  But of this,  for this time no  more; but let us now go and see  her who must work  our welfare.   

    199. CEL. __ Pasos oygo. Acá descienden.   Haz, Sempronio, que no lo oyes.   Escucha y déxame hablar lo que a ti y a mí me conuiene.  

CELEST.   Soft:  methinks I hear  somebody on the stairs; they are now coming down.   Sempronio, make as though you did not hear them:   stand close and listen  what they say, and let  me alone to speak for us both.  And thou shalt see  how handsomely I will handle the matter, both for thee  and me.  

    200. SEMP. __ Habla.  

SEMPR.  Do so then.  Speak thou.  

    201. CEL. __ No me congoxes ni me importunes,   que sobrecargar el cuydado es aguijar al animal congoxoso.   Assí sientes la pena de tu amo Calisto,   que parece que tú eres él y él tú y que los tormentos son en vn mismo subjecto.   Pues cree que yo no vine acá por dexar este pleyto indeciso o morir en la demanda.  

CELEST.  Trouble me no more,  I say, leave  importuning me; for to overcharge one,  who is heavy  enough already laden with pain  and anguish, were  to spur a sick beast.  Alas, poor soul, methinks  thou art so possessed with thy master′s pain  and so affected with his affliction, that Sempronio seems  to be Calisto, and Calisto to be Sempronio, and that  both your torments are both but in one and the same  subject.  Besides I would have you think that I came  not hither to leave this controversy undecided, but  will die rather in the demand  and pursuit of this my  purpose, than not see his desire accomplished.

    202. CAL. __ Pármeno, detente. ¡Ce¡Escucha que hablan éstos.   Veamos en qué viuimos.   ¡O notable muger¡O bienes mundanos, indignos de ser poseydos de tan alto coraçón¡ ¡O fiel y verdadero Sempronio ¡? Has visto, mi Pármeno?   ¿:Oyste?? Tengo razón?   ¿:Qué me dizes, rincón de mi secreto y consejo y alma mia?  

CALISTO.   Parmeno, stay,  stay  awhile, make no noise; stand still, I pray thee and  listen a little what they say. So hush, that we may  see in what state we live,  what we are like to trust to, and how the world is like to go with us.  O  notable woman!   O worldly goods, unworthy to be  possessed by so high a spirit!   O faithful and trusty Sempronio!   Hast thou well observ′d him, my Parmeno?   Hast thou heard him? Hast thou noted his  earnestness?  Tell me, have I not reason to respect  him?  What sayest thou, man?  Thou that art the closet  of my secrets, the cabinet of my counsel, and counsel  of my soul!  

    203. PARM. __ Protestando mi innocencia en la primera sospecha y cumpliendo con la fidelidad,   porque te me concediste, hablaré.   Oyeme y el afecto no te ensorde ni la esperança del deleyte te ciegue.   Tiémplate y no te apresures:   que muchos con codicia de dar en el fiel, yerran el blanco.   Avnque soy moço, cosas he visto asaz y el seso y la vista de las muchas cosas demuestran la experiencia.   De verte o de oyrte descender por la escalera, parlan lo que éstos fingidamente han dicho,   en cuyas falsas palabras pones el fin de tu deseo.  

PARM.  Protesting  first my innocency for your  former suspicion, and complying with my fidelity,  since you have given me such free liberty of speech, I  will truly deliver unto you what I think.  Hear me  therefore and let not your affection make you deaf  nor hope of your pleasure blind you; have a little  patience and be not too hasty; for many through too  much eagerness to hit the pin, have shot far beside  the white.  And, albeit I am but young, yet have I  seen somewhat in my days:  besides, the observation and sight of many things do teach a man much  experience.  Wherefore assure yourself, and thereon  I durst pawn my life, that they overheard what we  said, as also our coming down the stairs, and have  of set purpose fallen into this false and feigned  expression  of their great love and care, wherein  you now place the end of your desire.  

    204. SEMP. __ Celestina, ruynmente suena lo que Pármeno dize.  

SEMPR.  Believe me, Celestina,  Parmeno aims unhappily.  

    205. CEL. __ Calla, que para la mi santiguada do vino el asno verná el albarda.   Déxame tú a Pármeno, que yo te le haré vno de nos, y de lo que houiéremos,   démosle parte: que los bienes, si no son conmunicados, no son bienes. Ganemos todos, partamos todos, holguemos todos.   Yo te le traeré manso y benigno a picar el pan en el puño   y seremos dos a dos y, como dizen, tres al mohino.  

CELEST.  Be silent:  for I swear by my  halidom that whither comes the ass, thither also  shall come the saddle.  Let me alone to deal with  Parmeno, and you shall see  I will so temper him ere  I have done with him, that I will make him wholly  ours.  And see, what we gain, he shall share with us:   for goods that are not common are not goods;  it is communication that makes combination in love, and  therefore let us all gain, let us all divide the spoil  and let us laugh and be merry all alike.  I will make  the slave so tame and so gentle, that I will bring him  like a bird to pick bread from my fist.  And so we  will be two to two, and all three join to cozen the  fourth .  Thou and I will join together, Parmeno shall  make a third, and all of us cheat Calisto.

    206. CAL. __ Sempronio  

CALISTO.  Sempronio.  

    207. SEMP. __ Señor.  

SEMPR.  Sir.  

    208. CAL. __ ¿: Qué hazes, llaue de mi vida? Abre.   ¡O Pármeno¡Ya la veo: ¡Sano soy, viuo só¡? Miras qué reuerenda persona, qué acatamiento?   Por la mayor parte, por la philosomía es conocida la virtud interior   ¡O vejez virtuosa¡O virtud enuejecida¡   ¡O gloriosa esperança de mi desseado fin¡   ¡O fin de mi deleytosa esperança¡   ¡O salud de mi passión, reparo de mi tormento, regeneración mia,   viuificación de mi vida, resurreción de mi muerte¡   Deseo llegar a ti, cobdicio besar essas manos llenas de remedio.   La indignidad de mi persona lo embarga.   Dende aquí adoro la tierra que huellas y en reuerencia tuya beso.  

CALISTO.  What art thou doing, thou that art the  key of my life?  Open the door.  O Parmeno!   now that  I see her, I feel myself well,  methinks I am now  alive again.  See what a reverend matron it is:  what a presence she bears,  worthy respect! A man may now  see, how for the most part the face is the index of  the mind.  O virtuous old age!   O  imaged virtue!    O glorious hope of my desired end!   O head, the  allayer of my passion!  O  reliever of my torment and  vivification of my life, resurrection from my death!    I desire to draw near unto thee, my lips long to kiss  those hands wherein consists the fullness of my  recovery; but the unworthiness of my person debars me  of so great a favour.  Wherefore I here adore the  ground whereon thou treadest, and in reverence of thee  bow down my body to kiss it.  

    209. CEL. __ Sempronio, ¡De aquéllas viuo yo!   ¡Los huessos, que yo roy, piensa este necio de tu amo de darme a comer¡   Pues al le sueño.   Al freyr lo verá. Dile que cierre la boca y comience   abrir la bolsa:   que de las obras dudo, quanto más de las palabras.   Xo que te estriego, asna coxa.   Más hauías de madrugar.  

CELEST.  Sempronio,  can fair words make me the  fatter? Can I live by this?  Those bones which I  have already gnawn, does this fool thy master think to  feed me therewith?  Sure the man dreams; when he comes  to fry his eggs, he will then find what is wanting.   Bid him shut his mouth and open his purse:  I misdoubt  his words, much more his works.  Holla, I say; are  you so ticklish?  I will curry you for this gear,  you lame ass.  You must rise a little more early,  if  you mean to go beyond me.  

    210. PARM. __ ¡ Guay de orejas, que tal oyen¡   Perdido es quien tras perdido anda.   ¡O Calisto deauenturado, abatido, ciego¡   ¡Y en tierra está adorando a la más antigua y puta tierra,   que fregaron sus espaldas en todos los burdeles!   Deshecho es, vencido es, caydo es:   no es capaz de ninguna redención ni consejo ni esfuerço.  

PARM.  Woe to these ears of mine, that ever they  should hear such  words as these!   I now see that  he is a lost man, who goes after one that is lost.  O  unhappy Calisto, deject wretch, blind in thy folly,  and  kneeling on the ground to adore the oldest  and the rottenest piece of whorish earth, that  ever rubbed her shoulders in the stews!   He is undone,  he is overthrown  horse and foot, he is fallen into a trap whence he will never get out; he is  not capable of any redemption, counsel, or courage.  

    211. CAL. __ ¿: Qué dezía la madre?   Parésceme que pensaua que le ofrescía palabras por escusar galardón.  

CALISTO.  What said my mother?  It seemeth unto  me, that she thinks I offer words for to excuse my  reward.  

    212. SEMP. __ Assí lo sentí.  

SEMPR.  You have hit the nail on the head, sir.  

    213. CAL. __ Pues ven comigo:   trae las llaues, que yo sanaré su duda. 

CALISTO.  Come then with me, bring the keys with  you, and thou shalt see, I will quickly put her out of  that doubt.  

    214. SEMP. __ Bien farás y luego vamos.   Que no se deue dexar crescer la yerua entre los panes ni la sospecha en los coraçones de los amigos;   sino alimpiarla luego con el escardilla de las buenas obras.  

SEMPR.  In so doing, you shall do well, sir.   Let us go presently:  for it is not good to suffer  weeds to grow amongst corn, nor suspicion in the  hearts of our friends, but to root it out straight with the weed-hook of good works.

    215. CAL. __ Astuto hablas. Vamos y no tardemos.  

CALISTO.  Wittily spoken; come, let us go, let us  slack no time.  

    216. CEL. __ Plázeme, Pármeno, que hauemos auido oportunidad para que conozcas el amor mio contigo y la parte que en mí immérito tienes.   y digo immérito, por lo que te he oydo dezir, de que no hago caso.   Porque virtud nos amonesta sufrir las tentaciones y no dar mal por mal;   y especial, quando somos tentados por moços y no bien instrutos en lo mundano,   en que con necia lealtad pierdan a sí y a sus amos, como agora tú a Calisto. Bien te oy y no pienses que   el oyr con los otros exteriores sesos mi vejez aya perdido.   Que no sólo lo que veo, oyo y conozco;    mas avn lo intrínseco con los intellectuales ojos penetro.  

CELEST.  Believe me, Parmeno, I am very glad that  we have lighted on so fit an opportunity, wherein I  may manifest  and make known unto thee  the  singular love wherewithal I affect thee, and what great interest (though undeservedly) thou hast in me;  I say undeservedly in regard of that which I have  heard thee speak against me, whereof I make no more  reckoning,  but am content to let it pass.  For,  virtue teacheth us to suffer temptations and not to  render evil for evil, and especially when we are  tempted by young men, such as want experience  and  are not acquainted with the courses of the world,  who out of  an ignorant and foolish  kind of  loyalty undo both themselves and their masters, as  thou thyself dost  Calisto.  

  Has de saber, Pármeno, que Calisto anda de amor quexoso.   Y no lo juzgues por eso por flaco,   que el amor imperuio todas las cosas vence.   Y sabe, si no sabes, que dos conclusiones son verdaderas. La primera, que es forçoso el hombre amar a la muger y la muger   al hombre.   La segunda, que el que verdaderamente ama es necessario que se turbe con la dulçura del soberano deleyte,   que por el hazedor de las cosas fue puesto, porque el linaje de los hombres perpetuase, sin lo qual perescería.   y no sólo en la humana especie;  mas en los pesces, en las bestias,   en las aues, en las reptilias y en lo vegetatiuo algunas plantas han este respeto,   si sin interposición de otra cosa en poca distancia de tierra están puestas,   en que ay determinación de heruolarios y agricultores, ser machos y hembras.   ¿:Qué dirás a esto, Pármeno?  ¡Neciuelo, loquito, angelico, perlica, simplezico¡   ¿:Lobitos en tal

I heard you well enough,  not a word you said that escaped mine ear.  Nor do  you think that, with these my other outward senses,  old age hath made me lose my hearing; for not only  that which I see, hear and know, but even the very  inward secrets  of thy heart and thoughts I search  into and pierce to the full with these my  intellectual eyes,  these eyes of my understanding.   I would have thee to know, Parmeno, that Calisto is love-sick,  sick even to the death.  Nor art thou  for this to censure him to be  a weak and foolish  man:  for unresistable love subdueth all things.   Besides, I would have thee to know, if thou knowest it  not already, that there are these two conclusions that  are  evermore infallibly true.  The first is, that  every man must of force love a woman, and every woman  love a man.  The second is, that he who truly loves,  must of necessity be much troubled  and moved with  the sweetness of that superexcellent delight which was  ordained by Him that made all things, for the perpetuating of mankind, without which, it must needs  perish:  and not only in human kind, but also in  fishes, birds, beasts and  all creatures that creep and crawl upon the earth, likewise in your souls  vegetative, some plants have the same inclination  and disposition, that without the interposition of  any other thing they be planted in some little  distance one of another, and it is determined  and  agreed upon by  the general consent of your  gardeners and husbandmen, to be male and female. How  can you answer this, Parmeno?  Now my pretty little  fool, you mad wag, my soul′s sweet genius, my pearl,  my jewel, my honest poor silly  lad,  my pretty little monkey-face, come hither,  you little whoreson;  alack, how I pity thy  simplicity!   Thou knowest nothing of the world nor  of its delights.  Let me run mad and die  in that  fit, if I suffer thee to come near me, as old as I  am.  Thou hast a  harsh and ill-favoured hoarse  voice; by thy brizzled beard,  it is easily guessed  what manner of man you are.  Tell me, is all quiet  beneath? No motions at all to make in Venus′ court?

    217. PARM. __ ¡ Como cola de alacrán!  

PARM.  Oh!   As quiet as the tail of a  scorpion.  

    218. CEL. __ Y avn peor: que la otra muerde sin hinchar y la tuya hincha por nueue meses.  

CELEST.  It were well and it were no worse.

    219. PARM. __ ¡ Hy¡hy¡hy!  

PARM.  Ha, ha, he.  

    220. CEL. __ ¿: Ríeste, landrezilla, fijo?  

CELEST.  Laugh′st thou, thou pocky rogue?  

    221. PARM. __ Calla, madre, no me culpes ni me tengas, avnque moço, por insipiente.   Amo a Calisto, porque le deuo fidelidad,   por criança, por beneficios, por ser dél honrrado y bientratado,   que es la mayor cadena, que el amor del seruidor al seruicio del señor prende, quanto lo contrario aparta.   Véole perdido  y no ay cosa peor que yr tras desseo sin esperança de buen fin   y especial, pensando remediar su hecho tan árduo y difícil con vanos consejos y necias razones de aquel bruto Sempronio,   que es pensar sacar aradores a pala y açadón.   No lo puedo sufrir. ¡ Dígolo y lloro!  

PARM.  Nay, mother, be quiet:  hold your peace,  I pray. Do not blame me; and do not hold me, though  I am but young, for a fool.  I love Calisto,  tied  thereunto out of that true and honest fidelity which  every servant owes unto his master, for the breeding  that he hath given me, for the benefit which I receive  from him, as also because I am well respected and kindly entreated by him, which is the strongest chain  that links the love of the servant to the service of  his master, as the contrary is the breaking of it.  I  see he  is out of the right way and hath wholly  lost himself; and nothing can befall a man worse  in  this world than to hunt after his desire, without  hope of a good  and happy end; especially, he  thinking to recover his game ( which himself  holdeth so hard and difficult a pursuit) by the vain  advice and foolish reasons of that beast Sempronio,  which is all one, as if he should go about with  the broad end of a spade, to dig little worms  out of  a man′s hand.  I hate it.  I abhor it.  It is  abominable, and with grief I speak it; I do much  lament it.   

    222. CEL. __ ¿: Pármeno, tú no vees que es necedad o simpleza llorar por lo que con llorar no se puede remediar?  

CELEST.  Knowst thou not, Parmeno, that it is an  absolute folly or mere simplicity to bewail that which  by wailing cannot be holpen?  

    223. PARM. __ Por esso lloro.   Que, si con llorar fuesse possible traer a mi amo el remedio, tan grande sería el plazer de la tal esperança, que de gozo no podría llorar;   pero assí, perdida ya toda la esperança, pierdo el alegría y lloro.  

PARM.  And therefore do I wail,  because it  cannot be holpen:  for if by  wailing and weeping  it were possible to work some remedy for my master, so  great would the contentment of that hope be, that for  very joy I should not have the power to weep.  But  because I see all hope thereof to be utterly lost,  with it have I lost all my joy, and for this cause do  I weep.  

    224. CEL. __ Llorarás sin prouecho por lo que llorando estoruar no podrás ni sanarlo presumas.   ¿:A otros no ha contecido esto, Pármeno?  

CELEST.  Thou weepest in vain for that which  cannot by weeping be avoided;  thou canst not turn  the stream of his violent passion, and therefore  mayest truly presume that he is past all cure.  Tell  me, Parmeno, hath not the like happened to others  as  well as to him?  

    225. PARM. __ Si; pero a mi amo no le querría doliente.  

PARM.  Yes.  But I would not have my master  through mourning and grieving, languish, and grow  sick.  

    226. CEL. __ No lo es; mas avnque fuesse doliente, podría sanar.  

CELEST.  Thy master is well enough.  He is  not sick:  and, were he never so sick,  never so much  pained and grieved, I myself am able to cure him.   I have the power to do it. 

    227. PARM. __ No curo de lo que dizes, porque en los bienes mejor es el acto que la potencia   y en los males mejor la potencia que el acto.   Assí que mejor es ser sano que poderlo ser,   y mejor es poder ser doliente que ser enfermo por acto   y, por tanto, es mejor tener la potencia en el mal que el acto.  

PARM.  I regard not what thou sayest.  For in  good things, better is the act than the power; and in  bad things, better the power than the act.  So that it  is better to be well than in the way to be well; and  better is the possibility of being sick than to be  sick indeed:  and therefore power in ill is better  than the act.  

    228. CEL. __ ¡O maluado¡Cómo, que no se te entiende¡   ¿:Tú no sientes su enfermedad?   ¿:Qué has dicho hasta agora?? De qué te quexas? Pues burla o di por verdad lo falso y cree lo   que quisieres:   que él es enfermo por acto y el poder ser sano es en mano desta flaca vieja.  

CELEST.  O thou  wicked villain!   How idly  dost thou talk, as if thou didst not understand  thyself!   It seems thou dost not know his disease;  what hast thou hitherto said?  What wouldst thou have?  What is′t that grieves you, sir?  Why  lamentest thou?  Be you disposed to jest  and make  yourself merry?  or are you in good earnest, and  would′st fain face out truth with falsehood?  Believe  you what you list; I am sure he is sick, and that in  act, and that the power to make him whole lies  wholly in the hands of this weak old woman. 

    229. PARM. __ ¡ Más, desta flaca puta vieja!  

PARM.  Nay rather, of this weak old whore.  

    230. CEL. __ ¡ Putos días biuas, vellaquillo¡Y ¡Cómo te atreues. . . !  

CELEST.  Now the hangman be thy ghostly father,  my little rascal,  my pretty villain; how dar′st  thou be so bold with me?  

    231. PaRM. __ ¡ Como te conozco. . . !  

PARM.  How?  as though I did not know thee!  

    232. CEL. __ ¿: Quién eres tú?  

CELEST.  And who art thou?  

    233. PARM. __ ¿:Quién? Pármeno, hijo de Alberto tu compadre, que estuue contigo vn mes,   que te me dio mi madre, quando morauas a la cuesta del río, cerca de las tenerías.  

PARM.  Who?  marry, I am Parmeno, son to Alberto,  thy gossip, who lived some little while with thee; for  my mother recommended me unto thee, when thou dwelt′st  close by the river side in Tanners′ Row.

    234. CEL. __ ¡ Jesú, Jesú, Jesú¡? Y tú eres Pármeno, hijo de la Claudina?  

CELEST.  Good Lord, and art thou Parmeno,  Claudina′s son?  

   
235. PARM. __ ¡ Alahé, yo !   

PARM.  The very same.  

    236. CEL. __ ¡ Pues fuego malo te queme, que tan puta vieja era tu madre como yo¡   ¿:Por qué me persigues, Pármeno?   ¡El es, él es, por los sanctos de Dios¡   Allégate a mi, ven acá, que mill açotes y puñadas te di en este mundo y otros tantos besos.   Acuérdaste, quando dormías a mis pies, loquito?  

CELEST.  Now  the fire  of the pox consume thy bones!   for thy mother was an old whore as myself.   Why dost thou persecute me, Parmeno?  It is he  in  good truth,  it is he.   Come hither unto me; come,  I say; many a good jerk  and many a cuff on the ear have I given thee in my  days, and as many kisses too.  Ah,   you little rogue,  dost thou remember,  sirrha, when thou lay′st at my  bed′s feet?  

    237. PARM. __ Si, en buena fe.   Y algunas vezes, avnque era niño, me subías a la cabeçera y me apretauas contigo   y, porque olías a vieja, me fuya de ti.  

PARM.  Passing well:  and sometimes also, though  I was then but a little  apish boy, how you would  take me up to your pillow, and there lie hugging of me  in your arms; and because you savoured somewhat of old age, I remember how I would  fling and fly from  you.  

    238. CEL. __ ¡ Mala landre te mate¡   ¡Y cómo lo dize el desuergonçado¡Dexadas burlas y pasatiempos, oye agora, mi fijo, y escucha.   Que, avnque a vn fin soy llamada, a otro só venida   y maguera que contigo me aya fecho de nueuas, tú eres la causa.   Mijo, bien sabes cómo tu madre, que Dios aya, te me dio viuiendo tu padre.   El qual, como de mí te fueste, con otra ansia no murió,   sino con la incertedumbre de tu vida y persona.   Por la qual absencia algunos años de su vejez sufrió angustiosa y cuydosa vida.   Y al tiempo que della passó, embió por mi y en su secreto te me encargó   y me dixo sin otro testigo, sino aquél que es testigo de todas las obras y pensamientos y los coraçones y entrañas escudriña,   al qual puso entre él y mí, que te buscasse y allegasse y abrigasse y, quando de complida edad fueses, tal que en tu viuir supiesses   tener manera y forma,   te descubriesse adonde dexó encerrada tal copia de oro y plata, que basta más que la

CELEST.  A pox on you for a rogue!   Out,  impudent!   art thou not ashamed to talk thus?  But  to leave off all jesting,  and to come to plain  earnest; hear me now, my child, and hearken what I  shall say unto thee.  For, though I am called hither  for one end, I am come for another.  And albeit I have  made  myself a stranger unto thee and as though I knew thee not, yet thou wast the only cause that drew me hither. My son, I am  sure thou art not ignorant, how that your mother gave  you unto me, your father being then alive; who, after  thou wentest from me, died of no other grief, save  only what she suffered for the uncertainty of thy life  and person; for whose absence, in those latter years  of  her elder age, she led a most painful,  pensive and careful life.  And when the time came  that she was to leave this world, she sent for me, and  in secret recommended thee unto me, and told me, no  other witness being by, but heaven the witness to all  our works, our thoughts, our hearts, whom she alone interposed between  her and me, that  of all  loves I should  do so much for her, as to make  inquiry after thee, and  when I had found thee, to  bring thee up and foster thee  as mine own:  and  that as soon as thou shouldst come to man′s estate,  and wert able to  know how to govern thyself, and  to live in some good manner and fashion, that then I  should discover unto thee a certain place, where,  under many a lock and key, she hath left thee more  store of gold and silver than all the revenues come  to,  that thy master Calisto  hath in his  possession.  And because I solemnly vowed  and  bound myself by promise unto her  that I would see  her desire, as farforth as lay in me, to be well and  truly performed, she peacefully departed this mortal  life:  and though a man′s faith ought to be  inviolably observed both to the living  and the  dead, yet more especially to the dead; for they are  not able to do anything of themselves, they cannot  come to me, and prosecute their right here upon earth.  I have spent much time and money in  inquiring and searching after thee, and could  never till now hear what was become of thee, and it  is not above three days since, that I first heard  of  your being, and where you abode.  Verily, it hath  much grieved me, that thou hast gone traveling and  wandering  throughout the world as thou hast done,  from place to place,  losing thy time without  either gain of profit or of friends.  

  Que, como Séneca nos dize, los peregrinos tienen muchas posadas y pocas amistades, porque en breue tiempo con   ninguno no pueden firmar amistad.   Y el que está en muchos cabos, está en ninguno.   Ni puede aprouechar el manjar a los cuerpos, que en comiendo se lança,   ni ay cosa que más la sanidad impida, que la diuersidad y mudança y variación de los manjares.   Y nunca la llaga viene a cicatrizar, en la qual muchas melezinas se tientan.   Ni conualesce la planta, que muchas vezes es traspuesta.   Ni ay cosa tan prouechosa, que en llegando aproueche.   por tanto, mi hijo, dexa los ímpetus de la juventud y tórnate con la doctrina de tus mayores a la razón.   Reposa en alguna parte.   ¿:Y dónde mejor, que en mi voluntad, en mi ánimo, en mi consejo, a quien tus padres te remetieron?   y yo, assí como verdadera madre tuya, te digo, so las malediciones, que tus padres te pusieron,   si me fuesses inobediente, que por el presente sufras y siruas a este tu amo, que procuraste, hasta en ello hauer otro consejo mio.

For, as Seneca  saith, Travellers have many ends and few friends.   For in so short a time they can never fasten  friendship with any:  and he that is everywhere is  said to be nowhere.  Again, that meat cannot benefit  the body, which is no sooner eaten than ejected.   Neither doth anything more hinder its health than your  diversities and changes or meats.  Nor doth that wound  come to be healed, which hath daily change of tents  and new plasters.  Nor doth that tree never prove,  which is often transplanted  and removed from one ground to another.  Nor is there anything so  profitable , which at the first sight bringeth profit  with it.  Therefore, my good son, leave off these  violencies of youth, and following the doctrine and  rule of thy ancestors, return unto reason, settle  thyself in some one place or other.  And where better  than  where I shall advise thee, taking me and my  counsel along with thee, to whom thou art  recommended both by thy father and mother?  And I, as  if I were thine own true mother, say unto thee, upon  those curses and maledictions which thy parents have  laid upon thee, if thou should′st be disobedient unto  me, that yet a while thou continue here and serve this  thy master which thou hast gotten thee, till thou  hearest further from me, but not with that foolish  loyalty  and ignorant honesty, as hitherto thou hast  done, thinking to find firmness upon a false  foundation, as most of these masters nowadays are.   But do thou gain friends, which is a durable  and  lasting commodity; stick  closely and constantly  unto them; do not thou live upon hopes, relying on the vain promises  of masters who suck away the substance of their  servants with hollow-hearted and idle promises, as the  horse-leeches suck blood; and in the end fall off from  them, wrong them, grow forgetful of their  good  services, and deny them any recompense  or reward at  all. 

  ¡Guay de quien en palacio enuejece!   Como se escriue de la probática piscina, que de ciento que entrauan, sanaua vno.   Estos señores deste tiempo más aman a sí, que a los suyos.   Y no yerran. Los suyos ygualmente lo deuen hazer.   Perdidas son las mercedes, las magnificencias, los actos nobles.   Cada vno destos catiua y mezquinamente procuran su interesse con los suyos.   Pues aquéllos no deuen menos hazer, como sean en facultades menores, sino viuir a su ley.   Dígolo, fijo Pármeno, porque este tu amo, como dizen, me parece rompenecios:   de todos se quiere seruir sin merced.   Mira bien, créeme. En su casa cobra amigos, que es el mayor precio mundano.   Que con él no pienses tener amistad,   como por la diferencia de los estados o condiciones pocas vezes contezca.   Caso es ofrecido, como sabes, en que todos medremos  y tú por el presente te remedies.   Que lo al, que te he dicho,

Woe be unto him that grows old in court!  The masters of these times love more themselves that their  servants; neither  in so doing do they do amiss.   The like love ought servants to bear unto themselves.   Liberality was lost long ago;  rewards are grown out  of date; magnificence is fled  the country, and  with her all nobleness.  Every one of them  is wholly  now for himself, and makes the best he can of his  servant′s service, serving his turn as he finds it may  stand with his private  interest and profit.  And  therefore they ought to do no less, sithence that they  are less than they in substance, but to live after their law  and to do as they do.  My son Parmeno, I  the rather tell thee this, because thy master, as I am  informed is - as it seemeth likewise unto me - a  rompenecios, one that befools his servants and wears  them out to the very stumps, looks for much service at  their hands, and makes them small or no recompense:   he will look to be served of all, but will part with nothing at all.  Weigh well my words, and persuade  thyself that what I have said is true; get thee some  friends in his house, which is the greatest and  preciousest jewel in the world.  For with him thou  must not think to fasten friendship, a thing seldom  seen, where there is such difference of estate and condition as is between you two.  Opportunity, thou  seest, now offers herself unto us,  on whose foretop  if we will but take hold, we shall all of us be  great gainers, and thou shalt presently have  something, wherewithal to help thyself.  As for that  which I told you of, it shall be well and safely kept, when time shall serve; in the meanwhile it shall be  much for thy profit that thou make Sempronio thy  friend.  

    239. PARM. __ Celestina, todo tremo en oyrte.   No sé qué haga, perplexo estó.   Por vna parte téngote por madre; por otra a Calisto por amo.   Riqueza desseo; pero quien torpemente sube a lo alto, más ayna cae que subió.   No quería bienes malganados.  

PARM.  Celestina,  my hair stands on end to hear  thee, I tremble at thy words; I know not what I  should do; I am in a great perplexity. One while I  hold thee for my mother, another while Calisto for my  master:  I desire riches,  but would not get them  wrongfully; for he that rises by unlawful means,  falls with greater speed than he got up.  I would not  for  all the world thrive by ill-gotten gain.  

    240. CEL. __ Yo si. A tuerto o a derecho, nuestra casa hasta el techo.  

CELEST.  Marry, sir, but so would I:  right or  wrong, so as my house may be raised high enough,  I  care not.  

    241. PARM. __ Pues yo con ellos no viuiría contento   y tengo por onesta cosa la pobreza alegre.   Y avn más te digo, que no los que poco tienen son pobres;   mas los que mucho dessean.   Y por esto, avnque más digas, no te creo en esta parte. Querría passar la vida sin embidia, los yermos   y aspereza sin temor,   el sueño sin sobresalto, las injurias con respuesta,   las fuerças sin denuesto, las premias con resistencia.  

PARM.  Well,  we two are of contrary minds.   For I should never live contented with ill-gotten  goods; for I hold cheerful poverty to be an honest  thing.  Besides, I must tell you that they are not  poor that have little, but they that desire much; and  therefore say all you can,  though never so much,  you shall never persuade me in this to be of your  belief.  I would fain pass over this life of mine  without envy; I would pass through solitary woods and  wildernesses without fear; I would take my sleep  without startings; I would avoid injuries with gentle  answers, endure violence without reviling, and brook  oppression by a resolute resistance.  

    242. CEL. __ ¡O hijo¡Bien dizen que la prudencia no puede ser sino en los viejos   y tú mucho eres moço.  

CELEST.  O my son!   it is a true saying that  wisdom cannot be but only in aged persons.  And thou  art but young.  

    243. PARM. __ Mucho segura es la mansa pobreza.  

PARM.  True, but contented poverty is safe and  secure.  

    244. CEL. __ Mas di, como mayor, que la fortuna ayuda a los osados.   Y demás desto, ¿:Quién es, que tenga bienes en la república,   que escoja viuir sin amigos?   Pues, loado Dios, bienes tienes.   ¿:Y no sabes que has menester amigos para los conseruar?   y no pienses que tu priuança con este señor te haze seguro;   que quanto mayor es la fortuna, tanto es menos segura. Y  por tanto, en los infortunios el remedio es a los amigos.   ¿:Y a dónde puedes ganar mejor este debdo, que donde las tres maneras de amistad concurren,   conuiene a saber, por bien y prouecho y deleyte?   Por bien: mira la voluntad de Sempronio conforme a la tuya y la gran similitud,   que tú y él en la virtud teneys.   Por prouecho: en la mano está, si soys concordes.   Por deleyte: semejable es, como seays en edad dispuestos para todo linaje de plazer,   en que más los

CELEST.  But tell me,  I pray thee, whom doth  fortune more advance than those that be bold  and  venturous?  Besides, who is he, that comes to  anything in a commonwealth, who hath resolved with himself to live without friends?  But, heaven be thanked, thou hast wealth enough of thine own, yet  thou knowest not what need thou mayest have of friends for the better keeping of them.  Nor do thou think, that this thy inwardness with thy master can any way secure thee.  For the greater a mans fortune is, the less secure it is; ad then most ticklish, when most prosperous.  And therefore, to be armed against misfortunes, we must arm ourselves with friends.  And where canst thou get a fitter, nearer, and better companion in this kind, then where those three kind of friendships do concur in one?  To  wit, goodness, profit, and pleasure.  For goodness,  behold the godwill of Sempronio, how  agreeable and  conformable it is to thine; and with it, the great similiancy  and suitableness which both of you have  in virtue:  for profit, that lies in this hand of  mine, if you two can but agree together:  for pleasure, that likewise is very likely.  For now you  are both in the prime of your years,  young and  lusty, and fit for all kind of  sports and  pleasures  whatsoever; wherein young men more than old folks do join  and link together, as in gaming,  in wearing good clothes, in jesting, in eating, in  drinking and wenching together.  O Parmeno!   if thou  thyself wouldst, what a life might we lead!   Even as  merry as the day is long.  Sempronio, he loves  Elicia, kinswoman to Areusa.  

    245. PARM. __ ¿:De Areusa?  

PARM.  To Areusa?  

    246. CEL. __ De Areusa.  

CELEST.  Ay, to  Areusa.  

    247. PARM. __ ¿:De Areusa, hija de Eliso?  

PARM.  To Areusa, the daughter of Eliso?  

    248. CEL. __ De Areusa, hija de Eliso.  

CELEST.  To Areusa, the daughter of Eliso.  

    249. PARM. __ ¿:Cierto?  

PARM.  Is this certain?  

    250. CEL. __ Cierto.  

CELEST.  Most certain.  

    251. PARM. __ Marauillosa cosa es.  

PARM.  It is marvellous strange.  

    252. CEL. __ ¿: Pero bien te paresce?  

CELEST.  But till me man; dost thou like her?  

    253. PARM. __ No cosa mejor.  

PARM.  Nothing in the world more.  

    254. CEL. __ Pues tu buena dicha quiere, aquí está quien te la dará.  

CELEST.  Well,  now I know thy mind, let me  alone.  Here′s my hand; I will give her thee.   Thou shalt have her; man, she is thine own, as sure  as a club. 

    255. PARM. __ Mi fe, madre, no creo a nadie.  

PARM.  Nay soft, mother,  you shall give me  leave not to believe you; I trust nobody with my faith. 

    256. CEL. __ Estremo es creer a todos y yerro no creer a ninguno.  

CELEST.  He is unwise that will believe all men;  and he is in an error that will believe in no man. 

    257. PARM. __ Digo que te creo; pero no me atreuo: déxame.  

PARM.  I said that I believe thee, but I dare not  be so bold.  And therefore let me alone.  

    258. CEL. __ ¡O mezquino¡De enfermo coraçón es no poder sufrir el bien.   Da Dios hauas a quien no tiene quixadas.   ¡O simple¡Dirás que a donde ay mayor entendimiento ay menor fortuna   y donde más discreción allí es menor la fortuna¡   Dichos son.  

CELEST.  Alas, poor silly wretch!   faint-hearted  is he that dares not venture for his good.  Jove gives  nuts to them that have no teeth to crack them,  and beans to those that have no jaws to chew them.   Simple  as thou art, thou mayest  truly say,  ′Fools have fortune′; for it is commonly seen,  that they have least wisdom, have most wealth, and  that they who have the most discretion, have the least  means.  

    259. PARM. __ ¡ Celestina¡Oydo he a mis mayores que vn exemplo de luxuria o auaricia mucho malhaze   y que con aquéllos deue hombre conuersar,   que le fagan mejor y aquéllos dexar, a quien él mejores piensa hazer.   Y Sempronio, en su enxemplo, no me hará mejor   ni yo a él sanaré su vicio.   Y puesto que yo a lo que dizes me incline,   sólo yo querría saberlo:   porque a lo menos por el exemplo fuese oculto el pecado. Y,   si hombre vencido del deleyte va contra la virtud,   no se atreua a la honestad.  

PARM.  O Celestina, I have heard old men say, that  one example of luxury or covetousness does much hurt,  and that a man should converse with those that may make him better. As for Sempronio, neither by his example  shall I be won to be virtuous, nor he by my company be  withdrawn from being vicious.  And suppose that I should incline to that which thou sayest, I would fain  know this one thing of thee, how by example faults may  be concealed.  And though a man overcome by pleasure  may go against virtue,  yet notwithstanding, let  him take heed how he spot his honesty.  

    260. CEL. __ Sin prudencia hablas, que de ninguna cosa es alegre possessión sin compañía.   No te retrayas ni amargues,   que la natura huye lo triste y apetece lo delectable.   El deleyte es con los amigos en las cosas sensuales   y especial en recontar las cosas de amores y comunicarlas:   esto hize, esto otro me dixo,   tal donayre passamos, de tal manera la tomé,   assí la besé, assí me mordió, assí la abracé, assí se allegó.   ¡O qué fabla¡! O qué gracia¡   ¡O qué juegos¡! O qué besos¡   Vamos allá, boluamos acá, ande la música,   pintemos los motes, cantemos canciones, inuenciones,   justemos, qué cimera sacaremos o qué letra.   Ya va a la missa, mañana saldrá,   rondemos su calle, mira su carta, vamos de noche,   tenme el escala, aguarda a la

CELEST.  There is no wisdom in thy words; for  without company there is no pleasure in the possession  of anything.  Do not thou then draw back, do not thou  torment  and vex thyself.  For Nature shuns whatsoever savours of sadness, and desires that which  is  pleasant and delightsome.  And delight is with  friends, in things that are sensual; but especially in  recounting matters of love, and communicating them,  the one to the other.  ′This did I do  myself;  this such a one told me; such a jest did we break; in  this sort did I win her; thus  often did I kiss  her:  thus  often did she bite me; thus I embraced  her; thus came we nearer and  nearer.  O what speech, what grace, what sport, what kisses!   Let us  go thither!   Let us return hither!   Let us have music!    Let us paint mottoes!   Let us sing songs!   Let us invent some pretty devices!   Let us tilt it!   What  shall be the impress?  What the letter to it?  Tomorrow she will walk abroad;  let us round her street; read this her letter; let us  go by night; hold thou the ladder; guard well the  gate; how did she escape thee? Look, where the  cuckold her husband goes; he left her all alone; let  us give another turn; let us go back again thither.′   And is there any delight, Parmeno, in all this,  without company? By my fay, by my fay,  they that have trial can tell you that this is the delight,  this is the only pleasure; as for that other thing you wot of, your asses  have a better, and can  do better than you  or the best of you all.  

    261. PARM. __ No querría, madre, me combidasses a consejo con amonestación de deleyte,   como hizieron los que, caresciendo de razonable fundamiento, opinando hizieron sectas embueltas en dulce veneno   para captar y tomar las voluntades de los flacos   y con poluos de sabroso afeto cegaron los ojos de la razón.  

PARM.  I would not, mother, that you should draw  me on by your pleasing persuasions to follow your advice, as those have done, who, wanting a good  foundation to build their opinion on, have invited and drawn men to drink of their heresies, sugaring their  cup with some sweet kind of poison, for to catch and captivate the wills of weak-minded men, and to blind  the eyes of their reason with the powder of some sweet-pleasing affection.  

    262. CEL. __ ¿: Qué es razón, loco?   ¿:Qué es afeto, asnillo?   La discreción, que no tienes, lo determina   y de la discreción mayor es la prudencia   y la prudencia no puede ser sin esperimiento   y la esperiencia no puede ser más que en los viejos   y los ancianos somos llamados padres   y los buenos padres bien aconsejan a sus hijos   y especial yo a ti, cuya vida y honrra más que la mía deseo.   ¿:Y quándo me pagarás tú esto? Nunca,   pues a los padres y a los maestros no puede ser hecho seruicio ygualmente.  

CELEST.  What is reason, you fool?  What is  affection, you ass? Discretion (which thou has not)  must determine that; and discretion gives the upper  hand to prudence; and prudence cannot be had without  experience; and experience cannot be found but in old folks  and such as are well stricken in years.  And  therefore we are called fathers and mothers; and good  parents do always give their children good counsel, as  I more especially now do thee, whose life and credit I  prefer before mine own.  And when  or how canst  thou be able to requite this my kindness?  For  parents and tutors can never receive any recompense  that may equal their desert.  

    263. PARM. __ Todo me recelo, madre, de recebir dudoso consejo.  

PARM.  I am very jealous and suspicious of  receiving this doubtful counsel.  I am afraid to  venture upon it.  

   
264. CEL. __ ¿: No quieres?   Pues dezirte he lo que dize el sabio:   Al varón, que con dura ceruiz al que le castiga menosprecia,   arrebatado quebrantamiento le verná y sanidad ninguna le consiguirá.   Y assí, Pármeno, me despido de ti y deste negocio.  

CELEST.  Wilt thou not entertain it?  Well, I  will then tell these he that willfully refuseth counsel, shall suddenly  come to destruction.   And so, Parmeno, I rid myself of thee, as also of this  business.  

    265. PARM. __ Ensañada está mi madre: duda tengo en su consejo.   Yerro es no creer y culpa creerlo todo.   Mas humano es confiar, mayormente en ésta que interesse promete,   a do prouecho nos puede allende de amor conseguir.   Oydo he que deue hombre a sus mayores creer.   Esta ¿:Qué me aconseja? Paz con Sempronio.   La paz no se deue negar: que bienauenturados   son los pacíficos,   que fijos de Dios serán llamados.   Amor no se deue rehuyr.   Caridad a los hermanos, interesse pocos le apartan.   Pues quiérola complazer y oyr.   Madre, no se deue ensañar el maestro de la ignorancia del discípulo,   sino raras vezes por la sciencia, que es de su natural comunicable   y en pocos lugares se podría infundir.   Por eso perdóname, háblame, que no sólo quiero oyrte y creerte;

PARM.  My mother,  I see, is angry;  and what  I were best to do, I know not.  I am doubtful of  following her counsel: it is as great an error to  believe nothing, as it is to believe everything.  The  more humane  and civil course is to have  affiance  and confidence in her.  Especially in that, where  besides the present benefit both profit and pleasure  is proposed.  I have heard tell that a man should  believe  his betters and those whose years carry  authority with them.  Now what is it she adviseth me  unto?  To be at peace with Sempronio; and to peace no  man ought  to be opposite: for blessed are the  peaceful.  Love and charity towards our brethren, that is  not to be shunned and avoided by us; and few are they  that will forgo their profit.  I will therefore seek  to please her, and hearken unto her.  Mother, a master  ought not be offended with his scholar′s ignorance, at  least very seldom, in matters of  depth and  knowledge.  For though knowledge in its own nature be communicable unto all, yet is it infused but into few.   And therefore I pray pardon me, and speak anew unto  me; for I will not only hear and believe thee, but  receive thy counsel as a singular kindness,  and a  token of thy great favour and especial love towards me.  Nor yet would I that you should thank me for this; because the praise and thanks of every action  ought rather to be attributed to be the giver than to  the receiver.  Command me therefore; for to your commandments shall I ever be willing that my consent submit itself.  

    266. CEL. __ De los hombres es errar y bestial es la porfía.   Por ende gózome, Pármeno, que ayas limpiado las turbias telas de tus ojos   y respondido al reconoscimiento, discreción y engenio sotil de tu padre, cuya persona, agora representada en mi memoria, enternece los ojos piadosos,   por do tan abundantes lágrimas vees derramar.   Algunas vezes duros propósitos, como tú, defendía;   pero luego tornaua a lo cierto.   En Dios y en mi ánima, que en veer agora lo que has porfiado   y cómo a la verdad eres reduzido, no paresce sino que viuo le tengo delante.   ¡O qué persona! ¡O qué hartura! ¡O qué cara tan venerable¡   Pero callemos, que se acerca Calisto y tu nueuo amigo Sempronio,   con quien tu conformidad para

CELEST.  It is proper to a man to err; but to be  a beast, to persevere in an error.  It doth much glad  me, Parmeno, that thou hast cleared those thick clouds  which darkened thy eyesight, and hast answered me according to the wisdom, discretion, and sharp wit of  thy father, whose person, now representing itself  fresh to my remembrance, doth make my tender eyes to  melt into tears, which thou seest in such abundance to  trickle  down my cheeks.  He sometimes would maintain hard and strange propositions, but would presently  (such was the goodness ofhis nature) see his error and embrace the truth. I swear unto thee, that in  thus seeing thee to thwart the truth, and then  suddenly  upon it laying down all contradiction, and to be conformable to that which was reason,  methinks I do as lively now behold thy father, as if  he now were living and present here before me.  O what a man he was, how proper in his person, how able in his action, what a port did he bear, and what a venerable and reverend counterance did he carry!   But hush, I hear Calisto coming, and thy new friend, Sempronio, whose reconcilement with him I refer to some fitter opportunity.  For two living in one heart are more powerful both for action and understanding.  

    267. CALISTO. __ Dubda traygo, madre, según mis infortunios, de hallarte viua.   Pero más es marauilla, según el deseo, de cómo llego viuo.   Recibe la dádiua pobre de aquél, que con ella la vida te ofrece.  

CALISTO.  Dear mother, I did much doubt,  considering my misfortunes, to find you alive:  but marvel more, considering my desire, that myself come  alive unto you.  Receive this poor gift of him, who with it offers thee his life.  

    268. CEL. __ Como en el oro muy fino labrado por la mano del sotil artífice la obra sobrepuja a la materia,   así se auentaja a tu magnífico dar la gracia y forma de tu dulce liberalidad.   Y sin duda la presta dádiua su efeto ha doblado,   porque la que tarda, el prometimiento muestra negar y arrepentirse del don prometido.  

CELEST.  As in your finest gold that is wrought by the hand of your cunningest and curiousest artificer, the workmanship oftentimes doth far surpass  the matter:  so the fashion of your fair liberality  doth much exceed the greatness of your gift.  And questionless, a kindness that is quickly conferred, redoubles its effect; for he that slacketh that which he promiseth, seemeth in a manner to deny it, and to repent himself of his promised favour.  

    269. PARMENO. __ ¿:Qué le dio, Sempronio?  

PARM.  Sempronio, what hath he given her?  

    270. SEMP. __ Cient monedas en oro.  

SEMPR.  A hundred crowns in good gold.  

    271. PARM. __ ¡Hy¡hy¡hy!  

PARM.  Ha, ha, ha!  

    272. SEMP. __ ¿:Habló contigo la madre?  

SEMPR.  Hath my mother talked with thee?  

    273. PARM. __ Calla, que sí.  

PARM.  Peace, she hath.  

    274. SEMP. __ ¿:Pues cómo estamos?

SEMPR.  How is it then with us?  

    275. PARM. __ Como quisieres; avnque estoy espantado.  

PARM.  As thou wilt thyself. Yet for all this methinks I am still afraid.  

    276. SEMP. __ Pues calla, que yo te haré espantar dos tanto.  

SEMPR.  No more.  Be silent.  I fear me, I shall make thee twice as much afraid, ere I have done with thee.  

    277. PARM. __ ¡ O Dios¡No ay pestilencia más eficaz, que el enemigo de casa para empecer.  

PARM.  Now fie upon it!   I perceive there can be no greater plague, nor no greater enemy to a man, than those of his own house.  

    278. CALISTO. __ Ve agora, madre, y consuela tu casa   y después ven y consuela la mía, y luego.  

CALISTO.  Now, mother, go your ways, get you home  and cheer up your own house; and when you have done  that, I pray hasten hither, and cheer up ours.  

    279. CEL. __ Quede Dios contigo.    

CELEST.  Good chance attend you.

280. CAL. __ Y él te me guarde.  

CALISTO.  And you too:  and so farewell.  

1. CAL. __ Hermanos mios, cient monedas di a la madre ¿:Fize bien?

  CALISTO. Tell me, (my Masters), the hundred crownes which I gave yonder old Bel-dame, are they well bestowed, or no?

2. SEMP. __  ¡Hay¡Si fiziste bien¡Allende de remediar tu vida, ganaste muy gran honrra. ¿:Y para qué es la fortuna fauorable y próspera sino para seruir a la honrra, que es el mayor de los mundanos bienes? Que esto es premio y galardón de la virtud. Y por esso la damos a Dios, porque no tenemos mayor cosa que le dar.

 SEMPR. Yes, sir, exceeding well. For besides the saving of your life, you have gained much honour by it. And for what end is fortune favourable and prosperous, but to be a handmaid to our honour and to wayte thereon, which of all worldly goods is the greatest? For honor is the reward and recompense of virtue; and for this cause wee give it unto the Divine Essence, because wee have not any thing greater to give him.

La mayor parte de la qual consiste en la liberalidad y franqueza. A ésta los duros tesoros comunicables la escurecen y pierden y la magnificencia y liberalidad la ganan y subliman. ¿:Qué aprouecha tener lo que se niega aprouechar? Sin dubda te digo que mejor es el vso de las riquezas, que la possesión dellas.  ¡O qué glorioso es el dar¡  ¡O qué miserable es el recebir¡ quanto es mejor el acto que la possesión, tanto es más noble el dante que el recibiente.

The best part whereof consisteth in liberality and bounty: and this, close fistednes and uncommunicated treasure doth eclipse and darken, whereas magnificence and liberality doth gain and highly extol it.  What good is it for a man to keep that to himselfe, which in the keeping of it, does himself no good? I tell you, Sir, and what I speak is truth; Better is the use of riches than the possessing of them. O, how glorious a thing is it to give? and how miserable to receive? See, how much better action is then passion: so much more noble is the giver, then the receiver.

 Entre los elementos, el fuego, por ser más actiuo, es más noble y en las esperas puesto en más noble lugar. Y dizen algunos que la nobleza es vna alabanza, que prouiene de los merecimientos y antigüedad de los padres; yo digo que la agena luz nunca te hará claro, si la propia no tienes. y por tanto, no te estimes en la claridad de tu padre, que tan magnífico fue; sino en la tuya. y assí se gana la honrra, que es el mayor bien de los que son fuera de hombre. De lo qual no el malo, mas el bueno, como T´, es digno que tenga perfeta virtud. Y avn te digo que la virtud perfecta no pone que sea fecha con digno honor. Por ende goza de hauer seydo assí magnífico y liberal. Y de mi consejo, tórnate a la cámara y reposa, pues que tu negocio en tales manos está depositado. De donde ten por cierto, pues el comienço lleuó bueno, el fin será muy mejor. Y vamos luego, porque sobre este negocio quiero hablar contigo más largo.  

 Amongst the Elements, the fire, because it is more active, is the more noble: and therefore placed in the spheres, in the noblest place. And some say; that nobleness is a praise proceeding from the merit and antiquity of our Ancestors. But I am of opinion, that another mans light can never make you shine, unlesse you have some of your owne. And therefore doe not glory in the nobleness of your father who was so magnificent a Gentleman, but in your owne. Shine not out of his, but your owne light; and so shall you get your selfe honour, which is mans greatest outward good.  Wherefore not the bad, but the good, (such as your selfe) are worthy to partake of so perfect a vertue.  And besides, I must tell you, that perfect vertue doth not suppose that Honour hath it′s fellow: and therefore rejoice with your selfe, that you have beene so magnificent, and so bountifull.  Andthus, Sir, having told you my minde, let mee now advise you that you would be pleased to returne backe to your chamber, and there take some rest, sithence, that your businesse is deposited in such hands; assuring your selfe, that the beginning being so good, the end will be much better: and so let us goe presently to your chamber; where I shall treate more at large with you concerning businesse.

3. CAL. __ Sempronio, no me parece buen consejo quedar yo acompañado y que vaya sola aquélla, que busca el remedio de mi mal; mejor será que vayas con ella y la aquexes, pues sabes que de su diligencia pende mi salud, de su tardança mi pena, de su oluido mi desesperança. Sabido eres, fiel te siento, por buen criado te tengo. Faz de manera que en sólo verte ella a ti, juzgue la pena, que a mí queda y fuego, que me atormenta. Cuyo ardor me causó no poder mostrarle la tercia parte desta mi secreta enfermedad, segú n tiene mi lengua y sentido ocupados y consumidos. T´, como hombre libre de tal passión hablarla has a rienda suelta.  

CALISTO. Me thinkes, (Sempronio), it is no good counsell, that I should rest heere accompanied, and that shee should goe all alone, who seekes to cure my ill: it were better that thou sholdst goe along with her, and hasten her on, since thou knowst, that on her diligence dependeth my well-fare; on her slownesse, my painfulnesse, on her neglect, my despaire.  Thou art wise, I know thee to bee faithfull, I hold thee a good servant.  And therefore so handle the matter, that she shall no sooner see thee, but that shee may judge of that paine which I feele, and of that fire which tormenteth mee; whose extreme heat will not give me leave to lay open unto her the third part of my secret sickenesse.  So did it tye my tongue, and tooke such hold on my sences, that they were not onely busied, but in a manner wasted and consumed; which thou, as one that is free from the like passions, maist more largely deliver, letting thy words runne with a looser reyne.  

4. SEMP. __ Señor, querría yr por complir tu mandado; querría quedar por aliuiar tu cuydado. Tu temor me aquexa; tu soledad me detiene. Quiero tomar consejo con la ovediencia, que es yr y dar priessa a la vieja. ¿:Mas cómo yré? Que, en viéndote solo, dizes desuaríos de hombre sin seso, sospirando, gimiendo, maltrobando, holgando con lo escuro, deseando soledad, buscando nueuos modos de pensatiuo tormento. Donde, si perseueras, o de muerto o loco no podrás escapar, si siempre no te acompaña quien te allegue plazeres, diga donayres, tanga cançiones alegres, cante romances, cuente ystorias, pinte motes, finja cuentos, juegue a naypes, arme mates, finalmente que sepa buscar todo género de dulce passatiempo para no dexar trasponer tu pensamiento en aquellos crueles desuíos, que rescebiste de aquella señora en el primer trance de tus amores.  

SEMPR. Sir, I would faine goe to fulfill your command: And I would fayne stay, to ease you of your care; your bridle, pulls mee backe.  But I will obey and follow your councell; which is, to goe and labour the old woman.  But how shall I goe?  For, if I leave you thus all alone, you will talke idlely, like one that is distracted; doe nothing but sigh, weepe, and take on, shutting your selfe up in darknesse, desiring solitude, and seeking new meanes of thoughtfull torment; wherein if you still persevere, you cannot escape either death or madnesse.  For the avoyding whereof, get some good company about you, that may minister unto you occasion of mirth, by recounting of witty conceits, by intertaining you with Musicke, and singing merry songs, by relating Stories, by devising Motto′s, by telling tales, by playing cards, jesting, sporting.  In a word, by inventing any other kinde of sweet and delightfull recreation, for to passe away the time, that you many not suffer your thoughts to run still wandring on in that cruell errour, whereinto they were put by that your Lady and Mistresse, upon the first trance and encounter and your Love.    

5. CAL. __ ¿:Cómo? , simple. ¿:No sabes que aliuia la pena llorar la causa? ¿:Quanto es dulce a los tristes quexar su passión? ¿:Quanto descanso traen consigo los quebrantados sospiros?? quánto relieuan y disminuyen los lagrimosos gemidos el dolor? Quantos escriuieron consuelos no dizen otra cosa. 6. SEMP. __ Lee más adelante, buelue la hoja: fallarás que dizen que fiar en lo temporal y buscar materia de tristeza, que es ygual género de locura.

CALISTO. How like a silly foole thou talkest! Know′st thou not, that it easeth the paine to bewail its cause? O how sweet is it to the sorrowfull, to unsheathe their griefes! What ease doe broken sighes bring with them!  O what a diminishing and refreshing to tearful complaints, is the unfolding of a mans woes, and bitter passions!  As many as ever writ of comfort and consolation, doe all of them jumpe in this. SEMPR.  Read a little farther, and but turne over the leafe, and you shall finde they say thus: That to trust in things temporall, and to seek after matter of sorrow, is a kinde of foolishnesse, if not madnesse. 

Y aquel Macías, ydolo de los amantes del oluido porque le oluidaua, se quexava. En el contemplar está la pena de amor, en el oluidar el descanso. Huye de tirar cozes al aguijón. Finge alegría y consuelo y serlo ha. Que muchas vezes la opinión trae las cosas donde quiere, no para que mude la verdad; pero para moderar nuestro sentido y regir nuestro juyzio.  

 And that Macias, the Idoll of Lovers, forgetfull of himselfe, because his mistresse did forget him; and carelesse of his well-fare, because she cared not for him; complained himselfe thus: That the punishment of love consists in the contemplation thereof: And that the best remedy against love, is, not to thinke on thy love.  The ease lies in the forgetting it.  Kick  not therefore against the pricke; feyne thy selfe to be merry, pluck up your spirits and be of good cheere, and all, you shall see, shall be well: for oftentimes, opinion brings things whither it listeth: Not that it should cause us to swarve from the truth; but for to teach us to moderate our sense, and to governe our judgement.

7. CAL. __ Sempronio amigo, pues tanto sientes mi soledad, llama a Pármeno y quedará comigo y de aquí adelante sey, como sueles, leal, que en el seruicio del criado está el galardón del señor. 

CALISTO. Sempronio, my friend (for so thy love makes me stile thee) since it so grieves thee that I should be alone, call Parmeno hither, and hee shall stay with me:  and henceforth, be thou, (as thou hast ever beene) faithful and loyall unto mee. For, in the service of the servant, consisteth the Masters remuneration. O Parmeno!

8. PARM. __ Aquí estoy, señor.

 PARM. Heere, sir.

9. CAL. __ Yo no, pues no te veya. No te partas della, Sempronio, ni me oluides a mí y ve con Dios. 10. CAL. __ T´, Pármeno, ¿:Qué te parece de lo que oy ha pasado? Mi pena es grande, Melibea alta, Celestina sabia y buena maestra destos negocios. No podemos errar. T´me la has aprouado con toda tu enemistad. Yo te creo. Que tanta es la fuerça de la verdad, que las lenguas de los enemigos trae a sí. Assí que, pues ella es tal, más quiero dar a ésta cient monedas, que a otra cinco.

  CALISTO. O I thinke not, for I cannot see thee. Leave her not, Sempronio: Ply her hard, follow her at an inch. Forget mee not, I pray thee.  Now Parmeno, what thinkest thou of that which hath past to-day?  My pain is great; Melibea stately, Celestina wise; she is her crafts Master, and we cannot doe amisse. Thou hast maynly opposed thy selfe against her: and to draw me to a detestation of her, thou hast painted her forth to the purpose and set her out in her colours: and I beleeve thee. For such and so great is the force of truth, that it commands even the tongues of our enemies. But be she such, as thou hast described her to be; yet had I rather give her an hundred Crownes, then give another five.

11. PARM. __ ¿:Ya lloras? ¡Duelos tenemos !  ¡En casa se haurán de ayunar estas franquezas¡  

PARME. Is the winde in that doore? Doe you beginne to complaine already? Have you now better bethought your selfe? Wee shall shortly complaine too at home; for I feare mee, we shall fast for this franknesse.  

12. CAL. __ Pues pido tu parecer, seyme agradable, Pármeno. No abaxes la cabeça al responder. Mas como la embidia es triste, la tristeza sin lengua, puede más contigo su voluntad, que mi temor. ¿:Qué dixiste, enojoso?

CALISTO. It is thy opinion, Parmeno, that I aske; Gratifie mee therein: Hold, dost thou looke? Why hang′st thou downe thy head, when thou shouldest answer me? But I perceive that, as envy is sad, and sadness without a tongue; thine owne will can doe more with thee, then feare of my displeasure. What is that thou grumblest at?  What didst thou mutter to thy selfe, as though thou wert angry?

13. PARM. __ Digo, señor, que yrían mejor empleadas tus franquezas en presentes y seruicios a Melibea, que no dar dineros aquélla, que yo me conozco y, lo que peor es, fazerte su catiuo.

PARM. I say, Sir, that it had been better you had imployed your liberality on some present, or the like services upon Melibea her selfe, then to cast away your money upon this old Bawd: I know well enough what shee is; and which is worse, on such a one, as mindes to make you her slave.

14. CAL. __ ¿:Cómo, loco, su catiuo?

CALISTO. How (you foole) her slave?

  15. PARM. __ Porque a quien dizes el secreto, das tu libertad.  

PARME. I, her slave. For to whom thou tellest thy secret, to him doest thou give thy liberty.

16. CAL. __ Algo dize el necio; pero quiero que sepas que, quando ay mucha distancia del que ruega al rogado o por grauedad de obediencia o por señorío de estado o esquiuidad de género, como entre ésta mi señora y mí, es necessario intercessor o medianero, que suba de mano en mano mi mensaje hasta los oydos de aquélla a quien yo segunda vez hablar tengo por Y pues que así es, dime si lo fecho aprueuas.

  CALISTO. It is something that the foole hath said; but I would faine know this of thee; whether or no, when as there is a great distance betwixt the intreater and the intreated, the suitor and the party sued unto, either out of authority of obedience, or greatnesse of estate and dignity, or noblenesse of descent of bloud, as there is betwixt my Mistresse, and my selfe; Whether or no (I pray) it be not necessary to have an intercessour, or mediatour for mee, who may every foot go to and fro with my messages, untill they arrive at her eares, of whom, to have a second Audience, I hold it impossible. And if it be thus with me, tell mee, whether thou approvest of what I have done, or no?

17. PARM. __  ¡Apruéuelo el diablo¡

PARM. The divell approve it for mee.

18. CAL. __ ¿:Qué dizes?

CALISTO. What saist thou?

19. PARM. __ Digo, señor, que nunca yerro vino desacompañado y que vn inconueniente es causa y puerta de muchos.  

PARME. Marry, I say, Sir, that never any erruor came yet unaccompanied; and that one inconvenience is the cause of another, and the doore that opens unto many.

  20. CAL. __ El dicho yo le aprueuo; el propósito no entiendo.

CALISTO. Thy saying I approve, but understand not thy purpose.

21. PARM. __ Señor, porque perderse el otro día el neblí fue causa de tu entrada en la huerta de Melibea A le buscar, la entrada causa de la ver y hablar, la habla engendró amor, el amor parió tu pena, la pena causará perder tu cuerpo y alma y hazienda. Y lo que más dello siento es venir a manos de aquella trotaconuentos, después de tres vezes emplumada.

PARME. Then thus, Sir, your losing of your Hawke the other day, was the cause of your entring into the Garden, where Melibea was, to looke if she were there; your entring, the cause that you both saw her and talked with her; your talke ingendered love; your love brought forth your paine; and your paine, will be the cause of your growing carelesse and wretchlesse both of your body, soule, and goods. And that which grieves me most, is, that you must fall into the hands of that same Trot-p-and-down, that maiden-headmonger, that same gadding to and fro Bawd, who for her villanies, and rogueries in that kinde, hath beene three severall times implumed.

22. CAL. __  ¡Assí, Pármeno, di más deso, que me agrada¡ Pues mejor me parece, cuanto quanto más cuanto más la desalabas. Cumpla comigo y empl menla la quarta. Desentido eres, sin pena hablas: no te duele donde a mi, Pármeno  

CALISTO. Is′t e′n so, Parmeno? Is this all the comfort thou canst give me?  Tell me rather something that may please me, and give mee better content then this can.  And know withall, that the more thou dost dispraise, the better doe I like her.  Let her cumply with mee, and effect my businesse, and let them implume her the fourth time too, if they will, I care not.  Though hast thy wits about thee; thou speak′st not having any sense of paine; thou art not heartsicke, as I am, Parmeno, nor is thy minde touched with that sense of sorrow, as mine is.

23. PARM. __ Señor, más quiero que ayrado me reprehendas, porque te do enojo, que arrepentido me condenes, porque no te di consejo, pues perdiste el nombre de libre, quando cautiuaste tu voluntad.

PARME. I had rather, Sir, that you should be angry with me, and reprehend me out of your choller, for crossing your opinion, than out of your after-repentance, to condemne mee for not counselling you to the contrary. For I should but dissemble with you, if I should not tell you, That then you lost your liberty, when you did first captivate and imprison your will.

24. CAL. __  ¡Palos querrá este vellaco¡ Di, malcriado, ¿:Por qué dizes mal de lo que yo adoro? y t ¿:Qué sabes de honrra? Dime ¿:Qué es amor? ¿:En qué consiste buena criança, que te me vendes por discreto? ¿:No sabes que el primer escalón de locura es creerse ser sciente? Si t sintiesses mi dolor, con otra agua rociarías aquella ardiente llaga, que la cruel frecha de Cupido me ha causado.

CALISTO. This Villaine would be well cudgelled; Tell me (thou unmanerly Rascall)  Why dost thou blaspheme that which I adore? And you, Sir, who would seeme to be so wise, what wot′st thou of honour? Tell me, what is Love? shew me wherein Civility consisteth; Or what belongs to good maners?  Thou wouldst faine be accounted discreet, and wouldst that I should thinke so, and yet dost not consider with thy selfe, that the first round in follies ladder, is for a man to thinke himselfe wise.  If thou didst feele the paine that I do: with other water wouldst thou bathe that burning, and wash that raging wound, which the cruell shaft of Cupid hath made in my heart. 

Quanto remedio Sempronio acarrea con sus pies, tanto apartas t con tu lengua, con tus vanas palabras. Fingiéndote fiel, eres un terrón de lisonja, bote de malicias, el mismo mesón y aposentamiento de la embidia. Que por disfamar la vieja, a tuerto o a derecho, pones en mis amores desconfiança. Pues sabe que esta mi pena y flutuoso dolor no se rige por razón, no quiere auisos, carece de consejo y, si alguno se le diere, tal que no aparte ni desgozne lo que sin las entrañas no podrá despegarse. Sempronio temió su yda y tu quedada. Yo quíselo todo y assí me padezco su absencia y tu presencia. Valiera más solo, que malacompañado.  

See, what remedy Sempronio brings unto mee with his feete, the same dost thou put away with thy tongue, with thy vain and uncomfortable words.  And feyning thy selfe (forsooth) to be faithful, thou art in realty of truth, nothing else but a meere Clot, and Lump of earth; a boxe fill′d with nothing but the very dregs and ground of malice: the very Inne and House, that gives open intertainement to Envy; not caring so as thou maist defame, and discredit this old woman, be it by right or by wrong how though puttest a disaffiance in my affection; though knowing that this my paine, and overflowing griefe, is not ruled by reason, bor will admit advice, but is uncapable of councell, which is as if one should tell mee; that That which is bred in the bone, may be fetcht out of the flesh: or that which is glewed to the very heart and intralls of a man, may be unloosed without renting the soule from the body.  Sempronio did feare his going, an thy staying: it was mine owne seeking; I would needs have it so; And therefore worthily suffer the trouble of his absence and thy presence: and better is it, for a man to be alone, then ill accompanied.

25. PARM. __ Señor, flaca es la fidelidad, que temor de pena la conuierte en lisonja, mayormente con señor, a quien dolor o afición priua y tiene ageno de su natural juyzio. Quitarse ha el velo de la ceguedad, passarán estos momentáneos fuegos: conoscerás mis agras palabras ser mejores para matar este fuerte cancre, que las blandas de Sempronio, que loAtizan tu fuego, abiuan tu amor, encienden tu llama, añaden astillas, que tenga que gastar fasta ponerte en la sepultura.

PARME. Sir, it is a weake fidelity, which fear of punishment can turne to flattery; more especially, with such a Master, whom sorrow and affliction deprive of reason, and make him a stranger to his naturall judgment.  Take but away this same vail of blindnesse, and these momentary fires will quickly vanish; and then shall you know, that these my sharpe words are better to kill this strong Canker, and to stifle these violent flames, than the soft smoothings of soothing Sempronio, which feede your humor, quicken up your love, kindle afresh your flames, and joyne brands to brands, which shall never leave burning, till they have quite consumed you, and brought you to your grave.

26. CAL. __  ¡Calla, calla, perdido¡ Estó yo penado y t filosofando. No te espero más. Saquen vn cauallo. Límpienle mucho. Aprieten bien la cincha.  ¡Por si passare por casa de mi señora y mi Dios ¡

CALISTO. Peace, peace, you Varlet; I am in paine and anguish, and thou readest phylosophy unto me. But I expect no better at thy hands; I have not the patience to heare thee any longer. Goe, be gone; Get foorth my horse; See hee be well and cleane drest; Girt him well.  For I must passe by the house of my Melibea, or rather of my Goddesse.

27. PARM. __  ¡Moços¡? No ay moço en casa? Yo me lo hauré de hazer, que a peor vernemos desta vez que ser moços de espuelas.  ¡Andar¡, passe¡ Mal me quieren mis comadres, etc. ¿:Rehinchays, don cauallo? ¿:No basta vn celoso en casa? . . . ¿:O barruntás a Melibea?  

 PARM. Holla, boyes, where be you? Not a boy about the house.  I must be faine to doe it my selfe; and I am glad it is no worse: for I feare mee ere it be long, wee shall come to a worse office, then to be boyes of the spurre, and to lackey it at the stirrop. Well, let the world slide, and things be as they may be, when they cannot be as they should be. My Gossips (I see as it is in the proverbe) are angry with mee for speaking the truth.  Why, how now you Jade? Are you neighing too? Is not one jealous Lover inough in a house? Or dost thou winde Melibea?

28. CAL. __  ¡Viene esse cauallo?? Qué hazes, Pármeno?

CALISTO. When comes this horse? Why, Parmeno, what dost thou meane? why bringst thou him not away?

29. PARM. __ Señor, vesle aquí, que no está Sosia en casa.

PARM. Heere hee is: Sosia was not within.

30. CAL. __ Pues ten esse estribo, abre más essa puerta. Y si viniere Sempronio con aquella señora, di que esperen, que presto será mi buelta.

CALISTO. Hold the stirrup. Open the gate a little wider.  If Sempronio chance to come in the meane while, and the old woman with him, will them to stay; for I will returne presently.  

31. PARM. __  ¡Más, nunca sea¡! Allá yrás con el diablo¡A estos locos dezildes lo que les cumple; no os podrán ver. Por mi ánima, que si agora le diessen vna lançada en el calcañar, que saliessen más sesos que de la cabeça¡ Pues anda, que a mi cargo  ¡Que Celestina y Sempronio te espulguen¡.  

PARM. Goe, never to returne, and the devill goe with thee.  Let a man tell these fooles all that he can for their owne good, they will never see it; and I, for my part beleeve; that if I should now at this instant give him a blow on the heele, I should beat more braine out of his heele then his head. Goe whither thou wilt for me: For I dare pawne my life, that Celestina and Sempronio will fleece you ere they have done with you, and not leave you so much as one Master-feather to maintaine your flight.  

 ¡O desdichado de mí¡ Por ser leal padezco mal. otros se ganan por malos; yo me pierdo por bueno.  ¡El mundo es tal¡ Quiero yrme al hilo de la gente, pues a los traydores llaman discretos, a los fieles nescios. Si creyera Celestina con sus seys dozenas de años a cuestas, no me maltratara Calisto. Mas esto me porná escarmiento de aquí adelante con él. Que si dixiere comamos, yo también; si quisiere derrocar la casa, aprouarlo; si quemar su hazienda, yr por fuego.  

 O unfortunate that I am, that I should suffer hatred for my truth, and receive harme for my faithful service!  Others thrive by their knavery, and I lose by my honesty.  The world is now growne to that passe, that it is good to be bad, and bad to be good; and therefore I will follow the fashion of the times, and doe as other men doe; since that Traitours are accounted wise and discreet, and faithful men are deemed silly honest fooles. Had I credited Celestina, with her sixe dozen of yeeres about her, and followed her counsell, I had not beene thus ill intreated by Calisto.  But this shall bee a warning unto mee ever heereafter, to say as he saies.  If he shall say, Come, let us eate and be merrie, I will say so too.  If, Let us throw downe the house, I also will approve it.  If hee will burne all his goods, I will helpe to fetch the fire.

  ¡Destruya, rompa, quiebre, dañe, dé a alcahuetas lo suyo, que mi parte me cabrá, pues dizen: A río buelto ganancia de pescadores.  ¡Nunca más perro a molino!  

 Let him destroy, hang, drowne, burne himself, and give all that hee hath (if hee will) to Bawds; I for my part will hold my peace, and helpe to devide the spoyle.  Besides, it is an ancient and true received Rule; That it is best fishing in troubled waters. Wherefore I will never any more be a dogge in a mill, to be beaten for my barking.  

    1. CEL. __ ¡O rigurosos trances¡O cruda osadía¡O gran sofrimiento¡   ¡Y qué tan cercana estuue de la muerte,   si mi mucha astucia no rigera con el tiempo las velas de la petición¡   ¡O amenazas de donzella braua¡O ayrada donzella¡   ¡O diablo a quien yo conjuré¡   ¿:Cómo compliste tu palabra en todo lo que te pedí?   En cargo te soy.   Assí amansaste la cruel hembra con tu poder   y diste tan oportuno lugar a mi habla quanto quise,   con la absencia de su madre.   ¡O vieja Celestina¡? Vas alegre? Sábete   que la meytad está hecha,   quando tienen buen principio las cosas.   ¡O serpentino azeyte¡O blanco filado¡   ¡Cómo os aparejastes todos en mi fauor¡   ¡O¡yo rompiera todos mis atamientos hechos y por fazer ni creyera en yeruas ni piedras ni en palabras! s   Pues alégrate, vieja,   que más sacarás deste pleyto,  que de quinze virgos, que renouaras. ¡O malditas haldas, prolixas y largas,   cómo me estoruays de llegar adonde han de reposar mis nueuas!   ¡O buena fortuna, cómo ayudas a los osados,

CELEST.  O  cruel  encounter!   O    discreet  attempt¡O great  O how near had  I  been  to  my  death, if my much subtlety    had not shifted in time the sails of  my  suit!   O  braving menaces  of  a gallant lady¡O  angry  and  enraged  damsel! O thou devil whom I conjured¡O how well hast  thou  kept thy word with me in all that I desired¡I am much bound unto  thee; so handsomely hast thou appeased this cruel dame  by  thy  mighty power, and afforded me so fit  a place  and  opportunity, by reason of her mother′s absence, to utter  my  mind unto her. O thou old Celestina, cheer up thy heart, and  think with thyself that things are half ended, when they are  well  begun!   O  thou oil of serpents¡O  thou   white  thread!   how  have  you bestirred  yourselves  in  my  business!   I would utterly have broken and destroyed  all  the enchantments  which either I have already, or hereafter  are to be made; nor would I ever any more have had any belief in  herbs,  stones,  or  words. Be merry then,  old wench, for thou shalt get more  by  this  one  suit  than  by  soldering  of fifteen  cracked  maidenheads. A pox upon these long and large    petticoats; fie how they    hindering my feet from  hasting  thither, whither  I desire my good news should come¡O good fortune,  what  a friend art thou to the valiant¡What a foe to those  that are fearful¡Nor by flying doth the coward fly death. O  how  many  failed of that which I have effected! What in so strong    a  strait  as this would these young graduates in my  art  have  done? Perhaps have bolted out some foolish word or other  to  Melibea,  whereby they would have lost as  much  as I have gained by my silence. And therefore it  is  an old saying, `Let him play that hath skill;′ and  that  the better physician is he that hath experience than he that  hath learning: for experience and  warnings make  men artists in their professions; and it must be such an old  woman  as  I  am, who at every little channel holds  up  her  coats,  that  shall prove  a  proficient in her  trade.  O  girdle,  girdle,  If I live, I will make  thee  bring her to me by force, who is so unwilling to  to  me of her own accord, that I had much ado to get a good word  from her.  

    2. SEMP. __ O yo no veo bien o aquélla es Celestina.   ¡Válala el diablo, haldear que trae!   Parlando viene entre dientes.

SEMPR.  Either  mine  eyes  are  not  matches  or that  is  Celestina.  Now  the devil go with her¡how her gown  comes  dragging on the ground!   she is muttering something  to herself.

    3. CEL. __ ¿:De qué te santiguas, Sempronio?   creo que en verme.  

 CELEST.  Why  dost thou keep such a crossing of thyself?  I  believe  to see me.  

    4. SEMP. __ Yo te lo diré.   La raleza de las cosas es madre de la admiración;   la admiración concebida en los ojos deciende al ánimo por ellos;   el ánimo es forçado descubrillo por estas esteriores señales.   ¿:Quién jamás te vido por la calle,   abaxada la cabeça, puestos los ojos en el suelo,   y no mirar a ninguno como agora?? Quién te vido hablar entre dientes por las calles y venir   aguijando,  como quien va a ganar beneficio?   Cata que todo esto nouedad es para se marauillar quien te conoce.   Pero esto dexado, dime, por Dios, con qué vienes.   Dime si tenemos hijo o hija.   Que desde que dio la vna te espero aquí   y no he sentido mejor señal que tu tardança.  

SEMPR. I will tell thee why. Rarity, you know, is the mother  of  admiration; and admiration being conceived in  the  eyes  entereth  straight into the mind; and the mind is  enforced  again  to discover itself by these  outward  signs.  Who  did ever see thee walk the streets before  with  thy  head hanging  with thy eyes cast  down  to the ground? Who did ever see thee go thus mumbling of thy  words  to thyself? And to come in such post -haste,  as  if  thou  wert going to get a benefice? So that the rarity  and  strangeness thereof makes those who know  thee,  to  wonder  what  it should mean. But to let this pass; tell me  of  all  loves,  what good news thou bringest. Say, is it  a  son  or  daughter?    For ever since one of the clock I have waited here for you;  all which while,> I have had no greater or better  token of comfort> than that of your long staying.  

    5. CEL. __ Mijo, essa regla de bouos no es siempre cierta,   que otra hora me pudiera más tardar   y dexar allá las narizes;   y otras dos, narizes y lengua:   y assí que, mientras más tardasse, más caro me costasse.

CELEST.  This foolish rule, my son, is not always true:  for  had  I stayed but one hour longer, I might perhaps have left  my nose behind me, and two other noses had I had them and my  tongue  to boot; so that the longer I had stayed, the dearer  it would have cost me.

    6. SEMP. __ Por amor mio, madre, no passes de aquí sin me lo contar.  

 SEMPR.  Good mother, as you love me, go not hence, till  you  have told me all.  

    7. CEL. __ Sempronio amigo, ni yo me podría parar   ni el lugar es aparejado.   Vente comigo. Delante Calisto oyrás marauillas.   Que será desflorar mi embaxada comunicándola con muchos.   De mi boca quiero que sepa lo que se ha hecho.   Que, avnque ayas de hauer alguna partizilla quiero yo todas las gracias del trabajo.

CELEST.  Sempronio, my friend, neither have I time  to  stay  here,  nor  is  this a fit place to tell it thee. Come,  go  along with me to Calisto, and thou shalt hear wonders,  For by communicating myself to many, I should as it  were  deflower my embassage,  for I will that  from  mine  own mouth, he hear what I have done; for though thou shalt have  parcel  of the profit, I mind to have all the thanks for my  labour.

     8. SEMP. __ ¿:Partezilla, Celestina? Mal me parece eso que dizes.  

SEMPR.    Celestina,  parcels?  I tell you plainly, I do  not like this word, that I do not.   

    9. CEL. __ Calla, loquillo, que parte o partezilla,   quanto tú quisieres te daré.   Todo lo mio es tuyo.   Gozémonos y aprouechémonos, que sobre el partir nunca reñiremos.   Y también sabes tú quánta más necessidad tienen los viejos que los moços,   mayormente tú que vas a mesa puesta.

CELEST. Go  you fool; hold your peace, be it part  or  parcel,  man,  thou shalt have what thou wilt thyself.  what is mine is thine: let us  be merry, and benefit ourselves the best that we  can:  hang  all  this trash, this putrified dirt, rather  than  thou  and  I should fall out about dividing the spoil;  yet  must  I tell you (which is no more than yourself knows) that  old  folks  have more need than young; especially  you,  who  live at full table, upon free cost.

    10. SEMP. __ Otras cosas he menester más de comer.  

SEMPR.  There goes more, I wis, to a man′s life than  eating  and drinking.  

    11. CEL. __ ¿:Qué, hijo? ¡Una dozena de agujetas   y vn torce  para el bonete   y vn arco para andarte de casa en casa   tirando a páxaros y aojando páxaras a las ventanas¡   Mochachas digo, bouo, de las que no saben bolar,   que bien me entiendes   Que no ay mejor alcahuete para ellas que vn arco,   que se puede entrar cada vno hecho moxtrenco, como dizen: en achaque de trama    etc.   ¡Mas ay, Sempronio, de quien tiene de mantener honrra   y se va haziendo vieja como yo!  

CELEST. What, son? A dozen of points, a hat  as have no wings to fly from you: you  know  my meaning, sir; for there is no better bawd for  them  than a bow, under colour whereof thou mayest enter any house  whatsoever,   But  woe, Sempronio, unto her, who is to uphold  and  maintain her credit, and begins to grow old as I now do!  

    12. SEMP. __ ¡O lisonjera vieja¡O vieja llena de mal¡   ¡O cobdiciosa y auarienta garganta¡   También quiere a mi engañar como a mi amo, por ser rica.   ¡Pues mala medra tiene¡No le arriendo la ganancia!   Que quien con modo torpe sube en lo alto,   más presto cae, que sube.   ¡O qué mala cosa es de conocer el hombre¡   Bien dizen que ninguna mercaduría ni animal es tan difícil¡   ¡Mala vieja, falsa, es ésta¡   ¡El diablo me metió con ella!   Más seguro me fuera huyr desta venenosa bíuora, que tomalla.  Mía fue la culpa.   Pero gane harto, que por bien o mal no negará la promessa.  

SEMPR.  O  cogging  old hag¡O old bawd,  full filled  with  mischief!   O  covetous and greedy    glutton!   I perceive she would as willingly cozen me,  as  I  would  my master; and all to enrich herself. But seeing  she  is so wickedly minded,   nor will I any longer rent out the gains unto her,  For he that  riseth  by  lewd  and  unlawful means, comes  tumbling down  faster than he clambered up. Oh¡how hard a thing is it  to  know  man!   True  is  that  vulgar  saying,  no  manner of  merchandise or beast is half so hard to be known. Cursed old  witch,  she is  false    I  think  the devil brought me acquainted with her: it had been better  for  me  to have fled from this venomous viper, than to  put  her,  in my bosom; but it was  mine  own  fault,  

    13. CEL. __ ¿:Qué dizes, Sempronio?? Con quién hablas?   ¿:Viénesme royendo las haldas?? Por qué no aguijas?

CELEST. What sayest thou, Sempronio? Whom dost thou talk to?  Goest  thou  gnawing  of  my skirts?  Why comest thou not forward?

    14. SEMP. __ Lo que vengo diziendo, madre mia, es que no me marauillo que seas mudable, que   sigues el camino de las muchas.   Dicho me auías que diferirías este negocio.   Agora vas sin seso por dezir a Calisto quanto passa.   ¿:No sabes que aquello es en algo tenido,   que es por tiempo desseado,   y que cada día que él penasse era doblarnos el prouecho?  

 SEMPR.  That which I say, mother Celestina, is this; that  I  do  not marvel that you are mutable; for therein you do  but  as  others  have done before you, following> that  common  track  that many more have trod in: you told me,  you  would  defer  this business,  sense  to tell Calisto of all that hath passed.  Know′st  thou not that men esteem those things most,  which  are  most  difficult to be achieved?  Besides, is  not  every day of his pain unto us a double gain? 

     15. CEL. __ El propósito muda el sabio; el nescio perseuera.   A nueuo negocio, nueuo consejo se requiere.   No pensé yo, hijo Sempronio, que assí me respondiera mi buena fortuna.   De los discretos mensajeros es hazer lo que el tiempo quiere.   Assí que la qualidad de lo fecho no puede encubrir tiempo dissimulado.   y más que yo sé que tu amo, según lo que dél sentí,   es liberal y algo antojadizo.   Mas dará en vn día de buenas nueuas,   que en ciento, que ande penado y yo yendo y viniendo.   Que los acelerados y súpitos plazeres crían alteración,   la mucha alteración estorua el deliberar.   Pues ¿:En qué podrá parar el bien, sino en bien y el alto mensaje, sino en luengas albricias?   Calla, bouo, dexa fazer a tu vieja.  

CELEST.  A  wise  man  altereth  his  purpose,  but a  fool  persevereth  a new business  requires  new  counsel,  Nor  did  I  think,  son Sempronio, that fortune would have befriended  me  so soon. Besides, it is the part of a discret messenger  to  do that which the time requires; especially whenas  the  quality of  the  business cannot conceal  dissembled time. And moreover, I know that thy master (as I  have  heard)  is  liberal, and somewhat    longing;  and therefore will give more for one day  of  good  news  than  for a hundred, wherein he is pained.  and  mine  in  trudging to and fro. For your quick and speedy pleasures  beget  alteration;  and great  alteration  doth  hinder  deliberation.  Again, where will you find goodness,  but  in  that  which  is good? And nobleness of blood, but  in  large  and  long continued> rewards? Peace, you fool,  let    old woman  will> handle him. 

    16. SEMP. __ Pues dime lo que passó con aquella gentil donzella.   Dime alguna palabra de su boca.   Que, por Dios, assí peno por sabella,   como mi amo penaría.

SEMPR. Then tell me what passed concerning that noble  lady.  Acquaint  me  but  with one word of her mouth;  for  I long as much to know her answer as my master doth.

    17. CEL. __ ¡Calla, loco¡Altérasete la complesión. Ya lo veo en ti, que querrías más estar al sabor, que al olor deste negocio.   Andemos presto, que estará loco tu amo con mi mucha tardança.  

CELEST.  Peace,  you  fool.  Does  your  complexion  change?  I know  You had rather have the taste than  scent of this business. Come,  let us hie us,  for  thy master will be ready to run mad, if we stay over -  long.  

    18. SEMP. __ Y avn sin ella se lo está.

SEMPR.    (Calisto′s house)

    19. PARM. __ ¡Señor, señor!

 PARM. Master, master!

    20. CAL. __ ¿:Qué quieres, loco?  

 CALISTO. What′s the matter, you fool?  

    21. PARM: __ A Sempronio y a Celestina veo venir cerca de casa,   haziendo paradillas de rato en rato   y, quando están quedos, hazen rayas en el suelo con el espada.   No sé que sea.     22. CAL. __ ¡O desuariado, negligente¡Veslos venir:   ¿:No puedes decir corriendo a abrir la puerta?   ¡O alto Dios¡O soberana deydad¡   ¿:Con qué vienen?? Qué nueuas traen?   Qué tan grande ha sido su tardança,   que ya más esperaua su venida, que el fin de mi remedio.   ¡O mis tristes oydos¡Aparejaos a lo que os viniere, que en su boca de Celestina está agora aposentado   el aliuio o pena de mi coraçón.   ¡O¡si en sueño se pasasse este poco tiempo,   hasta ver el principio y fin de su habla¡   agora tengo por cierto que es más penoso al delinquente esperar la cruda y capital sentencia,   que el acto de la ya sabida muerte.   ¡O espacioso Pármeno,

PARM.  I  see  Sempronio and Celestina  coming towards  the  house.  And  at  every step they make a stop; and    wherer they stand still,  with the point  of his sword, makes streaks and lines in the ground.  but what  it should be, I cannot devise. CALISTO.  O  thou careless absurd ass,  See them coming, and  not  hie  thee  to open the door?    O  thou Supreme Deity¡with what come they? What news do they bring?  Whose  stay hath been so long, that I have longed more  for  their  coming  than the end of my remedy.  O  my sad  ears,  prepare  yourselves for that which you are now to hear;  for  in  Celestina′s  mouth  rests either  my  present ease,  or  eternal>  heart-  grief. O that I  could  pass away this short,   space  of time, in a dream wherein I might see the beginning  and  ending of her speech. Now I verily believe,  that  more  painful  to a felon is the expecting of that his  cruel  and  capital sentence, than the act itself of his    fore - known death. O leaden - heeled Parmeno,  dead - handed as thou art,    unbolt  this troublesome door, that  this honourable  woman may enter in, in whose tongue lies my life.  

    23. CEL. __ ¿:Oyes, Sempronio? De otro temple anda nuestro amo.   Bien difieren estas razones a las que oymos a Pármeno y a él la primera venida.   De mal en bien me parece que va.   No ay palabra de las que dize, que no vale a la vieja Celestina más que vna saya.

CELEST. (without) Dost thou hear him, Sempronio? Your master  is  now  of another temper; these words are of another  tune  than  those we lately heard both of Parmeno and him, at  our  first coming hither. The matter I see is well amended; there  is never a word I shall tell him, but shall be better to old  Celestina than a new petticoat.

    24. SEMP. __ Pues mira que entrando hagas que no ves a Calisto y hables algo bueno.

 SEMPR.  Make  at your coming in, as though you did  not  see  Calisto, using some good words as you go.

    25. CEL. __ Calla, Sempronio, que avnque aya auenturado mi vida,   más merece Calisto y su ruego y tuyo y más mercedes espero yo dél.  

CELEST. Peace, Sempronio; though I have hazarded my life for  him,  yet  Calisto′s  own  worth, and his  and  your  joint  entreaties  merit much more than this. And I hope,  he  will  well  reward me for my pains,   

    1. CAL. __ ¿:Qué dizes, señora y madre mia?  

CALISTO.  What good news, (mother?)  speak (deare mother.)  

    2. CEL. __ ¡O mi señor Calisto¡? Y aquí estás?   ¡O mi nueuo amador de la muy hermosa Melibea y con mucha razón¡   ¿:Con qué pagarás a la vieja, que oy ha puesto su vida al tablero por tu seruicio?   ¿:Quál muger jamás se vido en tan estrecha afrenta como yo,   que en tornallo a pensar se me menguan y vazían todas las venas de mi cuerpo, de sangre? Mi vida diera   por menor precio,   que agora daría este manto raydo y viejo.  

CELEST.  O my good Lord and Master Calisto, How is it?  How is it with you?  O my new lover  (and not without just cause) of fairest Melibea! How  canst thou make this old woman amends, who hath hazarded her life in thy service?  What woman was ever driven to such narrow shifts?  The very thought  whereof, makes my heart to faint, emptying my vital  veins of all their blood.  I would have given my life  for less than the price of this old tottred Mantle,  which you see here on my back.  

    3. PARM. __ Tú dirás lo tuyo: entre col y col lechuga.   Sobido has vn escalón;   más adelante te espero a la saya.   Todo para ti y no nada de que puedas dar parte.   Pelechar quiere la vieja.   Tú me sacarás a mí verdadero y a mi amo loco.   No le pierdas palabra, Sempronio,   y verás cómo no quiere pedir dinero, porque es diuisible.  

PARM.  Thou art all (I see) for thyself.   That is it thou shoot′st at.  Thou art like a Lettice, that grows betwixt two Cole-worts; If thou  be let alone, thou wilt over-top them. The next word I look for, is, that she begge a Kirtle for her Mantle : thou art  all (I perceive) for thyself; and wilt not ask  anything, whereof others may have part.  The old woman  will implume him,  not leaving him so much as one feather; how cunningly does she work him! how  craftly pitch her nets to catch me and my Master,  seeking to make me faithless, and him foolish!   Doe but mark her (Sempronio)  be still, and give her but the hearing, and you shall see, she will not  demand any money  of my Master, because it is  divisible.  

    4. SEMP. __ Calla, hombre desesperado, que te matará Calisto si te oye.  

SEMPR.  Peace, (thou despairful fellow) lest  Calisto kill thee, if he chance to hear thee. 

     5. CAL. __ Madre mia, abreuia tu razón o toma esta espada y mátame.

CALISTO.  Good mother, either cut off thy discourse, or take thou this sword and kill me

     6. PARM. __ Temblando está el diablo como azogado:   no se puede tener en sus pies,   su lengua le querría prestar para que fablasse presto,   no es mucha su vida, luto hauremos de medrar destos amores.

. PARM.  Now, what a Devil ails he?  He shakes and quivers like a fellow that hath had his senses over-touched with quick-silver.  Look, he cannot stand on  his legs; would I could help him to his tongue, that I might hear him speak again: sure, he cannot live  long,  if this fit continue. We shall get well by  this his love, shall we not? Every man his mourning  weed,  and there′s an end.

    7. CEL. __ ¿:Espada, señor, o qué? ! Espada mala mate a tus enemigos y a quien mal te quiere¡   que yo la vida te quiero dar con buena esperança, que traygo de aquella, que tú más amas.  

 CELEST.  Your sword, Sir.  Now I hope not:   What?  Take your sword and kill you? There′s a word  indeed to kill my heart.  No; let your sword serve  to kill your enemies, and such as wish you harm.  As  for me, I will give thee life,  man, by that good  hope, which I have in her, whom thou lovest best. 

    8. CAL. __ ¿:Buena esperança, señora?  

CALISTO.  Good hope, mother?  

    9. CEL. __ Buena se puede dezir,   pues queda abierta puerta para mi tornada   y antes me recibirá a mí con esta saya rota,   que a otro con seda y brocado.  

CELEST.  I, good hope; and well may it be called so, since that the gates are set open for my second  return. And shall I tell you?  she will sooner  receive me in this poor tottred Gown  and Kirtle,  than others in their silks, and cloth of gold.  

    10. PARM. __ Sempronio, cóseme esta boca, que no lo puedo sofrir.   ¡Encaxado ha la saya!  

PARM.  Sempronio, sow me up this mouth; for I can  no longer hold.  A pocks on her, she hath hedg′d in  the  Kirtle to her Gown.  Could not one alone  have contented her?  

    11. SEMP. __ ¿:Callarás, por Dios, o te echaré dende con el diablo?   Que si anda rodeando su vestido, haze bien, pues tiene dello necessidad.   Que el abad de do canta de allí viste.  

SEMPR.  You will hold your peace, will you not?  By Jove you were best be quiet, or I shall set you hence in a devil′s name.  What?  Is there no  ho with you?  Say she beg her apparel of him,  what′s that to thee?  she does well in it; and I  commend her for it, having such need thereof as she  has.  And thou know′st, Where the Flamin sings, there  hath he his offerings;  he must have food and  raiment. 

    12. PARM. __ Y avn viste como canta.   Y esta puta vieja querría en vn día por tres pasos desechar todo el pelo malo,   quanto en cincuenta años no ha podido medrar.  

PARM.  True, he hath so;  but as his service is,  so is his allowance; he sings all the year long for it:  and this old Jade would in one day, for treading some three steps, cast off all her rugged hairs,  and  get her a new coat;  which is more than she could  well do these fifty years.  

    13. SEMP. __ ¿:Todo esso es lo que te castigó   y el conoscimiento que os teníades y lo que te crió.  

SEMPR.  Is this all the good she taught thee?  Is  all your old acquaintance come to this?  Is this all  the obligation you owe her for her pains in breeding  you up?  Sure, she has brought her Hogs to a good  market, in bestowing so great kindness on so very a  pig.  

    14. PARM. __ Bien sofriré más que pida y pele;   pero no todo para su prouecho.  

PARM.  I could be well content, that she shold  pill and poll, ask and have,  shave and cut,  but not cut out all the cloth for her own coat.

    15. SEMP. __ No tiene otra tacha sino ser cobdiciosa;   pero déxala, varde sus paredes,   que después vardará las nuestras o en mal punto nos conoció.  

SEMPR.  It is her fault, I must confess, but  other Vice hath she none, save only that she is a little too covetous.  But let her alone, and give her  leave  to provide straw, first, for to thatch her  own walls, and to lay the joyses first of her own  house, then afterwards shall she board ours; else  had it been better for her she had never known us.  

    16. CAL. __ Dime, por Dios, señora, ¿: Qué fazía?   ¿:Cómo entraste?? Qué tenía vestido?   ¿:A qué parte de casa estaua?   ¿:Qué cara te mostró al principio?  

CALISTO.  Mother, as you love  goodness, if you be a good woman, tell me what was she doing?   How got you into the house?  How was she apparelled?   On which side of the house did you find her?  What  countenance did she shew thee at thy first entrance?   How did she look on thee? 

    17. CEL. __ Aquella cara, señor, que suelen los brauos toros mostrar   contra los que lançan las agudas frechas en el coso,   la que los monteses puercos contra los sabuesos, que mucho los aquexan.  

CELEST.  With such a  look and countenance, as  your brave fierce bulls use towards those that cast  sharp darts against them,  when they come for to be  baited; or like your wild boars,  when they make  towards those Mastives which set upon them.  

    18. CAL. __ ¿:Y a essas llamas señales de salud? .   Pues ¿:Quáles serán mortales?   No por cierto la misma muerte:   que aquélla aliuio sería en tal caso deste mi tormento, que es mayor y duele más.  

CALISTO.  Be these  thy good hopes? These  signs of health?  What then are those that are mortal?   Why, death itself could not be half so deadly. For  that would ease and rid me of this my torment, then which none is greater, none more grievous.  

    19. SEMP. __ ¿:Estos son los fuegos pasados de mi   amo?  ¿:Qué es esto?? No ternía este hombre sofrimiento   para oyr lo que siempre ha deseado?  

SEMPR.  These are my Masters former fires;  he  renews afresh his wonted flames:  What a strange  kind of man is he?  He hath not the patience to stay to hear that which so earnestly he hath desired.  

    20. PARM. __ ¡Y que calle yo, Sempronio¡   Pues, si nuestro amo te oye, tan bien te castigará a ti como a mí.  

PARM.  Now sir; Who talks now?  I must not speak a word; but did my Master hear you, he would cudgel your coat, as well as mine.   

    21. SEMP. __ ¡O mal fuego te abrase¡   Que tú fablas en daño de todos y yo a ninguno ofendo.   ¡O¡Intolerable pestilencia y mortal te consuma, rixoso, embidioso, maldito¡   ¿:Toda ésta es la amistad, que con Celestina y comigo hauías concertado?   ¡Vete de aquí a la mala ventura!  

SEMPR.  Some evil fire consume thee:  for thou speakest prejudicially of all; but I offend no man.   Let some intolerable mortal disease, or some pestilent  plague  seize upon thee, and consume thee; Thou quarrelsome,  contentious, envious, and accursed  Caitiff;   Is this thy friendship,  this the amity  thou hast contracted with Celestina and me? Go with  the Devil′s name,  if this be thy love.

    22. CAL. __ Si no quieres, reyna y señora mia, que desespere   y vaya mi ánima condenada a perpetua pena,   oyendo essas cosas, certifícame breuemente   si houo buen fin tu demanda gloriosa   y la cruda y rigurosa muestra   de aquel gesto angélico y matador;   pues todo esso más es señal de odio, que de amor.  

CALISTO.  If thou wilt not (thou that art sole Queen, and sovereign of my life) that I die desperate,  and that my soul go condemned  from hence to perpetual pain (so impatient that I am of hearing  these things)  delay me no longer, but certify me  briefly, whether thy glorious demand had a happy end,  or no?  As also  whether that cruel and stern look  of that  impious face, whose frowns  murder  as many as they are bent against, sorted to a  gentle entertaining of thy suite? For all that I  have heard hitherto, are rather tokens of hate, than of  love.  

    23. CEL. __ La mayor gloria, que al secreto oficio de la abeja se da,   a la qual los discretos deuen imitar,   es que todas las cosas por ella tocadas   conuierte en mejor de lo que son.   Desta manera me he hauido con las çahareñas razones y esquiuas de Melibea.   Todo su rigor traygo conuertido en miel, su yra en mansedumbre, su aceleramiento   en sosiego.   ¿:Pues, a qué piensas que yua allá la vieja Celestina,   a quien tú, demás de su merecimiento, magníficamente galardonaste,   sino ablandar su saña, sofrir su acidente,   a ser escudo de tu absencia,   a recebir en mi manto los golpes,   los desuíos, los menosprecios,   en viendo que de alguno eran amadas.   Las quales, avnque están abrasadas   y encendidas de viuos fuegos de amor,   por su honestidad muestran vn frío esterior   vn sosegado vulto,   vn aplazible desuío, vn constante ánimo   y casto propósito, vnas palabras agras,   que la propia lengua se marauilla del gran sofrimiento suyo,   que la fazen forçosamente confessar el contrario de lo que sienten. Assí que para   que tú descanses y tengas reposo,

CELEST.  The greatest glory, which is given to  that secret office of the Bee,  which little creature  of nature, the discreeter sort ought to imitate, is,  that whatsoever  he toucheth,  he converteth it  into a better substance, than in itself it was.  In like manner hath it so befallen me, with  those coy  and squeamish speeches of Melibea, and all other her scornful and disdainful behaviours; all her sour  looks and words I turned into honey; her anger into mildness; her fury into gentleness;  and her running from me, into running to me.  Tell me, man, What didst thou think Celestina went thither for?  What would she make there, whom you have already rewarded  beyond her desert, unless it were to pacify her fury,  to oppose myself to all accidents, to be your shield  and buckler in your absence, to receive upon my mantle all the blows  that were struck at you, to endure those revilings, bitter tauntings, and those disdainful terms, which, such as she is, usually make  show of, when they are first sued unto for their love.   And why forsooth do they this? Only to the end, That what they give, may the better be esteemed; and therefore, they still speak worst of him, whom they love  best;  and make a show of most dislike, where they  like most. Which if it should not be so, there would be no difference between the love of a common whore, and an honest Damsell that stands upon her honour; if every one should say yea, as soon as she is asked. And therefore, when they see a man loves them (though themselves burn, and fry in the  liveliest of flames of love) yet for modesty′s sake,  they will outwardly show a coldness of affection, a  sober countenance, a pleasing kind of strangeness, a  constant mind, a chaste intent, and  pour forth  words as sharp as Vinegar, that their own tongues  wonder at this their great sufferance, making them  forcibly to confess that with their mouths, whose contrary is contained in their hearts. But because I would have thee have some ease of thy sorrows, and take  some repose, whilst I relate at large unto thee all  the words that passed between her and me, and by what means I made my first entrance into Melibea′s house; Know for they comfort, that the end of her discourse was very good.

    24. CAL. __ Agora, señora, que me has dado seguro,   para que ose esperar todos los rigores de la respuesta,   di quanto mandares y como quisieres;   que yo estaré atento.   Ya me reposa el coraçón,   ya descansa mi pensamiento,   ya reciben las venas y recobran su perdida sangre,   ya he perdido temor,   ya tengo alegría.   Subamos, si mandas, arriba.   En mi cámara me dirás por estenso   lo que aquí he sabido en suma.  

CALISTO.  Now (dear mother) that you have given me  assurance, that I may boldly with comfort expect the extremest vigour of her answer; say what thou wilt,  and I shall be attentive thereunto.  Now my heart is at rest; now my thoughts are quiet; now my veins receive and recover their lost blood; now have I lost my fear; now do I find some joy; now am I cheerful.  Let us (if it please you) go up; where, in my  chamber you shall report that at full, which I have  heard in brief.  

    25. CEL. __ Subamos, señor.  

CELEST. With all my heart, Sir. Come, let us go. 

     26. PARM. __ O sancta María¡   ¡ Y qué rodeos busca este loco   por huyr de nosotros,   para poder llorar a su plazer con Celestina de gozo   y por descubrirle mill secretos de su liuiano y desuariado apetito,   por preguntar y responder seys vezes cada cosa,   sin que esté presente quien le pueda dezir que es prolixo¡   Pues mándote yo, desatinado, que tras ti vamos.  

PARM.  O what starting holes does this fool seek for to fly from us, that he may, at his pleasure, weep  for joy with Celestina, and discover unto her a  thousand secrets of his light, and doting appetite!    First, to ask her,  I know not how oft of every  particular: and then have her answer him to the  same, six  several times one after another, and  never to make an end, but over, and over, and over with it  again, having nobody by to tell him how tedious he  is;  Fie upon him, I am sick to think upon it.   Go  your ways (you fool).   Get you up with a murraine; but we will not stay long after you.  

    27. CAL. __ Mira, señora, qué fablar trae Pármeno,   cómo se viene santiguando de oyr   lo que has hecho con tu gran diligencia.   Espantado está por mi fe, señora Celestina. Otra vez se santigua.     Sube, sube, sube   y asiéntate, señora,   que de rodillas quiero escuchar tu suaue respuesta.   Dime luego la causa de tu entrada, qué fue.  

CALISTO.  Marke (mother) how Parmeno goes mumbling  to himself;  see how the slave crosses himself, to  hear what thou hast brought to pass by thy great  dilligence!   Observe in what a maze he stands!   Look,  look, Celestina;  dost thou see what he is doing?   See, and the villain does not cross himself again?   Come up, up, up; and sit you down (I pray) whilst I on  my knees give ear to thy sweet answer.  Say on; And tell me quickly, by what means thou gotst into the house?  

    28. CEL. __ Vender vn poco de hilado,   con que tengo caçadas más de treynta de su estado,   si a Dios ha plazido,   en este mundo y algunas mayores.  

CELEST.  By selling a parcel of thread which I  had; by which trick, I have taken  in my days, more than thirty of as good  worth and quality as herself, (So it pleased fortune to favor me in this  world) and some better women,  I wise, and of greater  rank, were she more honourable than she is.  

    29. CAL. __ Esso será de cuerpo, madre;   pero no de gentileza, no   de estado, no de gracia y discreción,   no de linaje, no de presunción con merecimiento,   no en virtud, no en habla.  

CALISTO.  Greater (mother) perhaps in body, but not in nobleness  of birth, not in state, not in beauty, not in discretion, not in stateliness, linked  with gracefulness and merit, not in virtue, nor in  speech.  

    30. PARM. __ Ya escurre eslauones el perdido.   Ya se desconciertan sus badajadas.   Nunca da menos de doze;   siempre está hecho relox de mediodía.   Cuenta, cuenta, Sempronio, que estás desbauando   oyéndole a él locuras y a ella mentiras.  

PARM.  Now the fool′s steel begins to strike  fire; now his bells begin to jangle; mark how his  clock goes; it never strikes under twelve; the finger  of his dial-point is still upon high noon;  all upon  the most. Sempronio, tell  the clock, keep true reckoning, how standst thou gazing like a wide- mouthed drivelling fool, hearing his fooleries, and her  lies? 

    31. SEMP. __ ¡Maldeziente venenoso¡? Por qué cierras las orejas   a lo que todos los del mundo las aguzan,   hecho serpiente, que huye la boz del encantador?   Que sólo por ser de amores estas razones,   avnque mentiras, las hauías de escuchar con gana.  

SEMP.  O thou venomous-tongued villain; thou  railing Rascal; Why shouldst thou alone stop thy  ears at that, to which all the world besides is  willing to hearken? And say they are but tales and  fables which she tells him; yet were it only but for  this, that their discourses are of love, thou oughtst  to lend them a willing attention.  

    32. CEL. __ Oye, señor Calisto, y verás   tu dicha y mi solicitud qué obraron.   Que en començando yo a vender   y poner en precio mi hilado,   fué su madre de Melibea llamada   para que fuesse a visitar vna hermana suya enferma.   Y como le fuesse necessario absentarse,   dexó en su lugar a Melibea.  

CELEST.  Noble Calisto, let thy ears be open  to  that which I shall tell thee, and thou shalt see what thy  good fortune, and my  great care have  effected for thee.  For, when I was about to pitch a  price of my thread, and to sell it, Melibea′s mother  was called away to go visit a sister of hers, that lay exceedingly sick:  and because  she could not stay with me herself (so necessary was her absence) she left Melibea  to conclude the bargain, and to drive such a price with me, as she should think fit. 

    33. CAL. __ ¡O gozo sin par¡O singular oportunidad! ¡O oportuno tiempo¡   ¡O quién estuuiera allí debaxo de tu manto,   escuchando qué hablaría sola aquélla   en quien Dios tan estremadas gracias puso!  

CALISTO.  O joy beyond compare!   O singular opportunity!   O seasonable time!   O that I had lain  hid underneath thy mantle, that I might have heard her  but speak, on whom heaven hath so plentifully poured  forth the fullness of his graces!  

    34. CEL. __ ¿:Debaxo de mi manto, dizes? ¡Ay mezquina¡   Que fueras visto por treynta agujeros que tiene,   si Dios no le mejora.  

CELEST.  Under my mantle (noble Sir?)  Alack, poor soul as I am,  what would you have done there? Why she must needs have seen you at least through thirty holes, should not fortune give me a better. 

    35. PARM. __ Sálgome fuera, Sempronio. Ya no digo nada;   escúchatelo tú todo.   Si este perdido de mi amo no midiesse con el pensamiento   quantos pasos ay de aquí a casa de Melibea   y contemplasse en su gesto   y considerasse cómo estaría haviniendo el hilado,   todo el sentido puesto y ocupado en ella, él vería que mis consejos   le eran más saludables,   que estos engaños de Celestina.  

PARM.  Well,  I will get me gone; I say  nothing, Sempronio; hear you all for me:  I will be  hanged, if the fool my Master do not measure with his thoughts, how many steps there be between this and Melibea′s house. And if he not contemplate  every  kind of action and gesture she might use; and how  she looked,  how she stood, when she was bargaining  for the thread:  All his senses,  all the powers and  faculties of his soul are wholly taken up, and  possessed with her:  but he will find  in the end,  that my counsel would have done him more good, than all  the cunning tricks,  and cozenages of Celestina.  

    36. CAL. __ ¿:Qué es esto, moços?   Estó yo escuchando atento,   que me va la vida;   ¿:Vosotros susurrays, como soleys,   por fazerme mala obra y enojo?   Por mi amor, que calleys:   morirés  según su buena diligencia.   Di, señora, ¿:Qué fiziste, quando te viste sola?  

CALISTO.  What′s the matter with you there?  I am hearing of a cause, that concerns no less than my  life; and you keep a-tattling and a-prattling there  (as you still use to do) to trouble and molest me in  my business, and provoke me to anger:  as you love me,  hold your tongues, and you will die with delight; such  pleasure will you take in the repetition of her  singular diligence; Go on (dear mother) what didst  thou do, when thou saw′st thou wast left all alone?  

    37. CEL. __ Recebí, señor, tanta alteración de plazer,   que qualquiera que me viera,   me lo conociera en el rostro.  

CELEST.  O Sir, I was so overjoyed, that whosoever had seen me, might have read in my face the merriment  of my heart.  

    38. CAL. __ Agora la rescibo yo: quánto más quien ante sí contemplaua tal ymagen.   Enmudecerías con la nouedad incogitada.  

CALISTO.  It is so now with me; But how much more  had a man beforehand conceived some such image in his  mind?  But tell me, wast thou not stricken dumb  with this  so sudden and unexpected an accident? 

    39. CEL. __ Antes me dio más osadía a hablar   lo que quise verme sola con ella.   Abrí mis entrañas.   Díxele mi embaxada:   cómo penauas tanto por vna palabra,   de su boca salyda en fauor tuyo,   para sanar un gran dolor.   Y como ella estuuiesse suspensa,   mirándome, espantada del nueuo mensaje,   escuchando fasta ver quién podía ser   el que assí por necessidad de su palabra penaua  o a quién pudiesse sanar su lengua,   en nombrando tu nombre, atajó mis palabras,   dióse en la frente vna grand palmada,   como quien cosa de grande espanto houiesse oydo, diziendo   que cessasse mi habla   y me quitasse delante,   si no quería hazer a sus seruidores verdugos de mi postremería,   agrauando mi osadía, llamándome hechizera,   alcahueta, vieja falsa, barbuda malhechora y otros muchos inominiosos nombres,   con cuyos títulos asombran a los niños ,

CELEST.  No.  But rather grew thereby the bolder to utter my mind unto her;  it was the thing I  desired; it was even as I would have wished it:  There  was nothing could have fell out so pat for me, as to  see myself all alone with her:  then began I to open  the very bowels  and intralls of my heart; then did  I deliver my embassage, and told her in what extreme  pain you lived, and how that one word of her mouth,  proceeding favorably from her, would ease you of your  mighty torment.  And as one standing in suspense,  looking  wisely and steadily upon me, somewhat  amazed at the strangeness of my message, hearkening  very attentively, till she might come to know who this  should be, that for want of a word of her mouth,  lived in such great pain,  and what manner of man he  might be, whom her tongue was able to cure? In naming  you unto her, she did cut off my words, and with her  hand struck herself a blow on the  breast, as one  that had heard some strange and fearful news; charging  me to cease my prattle, and to get me out of her  sight, unless I would her servants should become my  Executioners,  and make short work with me in these  my old and latter days; aggravating my audacious  boldness; calling me Witch, Sorceress, Bawd,  old Whore, false Baggage, bearded Miscreant, the Mother  of mischief; and many other ignominious names,  wherewithal they fear children.  And when she had  ended  with her Bugbears, she began to fall into  often swoonings and trances,  making many strange  gestures, full of fear and amazement, all her senses  being troubled,  her blood boiling within her,  throwing herself this way and that way, bearing in a  strange kind of manner the members of her body one  against another; and then  in a strong and violent  fashion, being wounded with that golden shaft, which  at the very voicing of your name, had struck her to  the heart, writhing and winding her body, her hands  and fingers being clenched one within  another, like one struggling and  striving for  life, that you would have thought, she would have rent them asunder,  hurling and rolling her eyes on every side, striking the hard ground with  her tender  feet.  Now, I all this while, stood me still in a corner, like a cloth that is shrunk in the wetting, as close as I could for my life, not saying so much as any one word unto her; yet glad with all my heart, to see her in this cruel and pitiful taking. And the more her throws and pangs were, the more did I laugh in my sleeve at it; because I thereby knew, her yielding would be the sooner, and her fall the nearer: yet must I tell you, that whil′st her anger did foam out it′s froth, I did not suffer my thoughts to be idle, nor give them leave to run a wool-gathering, but recollecting myself, and calling my wits about me, I took hold on Times fore-top, and found a salve to heal that hurt, which myself had made.

    40. CAL. __ Esso me di, señora madre.   Que yo he buelto en mi juyzio mientra te escucho   y no he fallado desculpa   que buena fuesse ni conuiniente,   con que lo dicho se cubriesse ni colorasse,   sin quedar terrible sospecha de tu demanda.   Porque conozca tu mucho saber,   que en todo me pareces más que muger:   que como su respuesta tú pronosticaste,   proueyste con tiempo tu réplica.   ¿:Qué más hazía aquella Tusca Adeleta,   cuya fama siendo tú viua, se perdiera?   La qual tres días ante de su fin prenunció   la muerte de su viejo marido y de dos fijos que tenía.   Ya creo lo que dizes,   que el género flaco de las hembras es más apto para las prestas cautelas,   que el de los varones.  

CALISTO.  Dear mother, thou hast told me that, which whilst I was hearing thee, I had forecasted in  mine own judgement,  I did still dream it would come  to this; but I do not see how thou couldst light  upon a fit excuse, that might  serve the turn, and prove good enough to cover and colour the suspicion of  thy demand; though I know, that art exceeding  wise, and in all that thou dost (to my seeming) more  than a woman. Sithence, that as thou didst  prognosticate her answer, so didst thou in time  provide thee of thy reply.  What could that Tuscan Champion (so much famoused  throughout all  Itay) have done more?  Whose renown (hadst thou then  been living) had been quite lost; who three days  before she died, divined of the death of her old  husband, and her two sons.  Now do I believe that, which is so commonly spoken; that a woman  is never to seek  for an answer; and though it be the weaker Sex, yet  is their wit more quick and nimble than that of men.  

    41. CEL. __ ¿:Qué, señor? Dixe que tu pena era mal de muelas   y que la palabra, que della quería, era vna oración,   que ella sabía, muy deuota, para ellas.  

CELEST.  Say you me so, Sir?  Well, let it be so then;  I told her, your torment was the toothache; and that the word which I craved of her,  was a  kind of Prayer,  or Charm, which she knew  to be very good, and of great power  against that pain. 

    42. CAL. __ ¡O marauillosa astucia¡O singular muger en su oficio¡   ¡O cautelosa hembra¡O melezina presta¡! O discreta en mensajes¡   ¿:Qual humano seso bastara a pensar tan alta manera de remedio? De cierto creo, si nuestra edad   alcançara aquellos passados Eneas y Dido,   no trabajara tanto Venus para atraer a su fijo el amor de Elisa,   haziendo tomar a Cupido Ascánica forma, para la engañar;   antes por euitar prolixidad,   pusiera a ti por medianera.   Agora doy por bienempleada mi muerte,   puesta en tales manos, y creeré   que, si mi desseo no houiere efeto, qual querría,   que no se pudo obrar más, según natura, en mi salud.   ¿:Qué os parece, moços?   ¿:Qué más se pudiera pensar?   ¿:Ay tal muger nascida en el mundo?  

CALISTO.  O admirable craft!   O rare woman in thy art!   O cunning creature!   O speedy remedy!   O  discreet deliverer of a message!   What humane understanding is able to reach unto so high a means of  help?  And I verily persuade myself, that if our age  might purchase those years past, wherein Aeneas and  Dido lived, Venus would not have taken so much pains,  for to attract the love of Elisa to her son, causing  Cupid to assume the form of Ascanius, the better to  deceive her: but would (to make short work of the business) have made choice of thee to mediate the  matter: and therefore do I hold my death happily  employed, since that I have put it into such hands, and I  shall evermore be of this mind, that if my desire  obtain not its wished effect, yet know I not what  could be done more, according to nature, for my good  and welfare.  What think you now my Masters?   What can ye imagine more?  Was there ever the like  woman born in this world?  Had she ever her  fellow?  

    43. CEL. __ Señor, no atajes mis razones;   déxame dezir, que se va haziendo noche.   Ya sabes que quien malhaze aborrece la claridad   y, yendo a mi casa, podré hauer algún malencuentro.  

CELEST.  Sir, do not stop me in the course of my speech.  Give me leave to go on, for night draws on.   And you know, He that does ill, hateth the light.  

    44. CAL. __ ¿:Qué, qué? Sí, que hachas y pajes ay, que te acompañen.  

CALISTO.  How?  What′s that?  No, by no means; For heaven′s sake, do not offer it, you shall have Torches, you shall have Pages,  any of my servants,  make choice of whom you will to accompany you home. 

    45. PARM. __¡ Sí, sí, porque no fuercen a la niña¡   Tú yrás con ella, Sempronio,   que ha temor de los grillos, que cantan con lo escuro.  

PARM.  O yes, in any case!   I pray take care of  her; because she is young  and handsome, and may  chance to be ravished by the way.  Sempronio,  thou  shalt go with her, because she is afraid of the Crickets, which chirp in the dark,  as she goes home  to her house. 

    46. CAL. __ ¿:Dizes algo, hijo Pármeno?  

CALISTO.  Son Parmeno, what′s that thou said′st?

    47. PARM. __ Señor, que yo y Sempronio será bueno que la acompañemos hasta su casa,   que haze mucho escuro.  

PARM.  I said, Sir, it were meet, that I and Sempronio should accompany her home; For it is very  dark.  

    48. CAL. __ Bien dicho es. Después será.   Procede en tu habla y dime qué más passaste.   ¿:Qué respondió a la demanda de la oración?  

CALISTO.  It is well said, Parmeno:  you shall by and by;  proceed, I pray, in your discourse; and tell  me what farther passed between you.  What answer made she for the Charm?  

    49. CEL. __ Que la daría de su grado.  

CELEST.  Marry, that with all her heart I should have it. 

    50. CAL. __ ¿:De su grado? ¡O Dios mio, qué alto don!   

CALISTO.  With all her heart?  O Jov!    How gracious and how great a gift!  

    51. CEL. __ Pues más le pedí.  

CELEST.  Nay, this is not all; I craved more than this. 

    52. CAL. __ ¿:Qué, mi vieja honrrada?  

CALISTO.  What, my honest old woman?  

    53. CEL. __ Vn cordón, que ella trae contino ceñido,   diziendo que era prouechoso para tu mal,   porque hauía tocado muchas reliquias.  

CELEST.  Her Girdle, which continually she wore about her, affirming that it was very good for the  allaying of your pain; because  of some Supereminent Influence from the Sibilla Cumana.  

    54. CAL. __ ¿:Pues qué dixo?  

CALISTO.  But what said she?  

    55. CEL. __ ¡Dame albricias¡Decírtelo he.  

CELEST.  Give me Albricias; reward me for my  good news, and I will tell you all.  

    56. CAL. __ ¡O¡Por Dios, toma toda esta casa y quanto en ella ay   y dímelo o pide lo que querrás.  

CALISTO.  Take my whole house, and all that is in it, on condition you tell me; or else besides what  thou wilt.  

    57. CEL. __ Por vn manto, que tú des a la vieja,   te dará en tus manos el mesmo,   que en su cuerpo ella traya.  

CELEST.  Give but this poor old woman a Mantle, and I will give that into thy hand, which she wears  about her.  

    58. CAL. __ ¿:Qué dizes de manto?   y saya y quanto yo tengo.  

CALISTO.  What dost thou talk of a Mantle?  Tut,  a Kirtle, a Petticoat, anything, all that I have.  

    59. CEL. __ Manto he menester y éste terné yo en harto.   No te alargues más. No pongas sospechosa   duda en mi pedir.   Que dicen que ofrescer mucho al que poco pide es especie de negar.  

CELEST.  It is a Mantle that I need; that alone  shall content me; Enlarge not thererfore your  liberality; Let not any suspectful doubt interpose  itself in my demand;  My request is reasonable, and  you know, it is a common saying; To offer much to  him, that asketh but a little, is a kind of denial.  

    60. CAL. __ ¡Corre¡Pármeno, llama a mi sastre   y corte luego vn manto y vna saya   de aquel contray, que se sacó para frisado.  

CALISTO.  Run, Parmeno, call hither my Tailor,  and let him presently cut her out a Mantle and a Kirtle of that fine pure cloth, which he took to cottoning.  

    61. PARM. __¡ assí, assí¡A la vieja todo,   porque venga cargada de mentiras como abeja   y a mí que me arrastren.   Tras esto anda ella oy todo el día con sus rodeos.  

PARM.  So, so; all for the old woman; because  like the Bee, she comes home laden with lies,  as he  does with honey;  as for me, I may  go work out my heart, and go hang myself when I have done; whilest she  with a pox must have every day change of raiment.  

    62. CAL. __ ¡De qué gana va el diablo¡   No ay cierto tan malseruido hombre como yo,   manteniendo moços adeuinos, reçongadores, enemigos de mi bien.   ¿:Qué vas, vellaco, rezando? Embidioso,   ¿:Qué dizes, que no te entiendo?   Ve donde te mando presto y no me enojes,   que harto basta mi pena para acabar:   que también haurá para ti sayo en aquella pieça.  

CALISTO.  Now the Devil go with him, with what an ill will does he go?  I think there is not any  man living so ill served as I am; maintaining men that  devise nothing but mischief, murmerers,  grudgers of  my good, repiners of my prosperity, and enemies to  my happiness.  Thou Villain, what goest thou mumbling  to thyself?  Thou envious wretch, what is that thou  sayest?  for I understand thee not.  Do as I command you,  you were best, and that quickly too.  Get  you gone with a murrain, and vex me no more, for I  have grief enough already to bring me to my grave. There will as much of the piece be left ( which  remnant you may take for yourself) as will serve to  make you a Jerkin.  

    63. PARM. __ No digo, señor, otra cosa, sino que es tarde para que venga el sastre.  

PARM.  I say nothing, Sir, but that it is too  late to have the Tailor for to come to night.  

    64. CAL. __ ¿:No digo yo que adeuinas?   Pues quédese para mañana.   Y tú, señora, por amor mio te sufras,   que no se pierde lo que se dilata. Y   mándame mostrar aquel sancto cordón,   que tales miembros fué digno de ceñir.   ¡Gozarán mis ojos con todos los otros sentidos,   pues juntos han sido apassionados¡   ¡Gozará mi lastimado coraçón,   aquél que nunca recibió momento de plazer,   después que aquella señora conoció¡   todos los sentidos le llegaron,   todos acorrieron a él con sus esportillas de trabajo.   Cada vno le lastimó quanto más pudo:   los ojos en vella, los oydos en oylla, las manos en tocalla.  

CALISTO.  And have not I told you, that I would have you not divine of things aforehand,  but to do  as I bid you?  Let it alone then till tomorrow; and for you (mother) let me entreat you out of your  love to me, to have patience until then; for that is  not auferred, which is but deferred. Now I pray let me see that glorious girdle,  which was held so worthy to ingirt so goodly a body,  that these my eyes, together with the rest of my senses,  may enjoy so great a happiness, since that together,  they have all of them been a little affected with passion.  My afflicted heart shall also rejoice  therein, which hath not had one minute of delight,  since it first knew that Lady.  All of my senses have  been wounded by her, all of them have brought whole  basketfuls of trouble to my heart. Every one of them  hath vexed and tormented it all they could; the eyes,  in seeing her; the ears, in hearing her; and the hands  in touching her.  

    65. CEL. __ ¿:Que la has tocado dizes? Mucho me espantas.  

CELEST.  Ha!   What′s that?  Have you touched  her with your hands?  you make me startle.  

    66. CAL. __ Entre sueños, digo.  

CALISTO.  Dreaming of her, I say in my sleep.  

    67. CEL. __ ¿:En sueños?  

CELEST.  O!   in your dreams;  that′s another matter.  

    68. CAL. __ En sueños la veo tantas noches,   que temo me acontezca como a Alcibíades o a Sócrates,   que el uno soñó que se veya embuelto en el manto de su amiga   y otro día matáronle, y no houo quien le alçasse de la calle ni cubriesse, sino ella con su manto;   el otro vía que le llamavan por nombre   y murió dende a tres días;   pero en vida o en muerte, alegre me sería vestir su vestidura.  

CALISTO.  In my dreams I have seen her so oft, night, by night, that I fear me, that will happen unto me, which befell Alcibiades, who dreamed that he saw himself enwrapped in his mistress′s mantle, and was the next day murdered, and he found none to remove him from forth the common street, no, nor any to cover him, save only she who did spread her Mantle over him.  Though I, for my part, be it alive, or dead, would any way be glad to see myself clothed with anything that is hers.  

    69. CEL. __ Asaz tienes pena,   pues, quando los otros reposan en sus camas,   preparas tú el trabajo para sofrir otro día.   Esfuérçate, señor, que no hizo Dios a quien desamparasse.  Dá espacio a tu desseo.   Toma este cordón,   que, si yo no me muero,   yo te daré a su ama.  

CELEST.  You have punishment, Sir, enough already; for when others take their rest in their beds, thou preparest thyself to suffer thy next day′s torment. Be of good courage, Sir.  Pluck up your heart:  after a Tempest, follows a Calm; afford thy desire some time; take unto thee this Girdle:  for if death prevent me not, I will deliver the Owner thereof into thy hands.  

    70. CAL. __ ¡O nueuo huésped! ¡O bienauenturado cordón,   que tanto poder y merescimiento touiste de ceñir aquel cuerpo,   que yo no soy digno de seruir¡   ¡O ñudos de mi pasión, vosotros enlazastes mis desseos¡   ¡Dezíme si os hallastes presentes en la desconsolada respuesta   de aquélla a quien vosotros seruís y yo adoro   y, por más que trabajo noches y días, no me vale ni aprouecha!  

     CALISTO.  O new guest!   O happy girdle!   Which hast had such power and worth in thee, as to hedge in that body, and be its enclosure, which myself am not worthy to serve.  O ye knots of my passion, it is you that have entangled my desires; Tell me, if thou wert present at that uncomfortable answer of fairest she, whom thou servest, and I adore.  And yet the more I torment myself for her sake, mourning and lamenting night and day, the less it avails me, and the less it profits me.  

    71. CEL. __ Refrán viejo es: quien menos procura,   alcança más bien.   Pero yo te haré procurando   conseguir lo que siendo negligente no haurías.   Consuélate, señor,   que en vna hora no se ganó çamora;   pero no por esso desconfiaron los combatientes.  

     CELEST.  It is an old Proverb; He that labours least, oftentimes gets most.  But I will make thee by thy labouring, to obtain that which by being negligent, thou shouldst never achieve.  For Zamora was not won in an hour; yet did not her besiegers for all this despair.  No more was Rome built in one day; nor Troy ruined in a year.  

    72. CAL. __ ¡O desdichado¡Que las cibdades están con piedras cercadas   y a piedras, piedras las vencen;   pero esta mi señora tiene el coraçón de azero.   No ay metal, que con él pueda;   no ay tiro, que le melle.   Pues poned escalas en su muro:   vnos ojos tiene con que echa saetas,   vna lengua de reproches y desuíos,   el asiento tiene en parte, que media legua no le pueden poner cerco.  

CALISTO.  O unfortunate that I am!   For Cities are encircled, and walled in with stones; and stones by stones are easily overthrown.  But this my dear Lady hath her heart environed with steel; there is no metal that can prevail against her; no shot of that force, as to make a breach; and should Ladders be reared to scale the walls, she hath eyes which let fly darts of repulsion, and a tongue which dischargeth whole volleys of reproaches, if you once approach, forcing you to stand farther off, and so inaccessible is her Castle, that you cannot come near it by half a league.  

    73. CEL. __ ¡Calla, señor¡Que el buen atreuimiento de vn solo hombre ganó a Troya.   No desconfíes, que vna muger puede ganar otra.   Poco has tratado mi casa:   no sabes bien lo que yo puedo.  

     CELEST.  No more, good Sir, no more; bridle your passion; for the stout courage, and hardly boldness of one man, did get Troy.  Doubt not then, but one woman may work upon another, and at last win her unto thee; thou hast little frequented my house, thou art ignorant of my courses, thou know′st not what I can do.  

    74. CAL. __ Quanto dixeres, señora, te quiero creer,   pues tal joya como esta me truxiste.   ¡O mi gloria y ceñidero de aquella angélica cintura¡   Yo te veo y no lo creo.   ¡O cordón, cordón¡? Fuísteme tú enemigo?   Dilo cierto. Si lo fuiste, yo te perdono,   que de los buenos es propio las culpas perdonar.   No lo creo: que, si fueras contrario,   no vinieras tan presto a mi poder,   saluo si vienes a desculparte.   Conjúrote me respondas, por la virtud del gran poder,   que aquella señora sobre mí tiene.  

CALISTO.  Say, Mother, what thou wilt, and I will believe thee, since thou hast brought me so great a Jewel, as is this.  O thou glory of my soul, and encircler of so incomparable a creature; I behold thee, and yet believe it not.  O girdle, girdle, thou lovely lace!   Wast thou mine enemy too?  Tell me the truth; if thou wert, I forgive thee:  For it is proper unto good men, to forgive; but I do not believe it. For hadst thou likewise been my foe, thou wouldst not have come so soon to my hands, unless thou hadst come to disblame and excuse thy doings. I conjure thee, that thou answer me truly, by the virtue of that great power, which thy Lady hath over me.  

    75. CEL. __ Cessa ya, señor, ese deuanear,   que a mí tienes cansada de escucharte   y al cordón, roto de tratarlo.  

     CELEST.  Cease (good sir) this vain and idle humour; for my ears are tired with attention, and the Girdle almost worn out with your often handling.  

    76. CAL. __ ¡O mezquino de mí¡   Que asaz bien me fuera del cielo otorgado,   que de mis braços fueras fecho y texido, no de seda como eres,   porque ellos gozaran cada día   de rodear y ceñir con deuida reuerencia aquellos miembros,   que tú, sin sentir ni gozar de la gloria, siempre tienes abraçados.   ¡O qué secretos haurás visto de aquella excelente ymagen!  

CALISTO.  O wretch that I am!   fare better had it been for me, had the heavens made me so happy, that thou hadst been made and woven of these mine own arms, and not of silk, as now thou art, that they might have daily rejoiced in clasping and enclosing with due reverence those members, which thou without sense or feeling, not knowing what it is to enjoy so great a glory, holdest still in strict embracements.  O what secrets shouldst thou then have seen of that so excellent an image!  

    77. CEL. __ Mas verás tú y con más sentido,   si no lo pierdes fablando lo que fablas.  

     CELEST.  Thou shalt see more, and enjoy more, in a more ample and better manner, if thou lose it not by talking as thou dost.  

    78. CAL. __ Calla, señora, que él y yo nos entendemos.   ¡O mis ojos¡Acordaos   cómo fuistes causa y puerta, por donde fué mi coraçón llagado,   y que aquél es visto fazer daño, que da la causa. Acordaos que soys debdores de la  salud.  Remirá la melezina, que os viene hasta casa.  

     CALISTO.  Peace (good mother) give me leave a little; for this, and I, well understand one another.  O my eyes call to your remembrance, how that ye were the cause of my ill; and the very door, through which my heart was wounded; and that he is seen to do the hurt, who doth give the cause of the harm.  Call to your remembrance, I say, that ye are debtors to my welfare.  Look here upon your medicine, which is come home to your own house to cure you.

    79. SEMP. __ Señor, por holgar con el cordón, no querrás gozar de Melibea.  

SEMPR.  Sir, it is not your rejoicing in this girdle, that can make you to enjoy Melibea.  

    80. CAL. __ ¡Qué loco, desuariado, atajasolazes!   ¿:Cómo es esso?  

     CALISTO.  How like a fool thou pratest, without either wit or reason?   Thou disturber of my delight, what meanest thou by this?  

    81. SEMP. __ Que mucho fablando matas a ti y a los que te oyen.   Y assí que perderás la vida o el seso.   Qualquiera que falte, basta para quedarte ascuras.   Abreuia tus razones: darás lugar a las de Celestina.  

     SEMPR.  Mary, that by talking, and babbling so much as you do, you kill both yourself, and those which hear you; and so by consequence, overthrow both thy life and understanding; either of which to want, is sufficient to leave you darkling, and say goodnight to the world.  Cut off your discourse therefore, and listen unto Celestina, and hear what she will say unto thee.

    82. CAL. __ ¿:Enójote, madre, con mi luenga razón   o está borracho este moço?  

CALISTO.  Mother, are my words troublesome unto you? or is this fellow drunk?  

    83. CEL. __ Avnque no lo esté, deues, señor, cessar tu razón,   dar fin a tus luengas querellas,   tratar al cordón como cordón,   porque sepas fazer diferencia de fabla,   quando con Melibea te veas:   no haga tu lengua yguales la persona y el vestido.  

     CELEST.  Howbeit they be not, yet shold you not talk thus as you do; but rather give an end to these your long complaints.  Use a girdle like a girdle, that you may know to make a difference of your words, when you come to Melibea′s presence; let not your tongue equal the apparel, with the person; making no distinction betwixt her, and her garments.  

    84. CAL. __ ¡O mi señora, mi madre, mi consoladora¡   Déjame gozar con este mensajero de mi gloria.   ¡O lengua mia¡? Por qué te impides en otras razones,   dexando de adorar presente la excellencia   de quien por ventura jamás verás en tu poder?   ¡O mis manos¡Con qué atreuimiento, con quán poco acatamiento teneys y   tratays la triaca de mi llaga¡   Ya no podrán empecer las yeruas,   que aquel crudo caxquillo traya embueltas en su aguda punta.   Seguro soy, pues quien dio la herida la cura.   ¡O tú, señora, alegría de las viejas mugeres,   gozo de las moças, descanso de los fatigados como yo¡   No me fagas más penado con tu temor, que faze mi vergüença.   Suelta la rienda a mi contemplación,   déxame salir por las calles con esta joya,   porque los que me vieren, sepan   que no ay más bienandante hombre que yo.  

CALISTO.  O my much honoured Matron, my mother, my comfortress!   Let me glad myself a little with this messenger of my glory.  O my tongue!   Why dost thou hinder thyself in entertaining any other discourse? leaving off to adore that present Excellency, which, peradventure, thou shalt never see in thy power?  O ye my hands!   With what presumption, with what slender reverence do you touch that Treacle, which must cure my wound?   Now that poison cannot hurt me, wherewith that cruel shot of Cupid hath its sharp point deeply indipped.  For now I am safe, since that she who gave me my wound, gives me also my medicine.  O dear Celestina!   Thou that art the delight of all old Dames, the joy of young wenches, the ease of the afflicted, and comfort of such comfortless wretches as myself; do not punish me more with fear of thee, than i am already punished with shame of myself; suffer me to let loose the reins of my contemplation; give me leave to go forth into the streets with this jewel, that they who see me, may know, that here is not any man more happy than myself.  

    85. SEMP. __ No afistoles tu llaga cargándola de más desseo.   No es, señor, el solo cordón del que pende tu remedio.  

     SEMPR.  Do not infistulate your wound, by clapping on it still more and more desire.  Sir, it is not this string, nor this girdle alone, wherin your remedy must depend.  

    86. CAL. __ Bien lo conozco; pero no tengo sofrimiento   para me abstener de adorar tan alta empresa.  

     CALISTO.  I know it well, yet have I not the power to abstain from adoring so great a relic! so rich a gift!  

    87. CEL. __ ¿:Empresa? Aquélla es empresa, que de grado es dada;   pero ya sabes que lo hizo por amor de Dios,   para guarecer tus muelas, no por el tuyo,   para cerrar tus llagas.   Pero si yo viuo, ella boluerá la hoja.  

     CELEST.  That′s a gift, which is given gratis; but you know that she did this for to ease your toothache; and to close up your wounds; and not for any respect or love, which she bears to you:  But if I live, she shall turn the leaf, ere I leave her.

    88. CAL. __ ¿:Y la oración?  

     CALISTO.  But the Charm you talked of?  

    89. CEL. __ No se me dio por agora.  

     CELEST.  She hath not given it me yet.  

    90. CAL. __ ¿:Qué fué la causa?  

CALISTO.  And what was the cause why she did not?  

    91. CEL. __ La breuedad del tiempo;   pero quedó que si tu pena no afloxase,   que tornasse mañana por ella.  

     CELEST.  The shortness of time; and therefore willed me that if your pain did not decrease, I should return to her again tomorrow.  

    92. CAL. __ ¿:Afloxar? Entonce afloxará mi pena, quando su crueldad.  

     CALISTO.  Decrease?  Then shall my pain decrease, when I see a decrease of her cruelty.  

    93. CEL. __ Asaz, señor, basta lo dicho y fecho.   Obligada queda, segund lo que mostró,   a todo lo que para esta enfermedad yo quisiere pedir, según su poder.   Mirá, señor, si esto basta para la primera vista.   Yo me voy.   Cumple, señor, que si salieres mañana,   lleues reboçado vn paño, porque si della fueres visto,   no acuse de falsa mi petición.  

     CELEST.  Sir, content yourself with that, which hath hitherto been said and done; she is already bound, I have shewed you, how (as farforth as she is able) she will be ready to yield you any help for this infirmity of yours, which I shall crave at her hands.  And tell me, I pray, if this be not well for the first bout.  Well, I will now get me home; and in any case, have a care, that if you chance tomorrow to walk abroad, that you go muzzled about the cheeks with a cloth, that she seeing you so bound about the chaps, may not accuse me of petitioning a falsehood.

    94. CAL. __ Y avn cuatro por tu seruicio.   Pero dime, pardiós, ¿:Passó más?   Que muero por oyr palabras de aquella dulce boca.   ¿:Cómo fueste tan osada,   que, sin la conocer, te mostraste tan familiar en tu entrada y demanda?  

CALISTO.  Nay, to do you service, I will not stick to clap on four double cloths:  but of all loves tell me, passed there anything more between you? For I die out of longing, for to hear the words which flow from so sweet a mouth.  How didst thou dare, not knowing her, be so bold, to show thyself so familiar, both in thy entrance, and thy demand?

    95. CEL. __ ¿:Sin la conoscer? Quatro años fueron mis vezinas.   Tractaua con ellas, hablaua y reya de día y de noche.   Mejor me conosce su madre, que a sus mismas manos;   avnque Melibea se ha fecho grande, muger discreta, gentil.  

     CELEST.  Not knowing her?  They were my neighbours for four years together; I dealt with them; I conversed with them; I talked with them; and laughed together with them day and night.  O! how merry we have been!   Her mother, why she knows me better than her own hands:  and Melibea too, though now she be grown so tall, so great, so courteous, and discreet a Lady.  

    96. PARM. __ Ea, mira, Sempronio, que te digo al oydo.  

PARM.  Sempronio, a word with you in your ear.  

    97. SEMP. __ Dime, ¿:Qué dizes?  

     SEMPR.  Say on:  What′s the matter?  

    98. PARM. __ Aquel atento escuchar de Celestina da materia   de alargar en su razón a nuestro amo.   Llégate a ella, dale del pie,   hagámosle de señas que no espere más; sino que se vaya.   Que no hay tan loco hombre nacido, que solo mucho habla.  

     PARM.  Mary this:  Celestina′s attention gives matter to our Master to enlarge his discourse; give her a touch on the toe; or make some sign to her that she may be gone, and not wait thus, as she doth upon his answers.  For, there is no man, be he never so much a fool, that speaks much, when he is all alone.  

    99. CAL. __ ¿:Gentil dizes, señora, que es Melibea?   Paresce que lo dizes burlando.   ¿:Ay nascida su par en el mundo?   ¿:Crió Dios otro mejor cuerpo?   ¿:Puédense pintar tales faciones, dechado de hermosura?   Si oy fuera viua Elena, por   quien tanta muerte houo de griegos y troyanos,   o la hermosa Pulicena,   todas obedescerían a esta señora por quien yo peno.   Si ella se hallara presente   en aquel debate de la mançana con las tres diosas,   nunca sobrenombre de discordia le pusieran.   Porque sin contrariar ninguna, todas concedieran   y vivieran conformes en que la lleuara Melibea.   Assí que se llamara mançana de concordia.   Pues quantas oy son nascidas,   que della tengan noticia,   se maldizen, querellan a Dios,   porque no se acordó dellas, quando a esta mi señora hizo.   Consumen sus vidas, comen sus carnes con embidia,   danles siempre crudos martirios,

     CALISTO.  Didst thou say Melibea was courteous?  I think it was but in a mock.  Was her like ever born into the world?  Did God ever create a better, or more perfect body? Can the like proportion be painted by any pencil?  Is she not that Paragon of beauty, from whence all eyes may copy forth a true pattern of inimitable excellence? If Helen were now alive, for whom so great a slaughter was made of Greeks and Trojans, or fair Polixena, both of them would have done their reverence to this Lady, for whom I languish. If she had been present in that contention for the Apple with the three Goddesses, the name of contention had never been questioned: For without any contradiction, they would all of them have yielded, and jointly have given their consent, that Melibea should have borne it from them: so that it should rather have been called the apple of concord, than of discord.  Besides, as many women as are now born, and do know her, curse themselves and their fortune; complaining of heaven, because it did not remember them, when it made her, consuming as well their bodies as their lives with envy, being ready to eat their own flesh for very anger, still augmenting martyrdoms to themselves, thinking to equal that perfection by art, which Nature had bestowed upon her without any labour. They pill, and dis-haire their eyebrows with nippers, with playsters of Pitch or Barme, and other the like instruments: They seek after Wall-wort, and the like herbs, roots, sprigs, and flowers to make Lyes, wherewithal to bring their hair to the coulor of hers, spoiling and martyring their faces, clothing them with divers coulorings, glissenings, paintings, unctions, ointments, strong waters, white and red pargetings, which, to avoid prolixity, I repeat not. Now judge then, whether she whom Nature hath so richly beautified, be worthy the love and service of so mean a man as myself?

    100. CEL. __ Bien te entiendo, Sempronio.   Déxale, que él caerá de su asno. Ya acaba.  

     CELEST.  Sempronio, I understand your meaning; but give him leave to run on; for he will fall anon from his Ass, and then his journey will be at an end; you shall see, he will come by and by to a full point, and so conclude.

    101. CAL. __ En la que toda la natura se remiró   por la fazer perfeta.   Que las gracias, que en todas repartió, las juntó en ella.   Allí hizieron alarde quanto más acabadas pudieron allegarse,   porque conociessen los que la viessen, quánta era la grandeza de su pintor.   Solo vn poco de agua clara con vn ebúrneo peyne   basta para exceder a las nacidas en gentileza.   Estas son sus armas. Con estas mata y vence,   con estas me catiuó, con estas me tiene ligado   y puesto en dura cadena.  

CALISTO.  In her, Nature, as in a glass did wholly behold herself; that she might make her most absolutely perfect;  for those graces, which she had diffused unto divers, she had jointly united them in her, and overviewed this her work with so curious an eye, that nothing might be added to make it fairer. To the end that they might know, who had the happiness to see her, the worthiness and excellency of her Painter: only a little fair Fountain-water with a comb of ivory, is sufficient (without any other slibber-slabbers) to make her surpass all other of her Sex, in beauty and courtesy.  These are her weapons; with these she kills and overcomes; and with these hath she bound me in so hard and strong a chain, that I must forever remain her prisoner.

    102. CEL. __ Calla y no te fatigues.   Que más aguda es la lima, que yo tengo,   que fuerte essa cadena, que te atormenta.   Yo la cortaré con ella, porque tú quedes suelto.   Por ende, dame licencia, que es muy tarde,   y déxame lleuar el cordón, porque tengo dél necessidad.  

     CELEST.  Sir, put a period to your words, trouble yourself no more; for this chain which shackles thee, is not so strong, but my file is as sharp to cut it in sunder, which I will do for thee, that thou mayest be at liberty. And therefore give me now licence to take my leave of you; For it grows very late; and let me have the girdle along with me. For you know, I must needs use it.  

    103. CAL. __ ¡O desconsolado de mí¡   La fortuna aduersa me sigue junta.   Que contigo o con el cordón o con entramos   quisiera yo estar acompañado esta noche luenga y escura. Pero, pues   no ay bien complido en esta penosa vida,   venga entera la soledad. ¡Moços¡, ¡Moços!  

     CALISTO.  O disconsolate that I am!   my misfortunes still pursue me; for with thee, or with this girdle, or with both, I would willingly have been accompanied all this dark and tedious night.  But because there is no perfect happiness in this our painful and unhappy life; let solitariness wholly possess my soul, and cares be my continual companions.  What ho?  Where be these men? Why, Parmeno, I say!  

    104. PARM. __ Señor.  

PARM.  Here, Sir.  

    105. CAL. __ Acompaña a esta señora hasta su casa   y vaya con ella tanto plazer y alegría,   quanta comigo queda tristeza y soledad.  

CALISTO.  Accompany this Matron home to her house; and as much pleasure and joy go with her, as sorrow and woe doth stay with me.  

    106. CEL. __ Quede, señor, Dios contigo.   Mañana será mi buelta,   donde mi manto y la respuesta vernán a vn punto;   pues oy no huvo tiempo.   y súfrete, señor, y piensa en otras cosas.  

     CELEST.  Sir, fare you well.  Tomorrow I shall make my return, and visit you again; not doubting but my gown and her answer shall meet here together; for now time doth not serve.  And in the interim, let me entreat you to be patient.  Settle your thoughts upon some other things, and do not so much as once think upon her.

    107. CAL. __ Esso no, que es eregía oluidar   aquella por quien la vida me aplaze.  

CALISTO.  Not think upon her?  It is impossible.  Nay, it were profane to forget her, for whom my life only pleaseth me.  

    1. CEL. __ Pármeno hijo, después de las passadas razones,   no he hauido oportuno tiempo   para te dezir y mostrar el mucho amor, que te tengo   y asimismo cómo de mi boca todo el mundo ha oydo hasta agora en absencia bien de ti.   La razón no es menester repetirla,   porque yo te tenía por hijo,   a lo menos quasi adotiuo y assí que imitavas a natural;   y tú dasme el pago en mi presencia,   paresciéndote mal quanto digo,   susurrando y murmurando contra mí en presencia de Calisto. Bien pensaua yo que, después que   concediste en mi buen consejo,   que no hauías de tornarte atrás.   Todavía me parece que te quedan reliquias vanas,   hablando por antojo, más que por razón.   Desechas el prouecho por contentar la lengua.   Oyeme, si no me has oydo,   y mira que soy vieja y el buen consejo mora en los viejos   y de los mancebos es propio el deleyte.   Bien creo que de tu yerro sola la edad tiene culpa.

CELEST. Parmeno, my son; since we last talked  together, I have not had any fit opportunity to  express unto thee the infiniteness of that love which  I bear unto thee, and as all the world can well  witness for me,  how well I have spoken of thee in  thy absence. Every man′s ear hath been filled with the good reports I have made of thee. The reason thereof I need not to repeat; for I ever held thee to be my son, at least, by adoption; and therefore thought  thou wouldst have showed thyself more natural  and loving towards me.  But instead thereof, thou  gav′st me bad payment, even to my face;  crossing, whatsoever I said; thinking ill of all that I spake;  whispering and murmuring against me in the presence of Calisto. I was well persuaded, that after though hadst  once yielded to my good counsel, that you would not  have turned your heel, and kicked against me as you  did, nor have fallen off from your promise. But  notwithstanding all this, I perceive some old relic  yet still remaining of thy former folly. And so,  speaking rather to satisfy thine own humour, than that thou canst render any reason for it; thou dost  hinder thyself of profit, to give thy tongue  contentment. Hear me (my son) if thou hast not heard me already. Look,  I say, and consider with thyself, that I am old,  and well stricken in  years; and good counsel only lodgeth with the elder  sort, it being proper to youth, to follow  pleasure  and delight. But my hope is, that of this thy error, thy youth only is in fault: and I trust that you will bear yourself better towards me hereafter, and that you will alter your ill purpose, together with your tender years; For as it is in the Proverb: Our customs suffer chang, together with our hairs; and we vary our disposition, as we vary our years. I speak this (my son) because as we grow in age,  so grow we in experience; new things daily offering themselves  to our view: for youth looks no farther than to things  present, occupying his eye only  in that he sees set  before him; but riper years omit neither things present, things past, nor things to come.  

  Si tú touieras memoria, hijo Pármeno,   del pasado amor, que te tuue,   la primera posada, que tomaste venido nueuamente en esta cibdad,   auía de ser la mía.   Pero los moços curays poco de los viejos.   Regisvos a sabor de paladar.   Nunca pensays que teneys ni haveys de tener necessidad dellos.   Nunca pensays en enfermedades.   Nunca pensays que os puede faltar esta florezilla de juuentud. Pues mira, amigo, que para tales necessidades, como   éstas, buen acorro es vna vieja conoscida,   amiga, madre y más que madre,   buen mesón para descansar sano,   buen hospital para sanar enfermo,   buena bolsa para necessidad,   buena arca para guardar dinero en prosperidad,   buen fuego de inuierno rodeado de asadores,   buena sombra de verano, buena tauerna para comer y beuer.   ¿:Qué dirás, loquillo, a todo esto?   Bien sé que estás confuso por lo que oy has hablado.   Pues no quiero más de ti.

And son Parmeno, if you would but bethink yourself of the love  I have heretofore borne you, I know it cannot escape  your knowledge, that the first night′s lodging that you took, when you were a stranger, and came newly to  this City, was in my house. But you young men care not  for us that are old, but govern yourselves according  to the savour  and relish of your own palates; you  never think that you have, or shall have need of us:  you never think upon sickness; you never think, that this flower of your youth shall fade.  But do you hear me, (my friend)  and mark what I say unto  you; That in such cases of necessity, as these, an  old woman, (be she well experienced) is a good help,  a comforter, a friend, a mother; nay, more than a  mother: A good Inn, to give  ease and rest to a  sound man; and a good Hospital for to cure a sick man;  a good Purse in time of need; a good Chest, to keep  money in prosperity; a good Fire in winter, environed  with spits of good roast-meat; a good Shade in summer,  and a good Tavern to eat and drink in. Now my pretty  little fool, what sayest thou to all this?  What dost though think of it? I know, thou art by this  time ashamed of that which thou hast spoken today;  thou canst not say B to a Battledore; though art  struck so dumb, and so dead: and therefore I will  press thee no further,  nor crave any more at thy  hands, than that which friendship craves of thee, which  is, Look upon Sempronio; next under heaven, myself have made him a man; I could wish you would live and love together as bothers and friends: for being in league with him,  though shalt live in the favour  and love of thy  Master, and  in good repute with all the world: for Sempronio,  I tell thee, is well beloved, he is diligent, a good Courtier, a proper servant, a fellow  of a good fashion, and one that is willing to embrace  thy friendship, which will turn to both your profits,  if you will but handfast your affections to each other. Besides, you know, that you must love, if you will be beloved. Trouts cannot be taken with dry breeches. And if the Cat will have fish, she must wet her foot. Nor does Sempronio owe this of right unto thee; nor is he bound to love thee, unless thou exchange love for love: it is mere simplicity, not to be willing to love, and yet look to be beloved of others. And as great folly, to repay friendship with hatred.

    2. PARM. __ Madre, para contigo digo que mi segundo yerro te confiesso   y, con perdón de lo passado, quiero que ordenes lo por venir.   Pero con Sempronio me paresce que es impossible sostenerse mi amistad.   El es desuariado, yo malsufrido:   conciértame essos amigos.  

PARM.Mother, I confess my second fault; and  craving pardon for what is past, I offer myself to be  ordered by you in  all my future  proceedings.  But yet me thinks it is impossible, that I should hold  friendship with Sempronio;  he is frappish, and I cannot bear;  he is choleric, and I can carry no coles. How then is it possible to make a true  contract betwixt two such contrary natures?  

    3. CEL. __ Pues no era essa tu condición.  

CELEST.But you were not wont to be thus  forward.  

    4. PARM. __ A la mi fe, mientra más fué creciendo, más la primera paciencia me oluidaua.   No soy el que solía y assimismo Sempronio no ay ni tiene en que me aproueche.  

PARM.In good fay (mother) you say true.  But the more I grow in years, the less I grow in  patience;  Tush, I have forgotten that lesson, as if  I had never known what it meant; I am (I  confess) [not] the man I was, nor is Sempronio himself;  neither can he, nor will he stead me in anything.  I  never yet tasted any the least kindness from him.  

    5. CEL. __ El cierto amigo en la cosa incierta se   conosce,  en las aduersidades se prueua.   Entonces se allega y con más desseo visita la casa,   que la fortuna próspera desamparó.   ¿:Qué te diré, fijo, de las virtudes del buen amigo?   No ay cosa más amada ni más rara.   ninguna carga rehusa. Vosotros soys yguales.   La paridad de las costumbres y la semejança de los coraçones es la que más la sostiene.   Cata, hijo, que, si algo tienes, guardado se te está.   Sabe tú ganar más, que aquello ganado lo fallaste.   buen siglo aya aquel padre, que lo trabajó.   No se te puede dar hasta que viuas más reposado y vengas en edad complida.

CELEST.A sure friend is known in a doubtful  matter; and in adversity is  his faith proved. Then  comes he nearest unto him,  when he is farthest from comfort; and with greater desire doth he then visit  his house, when as prosperous fortune hath forsaken it.  What shall I say unto thee, Son, of the virtues of a  good  and fast friend? There is nothing more to be  beloved; nothing more rare: he refuseth no burden. You  two are equals, and parity  of persons, similitude  of manners, and sympathy of hearts are the main props  that uphold friendship. Take heed (my son;) for if thou  hast anything, it is safely kept for thee. Be thou  wise to gain more; for this is gained already to your  hands. Your father, O what pains took he for it! But I  may not put it into your hands, till you lead a more  reposed life, and come to a more complete  and full  age.  

    6. PARM. __ ¿:A qué llamas reposado, tía?  

PARM.Mother, what do you call a reposed life?  

    7. CEL. __ Hijo, a viuir por ti,   a no andar por casas agenas,   lo qual siempre andarás, mientra no te supieres aprouechar de tu seruicio.   Que de lástima, que houe de verte roto, pedí oy manto, como viste, a Calisto.   No por mi manto; pero porque, estando el sastre en casa y tú delante sin sayo, te le diesse.   assí que, no por mi prouecho, como yo sentí que dixiste; más por el tuyo.   Que si espera; al ordinario galardón destos galanes,   es tal, que lo que en diez años sacarás   atarás en la manga. Goza tu   mocedad,  el buen día, la buena noche, el buen comer o beuer.   quando pudieres hauerlo, no lo dexes.   Piérdase lo que se perdiere.   No llores tú la fazienda,   que tu amo heredó,   que esto te lleuarás deste mundo,   pues no le tenemos más de por nuestra vida.   ¡O hijo mio Pármeno¡Que

CELEST.Mary son, to live of yourself. Not to  go through other men′s houses,  nor to set thy foot  under another man′s table; which thou shalt still be  enforced to do, unless thou learn to make profit of  thy service; for out of very pity to see, thee go thus  tattered  and torn, not having a rag almost to hang  on thy breech, did I beg that mantle which though  saw′st, of Calisto, not so much for the mantle′s sake,  as for that there being a Tailor belonging to the  house, and thou before being without a Jerkin, he might bestow it upon thee. So that I speak not for mine own  profit, (as I heard you say) but of they good. For, if you rely only upon the ordinary wages of these Gallant, it is such, that what you get by it after ten years service, you may put it in your  eye and  never see the worse. Enjoy thy youth, good days,  good nights, good meat and good drink; when thou  mayest have these things, lose them not; Let that be  lost that will be lost. Do not thou mourn for the wealth which was left thy Master (for that will but  shorten thy days) sithence we can enjoy it no longer  than we live. O Son Parmeno, (and well may I call thee  son, since I had the breeding of thee so long a time) follow my counsel, seeing it proceeds out of  pure love, and an earnest desire, to see thee grow up in  honour. O! how happy should I be, might I but see  thee and Sempronio agree; see you two friends, and  sworn brothers in everything, that ye may come to my  poor house to be merry, and to see me  now and  then, and to take your pleasure each of  you with his Wench!  

    8. PARM. __ ¿:Mochachas, madre mia?  

PARM.His Wench, mother?  

    9. CEL. __ ¡Alahé! Mochachas, digo; que viejas, harto me soy yo.   qual se la tiene Sempronio   y avn sin hauer tanta razón ni tenerle tanta afición como a ti.   Que de las entrañas me sale quanto te digo.  

CELEST.Ay, his Wench; and a young one too: As  for old flesh, myself am old enough, and such a wench  as Sempronio would be glad of with all his heart, with  t′one half of that regard and affection which I show  to thee. What I speak, comes from my entrails, and  the very bowels of me.  

    10. PARM. __ Señora, ¿:No viues engañada?  

PARM.Mother, you shall not be deceived in me.  

    11. CEL. __ Y avnque lo viua, no me pena mucho,   que también lo hago por amor de Dios   y por verte solo en tierra agena   y más por aquellos huessos de quien te me encomendó. Que tú serás   hombre y vernás en buen conocimiento y verdadero   y dirás: la vieja Celestina bien me consejaua.  

CELEST.And if I should, the matter is not great; For what I do, I do for charity, and for that I see thee here alone in a strange Land, and for the respect which I bear unto those bones of her, who recommended thee unto me. When you are more man, you  will think of all this, and come to a truer knowledge  of things, and then thou wilt say, that old Celestina  gave me good counsel.  

    12. PARM. __ Y avn agora lo siento; avnque soy moço.   Que, avnque oy veyas que aquello dezía,   no era porque me pareciesse mal lo que tú fazías;   pero porque veya que le consejaua yo lo cierto   y me daua malas gracias.   Pero de aquí delante demos tras él.   Faz de las tuyas, que yo callaré.   Que ya tropecé en no te creer cerca deste negocio con él.  

PARM.I know that as well now, though I am but  young,  as if I were elder: and howbeit I spoke against you today, it was not because I thought that  to be ill spoken which you said; but because I saw,  when I  told my Master the truth, and advised him  for the best, he ill entreated me, and therefore  henceforth let us  shake hands, and use him accordingly; do what thou wilt unto him, I will hold  my peace; for I have already too much offended, in not  crediting thee in this business concerning him.  

    13. CEL. __ Cerca deste y de otros tropeçarás y caerás,   mientra no tomares mis consejos,   que son de amiga verdadera.  

CELEST.In this and all other, though shalt not  only trip, but fall, as long as thou shalt not take  my counsel with thee, which comes from thy true  and  faithful friend.  

    14. PARM. __ Agora doy por bienempleado el tiempo,   que siendo niño te seruí,   pues tanto fruto trae para la mayor edad.   y rogaré a Dios por el ánima de mi padre,   que tal tutriz me dexó   y de mi madre, que tal muger me encomendó.  

PARM.Now, I bless the time wherein I served  thee,  counting those days happy, under which thou  bredst me up of a child, since old age brings with it  such store of fruit

    15. CEL. __ No me la nombres, fijo, por Dios,   que se me hinchen los ojos de agua.   ¿:Y tuue yo en este mundo otra tal amiga?   ¿:Otra tal compañera?   ¿:Tal aliuiadora de mis trabajos y fatigas?   ¿:Quién suplía mis faltas?? Quién sabía   mis secretos?   ¿:Quién descubría mi coraçón?   ¿:Quién era todo mi bien y descanso,   sino tu madre, más que mi hermana y comadre?   ¡O qué graciosa era¡   ¡O qué desembuelta, limpia, varonil!   Tan sin pena ni temor se andaua a media noche de cimenterio en cimenterio,   buscando aparejos para nuestro oficio, como de día.   Ni dexava christianos ni moros ni judíos, cuyos enterramientos no visitaua.   De día los acechaua, de noche los desterraua.

CELEST.Son,  no more. For mine eyes already run over,  and  my tears begin to break over those banks, which should  bound them in. O! had I in all this world, but such another friend? Such another companion? Such a comfortress in my troubles?   Such an easer, and  lightener of my heart′s heaviness? Who did supply my  wants? Who knew my secrets? To whom did I discover my  heart? Who was all my happiness, and quietness, but thy  mother? She was nearer and dearer unto me, than my  gossip, or mine own sister. O! how well-favoured was  she, and cheerful of countenance?   How lusty? How quick? How neat?   How portly and majestical in her  gait? How stout and manly? Why, she would go you at  midnight without or pain, or fear, from Churchyard, to Churchyard, seeking for implements appertaining to our  Trade, as if it had been day. Nor did she omit either  Christians, Moors, or Jews, whose Graves and  Sepulchers she did not visit. By day she would watch  them, and by night she would dig them out; taking  such things as should serve her turn. So that she  took as great pleasure in darkness of the night, as  thou dost comfort in the brightness of the day. She  would usually say; that the night was the sinful man′s  cloak,  that did hide and cover all his rogueries,  that they might not be seen, though perhaps she had not the like [in] dexterity and skill in all the rest of those tricks  that appertained to her Trade: yet  one thing shall I tell thee, because thou shall see  what a mother though hast lost, though I was about to  keep it in; but  it makes no matter, it shall out  to thee. She did pull out seven teeth out of a  fellow′s head that was hanged, with a pair of Pincers,  such as you pull out stubbed hairs withall, whilst I  did pull off his shoes. She was excellent at a Circle,  and would enter it far better than myself, and with  greater boldness, though I also was very famous for it  in those days, more I wise, than I am now; who have together with her, lost almost my cunning. What shall I say more unto thee, but that the very Devils themselves did live in fear of her? She did hold them in horror, and dread, making them to tremble and quake, when she began to exercise her exorcisms, her spells, her incantations, her charms, her conjurations, and other words of most horrisonous roaring, and most hideous noise. She was as well known to them all, as the begger knows his dish; or as theyself in thine own hosue On Devil coming tumbling in upon the neck of another, as fast, as it pleased her to call them up, and not one of them darest tell her a lie; such power had she to bind them: so that ever since she died, I could never attain to the truth of any thing.

    16. PARM. __ No la medre Dios más a esta vieja,   que ella me da plazer con estos loores de sus palabras.  

PARM.May this woman no better thrive, than she  pleaseth me with those her wordy praises.  

    17. CEL. __ ¿:Qué dizes, mi honrrado Pármeno, mi hijo y más que hijo?  

CELEST.What sayest though, my honest Parmeno?  My son, nay, more than my son.  

    18. PARM. __ Digo que ¿: Cómo tenía esa ventaja mi madre,   pues las palabras que ella y tú dezíades eran todas vnas?  

PARM.I say, How should it come to pass, that  my other should have this advantage of you, being the  words which she and you spoke, were both one?  

    19. CEL. __ ¿:Cómo?? y deso te marauillas?? No sabes que dize el refrán que mucho va de Pedro   a Pedro?   aquella gracia de mi comadre no la alcançábamos todas.   ¿:No has visto en los oficios vnos buenos y otros mejores?   assí era tu madre, que Dios aya,   la prima de nuestro oficio   y por tal era de todo el mundo conocida y querida,   assí de caualleros como clérigos,   casados, viejos, moços y niños.   ¿:Pues moças y donzellas? Assí rogauan a Dios por su vida,   como de sus mismos padres.   Con todos tenía quehazer,   con todos fablaua.   Si salíamos por la calle,   quantos topáuamos eran sus ahijados.   Que fue su principal oficio partera diez y seys años.   Así que, avnque tu no sabías sus secretos,

CELEST.How? Make you this so great a wonder?  Know you not, the Proverb tells us: That there is a  great deal of difference betwixt Peter and Peter?  Trust me truly, we cannot all be alike in all. We  cannot all of us attain to those good  gifts and  graces of my deceased Gossip. And have not you  yourself seen amongst your Artisans some good, and some others better than they? So likewise was it betwixt  me and your mother. She was the only woman in our Art,  she had not her fellow: and for such a one was she  of all the world both known and sought after, as well  of Cavalleros, as married men, old men, young men, and  children, besides Maids and Damsels, who did as  earnestly pray for her life, as for that of their own  fathers and mothers. She had to do with all manner of persons; she talked with all sorts of people. If we walked the streets, as many as we met, they were all  of them her Godsons. For her chiefest profession for  some sixteen years together, was  to play the  Midwife: so that albeit thou knew′st not these  secrets, because thou wast then but young, now it is  fit that thou should′st know them, sithence that she  is dead, and thou grown up to be a man.  

    20. PARM. __ Dime, señora, cuando la justicia te mandó prender,   estando yo en tu casa,   ¿:Teníades mucho conocimiento?  

PARM. Tell me, mother:  When the Justice sent Officers to apprehend you, at which time I was then in  your house,  was there any great acquaintance between  you?  

    21. CEL. __ ¿:Si teníamos me dizes?   ¡Como por burla¡   Juntas lo hizimos, juntas nos sintieron,   juntas nos prendieron y acusaron,   juntas nos dieron la pena essa vez,   que creo que fue la primera.   Pero muy pequeño eras tú.   Yo me espanto cómo te acuerdas,   que es la cosa, que más oluidada está en la cibdad.   cosas son que pasan por el mundo.   Cada día verás quien peque y pague,   si sales a esse mercado.  

CELEST.  Any great acquaintance? You are  disposed to jest. Our cases were both alike; they took  us both alike; they accused us both alike; and they  did punish us both alike, which (if I be not deceived)  was the first punishment that ever we had. But thou wast a little one then. I wonder how thou shouldst remember it; For, it is a thing of all other, the most forgotten, that hath happened in this City; so many, and so daily in this world are those new occurrents, which obliterate the old. If you go but out into  the market-place, you shall every day see, Peque y  Pague, the Peccant and his punishment.  

    22. PARM. __ Verdad es; pero del pecado lo peor es la perseuerancia.   Que assí como el primer mouimiento   no es en mano del hombre,   assí el primer yerro;   donde dizen que quien yerra y se enmienda, etc.  

PARM. It is true, but the worser part of wickedness, is the perseverance therein.

    23. CEL. __ Lastimásteme, don loquillo.   A las verdades nos andamos.   Pues espera, que yo te tocaré donde te duela.  

CELEST.  How deadly the fool bites! He hath  hit me home,  and pricked me to the quick; I will  therefore be now Tom-tell-troth. And assure thyself,  sithence thou hast galled me,  I will wring thee till  I make thee winch and fling; I will tickle thee on  the right vein.  

    24. PARM. __ ¿:Qué dizes, madre?  

PARM. What say you mother?  

    25. CEL. __ Hijo, digo que, sin aquélla, prendieron quatro veces a tu madre,   que Dios aya, sola.   y avn la vna la leuantaron que era bruxa,   porque la hallaron de noche con vnas candelillas,   cogiendo tierra de vna encruzijada,   y la touieron medio día en vna escalera en la plaça,   pues vno como rocadero pintado en la cabeça.   Pero cosas son que passan.   Algo han de sofrir los hombres en este triste mundo   para sustentar sus vidas y honrras.   y mira en qué poco lo tuuo con su buen seso,   que ni por esso dexó dende en adelante   de vsar mejor su oficio.   esto ha venido por lo que dezías   del perseuerar en lo que vna vez se yerra.   En todo tenía gracia.   Que en Dios y en mi conciencia,

CELEST. Mary I say, son, that besides this, your  mother was taken four  several times,  she  herself alone: and once she was accused for a Witch; For she was found one night  by the watch, with  certain little candles  in her hand, gathering  I  know not what earth in a cross way; for which she stood half a day in the open market-place upon a Scaffold, with a high paper Hat,  like the coffin of a  Sugar-loaf, painted  full of Devils, whereon her  fault was written (being brought thither, riding  through the streets upon an Ass, as the fashion is in  the punishment of Bawds and Witches.) Yet all this  was nothing; for men must suffer something in this  wicked world, for to uphold their lives, and their  honours. And mark, I pray, what small reckoning they made of it, because of her great wisdom and discretion. For she would not for all this, give over her old occupation; and from that day forward followed it more earnestly, than she did before, and with happier proof. This I thought good to tell you, to cross that opinion of yours, touching perseverance in that, wherein we have once already erred; for all that she did, did so well become her, and such a grace had she with her, that upon my conscience, howbeit she stood thus disgracefully upon the Scaffold, everyone might perceive, that she cared not a button for those that stood beneath, staring and gazing upon her; such was her behavior and carriage at that instant: look they might their fill, but I warrant you, she was not a farthing in debt, no not to the proudest of them all; wherein, I thought fit to instance, to show thereby unto you; that they, who have anything in them as she had, and are wise, and of worth, fall far more easily and sooner into error, than any other. Do but weigh and consider with yourself, what a manner of man Virgil was; how wise in all kind of knowledge; and yet I am sure you have heard, how in a wicker basket he was hung out from a Tower, all Rome looking upon him; yet for all this, was he neither the less honored, neither lost he the name of Virgil.

    26. PARM. __ Verdad es lo que dizes;   pero esso no fue por justicia.  

PARM. That is true which you say; but it was not  enjoined by the Justice.  

    27. CEL. __ ¡Calla, bouo¡Poco sabes de achaque de yglesia   y quánto es mejor por mano de justicia, que de otra manera.   Sabíalo mejor el cura, que Dios aya,   que, viniéndole a consolar, dixo   que la sancta Escriptura   tenía que bienauenturados eran los que padescían persecución por la justicia,   que aquéllos posseerían el reyno de los cielos.   Mira si es mucho passar algo en este mundo   por gozar de la gloria del otro.   y más que, según todos dezían, a tuerto y sin razón y   con falsos testigos y rezios tormentos   la hizieron aquella vez confessar lo que no era.   Pero con su buen esfuerço. y como el coraçón abezado a sofrir   haze las cosas más leues de lo que son,   todo lo tuuo en nada.   Que mill vezes le oya dezir:   si me quebré el pie, fue por mi bien,   porque soy más conoscida que

CELEST. Peace, you fool, thou art ignorant  what  a sinister and coarse kind of Justice was used, and  rigorously executed upon thy mother, to the most  extremity, which, as all men confess, is a mere  injury. And the rather,  because it was commonly spoken of all men, that  wrongfully, and against all right  and reason, by  suborning of false witnesses, and cruel torments, they  enforced her to confess that, which in reality of  truth was not. But because  she was a woman of a great spirit,  and good courage, and her heart had  been accustomed to endure, she made matters lighter  than they were; And of all this, she reckoned not a Pin: for a thousand times have I heard her say; If I  broke my leg, it was all for my good; for this made me  better known that I was before.  And certainly so  she was, and the more noted and respected, nay, and thrived the better by it, both she and I, and the more  plentiful our harvest and incomes of customers of the  best; and we loved and lived merrily together to her last. And be but thou unto me, as she was; that is to  say, a true  and faithful friend; and withall,  endeavor thyself to be good, since thou has so good a  pattern to follow. And for that which thy father left  thee, thou hast it safely kept for thee.  

    28. PARM. __ Bien lo creo, madre; pero querría saber qué tanto es.  

    29. CEL. __ No puede ser agora;   verná tiempo, como te dixe,   para que lo sepas y oyas.  

    30. PARM. __ Agora dexemos los muertos y las herencias;   que si poco me dexaron, poco hallaré;   hablemos en los presentes negocios,   que nos va más que en traer los passados a la memoria.   Bien se te acordará,   no ha mucho que me prometiste me harías hauer a Areusa,   quando en mi casa te dixe cómo moría por sus amores.  

PARM.  Let us now leave talking of the dead, and  of patrimonies, and let us parley of our present  businesses, which concerns us more than to draw things  past unto our remembrance. If you be well remembered,  it is not long since that you promised me, I should  have Areusa, when as I told you at my  Master′s  house, that I was ready to die for love;  so fervent  is my affection towards her.  

    31. CEL. __ Si te lo prometí, no lo he oluidado   ni creas que he perdido con los años la memoria.   Que más de tres xaques he rescebido de mí sobre ello en tu absencia.   Ya creo que estará bien madura.   Vamos de camino por casa,   que no se podrá escapar de mate.   Que esto es lo menos, que yo por ti tengo de hazer.  

CELEST.  If I did promise thee, I have not forgot  it; nor would I you should think, that I have lost my  memory with my years. For I have thrice already, and  better, given her the check, concerning this business,  in thy absence; but now I think the matter is grown to  some ripeness. Let us walk towards her house; for now,  do what she can, she shall not avoid the Mate. For  this is the least thing of a thousand, that I will  undertake to do for thee.  

    32. PARM. __ Yo ya desconfiaua de la poder alcançar,   porque jamás podía acabar con ella   que me esperasse a poder dezir vna palabra.   y como dizen, mala señal es de amor huyr y boluer la cara.   Sentía en mí gran desfuzia desto.  

PARM.  I was quite out of hope ever to have her;  for I could never come to any conclusion with her,  no, not to find so much favour, as  but to speak  with her, or to have but a word with her. And as it  is in the proverb: In love it is an ill sign, to see  his Mistress flye, and turn the face. And this did much dishearten me in my suite.  

    33. CEL. __ No tengo en mucho tu desconfiança,   no me conosciendo ni sabiendo, como agora,   que tienes tan de tu mano la maestra destas labores.   Pues agora verás quánto por mi causa vales,   quánto con las tales puedo,   quánto sé en casos de amor.   Anda passo. ¿:Ves aquí su puerta? Entremos quedo, no nos sientan sus   vezinas.  Atiende y espera debaxo de desta escalera.   Sobiré yo a uer qué se podrá fazer sobre lo hablado   y por ventura haremos más que tú ni yo traemos pensado.  

CELEST.  I marvel not much at thy discouragement, considering I was then a stranger unto thee; at  least, not so well acquainted with thee as now I am:  and that thyself did not then know, (as now thou dost), that thou mayest command her, who is the  Doctress of this Art; but now thou shalt see, what  favour though shalt find for my sake; what power I  have over these wenches;  how much I can prevail with  them; and what wonders I can work in matters of  love: but hush, tread softly; Lo, here′s the door, let  us enter in with  still and quiet steps, that the  neighbours may not hear us. Stay, and attend me her at  the stairs′ foot, whilst I go up and see what I shall  be able to do with her, concerning the business we  talked of; and it may be, we shall work more with her,  than either thou or I did ever dream of.    

    34. AREUSA. 34. AREUSA. __ ¿: Quién anda ay?   ¿:Quién sube a tal hora en mi cámara?  

AREUSA.  Who′s there? Who is that, that at this  time of night comes up into my chamber?  

    35. CEL. __ Quien no te quiere mal, cierto;   quien nunca da passo,   que no piense en tu prouecho;   quien tiene más memoria de ti, que de sí mesma:   vna enamorada tuya, avnque vieja.  

CELEST. One, I assure you, that means you no ill;  one that never treads step, but she thinks on thy  profit; one that is more mindful of thee, than of  herself; one that loves thee as her life, though I am  now grown old.  

    36. AREU. __ ¡Válala el diablo a esta vieja,   con qué viene como huestantigua a tal hora¡   tía, señora, ¿: Qué buena venida es ésta tan grande?   Ya me desnudaua para acostar.  

AREUSA.  Now the Devil take this old Trot! what  news with you, that you come thus stealing like a Ghost, and at so late an hour? How think you (Gentlewoman) is this a fair hour to come to one′s  chamber? I was even putting off my clothes to go to  bed.  

    37. CEL. __ ¿:Con las gallinas, hija? Así se hará la hazienda. ¡ Andar¡, ¡Passe¡Otro es el que ha   de llorar las necessidades, que no tú.   yerua pasce quien lo cumple.   Tal vida quienquiera se la quería.  

CELEST.  What? To bed with the Hen, daughter?  So soon to roost? Fie for shame; Is this the way  to thrive?  Think you ever to be rich, if you go to  bed so timely? Come, walk a turn or two,  and talk  with me a little; let others bewail their wants, not  thou. Herbs feed them that gather them. Who but would,  if he could, lead such a life?  

    38. AREU. __ ¿:Jesú! Quiérome tornar a vestir, que he frío.  

AREUSA. How cold it is! I will go put  on my clothes again: beshrew me if I am not cold  at  my very heart.  

    39. CEL. __ No harás, por mi vida;   sino éntrate en la cama, que desde allí hablaremos.  

CELEST.  Nay, by my fay shall you not; but if you  will go into your bed, do; and so shall we talk more  conveniently together.  

    40. AREU. __ Assí goze de mí, pues que lo he bien menester,   que me siento mala oy todo el día.   assí que necessidad, más que vicio,   me fizo tomar con tiempo las sáuanas por faldetas.  

AREUSA.  Yes indeed, I have need so to do; for I  have felt myself very ill all this day; so that  necessity, rather than laziness, hath made me thus early  to take my sheets, instead of my petticoat,  to wrap  about me.  

    41. CEL. __ Pues no estés asentada;   acuéstate y métete debaxo de la ropa, que paresce serena.  

CELEST.  Sit not up, I pray any longer, but get  you to bed, and cover yourself well with clothes,  and sink lower in, so shall you be the sooner  warm. O! how like a Siren dost though look!   How  fair, how beautiful!   

    42. AREU. __ Bien me lo dizes, señora tía.  

    43. CEL. __ ¡Ay cómo huele toda la ropa en bulléndote¡   ¡Aosadas, que está todo a punto¡   Siempre me pagué de tus cosas y hechos, de tu limpieza y atauío. ¡ Fresca que estás¡ Bendígate   Dios!   ¡Qué sáuanas y colcha¡Qué almohadas¡   ¡Y qué blancura¡Tal sea mi vejez,   quál todo me parece perla de oro.  Verás si te quiere bien   quien te visita a tales horas.   Déxame mirarte toda, a mi voluntad,   que me huelgo.  

O! how sweetly everything smells  about thee, when thou  heavest and turnest thyself  in thy bed! I assure you, everything is in very good order: how well have I always been pleased with all  thy things, and thy doings! You will not think, how  this neatness, this handsomeness of yours in your  lodging doth delight me;  to see everything so trim  and tricksy about you; I promise you, I am even proud  of it. O! how fresh dost thou look! What sheets! What  quilts be here! What pillows! O! how white they be! Let  me not live, if everything her doth not like me wonderful well: my Pearl,  my Jewel of gold, see  whether I love you or no, that I come to visit you at  this time of night! Let my eye take its fill in  beholding of thee; it does me much good  to touch  thee, and to look upon thee.  

    44. AREU. __ ¡Passo, madre, no llegues a mí,   que me fazes coxquillas y prouócasme a reyr   y la risa acreciéntame el dolor.  

AREUSA.  Nay (good mother) leave,  do not touch  me; pray you do not, it doth but increase my pain.  

    45. CEL. __ ¿:Qué dolor, mis amores?   ¿:Búrlaste, por mi vida, comigo?  

CELEST.  What pain (Sweet heart?)  Tell me (pretty  Ducke.) Come, come, you do but jest, I am sure.  

    46. AREU. __ Mal gozo vea de mí, si burlo;   sino que ha quatro horas, que muero de la madre,   que la tengo sobida en los pechos,   que me quiere sacar deste mundo.   Que no soy tan vieja como piensas.  

AREUSA.  Jest? Let me never taste of joy, if I  jest with you; it is scarce four hours since, that every minute I was ready to die with pain of the Mother, which rising in my breast,  swelled up to my  throat, and was ready to stifle me; that I still  looked when I should leave the world; and therefore am  not so  gamesome and wanton as you think I am:  now I have little mind of that.  

    47. CEL. __ Pues dame lugar, tentaré.   Que avn algo sé yo deste mal por mi pecado,   que cada vna se tiene o ha tenido su madre y sus çoçobras della.  

CELEST.  Go to, give me leave a little to touch you; and  I will try what I can do. For I know something of this evil, which  every one calls the Mother, and the passion thereunto belonging.  

    48. AREU. __ Más arriba la siento, sobre el estómago.  

AREUSA.  Lay your hand higher up towards my  stomach.  

    49. CEL. __ ¡Bendígate Dios y señor Sant Miguel, ángel¡   ¿:Y qué gorda y fresca estás¡Qué   pechos y qué gentileza¡   Por hermosa te tenía hasta agora,   viendo lo que todos podían ver;   pero agora te digo que no ay en la cibdad   tres cuerpos tales como el tuyo, en quanto yo conozco.   No paresce que hayas quinze años.   ¡O quien fuera hombre   y tanta parte alcançara de ti para gozar tal vista¡   Por Dios, pecado ganas en no dar parte destas gracias   a todos lo que bien te quieren.   Que no te las dio Dios para que pasasen en balde   por la frescor de tu juventud   debaxo de seys dobles de paño y lienço.   Cata que no seas auarienta   de lo que poco te costó.   No atesores tu gentileza.

CELEST.  Alack (poor heart) how I pity thee: that one so plump, so fair, so clear, so fresh, so  fragrant, so delicate, so dainty a creature, that art  indeed the very abstract of beauty, the most admired  model for complexion, feature, comeliness, and rarest  composure; every Limb, every Lineament carrying such  an extraordinary luster and ornament by reflection  from thee. I say, How do I pity thee, that any ache,  sickness, or infirmity should dare to seize or presume  to usurp over such a Peerless Potent, a commanding  Power, as thy imperious unparalleled beauty! But I  dare say, it is not so, nor so; No no, your disease self-conceited, and the pride of your good parts, this  puffs you and makes you slight and contemn all. Go to,  go to, (daughter) you are to blame if it be so, and I  tell you, it is a shame for you, that it is, not to impart these good graces and blessings, which heaven hath bestowed upon you, to as many as wish you  well; For they were not given you in vain, that you should let  them wither, and lose the flower of your youth under six linings of Woolen, and Linen; have a care, that you  be not covetous of that, which cost you but little; do  not, like a Miser, hoord up your beauty; make not a hidden treasure of it, sithence in it′s own nature it is as communicable, and  as commonly current as money  from man to man. Be  not the Mastiff in the garden,  nor the Dog in the  manger: and, since thou canst not take any pleasure in thy self, let others take their pleasure; and do not think thou wast borne for nothing: for when thou wast born, man was born: and when man was born, woman was born; nothing in all this wide world was created superfluous, nor which Nature did not provide for with very good consonancy, and well suiting with reason. But think on the contrary, That it is a fault to vex and torment men, when it is in thy power to give them remedy.

    50. AREU. __ Alábame agora, madre, y no me quiere ninguno.   Dame algún remedio para mi mal   y no estés burlando de mí.  

AREUSA.  Tush, mother,  these are but words, and  profit me nothing; give me something for my evil,  and leave your jesting.  

    51. CEL. __ Deste tan común dolor todas somos,   ¡Mal pecado¡, maestras.   Lo que he visto a muchas fazer   y lo que a mí siempre aprouecha, te diré.   Porque como las calidades de las personas son diuersas,   assí las melezinas hazen diuersas sus operaciones y diferentes.   Todo olor fuerte es bueno,   assí como poleo, ruda, axiensos,   humo de plumas de perdiz, de romero, de moxquete, de encienso.   Recebido con mucha diligencia, aprouecha   y afloxa el dolor y buelue poco a poco la madre a su lugar.   Pero otra cosa hallaua yo siempre mejor que todas   y ésta no te quiero dezir,   pues tan santa te me hazes.  

CELEST.  In this so common a grief, all of us,  (the more misfortune ours) are in a manner Physicians to ourselves; that which I have seen practiced on  others, and that which I found good in myself, I shall  plainly deliver unto you:  but as the states of our  bodies are divers,  and the qualities differing; so  are the medicines also divers, and the operations  different. Every strong sent is good: as Pennyroyal, Rue, Wormwood; smoke of Partridge feathers, of  Rosemary,  and of the Soles of old shoes, and of Musk-roses, of Incense,  of strong perfumes,  received  kindly, fully  and greedily, doth work  much good;  much slaketh and easeth the pain, and  by little and little returns the Mother to its proper  place. But there is another thing that passeth all  these, and that I ever found to be better than  any  one, or all of them  put together; but what it  is, I will not tell you, because you make yourself  such a piece of niceness.  

    52. AREU. __ ¿:Qué, por mi vida, madre?   Vesme penada ¿:Y encúbresme la salud?  

AREUSA.  As you love me, (good mother) tell me:  see′st thou me thus pained, and concealest thou  thyself?  

    53. CEL. __ ¡Anda, que bien me atiendes,   no te hagas boua!  

CELEST.  Go to,  go to, you understand me well  enough; do not make yourself more fool  than you  are.  

    54. AREU. __ ¡Ya¡ya¡Mala landre me mate, si te entendía.   ¿:Pero qué quieres que haga?   sabes que se partió ayer   aquel mi amigo con su capitán a la guerra.   ¿:Hauía de fazerle ruyndad?  

AREUSA.  Well, well, well;  now trust me no  more, if I understood thee. But what is it thou  wouldst have me to do? you know that my friend went  yesterday with his Captain to the wars; would you have  me to wrong him?  

    55. CEL. __ ¡Verás y qué daño y qué gran ruyndad!  

CELEST.  O! take heed, great wrong, I promise  you.  

    56. AREU. __ Por cierto, sí sería.   Que me da todo lo que he menester,   tiéneme honrrada, fauoréceme y trátame como si fuesse su señora.  

AREUSA. Yes indeed, for he supplies all my wants;  he will see I shall lack nothing; he holds me  honest; he does love me, and uses me with that  respect, as if I were his Lady  and Mistress.  

    57. CEL. __ Pero avnque todo esso sea,  mientra no parieres, nunca te faltará este mal y dolor   que agora, de lo qual él deue ser causa.   y si no crees en dolor, cree en color,   y verás lo que viene de su sola compañía.  

CELEST.  Suppose all this to be true,  be it in  the best sort it may be, yet what of all this? This  retiredness is no cure for your disease; you must be  free and communicable, for I must tell you, there  are griefs and pangs  cannot easily be posted off, and  dispossessed, and some not to be removed but by  being a mother,  (you know my meaning;) and such is your disease, and you can never recover  it, by  living  sole and simple (as you now do) without  company.  

    58. AREU. __ No es sino mi mala dicha.   Maldición mala, que mis padres me echaron.   ¿:Qué, no está ya por prouar todo esso?   Pero dexemos esso, que es tarde   y dime a qué fue tu buena venida.  

AREUSA. It is but my ill hap, and a curse laid  upon me by my parents, else had I not been put to  prove all this misery and pain,  which now I feel.  But to let this pass, because it is late, tell me I  pray, what wind drove you hither?  

    59. CEL. __ Ya sabes lo que de Pármeno te oue dicho.   Quéxasseme que avn verle no le quieres.   No sé porqué,   sino porque sabes que le quiero yo bien   y le tengo por hijo.   Pues por cierto, de otra manera miro yo tus cosas,   que hasta tus vezinas me parescen bien   y se me alegra el coraçón   cada vez que las veo,   porque sé que hablan contigo.  

CELEST.  You know already what I have said unto  you concerning Parmeno; who complains himself unto me,  that you refuse to see him;  that you will not  vouchsafe him so much as a look: what should be the  reason, I know not, unless because you know, that I  wish him well, and make account of him, as of my son. I have a better care of your matters,  and regard your  friends in a kinder fashion. Not a neighbour that  dwells near you, but she is welcome unto me, and my  heart rejoiceth as often as I see them, and all  because they converse with thee  and keep thee  company.  

    60. AREU. __ ¿:No viues, tía señora, engañada?  

AREUSA.  It is true (Aunt) that you say; and I  acknowledge my beholdingness.  

    61. CEL. __ No lo sé. A las obras creo;   que las palabras, de balde las venden dondequiera.   Pero el amor nunca se paga sino con puro amor y a las obras con obras.   Ya sabes el debdo, que ay entre ti y Elicia,   la cual tiene Sempronio en mi casa.   Pármeno y él son compañeros, siruen a este señor,   que tú conoces y por quien tanto fauor podrás tener.   No niegues lo que tan poco fazer te cuesta.   Vosotras, parientas; ellos, compañeros:   mira cómo viene mejor medido, que lo queremos.   Aquí viene comigo. Verás si quieres que suba.  

CELEST.  I know not  whether you do or no: Dost  thou hear me (girl?) I must believe works; for words  are wind, and are sold everywhere for nothing; but love is never paid, but with pure love: and works with  works. Thou know′st the alliance between thee and  Elicia, whom Sempronio keeps in my house. Parmeno and  he are  fellows and companions, they both serve the Gentleman you wot of; and by whom you may gain great  good,  and grace unto yourself. Do not therefore  deny him that, the granting whereof will cost thee so  little; you are kinswomen, and they companions: see,  how pat all things fall! Far better than we ourselves could have wished; and to tell you truly, I have brought him along with me: how say you? Shall I call him up?  

    62. AREU. __ ¡Amarga de mí, si nos ha oydo!  

AREUSA.  Now, heavens forbid. Fie; What did you  mean? Ay me; I fear me, he hath heard every word.  

    63. CEL. __ No, que abaxo queda. Quiérole hazer subir.   Resciba tanta gracia, que le conozcas   y hables y muestres buena cara.   y si tal te paresciere,   goze él de ti y tu dél.   Que, avnque él gane mucho,   tú no pierdes nada.  

CELEST.  No:  for he stays beneath; I will call  to him to come up; for my sake show him good  countenance; take notice of him; speak kindly unto  him;  entertain him friendly; and if you think  fit, let him enjoy you, and you him;  and both one another; for though he gain much, I am sure, you  shall lose nothing by the bargain.  

    64. AREU. __ Bien tengo, señora, conoscimiento cómo todas tus razones,   éstas y las passadas, se endereçan en mi prouecho; pero ¿: Cómo quieres   que haga tal cosa,   que tengo a quien dar cuenta, como has oydo   y, si soy sentida, matarme ha?   tengo vezinas embidiosas. Luego lo dirán.   assí que, avnque no haya más mal de perderle,   será más que ganaré   en agradar al que me mandas.  

AREUSA.  Mother, I am not ignorant, that as well  these, as all other your former speeches unto me, have  ever been directed to my  good and benefit: but how  is it possible, that I should do this,  that you would  now have me? For you know to whom I am bound to give  an account, as already you have heard; and if he know  I play false, he will kill me. My neighbors, they are  envious  and malicious, and they will straightway acquaint him therewith. And say, that no great ill should befall me, save only the losing of his love; it  will be more than I shall gain, by giving contentment  to him, for whom you entreat, or rather command me.  

    65. CEL. __ Eso, que temes, yo lo provey primero,   que muy passo entramos.  

CELEST.  For this fear of yours, myself have  already provided: for we entered in very softly.  

    66. AREU. __ No lo digo por esta noche, sino por otras muchas.  

AREUSA. Nay, I do not speak for this night, but  for many other that are to come.  Tush, were it but  for one night, I would not care.  

    67. CEL. __ ¿:Cómo?? y dessas eres?? Dessa manera te tratas?   Nunca tú harás casa con sobrado.   Absente le has miedo;   ¿:Qué harías, si estouiesse en la cibdad?   En dicha me cabe,   que jamás cesso de dar consejo   a los bouos y todavía ay quien yerre;   pero no me marauillo,   que es grande el mundo y pocos los esperimentados.   ¡Ay¡Ay¡Hija, si viesses el saber de tu prima   y qué tanto le ha aprouechado mi criança y consejos   y qué gran maestra está.   y avn ¡Que no se halla ella mal con mis castigos¡   Que vno en la cama y otro en la puerta   y otro, que sospira por ella en su casa,   se precia de tener.   y con todos cumple   y a todos muestra buena cara y todos piensan   que son muy queridos

CELEST.  What? Is this your fashion? Is this the  manner of your carriage?  And you use these  niceties, you shall never have a house with a double  room,  but live like a beggar all the days of your  life. What? are you afraid of our Sweetheart now he  is absent? What would you then do, were he now in Town? It hath ever been my ill fortune, to give counsel unto folls, such as cannot see their own  good; say what I will, they will err;  still stand in their own light. But I do  not much wonder at it; For though the world be wide,  yet there are but few wise in it. Great is the  largeness of the earth, but small the number of those  that have experience. Ha, daughter! Did you but see  your cousin′s wisdom, or but know what benefit my breeding and counsel hath brought her,  how cunning,  how witty, and what a Mistress in her art;  you  would be of another mind; say what I will unto her,  she patiently endures my reprehensions, she hearkens  to my advice, and does all what I will have her  do; she will sometimes boast, that she hath at one  time had one in her bed with her; another waiting at  the door; and a third sighing for her within the  house; and yet hath given good satisfaction to them  all. And art thou  afraid, who hath but two to death withal; Can  one  cock fill all thy Cisterns? One conduit-pipe water  all thy Court? If this be your diet,  you may chance  to rise a hungered, you shall have no meat left against another time; I will not rent your fragments;  I cannot live upon scraps; One could never please  me; I could never place all my affection upon one; two  can do more than one; they  give more, and they have more to give. It goes hard (Daughter) with that Mouse, that hath but one hole to  trust to; for if that be stopped, she hath no means to  hide herself from the Cat: he that hath but one eye,  you see in what danger he goes? One sole Act maketh  not a Habit.  

  un frayle solo pocas veces lo encontrarás por la calle;   vna perdiz sola por marauilla buela mayormente en verano;   vn manjar solo continuo presta hastío;   vna golondrina no haze verano;   vn testigo solo no es entera fe;   quien sola vna ropa tiene, presto la enuegece.   ¿:Qué quieres, hija, deste número de vno?   Más inconuenientes te diré dél, que años tengo a cuestas.   Ten siquiera dos, que es compañía loable   y tal qual es éste:   como tienes dos orejas,   dos pies y dos manos,   dos sáuanas en la cama;   como dos camisas para remudar.   y si más quieres, mejor te yrá,   que mientra más moros, más ganancia;   que honrra sin prouecho, no es sino como anillo en el dedo.   y pues entrambos no caben en vn saco,   acoge la ganancia.   Sube, hijo Pármeno.  

It is a rare, and strange thing to see a Partridge fly single; to feed always upon one dish, brings a loathing to the stomach; one Swallow makes not a Summer; one witness alone is of no validity in Law. He that hath but one suit of clothes,  and she  that hath but one gown to her back, quickly wears  them out. What would you do (daughter) with this  number of one? Many more inconveniences can I tell  thee of this single sole number (if one may be a number.) If you be wise,  be never without two; for it is a laudable  and commendable company, as  you may see it in  yourself; who hath two ears, two feet, and two  hands; two sheets upon one bed; and two smocks  wherewith to shift you; and the more you have, the  better it is for you; for still, (as it is in the Proverb) The more Moors, the better market; and  honour without profit, is no other but as a ring upon  the finger. And because one Sack cannot hold them  both, apply yourself to your profit. Son Parmeno, come  up.  

    68. AREU. __ ¡No suba¡Landre me mate¡   que me fino de empacho,   que no le conozco.   Siempre houe vergüença dél.  

AREUSA. O let him not come up  if you love me;  the pox be my death, if I am not ready to swound,  to  think on′t; I know not what to do for very shame.  Nay fie, mother, what mean you to call him up? you  know that I have no acquaintance with him; I never  exchanged a word with him, in all my life; Fie, how I  am ashamed!  

    69. CEL. __ Aquí estoy yo que te la quitaré   y cobriré y hablaré por entramos:   que otro tan empachado es él.  

CELEST.  I am here with thee, (wench;) I, who  will stand betwixt him and thee; I will quit thee of  this shame, and will cover thee close, and speak for  you both: For he is as bashful as you  for your  life.  

    70. PARM. __ Señora, Dios salue tu graciosa presencia.  

PARM.  Gentlewoman, heavens preserve this  gracious presence of yours.  

    71. AREU. __ Gentilhombre, buena sea tu venida.  

AREUSA.  You are welcome, gentle Sir.  

    72. CEL. __ Llégate acá, asno.   ¿:Adónde te vas allá assentar al rincón?   No seas empachado,   que al hombre vergonçoso el diablo le traxo a palacio.   Oydme entrambos lo que digo.   Ya sabes tú, Pármeno amigo, lo que te prometí,   y tú, hija mia, lo que te tengo rogado.   Dexada aparte la dificultad con que me lo has concedido,   pocas razones son necessarias,   porque el tiempo no lo padece.   El ha siempre viuido penado por ti.   Pues viendo su pena,   sé que no le querrás matar   y avn conozco que él te paresce tal,   que no será malo para quedarse acá esta noche en casa.  

CELEST.  Come hither you Ass, whither go you  now, to sit moping down in a corner? Come,  come,  be not so shamefast, for it was the bashful man whom  the Devil brought to Court;  for he was sure, he  should get nothing there; hearken both of you, what  I shall now say unto you: You, my friend Parmeno, know  already what I promised you: and you (daughter) what I  entreated at your hands. Laying aside therefore the  difficulty, in drawing thee to grant that which I  desired, few words I conceive to be the best, because  the time will not permit me to be long. He for his  part hath hitherto lived in great pain  and grief  for your sake: and therefore you seeing his torment, I  know you will not kill him: and I likewise know, that  yourself liketh so well of him, that it shall not be  amiss, that he stay with you here this night in the  house.  

    73. AREU. __ Por mi vida, madre, que tal no se haga;   ¡Jesú¡No me lo mandes.  

AREUSA.  For my  maidenhead′s sake (mother)  let it not be so, pray do not command it to me.  

    74. PARM. __ Madre mia, por amor de Dios,   que no salga yo de aquí sin buen concierto.   Que me ha muerto de amores su vista. Ofréscele quanto   mi padre te dejó para mí.   Dile que le daré quanto tengo.   ¡Ea¡Díselo, que me parece que no me quiere mirar.  

PARM.  Mother,  as you love my life, as you love  goodness, let me not go hence, until we be well  agreed: for she hath wounded me with her  eyes, to death, and I must die through love, unless you help me; offer her all that which my father left with you  for me; tell her, I will give her all that I have besides, do you hear? Tell her, that me thinks, she will not vouchsafe to look upon me.  

    75. AREU. __ ¿:Qué te dize esse señor a la oreja?   ¿:Piensa que tengo de fazer nada de lo que pides?  

AREUSA.  What doth this Gentleman whisper in your  ear? Thinks he that I will not perform ought of your  request?  

    76. CEL. __ No dize, hija, sino que se huelga mucho con tu amistad,   porque eres persona tan honrrada   y en quien qualquier beneficio cabrá bien.   y assimismo que, pues que esto por mi intercessión se hace,   que él me promete de aquí adelante ser muy amigo de Sempronio   y venir en todo lo que quisiere contra su amo   en un negocio, que traemos entre manos.   ¿:Es verdad, Pármeno?   ¿:Prométeslo assí como digo?  

CELEST.  No, daughter, no such matter; he says  that he is very glad of your  good love and  friendship, because you are  so honest, and so  worthy; and that any benefit shall light well, that  shall fall upon you. Come hither (Modesty) Come  hither, you bashful fool 

    77. PARM. __ Sí prometo, sin dubda.  

    78. CEL. __ ¡Ha, don ruyn, palabra te tengo,   a buen tiempo te así.   Llégate acá, negligente, vergonçoso,   que quiero ver para quánto eres, ante que me vaya.   Retóçala en esta cama.  

    79. AREU. __ No será él tan descortés,   que entre en lo vedado sin licencia.  

AREUSA.  He will not be so uncivil, as to enter  into another body′s ground without leave, especially,  when it lies in several.  

    80. CEL. __ ¿:En cortesías y licencias estás?   No espero más aquí yo,   fiadora que tú amanezcas sin dolor y él sin color.   Mas como es vn putillo, gallillo, barbiponiente, entiendo que en tres noches   no se le demude la cresta.   Destos me mandauan a mí comer en mi tiempo los médicos de mi tierra,   quando tenía mejores dientes.  

CELEST.  So uncivil?  Do you stand upon leave?  Would you have him stand with cap in hand, and say, I  pray shall I? Will you give me leave forsooth? And I  know not what fiddle-come-faddles? Well, I will stay  no longer with you: and I will pass my word, that you  shall rise tomorrow painless.

    81. AREU. __ Ay, señor mio, no me trates de tal manera;   ten mesura por cortesía;   mira las canas de aquella vieja honrrada, que están presentes;   quítate allá que no soy de aquéllas que piensas;   no soy de las que públicamente están a vender sus cuerpos por dinero.   assí goze de mí, de casa me salga,   si fasta que Celestina mi tía sea yda   a mi ropa tocas.  

AREUSA.  Nay fie, good Sir, for modesty′s sake, I  beseech you let me alone: content yourself, I pray.  I pray let be. If not for my sake, yet look back  upon those gray hairs of that reverend old Dame, which  stands by you,  and forbear for her sake. Get you  gone, I say, for I am none of those you take me to be,  I am none of your common hackneys, that hire out their  bodies for money. Would I might never stir, if I do  not get me out of the house, if you do but touch so  much as a cloth about me.

     82. CEL. __ Qué es eso, Areusa?   ¿: Qué son estas estrañezas y esquiuedad,   estas nouedades y retraymiento?   paresce, hija, que no sé yo qué cosa es esto,   que nunca vi estar vn hombre con vna muger juntos   y que jamás passé por ello   ni gozé de lo que gozas   y que no sé lo que passan   y lo que dizen y hazen.   ¡ Guay de quien tal oye como yo¡   Pues auísote, de tanto,   que fuy errada como tú   y tuue amigos;   pero nunca el viejo ni la vieja echaua de mi lado   ni su consejo en público ni en mis secretos.   Para la muerte que a Dios deuo,   más quisiera vna gran bofetada en mitad de mi cara.   paresce que ayer nascí, según tu encubrimiento.   Por hazer a ti honesta,

CELEST.  Why, how now Areusa, what′s the matter  with you? Whence comes this strangeness? Whence this  coyness of yours? This niceness? Why (Daughter) do you  think that I know not what this means? Did I never see  a man and woman together before? And that I know not  all their tricks and devices? What they say, and what they do? I am sorry to hear that I do. Besides, I must tell you, I was once as wanton as you are now,  and thought my penny as good silver as yours: and  many a friend I had  that came unto me: yet did I  never in all my life exclude either old man, or old  woman out of my company, or that ever I refused their counsel, were it public or private. By  my little  honesty, I had rather thou hadst given me a box  on  the ear, than to hear what I hear. You make of me,  as if I had been born but yesterday.  O! how cunning  forsooth, how close you be? for to make yourself seem honest, you would make me a fool. I must be a  kind of Ignoramus, without shame, secrecy, and experience. Ye would discredit me in my Trade, for to  win yourself credit in your own. But  the best is,  betwixt Pirate and Pirate, there is nothing to be got  but  blows and empty barrels. And well I wot, that I  speak far better of thee, behind thy back, than thou canst think of thyself before me.  

    83. AREU. __ Madre, si erré aya perdón   y llégate más acá y él haga lo que quisiere.   Que más quiero tener a ti contenta, que no a mí;   antes me quebraré vn ojo que enojarte.  

AREUSA.  Mother, if I have offended, pardon me, for I had rather give  contentment to you, than to myself. I would not anger you for a world.   

    84. CEL. __ No tengo ya enojo;   pero dígotelo para adelante.   Quedaos adios, que voyme solo   porque me hazés dentera con vuestro besar y retoçar.   Que avn el sabor en las enzías me quedó:   no le perdí con las muelas.  

CELEST.  No, I am not angry, I do but tell you  this against another time,  that you may beware you  do so no more. And so good-night, for I will be  gone, I will get me away alone by myself.

    85. AREU. __ Dios vaya contigo.  

AREUSA.  Good night, Aunt.   

    86. PARM. __ Madre, ¿:Mandas que te acompañe?  

PARM. Mother,  will you that I wait upon  you? Shall I accompany you home?      

    87. CEL. __ Sería quitar a vn sancto para poner en otro.   Acompáñeos Dios; que yo vieja soy, que no he temor que me fuercen en la calle.  

CELEST.  No, mary shall you not; that were but  to strip one, and clothe another; or again, it needs  not, for I am old, and therefore fear not to be  forced in the streets.  I am past all danger of  ravishing.   

    88. ELIC. __ El perro ladra. ¿:Si viene este diablo de vieja?  

ELICIA.  The dog barks. The old Witch comes  hobbling home.  

    89. CEL. __ Tha, tha, tha  

CELEST.  Tha, tha, tha.  

    90. ELIC. __ ¿:Quién es?? Quién llama?  

ELICIA.  Who is there? who knocks at door?  

    91. CEL. __ Báxame abrir, fija.  

CELEST.  Daughter, Come down, and open the door.  

    92. ELIC. __ ¿:Estas son tus venidas?   Andar de noche es tu plazer.   ¿:Por qué lo hazes?   ¿:Qué larga estada fue ésta, madre?   Nunca sales para boluer a casa.   Por costumbre lo tienes.   Cumpliendo con vno, dexas ciento descontentos.   Que has sido oy buscada del padre de la desposada,   que leuaste el día de pasqua al racionero;   que la quiere casar de aquí a tres días   y es menester que la remedies,   pues que se lo prometiste,   para que no sienta su marido la falta de la virginidad.  

ELICIA.  Is this a time to come in? You are  disposed still to be out thus a nights. To what end  (I trow) walk you thus late? What a long time (mother) have you been away? What do you mean by it?  You can never find the way home, when you are once  abroad: but it is your old wont, you cannot leave it;  and so as you may pleasure one,  you care not and you leave a hundred discontented: you have been sought  after today, by the father of her that was betrothed,  which you brought from the Prebendary upon Easter Day,  whom he is purposed to marry within these three days,  and you must needs help her, according as you  promised, that her husband may not find her virginity  cracked.  

    93. CEL. __ No me acuerdo, hija, por quién dizes.  

CELEST.  Daughter, I remember no such matter. For  whom is it that you speak?  

    94. ELIC. __ ¿:Cómo no te acuerdas?   Desacordada eres, cierto.   ¡O cómo caduca la memoria¡   Pues, por cierto, tu me dixiste, quando la leuauas,   que la auías renouado siete vezes.  

ELICIA.  Remember no such matter? Sure, you have  forgot yourself. O! what a weak memory have you? Why,  yourself told me of it, when you took her hence; and  that you had renewed her maidenhead seven times  at  the least.  

    95. CEL. __ No te marauilles, hija,   que quien en muchas partes derrama su memoria,   en ninguna la puede tener.   Pero, dime si tornará.  

CELEST.  Daughter, make it not so strange, that  I should forget. For he that scattereth his memory  into many parts, can keep it steadfast in no part. But  tell me, Will he not return again?  

    96. ELIC. __ ¡Mirá si tornará¡ Tiénete dada vna manilla de oro en prendas de tu trabajo  ¿:Y no hauía de venir?  

See whether he will return or no? He hath given you a bracelet of Gold, as a pledge for your pains: and will he not then return again?

    97. CEL. __ ¿:La de la manilla es?   Ya sé por quién dizes.   ¿:Por qué tú no tomauas el aparejo   y començauas a hazer algo?   Pues en aquellas tales te hauías de abezar y prouar,   de quantas vezes me lo as visto fazer. Si no, ay te estarás toda   tu vida,   fecha bestia sin oficio ni renta.   y quando seas de mi edad,   llorarás la folgura de agora.   Que la mocedad ociosa acarrea la vejez arrepentida y trabajosa.   Hazíalo yo mejor,   quando tu abuela, que Dios aya, me mostraua este oficio:   que a cabo de vn año, sabía más que ella.  

CELEST.  O! Was′t he that brought the bracelet?  Now I know whom you mean. Why did you not prepare  things in a readiness, and begin to do something  against I came home? For in such things you should  practise yourself when I am absent, and try  whether you can do that by yourself, which you so  often have seen me do: otherwise, you are like to live  all your lifetime like a beast, without either art, or income: and then when you grow to my years, you will  too late lament your present laziness; for an idle, and  lazy youth brings with it a repentful, and a painful  old age. I took a better course I wisse, when your  Grandmother showed me her cunning: for, in the compass  of one year, I grew more skilful than herself.  

    98. ELIC. __ No me marauillo,   que muchas vezes, como dizen, al maestro sobrepuja el buen discípulo.   y no va esto, sino en la gana con que se aprende.   ninguna sciencia es bienempleada en el que no le tiene afición.   Yo le tengo a este oficio odio;   tú mueres tras ello.  

ELICIA.  No marvel; for many times, (as it is in  the Proverb) a good Scholar goes beyond his Master;  and it is all in the will and desire of him that is to  learn; for no Science can be well employed on him, who  hath not  a good mind and affection thereunto.  But I had as life die, as go about it. I am sick (me thinks) when I set myself to it; and you are never well, but when you are at it.  

    99. CEL. __ Tú te lo dirás todo.   Pobre vejez quieres.   ¿:Piensas que nunca has de salir de mi lado?  

CELEST.  You may say what you like.  But believe  me, you will die a beggar for this.  What? do you  think to live always under my wing? Think you never  to go from my elbow?  

    100. ELIC. __ Por Dios, dexemos enojo y al tiempo el consejo.   Ayamos mucho plazer.   Mientra oy touiéremos de comer, no pensemos en mañana.   También se muere el que mucho allega como el que pobremente veue   y el doctor como el pastor   y el papa como el sacristán   y el señor como el sieruo   y el de alto linaje como el baxo   y tú con tu oficio como yo sin ninguno.   No hauemos de viuir para siempre.   Gozemos y holguémonos,   que la vejez pocos la veen   y de los que la veen ninguno murió de hambre.

ELICIA.  Pray let us leave off this melancholy  talk;  now is now; and then is then. When time  serves, we will follow your counsel; but now let us  take our pleasure, while we may. As long as we have  meat for today, let us not think on tomorrow;  Let  tomorrow care for itself; as well dies he that  gathers much, as he that lives but poorly; the Master, as  the servant, he that is of a Noble Lineage, as he that  is of a meaner stock: and though with thy art, as well as I without it; we are not to live forever: and therefore let us laugh and be merry, for few are they  that come to see old age; and they who do see it,  seldom die of hunger.  

 No quiero en este mundo,   sino día   y victo y parte en parayso.   avnque los ricos tienen mejor aparejo para ganar la gloria,   que quien poco tiene.   No ay ninguno contento,   no ay quien diga: harto tengo;   no ay ninguno, que no trocasse mi plazer por sus dineros. Dejemos cuidados ajenos y acostémonos, que es hora. Que más me engordará un buen sueñ sin temor, que canto tesoro hay en Venecia.

 I desire nothing in this world,  but meat, drink, and clothing, and a part in  pleasure. And though rich men have better means  to attain to this glory, than he that hath but little; yet there is not one of them that is contented, not  one that says to himself, I have enough. There is not one of them, with whom I would exchange my pleasures for their riches. But  let us leave other men′s thoughts  and cares to  themselves; and let us go sleep, for it is time; and  a good sound sleep without fear, will fat me more,  and do me more good, than all the Treasure and wealth of Venice.  

    1. PARM. __ ¿:Amanesce o qué es esto,   que tanta claridad está en esta cámara?  

PARM. It is day.  O what a spite is this?   Whence is it, that it is so light in the chamber?  

    2. AREU. __ ¿:Qué amanecer? Duerme señor,   que avn agora nos acostamos.   No he yo pegado bien los ojos   ¿:Ya hauía de ser de día?   Abre, por Dios, essa ventana de tu cabecera y verlo has.  

AREUSA. What do you talk of day? Sleep, sir, and  take your rest; for it is but even now, since we lay down.  I have scarce shut mine eyes yet, and would you have it to be day? I pray you open the window by you, the window there by your bed′s head, and you shall then see whether it be so or no?  

    3. PARM. __ En mi seso estó yo, señora, que es de día claro,   en ver entrar luz entre las puertas.   ¡O traydor de mí¡En qué gran falta he caydo con mi amo¡   De mucha pena soy digno. ¡O tarde que es!  

PARM.  Gentlewoman, I am in the right; it is day: I see it is day: I am not deceived.  No, no; I knew it was broad day, when I saw the light come  through the chinks of the door.  O what a villain am I!   Into how great a fault am I fallen with my master!   I am worthy of much punishment.  O how far days is it?  

    4. AREU. __ ¿:Tarde?  

AREUSA. Far days?  

    5. PARM. __ Y muy tarde.  

PARM. Ay, far days; very far days.  

    6. AREU. __ Pues así goze de mi alma, no se   ha quitado el mal de la madre.   No sé cómo pueda ser.  

AREUSA. Never trust me; Alas, I am not eased of my Mother yet. It pains me still; I know not what should be the reason of it.  

    7. PARM. __ ¿:Pues qué quieres, mi vida?  

PARM. Dear love, what wouldst thou have me to do?  

    8. AREU. __ Que hablemos en mi mal.  

AREUSA. That we talk a little on the matter concerning my indisposition.  

    9. PARM. __ Señora mia, si lo hablado no basta,   lo que más es necessario me perdona,   porque es ya mediodía.   Si voy más tarde, no seré bien recebido de mi amo.   Yo verné mañana y quantas vezes después mandares.   Que por esso hizo Dios vn día tras otro,   porque lo que el vno no bastasse, se cumpliesse en otro.   y avn porque más nos veamos,   reciba de ti esta gracia,   que te vayas oy a las doze del día   a comer con nosotros a su casa de Celestina.  

PARM. What should we talk, (Love), any more? If that which hath been said already be not sufficient, excuse that in me, which is more necessary; for it is now almost high noon: and, if I stay any longer, I shall not be welcome to my master. Tomorrow is a new day, and then I will come to see you again; and as often afterwards as you please: and therefore was one day made after another; because that which could not be preformed in one day, might be done in another: as also, because we  should see one another to the oftener. In the meanwhile, let me entreat you to do me the favour, that you will come and dine with us today at Celestina′s house.  

    10. AREU. __ Que me plaze, de buen grado.   Ve con Dios, junta tras ti la puerta.  

AREUSA: With all my heart; and I thank you too. Farewell, good luck be with you.  I pray pull the door after you.  

    11. PARM. __ Adiós te quedes. __ ¡O plazer singular¡O singular alegría¡   ¿:Quál hombre es ni ha sido más bienauenturado que yo?   ¿:Quál más dichoso y bienandante?   ¡Que vn tan excelente don sea por mí posseido   y quán presto pedido tan presto alcançado¡   Por cierto, si las trayciones desta vieja con mi coraçón yo pudiesse sofrir,   de rodillas hauía de andar a la complazer.   ¿:Con qué pagaré yo esto?   ¡O alto Dios¡? A quién contaría yo este gozo?   ¿:A quién descubriría tan gran secreto?   ¿:A quién daré parte de mi gloria?   Bien me dezía la vieja   que de ninguna prosperidad es buena la posesión sin compañía.   El plazer no comunicado no es plazer.   ¿:Quién sentiría esta mi dicha, como yo la siento?   A Sempronio veo a la puerta de casa.   Mucho ha madrugado.   Trabajo tengo con mi amo, si es salido fuera.

PARM. And fare you well too.  O singular pleasure!  O singular joy!  What man lives there this day, that can say he is more fortunate than I am?  Can any man be more happy?  Any more successful than myself, that I should enjoy so excellent a gift? So curious a creature?  And no sooner ask than have?   Believe me, if my heart could brook this old woman′s treasons, I could creep upon my knees to do her a kindness.  How shall I be able to requite her? O heavens!  To whom shall I impart this my joy? To whom shall I discover so great a secret?  To whom shall I discover some part of my glory?  It is true that the old woman told me; that of no prosperity, the possession can be good without company; and that pleasure not communicated, is no pleasure.  Oh!  Who can have so true a feeling of this my happiness, as myself?   But lo, yonder is Sempronio, standing at our door; he hath been stirring betimes.  I shall have a piteous life with my Master, if he be gone abroad; but I hope he is not; if he be, he hath left his old wont.  But being he is not now himself, no marvel if he breaks custom.  

    13. SEMP. __ Pármeno hermano, si yo supiesse aquella tierra,   donde se gana el sueldo dormiendo,   mucho haría por yr allá,   que no daría ventaja a ninguno:   tanto ganaría como otro qualquiera.   ¿:Y cómo, holgazán descuydado, fueste para no tornar?   No sé qué crea de tu tardança,   sino que te quedaste a escallentar la vieja esta noche   o a rascarle los pies, como quando chiquito.  

SEMPR.  Brother Parmeno, if I knew that country, where a man might get wages by sleeping, it should go hard, but I would make a shift to get thither.  For, I would not then come short of any man; I would scorn to be put down; but would gain as much as another man, be he who he will be that bears a head.  But what is the matter, that thou, like a careless and reckless fellow, loitering, I know not where, hast been so negligent, and slow in thy return?  I cannot devise, what should be the cause of this thy so long stay, unless it were to give old Celestina a warming tonight; or to rub her feet, as you were wont to do, when you were a little one.  

    14. PARM. __ ¡O Sempronio, amigo y más que hermano¡   Por Dios, no corrompas mi plazer,   no mezcles tu yra con mi sofrimiento,   no rebueluas tu descontentamiento con mi descanso,   no agües con tan turbia agua el claro liquor del pensamiento, que traygo,   no enturuies con tus embidiosos castigos y odiosas reprehensiones mi plazer.   Recíbeme con alegría y contarte he marauillas de mi buena andança passada.  

PARM. O Sempronio, my good friend, I pray thee do not interrupt, or rather corrupt my pleasure; do not intermix thy anger with my patience; do not involve thy discontentment with my quiet; do not soil with such troubled water, the clear liquor of those gladsome thoughts, which I harbour in my heart; do not sour with thy malicious taunts and hateful reprehensions, the sweetness of my delight.   Receive me cheerfully, embrace me with joy, and I shall tell thee wonders of my late happy proceedings.  

    15. SEMP. __ Dilo, dilo. ¿:Es algo de Melibea?? Hasla visto?  

SEMPR. Come, out with it, of with it.   Is it anything touching Melibea?  Say, lad, hast thou seen her?  

    16. PARM. __ ¿:Qué de Melibea? Es de otra, que yo más quiero   y avn tal que, si no estoy engañado,   puede viuir con ella en gracia y hermosura.   Si, que no se encerró el mundo y todas sus gracias en ella.  

PARM.  What talk′st thou to me of Melibea?  It is touching another, that I wish better unto then Melibea.  And such a one (if I be not deceived) as may compare with her both in handsomeness, and beauty.   Melibea?  Why, she is not worthy to carry her shoes after her: as though forsooth, the world and all that therein is, be it beauty, or otherwise, were only enclosed in Melibea?  

    17. SEMP. __ ¿:Qué es esto, desuariado?   Reyrme quería, sino que no puedo.   ¿:Ya todos amamos? El mundo se va a perder.   Calisto a Melibea, yo a Elicia, tú de embidia has buscado   con quién perder esse poco de seso que tienes.  

SEMPR.  What means this fellow?  Is he mad?  I would fain laugh, but I cannot.  Now I see, we are all in love: the world is at an end.  Calisto loves Melibea; I, Elicia: and thou, out of mere envy, hast found out someone with whom thou might′st lose that little wit thou hast.  

    18. PARM. __ ¿:Luego locura es amar y yo soy loco y sin seso?   Pues si la locura fuesse dolores, en cada casa auría bozes.  

PARM.  Is it folly (say you) to love?  Then I am a fool.  But if foolishness were a pain, some in every house would complain.  

    19. SEMP. __ Según tu opinión, sí es.   Que yo te he oydo dar consejos vanos a Calisto y contradezir   a Celestina en quanto habla   y, por impedir mi prouecho y el suyo,   huelgas de no gozar tu parte.   Pues a las manos me has venido,   donde te podré dañar y lo haré.  

SEMPR.  I appeal to thyself; by thine own judgement thou art no better: for myself have heard thee give vain and foolish counsel to Calisto, and to cross Celestina in every word she spake, to the hindrance of both our profits.  O sir, you were glad of this; it was meat alone to you.  Who, you?  No, not for a world, would you bear a part with us. But, since I have caught you in my clutches, I will hamper you I′ faith.  Now, that thou art in those hands, that may hurt thee, they shall do it; assure thyself they shall. 

    20. PARM. __ No es, Sempronio, verdadera fuerça ni poderío dañar y empecer;   mas aprouechar y guarecer y muy mayor, quererlo hazer.   Yo siempre te tuue por hermano.   No se cumpla, por Dios, en ti lo que se dize,   que pequeña causa desparte conformes amigos.   Muy mal me tratas.   No sé donde nazca este rencor.   No me indignes, Sempronio, con tan lastimeras razones.   Cata que es muy rara la paciencia que agudo baldón no penetre y traspasse.  

PARM.  It is not, Sempronio, true courage, nor manly valour, to hurt or hinder any man, but to do good, to heal and help him: and far greater is it to be willing so to do.  I have evermore made reckoning of thee, as of mine own brother.  Let not that be verified of thee, which is commonly spoken amongst us; that a slight cause should part true friends; I tell you, you do not use me well. Nay, you deal very ill with me; I know not whence this rancor should arise.   Do not vex me, (Sempronio;) Torment me not with these they wounding words.  And shall I tell you?  It is a very strange and strong kind of patience, which sharp taunts and scoffs, which like so many needles and bodkins set to the heart, cannot pierce and prick through.  

    21. SEMP. __ No digo mal en esto;   sino que se eche otra sardina para el moço de cauallos,   pues tú tienes amiga.  

SEMPR.  I say nothing, but that now you have your wench, you will allow one pilchard more to the poor boy in the stable.  

    22. PARM. __ Estás enojado. Quiérote sofrir, avnque más mal me trates,   pues dizen que ninguna humana passión es perpetua ni durable.  

PARM.  You cannot hold, your heart would burst, if you should not vent your choler.  Well, I will give way, and should you use me worse, I will pocket up all your wrongs: and the rather, because it is an old saying, No human passion is perpetual.′  

    23. SEMP. __ Más maltratas tú a Calisto, aconsejando a él lo que para ti huyes, diziendo que se   aparte de amar a Melibea,   hecho tablilla de mesón, que para sí no tiene abrigo y dale a todos.   ¡O Pármeno¡Agora podrás ver quán fácile cosa es reprehender vida agena   y quán duro guardar cada qual la suya.   No digas más, pues tú eres testigo.   y de aquí adelante verémos cómo te has,   pues ya tienes tu escudilla como cada qual.   Si tú mi amigo fueras,   en la necessidad, que de ti tuue,   me hauías de fauorecer   y ayudar a Celestina en mi prouecho;   que no fincar vn clauo de malicia a cada palabra.   sabe que, como la hez de la tauerna despide a los borrachos, así la aduersidad o necessidad al fingido   amigo:  luego se descubre el falso metal, dorado por encima.  

SEMPR.  But you can use Calisto worse; advising him to that, which thou thyself seek′st to shun:  never letting him alone, but still urging him to leave loving of Melibea: wherein, thou art just like unto a sign in an inn, which gives shelter to others, and none to itself.  O Paremeno, now mayest thou see, how easy a thing it is to find fault with another man′s life, and how hard to amend his own.  I say no more, yourself shall be your own judge: and from this day forward, we shall see how you behave yourself, since you have now your porringer as well as other folks.  If thou hadst been my friend (as thou professed) when I stood in need of thee, thou shouldst then have favored me, and made show of thy love, and assisted Celestina in all that had been for my profit, and not to drive in at every word a nail of malice.  Know moreover, that as wine in the lees, when it is drawn to the very dregs, driveth drunkards from the tavern: the like effect hath necessity, or adversity with a feigned friend: and false mettle, that is gilded but slightly over, quickly discovers itself to be but counterfeit.  

    24. PARM. __ Oydo lo hauía dezir y por esperiencia lo veo,   nunca venir plazer sin contraria çoçobra en esta triste vida.   A los alegres, serenos y claros soles, nublados escuros y pluuias vemos suceder;   a los solazes y plazeres, dolores y muertes los ocupan;   a las risas y deleytes, llantos y lloros y passiones mortales los siguen;   finalmente, a mucho descanso y sosiego, mucho pesar y tristeza.   ¿:Quién pudiera tan alegre venir, como yo agora?   ¿:Quién tan triste recebimiento padescer?   ¿:Quién verse, como yo me vi, con tanta gloria,   alcançada con mi querida Areusa?   ¿:Quién caer della, siendo tan maltratado tan presto, como yo de ti?   Que no me has dado lugar a poderte dezir quánto soy tuyo,   quánto te he de fauorecer en todo,   quánto soy arepiso de lo passado,   quántos consejos y castigos buenos he recebido   de Celestina en tu fauor y prouecho y de todos.   Como, pues, este juego de nuestro amo y Melibea está entre las manos,   podemos agora medrar o nunca.  

PARM.  I have often-times heard it spoken, and now by experience I see it is true; that in the wretched life of ours, there is no pleasure without sorrow; no contentment without some cross, or counterbluff of fortune.  We see our fairest days, our clearest sunshines, are overcast with clouds, darkness and rain: our solaces and delights are swallowed up by dolours and by death: laughter, mirth, and merriment are waited on by tears, lamentations, and other like the mortal passions. In a word; sweet meat will have sour sauce: and much ease and much quietness, much pain and much heaviness.  Who could come more friendly, or more merrily to a man, than I did now to thee? And who could receive a more unkind welcome, or unfriendly salutation?  Who lives there, that sees himself, as I have seen myself, raised with such glory to the height of my dear Areusa′s love?  And who, that sees himself more likely to fall from thence, than I, being so ill entreated as I am of thee?  Nay, thou wilt not give me leave to tell thee, how much I am thine, how much I will further thee in all I am able, how much I repent me of that which is past, and what good counsel and reprehensions I have received of Celestina, and all in favour of thee, and thy good, and the good of us all.   And now, that we have our master′s and Melibea′s game in our own hands, now is the time that we must thrive, or never. 

    25. SEMP. __ Bien me agradan tus palabras, si tales touiesses las obras,   a las quales espero para auerte de creer.   Pero, por Dios, me digas qué es esso que dixiste de Areusa.   ¡Paresce que conozcas tú a Areusa, su prima de Elicia!  

SEMPR. I like your words well, but should like them better, were your works like unto them: which as I see the performance, so shall I give them credence; but tell me, I pray thee, what′s that, me thought, I heard you talk even now of Areusa?  Do you know Areusa, that is cousin to Elicia?  

    26. PARM. __ ¿:Pues qué es todo el plazer que traygo, sino hauerla alcançado?  

PARM.  Why, what were all the joy I now enjoy,  did I not enjoy her?  

    27. SEMP. __ ¡Cómo se lo dice el bouo¡   ¡De risa no puede hablar¡   ¿:A qué llamas hauerla alcançado?   ¿:Estaua a alguna ventana o qué es esso?  

SEMPR. What does the fool mean? He cannot speak for laughing. What dost thou call this thy enjoying her.  Did she show herself unto thee out at a window?  

    28. PARM. __ A ponerla en duda si queda preñada o no.  

PARM. No great matter. Only I have left her in doubt, whether she be with child or no.  

    29. SEMP. __ Espantado me tienes. Mucho puede el continuo trabajo;   vna continua gotera horaca vna piedra.  

SEMPR. Thou hast struck me into a maze; continual travail may do much; often dropping makes stones hollow.  

    30. PARM. __ Verás qué tan continuo, que ayer lo pensé:   ya la tengo por mía.  

PARM.  How? Continual travail? Why, I never thought of having her till yesterday; then did I work her, and now she is mine own.  

    31. SEMP. __ ¡La vieja anda por ay!  

SEMPR. The old woman had a finger in this business, had she not?  

    32. PARM. __ ¿:En qué lo vees?  

PARM.  Why should you think so?  

    33. SEMP. __ Que ella me hauía dicho que te quería mucho   y que te la haría hauer.   Dichoso fuiste: no hiziste sino llegar y recabdar. Por esto   dizen, más vale a quien Dios ayuda, que quien mucho madruga. Pero tal padrino touiste.  

SEMPR. Because she told me how much she loved you, how well she wished you, and that she would work her for you; you were a happy man, sir, you had no more to do, but to come and take up.  And therefore they say, it is better with him whom fortune helpeth than with him that riseth early.  But was she the godfather to this business?  

    34. PARM. __ Di madrina, que es más cierto.   Así que, quien a buen árbol se arrima. . .   Tarde fuy; pero temprano recabdé.   ¡O hermano¡? Qué te contaría de sus gracias de aquella muger,   de su habla y hermosura de cuerpo?   Pero quede para más oportunidad.  

PARM.  No, but she was the godmother, which is the truer of the two. And you know, when a man comes once to a good tree, he will stay awhile by it, and take the benefit of the shade.  I was long a-coming, but when I came, I went quickly to work: I dispatched it in an instant.  O brother, what shall I say unto thee of the graces that are dwelling in that wench, of her language, and beauty of body?  But I will defer the repetition thereof to a fitter opportunity.  

    35. SEMP. __ ¿:Puede ser sino prima de Elicia?   No me dirás tanto, quanto estotra no tenga más.   todo te creo. Pero ¿:Qué te cuesta?? Hásle dado algo?  

SEMPR.  She can be no other but cousin to Elicia; thou canst not say so much of her, but that this other has as much, and somewhat more.  But what did she cost thee?  Hast thou given her anything?  

    36. PARM. __ No, cierto. Mas, avnque houiera, era bienempleado:   de todo bien es capaz.   En tanto son las tales tenidas, quanto caras son compradas;   tanto valen, quanto cuestan.   Nunca mucho costó poco, sino a mí esta señora.   A comer la combidé para casa de Celestina y, si te plaze, vamos todos allá.  

PARM.  No, not anything, but whatsoever I had given her, it had been well bestowed: for she is capable of every good thing; as such as she, are by so  much the better esteemed, by how much the dearer they are bought: and like jewels, are the higher prized,  the more they cost us.  But, save in this my mistress, so rich a thing was never purchased at so low a rate.   I have invited her today to dinner to Celestina′s house; and if you like of it, let us all meet there.  

    37. SEMP. __ ¿:Quién, hermano?  

SEMPR. Who, brother?  

    38. PARM. __ Tú y ella   y allá está la vieja y Elicia. Aueremos plazer.

PARM. Thou and she, and the old woman and Elicia; and there we will laugh and be merry.  

    39. SEMP. __ ¡O Dios¡   y cómo me has alegrado. Franco eres, nunca te faltaré. Como te tengo   por hombre,   como creo que Dios te ha de hazer bien,   todo el enojo, que de tus passadas fablas tenía, se me ha tornado en amor.   No dudo ya tu confederación con nosotros ser la que deue.   abraçarte quiero. Seamos como hermanos, ¡Vaya el diablo para ruyn!   sea lo passado questión de Sant Juan   y assí paz para todo el año.   Que las yras de los amigos siempre suelen ser reintegración del amor.   Comamos y holguemos, que nuestro amo ayunará por todos.  

SEMPR. O good heavens, how glad a man hast thou made me!  Thou art frank, and of a free and liberal disposition, I will never fail thee: now I hold thee to be a man; now my mind gives me, that Fate hath some good in store for thee: all the hatred and malice which I bare thee for thy former speeches, is now turned into love; I now doubt not, but that the league which thou hast made with us, shall be such as it ought to be.  Now I long to embrace thee; come, let us now live like brothers; and let the devil go hang himself.  All these contentious words notwithstanding, whatsoever have passed between us, let there be now no falling out, and so have peace all the year long; for, the falling out of friends, is evermore the renewing of love; let us feast and be merry, for our master will fast for us all.  

    40. PARM. __ ¿:Y qué haze el desesperado?  

PARM. What does that man in desperation do?  

    41. SEMP. __ Allí está tendido en el estrado   cabo la cama, donde le dexaste anoche.   Que ni ha dormido ni está despierto.   Si allá entro, ronca;   si me salgo, canta o deuanea.   No le tomo tiento, si con aquello pena o descansa.  

SEMPR. He lies where you left him last night, stretching himself all along upon his pallet, by his bed-side; but the devil a wink that he sleeps; and the devil a whit that he wakes; but lies like a man in a trance, between them both, resting and yet taking no rest.  If I go in unto him, he falls a-routing  and a-snorting; if I go from him, he either sings or  raves: nor can I for my life comprehend ( so strange  is his carriage herein) whether the man be in pain or  ease; whether he take grief or pleasure in it.  

    42. PARM. __ ¿:Qué dizes?? y nunca me ha llamado ni ha tenido memoria de mí?  

PARM. What a strange humour is this? But tell me, Sempronio, did he never call for me? Did he not remember me when I was gone?  

    43. SEMP. __ No se acuerda de sí, ¿:Acordarse ha de ti?  

SEMPR. He remembered not himself; why should he then remember you?  

    44. PARM. __ Avn hasta en esto me ha corrido buen tiempo.   Pues assí es, mientra recuerda, quiero embiar la comida, que la adrecen.  

PARM. Even in this also fortune hath been favorable unto me.  And since all things go so well, whilst I think on it, I will send thither our meat, that they may the sooner make ready our dinner.  

    45. SEMP. __ ¿:Qué has pensado embiar,   para que aquellas loquillas te tengan por hombre complido, biencriado y franco?  

SEMPR.  What hast thou thought upon to send thither, that those pretty fools may hold thee a complete courtier, well bred and bountiful?  

    46. PARM. __ En casa llena presto se adereça cena.   De lo que ay en la despensa basta para no caer en falta.   Pan blanco, vino de Monuiedro, vn pernil de toçino.   y más seys pares de pollos,   que traxeron estotro día los renteros de nuestro amo.   Que si los pidiere, haréle creer que los ha comido.   y las tórtolas, que mandó para oy guardar   diré que hedían. Tú serás testigo.   Ternemos manera cómo a él no haga mal lo que dellas comiere   y nuestra mesa esté como es razón.   y allá hablaremos largamente en su daño   y nuestro prouecho con la vieja cerca destos amores.  

PARM. In a plentiful house a supper is soon provided: that, which I have here at home in the larder, is sufficient to save our credit. We have good white bread, wine of Monviedro, a good gammon of bacon, and some half dozen couple of dainty chickens, which master′s tenants brought him in the other day, when they came to pay their rent; which if he chance to ask for, I will make him believe that he hath eaten them himself: and those turtle- doves, which he willed me to keep against today, I will tell him, that they were a little to blame and none of the sweetest, and that they did so stink, that I was fain to throw them away; and you shall justify it, and  bear me witness. We will take order, that all that he shall eat thereof, shall do him no harm; and that our own table (as good reason it is it should) be well furnished; and there with the old woman, as oft we meet, we will talk more largely concerning this his love, to his loss, and our profit.  

    47. SEMP. __ ¡Más, dolores¡Que por fe tengo   que de muerto o loco no escapa desta vez.   Pues que assí es, despacha,   subamos a ver qué faze.  

SEMPR. Callest thou it love?  Thou mayest call it sorrow with a vengeance. And by my fay, I swear unto thee, that I verily think, that he will hardly now escape either death or madness: but, since it is, as it is, dispatch your business, that we may go up and see what he does.  

    48. CAL. __ En gran peligro me veo:   En mi muerte no ay tardança,   Pues que me pide el deseo   Lo que me niega esperança.  

CALISTO.  In peril great I live.  And straight of force must die:  Since what desire doth give, That, hope doth me deny.  

    49. PARM. __ Escucha, escucha, Sempronio. Trobando está nuestro amo.  

PARM. Hark, hark, Sempronio!  Our master is a rhyming: he is turned poet I perceive.  

    50. SEMP. __ ¡O hideputa, el trobador¡   El gran Antipater Sidonio, el gran poeta Ouidio,   los quales de improuiso se les venían las razones metrificadas a la boca.   ¡Sí, sí, desos es¡! Trobará el diablo¡   está deuaneando entre sueños.  

SEMPR. O whoreson sot!  What poet, I pray?  The great Antipater Sidonius, or the great poet Ovid, who never spake but in verse?  Ay, it is he, the very same: we shall have the devil turn poet too shortly, he does but talk idly in his sleep; and thou thinkest the poor man is turned poet.  

    51. CAL. __ Coraçón, bien se te emplea   Que penes y viuas triste, Pues tan presto te venciste Del amor de Melibea.  

CALISTO.  This pain, this martyrdom, O heart, well dost thou prove,  Since thou so soon wast won  To Melibea′s love.  

    52. PARM. __ ¿:No digo yo que troba?  

PARM. Lo, did I not tell thee he was turned true rhymer?  

    53. CAL. __ ¿:Quién fabla en la sala? ! Moços!  

CALISTO. Who is that, that talks in the hall? Why ho?  

    54. PARM. __ Señor.  

PARM.  Anon, sir.

    55. CAL. __ ¿:Es muy noche?? es hora de acostar?

CALISTO. How far night is it?  Is it time to go to bed?  

    56. PARM. __ ¡Más ya es, señor, tarde para leuantar!  

PARM. It is rather, sir, too late to rise.  

    57. CAL. __ ¿:Qué dizes, loco?? toda la noche es passada?  

CALISTO. What sayest thou fool?  Is the night past and gone then?  

    58. PARM. __ Y avn harta parte del día.  

PARM. Ay, sir, and a good part of the day too.  

    59. CAL. __ Di, Sempronio, ¿:Miente este desuariado   que me haze creer que es de día.  

CALISTO. Tell me, Sempronio, does not this idle-headed knave lie, in making me believe it is day?  

    60. SEMP. __ Oluida, señor, vn poco a Melibea   y verás la claridad.   Que con la mucha, que en su gesto contemplas,   no puedes ver de encandelado,   como perdiz con la calderuela.  

SEMPR. Put Melibea, Sir, a little out of your mind and you will then see, that it is broad day: for through that great brightness and splendor, which you contemplate in her clear shining eyes, like a partridge dazzled with a buffet, you cannot see, being blinded with so sudden a flash.  

    61. CAL. __ Agora lo creo, que tañen a missa.   Daca mis ropas, yré a la Madalena.   Rogaré a Dios aderece a Celestina y ponga en coraçón a Melibea   mi remedio   o dé fin en breue a mis tristes días.  

CALISTO. Now I believe it; and ′tis a fair day too.  Give me my clothes; I must go to my wonted retirement to the myrtle-grove, and there beg of Cupid that he will direct Celestina, and put my remedy into Melibea′s heart, or else that he will shorten my sorrowful days.  

    62. SEMP. __ No te fatigues tanto,   no lo quieras todo en vna hora.   Que no es de discretos desear con grande eficacia   lo que se puede tristemente acabar.   Si tú pides que se concluya en vn día   lo que en vn año sería harto,   no es mucha tu vida.  

SEMPR. Sir, do not vex yourself so much: you cannot do all that you would in a hour: nor is it discretion for a man to desire that earnestly, that may unfortunately fall upon him.  If you will have that concluded in a day, which is well, if it be effected in a year, your life cannot be long.  

     63. CAL. __ ¿:Quieres dezir que soy como el moço del escudero gallego?  

CALISTO. I conceive your meaning; you would infer that I am like squire Gallego′s boy, who went a year without breeches, and when his master commanded a pair to be cut out for him, he would have them made in a quarter of an hour.  

    64. SEMP. __ No mande Dios que tal cosa yo diga,   que eres mi señor.   y demás desto, sé que, como me galardonas el buen consejo,   me castigarías lo malhablado.   Verdad es que nunca es ygual   la alabança del seruicio o buena habla,  que la reprehensión y pena de lo malhecho o hablado.  

SEMPR. Heaven forbid, sir, I should say so: for you are my master, and I know besides, that as you will recompense me for my good counsel, so you will punish me, if I speak amiss; though it be a common saying, that the commendation of a man′s good service, or good speech, is not equal to the reprehension and punishment of that which is either ill done or spoken.  

    65. CAL. __ No sé quién te abezó tanta filosofía, Sempronio.  

CALISTO. I wonder, Sempronio, where thou got′st so much philosophy?  

    66. SEMP. __ Señor, no es todo blanco aquello que de negro no tiene semejança,   ni es todo oro lo que amarillo reluze.   tus acelerados deseos, no medidos por razón, hazen parecer claros mis   consejos.  Quisieras tú ayer que te traxeran a la primera habla   amanojada y embuelta en su cordón a Melibea,   como si houieras embiado por otra qualquiera mercaduría a la plaça,  en que no houiera más trabajo de llegar y pagalla.   da, señor, aliuio al coraçón,   que en poco espacio de tiempo no cabe gran bienauenturança.   vn solo golpe no derriba vn roble.   Apercíbete con sofrimiento, porque   la providencia es cosa loable   y el apercibimiento resiste el fuerte combate.  

SEMPR. Sir, all that is not white, which differs from black, nor is all that gold which glisters; you accelerated and hasty desires not being measured by reason make my counsels to seem better than they be. Would you, that they should yesterday, at the first word, have brought Melibea, manacled and tied to her girdle, as you would have sent into the market for any other merchandise?  Sir, be of good cheer; give some ease and rest to your heart; for no great happiness can happen in an instant.  It is not one stroke that can fell an oak; prepare yourself for sufferance; for wisdom is a laudable blessing; and he that is prepared, may withstand a strong encounter.  

    67. CAL. __ Bien has dicho, si la qualidad de mi mal lo consintiesse.  

CALISTO. Thou hast spoken well, if the quality of my evil would consent to take it so.  

    68. SEMP. __ ¿:Para qué, señor, es el seso,   si la voluntad priua a la razón?  

SEMPR. To what end serves understanding, if the will shall rob reason of her right?  

    69. CAL. __ ¡O loco, loco¡Dize el sano al doliente: Dios te dé salud.   No quiero consejo ni esperarte más razones,   que más aviuas y enciendes las flamas, que me consumen.   Yo me voy solo a missa   y no tornaré a casa que me llameys,   pidiéndome las albricias de mi gozo con la buena venida de Celestina.   Ni comeré hasta entonce; avnque primero sean los cauallos de Febo   apacentados en aquellos verdes prados,   que suelen, quando han dado fin a su jornada.  

CALISTO. O thou fool, thou fool!   The sound man says to the sick, Heaven send thee thy health.  I will no more counsel, no more hearken to thy reasons: for, they do but revive and kindle those flames afresh, which burn and consume me.  I will go and invocate Cupid; and will not come home, till you call me, and crave a reward of me for the good news you shall bring me, upon the happy coming of Celestina: nor will I eat anything, till Phoebus his horses shall feed, and graze their fill in those green meadows where they used to bait, when they come to their journey′s end.  

    70. SEMP. __ Dexa, señor, essos rodeos, dexa essas poesías,   que no es habla conueniente la que a todos no es común,   la que todos no participan,   la que pocos entienden.   Di: avnque se ponga el sol,   y sabrán todos lo que dizes.   y come alguna conserua,   con que tanto espacio de tiempo te sostengas.   

SEMPR. Good sir, leave off these circumlocutions; leave off these poetical fictions; for that speech is not comely, which is not common unto all: which all men partake not of, as well as yourself: or which few do but understand.  Say till the sun set, and everyone will know what you mean.  Come, eat in the meanwhile, some conserves or the like confection,  that you may keep some life in you, till I return. 

    71. CAL. __ Sempronio mi fiel criado, mi buen consejero,   mi leal seruidor, sea como a ti te paresce.   Porque cierto tengo, según tu limpieça de seruicio,   quieres tanto mi vida como la tuya. 

CALISTO. Sempronio, my faithful servant, my good counselor, my loyal follower; be it as thou wilt have it: for I assure myself (out of the unspottedness of thy pure service) that my life is as dear unto thee as thine own.  

    72. SEMP. __ ¿:Créeslo tú, Pármeno? Bien sé que no lo jurarías.   Acuérdate, si fueres por conserua, apañes vn bote para aquella gentezilla,   que nos va más y a buen entendedor. . . En la bragueta cabrá.  

SEMPR. Dost thou believe it, Parmeno? I wot well that thou wilt not swear it.  Remember, if you go for the conserves, that you nimme a barrel for those you wot of; you know who I mean.  And to a good understanding everything will light in his lap: or as the phrase is, fall into his codpiece.  

    73. CAL. __ ¿:Qué dizes, Sempronio?  

CALISTO. What sayest thou, Sempronio?  

    74. SEMP. __ Dixe señor a Pármeno que fuesse por vna tajada de diacitrón.  

SEMPR. I speak, sir, to Parmeno, that he should run quickly and fetch you a slice of conserves, of citron, or of lemons.  

    75. PARM. __ Héla aquí, señor.  

PARM. Lo, sir, here it is.  

    76. CAL. __ Daca.  

CALISTO. Give it me hither.  

    77. SEMP. __ Verás qué engullir haze el diablo.   Entero lo que quería tragar por más apriesa hazer.  

SEMPR. See, how fast it goes down!  I think the devil makes him make such quick work.  Look, if he does not swallow it whole, that he may the sooner have done!  

    78. CAL. __ El alma me ha tornado.   Quedaos con Dios, hijos.   Esperad la vieja y yd por buenas albricias.  

CALISTO. My spirits are returned to me again; I promise you it hath done me much good. My sons both, farewell.  Go look after the old woman, and wait for good news, that I may reward you for your labour. 

    79. PARM. __ ¡Allá yrás con el diablo, tú y malos años¡   ¡Y en tal hora comiesses el diacitrón,   como Apuleyo el veneno, que le conuertió en asno!  

PARM. So, now he is gone. The devil and ill fortune follow thee; for in the very same hour hast thou eaten this citron, as Apuleius did that poison which turned him into an ass.  

    1. SEMP. __ Baxa, Pármeno, nuestras capas y espadas, si te parece   que es hora que vamos a comer.  

SEMPRONIO.  Parmeno, I pray thee bring down our cloaks, and our rapiers; for I think it be time for us to go to dinner.  

    2. PARM. __ Vamos presto. Ya creo que se quexarán de nuestra tardança.   No por essa calle, sino por estotra,   porque nos entremos por la yglesia   y veremos si ouiere acabado Celestina sus deuociones:   lleuarla hemos de camino.  

PARM.  Come, let us go presently; for I think they will find fault with us, for staying so long.   Let us not go through this, but that other street, that we may go in by the Vestals, so shall we see, whether Celestina have ended her devotions, and take her along with us.  

    3. SEMP. __ A donosa hora ha de estar rezando.  

SEMPR. What?  Do you think to find her at her theme now?  Is this a fit hour?  This a time for her to be at her orisons?  

    4. PARM. __ No se puede dezir sin tiempo fecho   lo que en todo tiempo se puede fazer.  

PARM.  That can never be said out of time, which ought to be done at all times.  

    5. SEMP. __ Verdad es; pero mal conoces a Celestina.   quando ella tiene que hazer, no se acuerda de Dios   ni cura de santidades.   quando ay que roer en casa, sanos están los santos;   quando va a la yglesia con sus cuentas en la mano,   no sobra el comer en casa.  

SEMPR.  It is true, but I see, you know not Celestina; when she has anything to do, she never thinks upon heaven, the devil a whit that she cares then for devotion; when she hath anything in the house to gnaw upon, farewell all holiness, farewell all prayers: and indeed, her going to any of these ceremonies, is but to spy and pry only upon advantages for such persons as she may prevaricate, and make for her profit. 

  avnque ella te crió, mejor conozco yo sus propriedades que tú.   Lo que en sus cuentas reza   es los virgos que tiene a cargo   y quántos enamorados ay en la cibdad   y quántas moças tiene encomendadas   y qué despenseros le dan ración   y quál lo mejor y cómo les llaman por nombre,   porque quando los encontrare no hable como estraña   y qué canónigo es más moço y franco.   quando menea los labios es fengir mentiras,   ordenar cautelas para hauer dinero:   por aquí le entraré, esto me responderá, estotro replicaré.   assí viue ésta, que nosotros mucho honrramos.  

And, though she bred thee up, I am better acquainted with her qualities, than you are.  That which she doth ruminate: how many cracked maidenheads she hath then in cure; how many lovers in this city; how many young wenches are recommended unto her; what stewards afford her provision; which is the more bountiful: and how she may call every man by his name; that when she chanceth to meet them, she may not salute then as strangers.  When you see her lips go, then is she inventing of lies, and devising sleights, and tricks for to get money; then doth she thus dispute with herself; In this manner will I make my speech; in this fashion will I close with him.  Thus then will he answer me; and to this I must thus reply. Thus lives this creature, whom we so highly honour.  

    6. PARM. __ Más que esso sé yo;   sino, porque te enojaste estotro día, no quiero hablar; quando lo dixe a Calisto.  

PARM.  Tush, this is nothing;  I know more than this.  But, because you were angry the t′other day, when I told Calisto so much, I will forbear to speak of it. 

    7. SEMP. __ Avnque lo sepamos para nuestro   prouecho,  no lo publiquemos para nuestro daño.   Saberlo nuestro amo es echalla por quien es y no curar della.   Dexándola, verná forçado otra,   de cuyo trabajo no esperemos parte, como desta,   que de grado o por fuerça nos dará de lo que le diere.  

SEMPR.  Though we may know so much for our own good, yet let us not publish it to our own hurt; for, to have our master to know it, were but to make him discard her for such a one as she is, and not to care for her; and so leaving her, he must needs have another, of whose pains we shall reap no profit, as we shall be sure to do by her, who by fair means, or by foul, shall give us part of her gains.  

    8. PARM. __ Bien has dicho. calla,   que está abierta la puerta.  En casa está. Llama antes que entres,   que por ventura están embueltas   y no querrán ser assí vistas.  

PARM.  Well, and wisely hast thou spoken; but hush: the door is open, and she in the house.  Call before you go in; peradventure, they are not yet fully ready; or things are not in that order as they would have it; and then will they be loth to be seen.  

    9. SEMP. __ Entra, no cures, que todos somos de casa.   Ya ponen la mesa.  

SEMPR.  Go in, man, never stand upon those niceties; for we are all of a house.  Now, just now, they are covering the table.   

    10. CEL. __ ¡O mis enamorados, mis perlas de oro¡   ¡Tal me venga el año, qual me parece vuestra venida!  

CELEST.  O my young amorous youths, my pearls of gold!   Let the year go about as well with me, as you are both welcome unto me.  

    11. PARM. __ ¡Qué palabras tiene la noble¡   Bien ves, hermano, estos halagos fengidos.  

PARM.  What compliments has the old bawd!  Brother, I make no question, but you well enough perceive her foistings and her flatteries.  

    12. SEMP. __ Déxala, que deso viue. Que no sé quién diablos le mostró tanta ruyndad.  

SEMPR.  Oh!  You must give her leave, it is her living.  But I wonder what devil taught her all her knacks and her knaveries.  

    13. PARM. __ La necessidad y pobreza, la hambre.   Que no ay mejor maestra en el mundo,   no ay mejor despertadora y aviuadora de ingenios.   ¿:Quién mostró a las picaças y papagayos   ymitar nuestra propia habla con sus harpadas lenguas,   nuestro órgano y boz, sino ésta?  

PARM.  What?  Marry, I will tell you.  Necessity, poverty and hunger; than which there are no better tutors in the world: no better quickeners, and revivers of the wit.  Who taught your pies, and your parrots to imitate our proper language, and tone, with their slit tongues, save only necessity?  

    14. CEL. __ ¡Mochachas¡mochachas¡bobas! Andad acá baxo, presto,   que están aquí dos hombres, que me quieren forçar.  

CELEST.  Hola: wenches, girls:  Where be you, you fools?  Come down; come hither quickly, I say; for there are a couple of young gallants that would ravish me. 

    15. ELIC. __ ¡Más nunca acá vinieran¡! y mucho combidar con tiempo¡   Que ha tres horas que está aquí mi prima.   Este perezoso de Sempronio haurá sido causa de la tardança,   que no ha ojos por do verme.  

ELICIA. Would they would never have come hither for me.  Oh!   It is a fine time of day!  Is this a fit hour, when you have invited your friends, to a feast?  You have made my cousin to wait here these three long hours: but this same lazy-gut, Sempronio, was the cause, I warrant you, of all this stay; for he has no eyes to look upon me.  

    16. SEMP. __ Calla, mi señora, mi vida, mis amores.   Que quien a otro sirue, no es libre.   assí que sujeción me relieua de culpa.   No ayamos enojo, assentémonos a comer.  

SEMPR.  Sweetheart; I pray thee be quiet.  My life, my love!   You know full well, that he that serves another, is not his own man.  He that is bound, must obey.  So that my subjection frees me from blame.  I pray thee be not angry.  Come, let us sit down, and fall to our meat.  

    17. ELIC. __ ¡Assí¡Para assentar a comer, muy diligente¡   ¡A mesa puesta con tus manos lauadas y poca vergüença  

ELICIA.  Ay, it is well, you are ready at all times to sit down, and eat, as soon as the cloth is  laid, with a clean pair of hands, but a shameless  face.  

    18. SEMP. __ Después reñiremos; comamos agora.   Assiéntate, madre Celestina, tú primero.  

SEMPR.  Come, we will chide and brawl after dinner: now let us fall to our victuals.  Mother Celestina, will it please you to sit down first?  

    19. CEL. __ Assentaos vosotros, mis hijos,   que harto lugar ay para todos, a Dios gracias:   tanto nos diessen del parayso, quando allá vamos.   Poneos en orden, cada vno cabe la suya;   yo, que estoy sola, porné cabo mí este jarro y taça,  

CELEST.  No, first sit you down, my son, for here is room enough for us all; let everyone take their place, as they like, and sit next her whom he loves best: as for me, who am a sole woman, I will sit me down here by this jar of wine and this good goblet.  

  que no es más mi vida de quanto con ello hablo.   Después que me fuy faziendo vieja,   no sé mejor oficio a la mesa, que escanciar.   Porque quien la miel trata, siempre se le pega dello.   Pues de noche en inuierno no ay tal escallentador de cama.   Que con dos jarrillos destos, que beua, quando me quiero acostar,   no siento frío en toda la noche.   desto aforro todos mis vestidos,   quando viene la nauidad; esto me callenta la sangre;  

For I can live no longer, than while I talk with one of these two.  Ever since that I was grown in years, I know no better office at board than to fall a-skinking, and to furnish the table with pots and flagons; for he that handles honey, shall feel it still clinging to his fingers.  Besides, in a cold winter′s night, you cannot have a better worming- pan.  For, when I toss off two of these little pots, when I am e′en ready to go into my bed, why, I feel not a jot of cold all the night long.  With this, I fur all my clothes at Christmas: this warms my blood;  

  esto me sostiene continuo en vn ser;   esto me faze andar siempre alegre;   esto me para fresca;   desto vea yo sobrado en casa,   que nunca temeré el mal año.   Que vn cortezón de pan ratonado me basta para tres días. esto quita la   tristeza del coraçón, más que el oro ni el coral;   esto da esfuerço al moço y al viejo fuerça,   pone color al descolorido, coraje al couarde, al floxo diligencia,   conforta los celebros, saca el frío del estómago,   quita el hedor del anélito, haze potentes los fríos,   haze suffrir los afanes de las labranças,   a los cansados segadores haze sudar toda agua mala,   sana el romadizo y las muelas,  

This keeps me still in one estate; this makes me merry, where′er I go; this makes me look fresh, and ruddy, as a rose.  Let me still have store of this in my house, and a fig for a dear year, it shall never hurt me: for one crust of mouse-eaten bread will serve me three whole days; This drives away all care and sorrow from the heart, better than either gold or coral; this gives force to a young man, and vigour to an old man; it adds colour to the discoloured; courage to the coward; diligence to the slothful; it comforteth the brain; it expels cold from the stomach; it takes away the stinkingness of the breath; it makes  cold constitutions, to be potent and active: it  makes husbandmen endure the toil of tillage; it makes  your painful and weary mowers to sweat out all  their waterish ill humours; it remedies rheumes, and cures the toothache.  

  sostiénese sin heder en la mar, lo qual no haze el agua.   Más propriedades te diría dello, que todos teneys cabellos.   assí que no sé quién no se goze en mentarlo.   No tiene sino una tacha,   que lo bueno vale caro y lo malo haze daño.   assí que con lo que sana el hígado enferma la bolsa.   Pero todavía con mi fatiga busco lo mejor,   para esso poco que beuo.   vna sola dozena de vezes a cada comida.   No me harán passar de allí,   saluo si no soy combidada como agora.  

This may you keep long at sea without stinking; so can you not water:  I could tell you more properties of this wholesome liquor, than all of you have hairs on your head.  So that I know not the man, whom it doth not delight to hear it but mentioned, the very name of it is so pleasing: only, it has but this one fault; that that which is good, costs us dear; and that is which bad, does us hurt, so that what maketh the liver sound, the same maketh the purse light; But for all this, I will be sure to seek after the best; for that little which I drink, which is only some dozen times a meal.  Which number, I never pass, unless now, when I am feasted, or so.  

  PARM   20. . __ Madre, pues tres vezes dizen que es bueno y honesto todos los que escriuieron.  

PARM.  It is the common opinion of all: that thrice in a dinner, is good, honest, competent, and sufficient for any man.  And all that do write thereof, do allow you no more. 

  CEL   21. . __ Hijos, estará corrupta la letra, por treze tres.  

CELEST.  Son, the phrase is corrupted; they have put three times, instead of thirteen.  

    22. SEMP. __ Tía señora, a todos nos sabe bien.   ¡Comiendo y hablando¡Porque después no haurá tiempo para entender en los amores deste perdido   de nuestro amo   y de aquella graciosa y gentil Melibea.  

SEMPR.  Aunt, we all like well of your gloss.  Let us eat, and talk, and talk and eat:  for else we shall not afterwards have time to discourse of the love of our lost master, and of that fair, handsome, and courteous Melibea, lovely gentle Melibea.  

    23. ELIC. __ ¡Apártateme allá, dessabrido, enojoso¡   ¡Mal prouecho te haga lo que comes¡,  

ELICIA.  Get thee out of my sight, thou distasteful companion, thou disturber of my mirth; may the devil choke thee with that thou hast eaten.  

  tal comida me has dado.   Por mi alma, reuesar quiero quanto tengo en el cuerpo,   de asco de oyrte llamar aquella gentil.   ¡Mirad quién gentil¡Jesú, Jesú¡   ¡Y qué hastio y enojo es ver tu poca vergüença ? A quién, gentil?   ¡Mal me haga Dios, si ella lo es ni tiene parte dello;   sino que ay ojos, que de lagaña se agradan.   Santiguarme quiero de tu necedad y poco conocimiento.   ¡O quién estouiesse de gana para disputar contigo su hermosura y gentileza¡   ¿:Gentil es Melibea?  

Thou hast given me my dinner for today; now as I live, I am ready to rid my stomach, and to cast up all that I have in my body, to hear that thou shouldst call her fair and courteous, lovely and gentle.  I pray thee how fair, how lovely, how courteous, how gentle is she?  It angers me to the heart-blood, to see you have so little shame with you.  How gentle, how fair is she more than other women? Believe me, if she be as thou reportest her; nay, if she gave any jot in her of beauty, or any the least gracefulness.  But I see there are some eyes, that make no differences betwixt Joan, and my lady, and that it is with everyone as he likes, as the good man said, when he kissed his cow.  Draff I perceive is good enough for swine.  I will cross myself in pity of thy great ignorance, and wont of judgment; who I pray, had any mind to dispute with you, touching her beauty, and her gentleness?  Gentle Melibea? Fair Melibea? 

Entonce lo es, entonce acertarán,   quando andan a pares los diez mandamientos, aquella hermosura por vna moneda se compra de la   tienda.  Por cierto, que conozco yo en la calle donde ella viue quatro donzellas,   en quien Dios mas repartió su gracia que no en Melibea.  

And is Melibea so gentle, is she so fair, as you make her out to be?  Then it must be so; and then shall both these hit right in her, when two Sundays come together.  All the beauty she hath, may be bought at every pedlar′s, or painter′s shop for a penny matter, or the like triffle: and believe me, I myself, upon mine own knowledge, know, that, in that very street where she dwells, there are four maidens at the least, if not more, to whom Nature hath imparted a greater part of beauty, and other good graces in greater abundance, than she hath on Melibea;  

  Que si algo tiene de hermosura, es por buenos atauíos, que trae.   Poneldos a vn palo, también direys que es gentil.   Por mi vida, que no lo digo por alabarme;   mas creo que soy tan hermosa como vuestra Melibea.  

and, if she have any jot of handsomeness in her, she may thank her good clothes, her neat dressings, and costly jewels, which if they were hung upon a post, thou wouldst as well say by that too, that it were fair and gentle;  and by my faye, be it spoken without ostentation, I think my penny to be as good silver as hers, and that I am ever way as fair as your Melibea.  

    24. AREU. __ Pues no la has tu visto como yo, hermana mia.   Dios me lo demande, si en ayunas la topasses,   si aquel día pudieses comer de asco.  

AREUSA.  O sister! Hadst thou seen her as I have seen her, I tell thee no lie, if though shouldst have met her fasting, thy stomach would have taken such a loathing, that all that day though woudlst not have been able to have eaten any meat.  

  Todo el año se está encerrada con mudas de mill suziedades.   Por vna vez que aya de salir donde pueda ser vista,   enuiste su cara con hiel y miel,   con vnas tostadas y higos passados y con otras cosas, que por reuerencia de la mesa dexo de   dezir.  las riquezas las hazen a estas hermosas y ser alabadas; que no las gracias de su cuerpo.  

 All the year long she is mewed up at home, where she is daubed over with a thousand sluttish slibber-slabbers; all which, forsooth, she must endure, for once perhaps going abroad in a twelvemonth to be seen:  she anoints her face with gall and honey, with parched grape and figs crushed and pressed together, with many other things which, for manner′s sake, and reverence of the table, I omit to mention.  It is their riches, that make such creatures as she to be accounted fair; it is their wealth, that causeth them to be thus commended, and not the graces, and goodly features of their bodies:  

  Que assí goze de mí, vnas tetas tiene, para ser donzella, como si tres vezes houiesse parido:   no parecen sino dos grandes calabaças.   El vientre no se le he visto;   pero juzgando por lo otro, creo que le tiene tan floxo, como vieja de cincuenta años.   No sé qué se ha visto Calisto,   porque dexa de amar otras, que más ligeramente podría hauer   y con quién más él holgasse   sino que el gusto dañado muchas vezes juzga por dulce lo amargo.  

For, she has such breasts, being a maid, as if she had been the mother of three children; and are for all the world, like nothing more than two great pompeans, or big bottled gourds.  Her belly I have not seen, but judging it by the rest, I verily believe it, to be slack and as flaggy, as a woman of fifty year old.  I know not what Calisto should see in her, that for her sake, he should forsake the love of others, whom he may with great ease obtain, and far more pleasure enjoy:  unless it be, that like the palate that is distasted, he thinketh sour things the sweetest.  

    25. SEMP. __ Hermana, paréceme aquí que cada bohonero alaba sus agujas,   que el contrario desso se suena por la cibdad.  

SEMPR.  Sister, it seemeth here unto me, that every peddler praiseth his own needles;  but I assure you, the quite contrary is spoken of her throughout the whole city.  

    26. AREU. __ Ninguna cosa es más lexos de verdad que la vulgar opinión. Nunca alegre viuirás   si por voluntad de muchos te riges.   Porque éstas son conclusiones verdaderas,   que qualquier cosa que el vulgo piensa, es vanidad;   lo que fabla, falsedad; lo que reprueua es bondad; lo que aprueua, maldad.  

AREUSA.  There is nothing father from the truth, than the opinion of a vulgar, and nothing more false, than the reports of the multitude, nor shalt thou ever live a merry life, if thou govern thyself by the will of the common people:  and these conclusions, are uncontrollable, and infallibly true; that whatsoever thing the vulgar thinks, is vanity: whatsoever they speak, is falsehood: what they reprove, that is good: what they approve, that is bad.  

  y pues este es su más cierto vso y costumbre,   no juzgues la bondad y hermosura de Melibea por esso ser la que afirmas.  

And since this is a true rule, and common custom amongst them, do not judge of Melibea′s either goodness or beauty, by that which they affirm.

    27. SEMP. __ Señora, el vulgo parlero no perdona las tachas de sus señores   y así yo creo que, si alguna touiesse Melibea,   ya sería descubierta de los que con ella más que con nosotros tratan.   y avnque lo que dizes concediesse, Calisto es cauallero, Melibea fijadalgo:  

SEMPR.  Gentlewomen; let me answer you in a word.  Your ill-tongued multitude, and prattling vulgar, never pardon the faults of great persons, no, not of their sovereign himself, which makes me to think, that if Melibea had so many defects, as you tax her withal, they would ere this have been discovered by those who know her better than we do.  And howbeit I should admit all you have spoken true, yet pardon me, if I press you with this particular.  Calisto is a noble gentleman; Melibea the daughter of honorable parents;  

  assí que los nacidos por linaje escogido búscanse vnos a otros.   Por ende no es de marauillar que ame antes a ésta que a otra.  

 So that, it is usual with those, that are descended of such high lineage, to seek and inquire each after other; and therefore it is no marvel, if he rather love her, than another.  

    28. AREU. __ Ruyn sea quien por ruyn se tiene. las obras hazen linaje, que al fin todos somos   hijos de Adán y Eua.   Procure de ser cada vno bueno por sí   y no vaya buscar en la nobleza de sus passados la virtud.  

AREUSA.  Let him be base, that holds himself base; they are the noble actions of men, that make men noble.  For in conclusion, we are all of one making, flesh and blood all.  Let every man strive to be good of himself, and not go searching for his virtue in the nobleness of his ancestors.  

    29. CEL. __ Hijos, por mi vida que cessen essas razones de enojo.   y tú, Elicia, que te tornes a la mesa y dexes essos enojos.  

CELEST.  My good children; as you love me, cease this contentious kind of talk: and you Elicia; I pray you come to the table again; sit you down, I say, and do not vex, and grieve yourself as you do.  

    30. ELIC. __ Con tal que mala pro me hiziesse,   con tal que rebentasse en comiéndolo.   ¿:Hauía yo de comer con esse maluado,   que en mi cara me ha porfiado   que es más gentil su andrajo de Melibea, que yo?  

ELICIA.  With this condition, that my meat may be my poison, and that my belly may burst with that I eat.  Shall I sit down and eat with this wicked Villain, that hath stoutly maintained it to my face and no body must ay him nay, That Melibea: That dish-clout of his, is fairer than I?

    31. SEMP. __ Calla, mi vida, que tú la comparaste.   toda comparación es odiosa: tú tienes la culpa y no yo.  

SEMPR.  I prythee, sweet-heart, be quiet, it was you that made the comparison; and comparisons, you know, are odious: and therefore it is you that are in the fault, not I.

    32. AREU. __ Ven, hermana, a comer.   No hagas agora esse plazer a estos locos porfiados;   si no, leuantarme he yo de la mesa.  

AREUSA.  Come, sister, come, and sit with us; I pray, come eat with us.  Have you more wit, than to be angry with such a cross fool as he?  I would not do him so much pleasure, as to forbear my meat with him; let him go hang, if he be peevish, will you be peevish too?  I pray you sit down, unless you will have me likewise to rise from the table.

    33. ELIC. __ Necessidad de complazerte me haze contentar a esse enemigo mio y vsar de virtud con todos.  

ELICIA.  The necessity which I have imposed upon myself, to please thee in all things, and in all thy requests, makes me against my will, to give contentment to this enemy of mine; and to carry myself out of my respect to this good company more fairly towards him, than otherwise I would.

    34. SEMP. __ ¡He¡he¡he!   

SEMPR.  Ha, ha, he.

    35. ELIC. __ ¿:De qué te ríes?   ¡De mal cancre sea comida essa boca desgraciada, enojosa!  

ELICIA.  What dost thou laugh at?  Now the evil canker eat and consume that unpleasing and offensive mouth of thine.  

    36. CEL. __ No le respondas, hijo;   si no, nunca acabaremos.   Entendamos en lo que faze a nuestro caso. Dezidme, ¿:Como quedó Calisto?? Cómo   lo dexastes?   ¿:Cómo os pudistes entramos descabullir dél?  

CELEST.  Son I pray thee no more.  Do not answer her; for then we shall never make an end:  this is nothing to the present purpose; let us follow our business, and attend that which may tend to our good.  Tell me, how does Calisto? How happed it you left him thus all alone? How fell it out, that both of you could slip away from him?

    37. PARM. __ Allá fue a la maldición, echando fuego, desesperado,   perdido, medio loco, a missa a la Magdalena,   a rogar a Dios que te dé gracia,   que puedas bien roer los huessos destos pollos   y protestando no boluer a casa   hasta oyr que eres venida con Melibea en tu arremango.   Tu saya y manto y avn mi sayo, cierto está;   lo otro vaya y venga.   El quándo lo dará no lo sé.  

PARM.  He flung from us with a vengeance, fretting and fuming like a madman, his eyes sparkling forth fire, his mouth venting forth curses, despairful, discontented in mind, and like one that is half besides himself:  and is now gone to Saint Mary Magdalen′s, to desire of God, that thou mayest well and truly gnaw the bones of these chickens; vowing never to come home, till he hear that thou art come with Melibea in thy lap.  Thy gown and kirtle, and my cassock are cock-sure.  For the rest let the world slide; but when we shall have it, that I know not, all the craft is in the catching.  

    38. CEL. __ Sea quando fuere. buenas son mangas passada la pasqua.   Todo aquello alegra que con poco trabajo se gana,   mayormente viniendo de parte donde tan poca mella haze,   de hombre tan rico, que con los saluados de su casa podría yo salir de lazeria,   según lo mucho le sobra.   No les duele a los tales lo que gastan   y según la causa por que lo dan;   no sienten con el embeuecimiento del amor,   no les pena, no veen, no oyen.  

CELEST.  Let it come when it will come, it shall be welcome, whenever it comes.  A cassock is good wear after winter. And sleeves are good after Easter: everything makes the heart merry that is gotten with ease, and without any labour, especially coming from thence, where it leaves so small a gap, and from a man of that wealth and substance, who with the very bran and scraps of his house, would make me of a beggar to become rich:  such is the surplus and store of his goods; and such as he, it never grieves them what they spend, considering the cause wherefore they give: For they feel it not; when they are in the heat and passion of their love, it pains them not; they neither see, nor hear;  

  Lo qual yo juzgo por otros, que he conocido menos apassionados y metidos en este fuego de   amor, que a Calisto veo.   Que ni comen ni beuen, ni ríen ni lloran,   ni duermen ni velan, ni hablan ni callan,   ni penan ni descansan, ni están contentos   ni se quexan, según la perplexidad de aquella dulce y fiera llaga de sus coraçones.   y si alguna cosa destas la natural necessidad les fuerça a hazer   están en el acto tan oluidados,   que comiendo se oluida la mano de lleuar la vianda a la boca.  

 which I judge to be true by others, that I have known to be less passionate, and less scorched in the fiery flames of love, than Calisto is; insomuch, that I have seen them neither eat nor drink; neither laugh nor weep; neither sleep nor wake; neither speak nor hold their peace;  neither live in pain nor yet find ease; neither be contented, nor yet complain or discontentment, answerable to the perplexity of that sweet and cruel wound of their hearts.  And if natural necessity forceth them to any one of these, they are so wholly forgetful of themselves, and struck into such sudden senselessness of their present being and condition, that eating, their hands forget to carry their meat to their mouths.  

  Pues si con ellos hablan, jamás conueniente respuesta bueluen.   Allí tienen los cuerpos; con sus amigas los coraçones y sentidos.   mucha fuerça tiene el amor: no sólo la tierra, mas avn las mares traspassa, según su   poder.  ygual mando tiene en todo género de hombres.   todas las dificultades quiebra.   Ansiosa cosa es, temerosa y solicita.   todas las cosas mira en derredor.   assí que, si vosotros buenos enamorados haués sido,   juzgarés yo dezir verdad.  

 Besides, if you talk with them, they never answer you directly.  Their bodies are there with you, but where they love, there are their hearts and their senses.  Great is the force of love.  His power doth not only reach over the earth, but passeth also over the seas.  He holds an equal command over all mankind.  He breaks through all kind of difficulties, and dangers whatsoever.  It is a tormentful thing, full of fear, and of care.  His eye rolls every way; nothing can escape him. And if any of you that be here, were ever true lovers, and did love faithfully indeed, he will say I speak the truth.  

    39. SEMP. __ Señora, en todo concedo con tu razón,   que aquí está quien me causó algún tiempo andar fecho otro Calisto,   perdido el sentido, cansado el cuerpo, la cabeça vana,   los días mal dormiendo, las noches todas velando,   dando alboradas, haziendo momos, saltando paredes,   poniendo cada día la vida al tablero,   esperando toros, corriendo cauallos, tirando barra,   echando lança, cansando amigos, quebrando espadas,  

SEMPR.  Mother, you and I are both of a mind.  For here is she present who caused me once to become another Calisto, desperate, and senseless in my doings; weary in my body, idle in my brain, sleeping ill a days, and watching too well a-nights, up by break of day, playing the fool with thousands of gesticulations, and odd antics, leaping over walls, putting my life every day in hap-hazard and manifold dangers, standing in harm′s way before bulls, running horses, throwing the bar, tossing the pike, tiring out my friends, cracking of blades,  

  haziendo escalas, vistiendo armas y otros mill actos de enamorado,   haziendo coplas, pintando motes, sacando inuenciones.   Pero todo lo doy por bienempleado, pues tal joya gané.  

making ladders of ropes, putting on armour, and a thousand other idle acts of a lover, making ballads, penning of sonnets, painting mottoes, making purposes, and other the like devices.  All which I hold well spent, and think myself happy in them, sithence they gained me so great and fair a jewel.  

    40. ELIC. __ ¡Mucho piensas que me tienes ganada¡   Pues hágote cierto que no has tú buelto la cabeça,   quando está en casa otro que más quiero, más gracioso que tú y avn que no anda buscando   cómo me dar enojo.   A cabo de vn año, que me vienes a uer, tarde y con mal.  

ELICIA.  You do well to persuade yourself so:  but howsoever you conceit you have gained me, I assure thee, thy back is no sooner turned, but another is presently with me, whom I love better than thee, and is a properer man than thou art, and one that will not go vexing and angering me, as thou dost.  It is a year ere your worship forsooth can find in your heart to come and see me; and then as good have your room, as your company, unless it were better.

    41. CEL. __ Hijo, déxala dezir, que deuanea.   mientra más desso la oyeres, más se confirma en su amor.   todo es porque haués aquí alabado a Melibea.   No sabe en otra cosa, que os lo pagar,   sino en dezir esso y creo que no vee la hora de hauer comido   para lo que yo me sé.  

CELEST.  Son, give her leave to ease her stomach, let her speak her mind; for the wench, I think, is mad.  And the more she talks thus lavishly and wildly; assure thyself, she is the more confirmed in thy love.  All this stir is, because you commended Melibea so highly; and she, poor soul, knows not how to be even with you, but to pay you home in this coarse kind of coin, and hard language.  And I believe, I shall not see her eat yet awhile, for a thing that I know;

  Pues esotra su prima yo me la conozco.   Gozá vuestras frescas mocedades,   que quien tiempo tiene y mejor le espera, tiempo viene que se arrepiente.   Como yo hago agora por algunas horas que dexé perder,   quando moça, quando me preciauan, quando me querían.   Que ya, ¡Mal pecado¡, caducado he,   nadie no me quiere.   ¡Que sabe Dios mi buen desseo¡   Besaos y abraçaos,   que a mí no me queda otra cosa sino gozarme de vello.   mientra a la mesa estays, de la cinta arriba todo se perdona.  

and this other her cousin here, I know her meaning well enough.  Go too, my masters, take the benefit of your youth, enjoy the flower of this your fresh and lively age.  For he that will not when he may, when he would he shall have nay. And repentance shall be the recompense of his tarriance, who hath time, and will not take it, as I myself do now repent me of those hours, which I sometimes lost, when I was young, when men did esteem of me, and when they loved me; for now, the worse luck is mine, I am a decayed creature, I wax old, withered, and full of wrinkles; nobody will now look after me, yet my mind is still the same; and want rather ability, than desire.  Fall to your flap, my masters, kiss and clip , as for me, I have nothing else to do, but to look on and please mine eye.  It is some comfort to me yet, to be a spectator of your sports. Never stand upon nice terms, for whilst you sit at board, it is lawful to do anything from the girdle upwards.  All play above board is fair and pardonable;

  quando seays aparte, no quiero poner tassa,   pues que el rey no la pone.   Que yo sé por las mochachas, que nunca de importunos os acusen   y la vieja Celestina mascará de dentera con sus botas enzías las migajas de los manteles.   Bendígaos Dios, ¡Cómo lo reys   y holgays, putillos, loquillos, trauiessos¡   ¡En esto auía de parar   el nublado de las questioncillas, que aués tenido¡   ¡Mirá no derribés la mesa!  

When you are alone by yourselves, close together at it in a corner, I will not clap a fine on your heads, because the king doth not impose any such taxation. And as for these young wenches, I know, they will never accuse you of ravishment.  And as for old Celestina, because her teeth will be on edge, she will mumble with her dull and empty gums the crumbs off the napkins.  

    42. ELIC. __ Madre, a la puerta llaman.   ¡El solaz es derramado!  

ELICIA.   Mother, somebody knocks at the door.  

    43. CEL. __ Mira, hija, quién es:   por ventura será quien lo acreciente y allegue.  

CELEST.  Daughter, look who it is.  

    44. ELIC. __ O la boz me engaña   o es mi prima Lucrecia.  

ELICIA.  Either the voice deceives me, or else it is my cousin Lucrecia.  

    45. CEL. __ Abrela y entre ella y buenos años.   Que avn a ella algo se le entiende desto que aquí hablamos;   avnque su mucho encerramiento le impide el gozo de su mocedad.  

CELEST.  Open the door and let her come in, for she also understands somewhat touching that point, whereof we discoursed last; though being shut up so close at home, as she is: she is mightily hindered in the fruition of her friculation, and cannot enjoy her youth with the like liberty as others do.  

     46. AREU. __ Assí goze de mí, que es verdad,   que éstas, que siruen a señoras, ni gozan deleyte   ni conocen los dulces premios de amor. Nunca tratan con parientes, con yguales a quien pueden   hablar tú por tú,   con quien digan: ¿:  qué cenaste?  

AREUSA.  Now, I see it is most true, that these same chambermaids, these forsooth that wait upon ladies, enjoy not a jot of delight, nor are acquainted with the sweet rewards of love.  They never converse with their kindred, nor with their equals, with whom they may say, thou for thou; or, so hail fellow, well met, as to ask in familiar language; Wench, what hast thou to supper?  

  ¿:Estás preñada?? quántas gallinas crías?   lléuame a merendar a tu casa;   muéstrame tu enamorado;   ¿:  quánto ha que no te vido?   ¿:  cómo te va con él?   ¿:  quién son tus vezinas?   y otras cosas de ygualdad semejantes.  

Art thou with child yet?  How many hens dost thou keep at home?  Shall we go make our bever at thy house? Come, let us go laugh and be merry there. Sirrah, show me thy sweetheart, which is he? Oh wonderful!  How long is it since I saw thee last?  How is it with thee, wench?  How hast thou done this great while?  Tell me I pray thee, who are thy neighbors now?  And a thousand other the like unto these.  

  ¡  O tía, y qué duro nombre   y que graue y soberuio es señora contino en la boca¡   Por esto me viuo sobre mí, desde que me sé conocer.   Que jamás me precié de llamarme de otrie; sino mía.   Mayormente destas señoras que agora se vsan.   Gástase con ellas lo mejor del tiempo,   y con una saya rota de las que ellas desechan   pagan seruicio de diez años.   Denostadas, maltratadas las traen, contino sojuzgadas,   que hablar delante dellas no osan.  

O aunt!   How hard a name it is, how troublesome, and how proud a thing to carry the name of a lady up and down continually in one′s mouth!   And this makes me to live of myself ever since I came to years of understanding and discretion.  For I could never endure to be called by any other name than mine own; especially by these ladies we have nowadays.  A wench may wait upon them, and spend in their service the better part of their time, and with an old cast gown, which hath scarce e′er a whole piece in it, they make payment of ten years service.  They will revile their maids, and call then all to naught; they will use them extreme hardly, and keep them in such awe, and continual slavery, that they dare as well be hanged, as to speak but one word before them.  

  y quando veen cerca el tiempo de la obligación de casallas,   leuántanles vn caramillo   que se echan con el moço o con el hijo   o pídenles celos del marido   o que meten hombres en casa   o que hurtó la taça o   perdió el anillo;   danles vn ciento de açotes   y échanlas la puerta fuera, las haldas en la cabeça,   diziendo: allá yrás, ladrona, puta, no destruyrás mi casa y honrra.  

And when they see the time draw on, that they be ready and ripe for marriage, and that they should both in reason and conscience do them some good that ways, they take occasion to wrangle, and fall out with them, and falsely to object unto them, that they have trod their show awry, either with some one of her ladyship′s servants, or with her son, or put jealousies betwixt her and herhusband; or that they bring men privily into her house; or that they have stolen such a goblet, or lost such a ring:  for which they will not stick to strip them, and lam them soundly, bestowing perhaps 100 stripes upon them, and afterwards thrust them out of doors, with their hair about their ears and their fardles  at their backs, rating them in most vile manner, crying, Out of my doors, you thief, you whore, you strumpet:   this is now place for such paltry baggages.  Thou shalt not spoil my house, I will not be thus dishonoured by thee.  

4406}>  assí que esperan galardón, sacan baldón;   esperan salir casadas, salen amenguadas;   esperan vestidos y joyas de boda, salen desnudas y denostadas.   estos son sus premios, éstos son sus beneficios y pagos.  

So that instead of expected recompense, they receive nothing but bitter revilements.  Where they expect to go preferred out of the house, they go prejudiced out of the house.  And where they expect to be well married, they are quite marred in their reputation.  And where they expect jewels and wedding apparel, there are they sent out naked and disgraced.  These are their rewards, these their benefits, and these the payments they receive for their service.  

  Oblíganseles a dar marido, quítanles el vestido.   La mejor honrra que en sus casas tienen, es andar hechas callejeras,   de dueña en dueña, con sus mensajes a cuestas.  

They are bound to give them husbands, and in lieu thereof, they strip them out of their clothes.  The greatest grace and honour which they have in their lady′s house, is to be employed in walking the streets from one lady′s house, is to be employed in walking the streets from one lady to another, and to deliver their lady′s message:  As, My lady hath sent to know how you do?  How you did rest tonight?  How your physique wrought with you; and how many occasions it have your ladyship, etc.?  

  Nunca oyen su nombre propio de la boca dellas; sino puta acá, puta acullá.   ¿:A dó vas, tiñosa?? Qué heziste, vellaca?   ¿:Por qué comiste esto, golosa?   ¿:Cómo fregaste la sartén, puerca?   ¿:Por qué no limpiaste el manto, suzia?   ¿:Cómo dixiste esto, necia?? Quién perdió el plato, desaliñada?   ¿:Cómo faltó el paño de manos, ladrona?   A tu rufián lo aurás dado.   ven acá, mala muger,   la gallina hauada no paresce: pues búscala presto;   si no, en la primera blanca de tu soldada la contaré.   y tras esto mill chapinazos y pellizcos, palos y açotes.  

They never hear their own name out of their lady′s mouth. But the best they can call them by, is, Come hither, you whore, get you gone, you drab, or I′ll set you going:  whither gad you now, you mangy harlotry; you pocky slut?  What have you done today, you loitering quean? Why did you eat this, you ravening thing, you gorbelly, you greedy cormorant?  Ah, you filthy sow, how clean this frying pan is kept?  This piss-pot, minion, it is well scoured, it is not? Why you lazy-bones, did you not brush my clothes when I left them off, and make clean my mantle?  Why said you thus and thus, you sot, you foolish ass?  Who lost the piece of plate, you scattergood, you draggle-tail?  What′s become of my handkercherchief, you purloining thief?  You have given it to one of your copesmates, some sweetheart of yours, that must help to make you a whore: come hither, you foul flapse, say, where is my hen, my crammed hen, that I cannot find her?  You were best look her me out, and that quickly too, unless you mean I shall make you pay for her, when I come to pay your wages.  And besides all this, her pantofles shall walk about her ears a thousand times a day; pinchings, cudgellings, and scourgings shall be as common to her as her meat and drink. 

  No ay quien las sepa contentar, no quien pueda sofrillas.   Su plazer es dar bozes, su gloria es reñir.   De lo mejor fecho menos contentamiento muestran.   Por esto, madre, he quesido más viuir en mi pequeña casa, esenta y señora,   que no en sus ricos palacios sojuzgada y catiua.  

 There is not any that knows how to please and content them; not any that can endure their tartness and cursedness:  their delight is to speak loud; their glory to chide and to brawl, and the better one does, and the more one seeks to please them, the less are they contented.  And this, mother, is the reason, why I have rather desired to live free from controlment, and to be mistress in a poor little house of mine own, than to live a slave and at command in the richest palace of the proudest lady of them all.  

    47. CEL. __ En tu seso has estado,   bien sabes lo que hazes.   Que los sabios dizen: que vale más vna migaja de pan con paz,   que toda la casa llena de viandas con renzilla.   Mas agora cesse esta razón, que entra Lucrecia.  

CELEST.  Thou art in the right, my girl; I will take no care for you, you will shift for yourself; I perceive you know what you do, you need not to be told on which wide your bread is buttered, you are no baby, I see: and wise men tell us, that better is a crust of bread, and a cup of cold water with peace and quietness, than a house full of dainties, with brabbling and wrangling. But now let us leave this argument, for here comes Lucrecia. 

    48. LUCR. __ Buena pro os haga, tía y la compañía.   Dios bendiga tanta gente y tan honrrada.  

LUCRECIA.  Much good to you, good aunt, and to all this fair company and great meeting.  

    49. CEL. __ ¿:Tánta, hija?? Por mucha has ésta?   Bien parece que no me conosciste en mi prosperidad,   oy ha veynte años.   ¡Ay, quién me vido y quién me vee agora,   no sé cómo no quiebra su coraçón de dolor¡   Yo vi, mi amor a esta mesa, donde   agora están tus primas assentadas,   nueue moças de tus días, que la mayor no passaua de deziocho años   y ninguna hauía menor de quatorze.  

CELEST.  So great, daughter?  Hold you this so great a meeting?  It appears that you have not known me in my prosperity, which is now some twenty years since.  There be those that have seen me in better case than I am now; and he that now sees me, I wonder his heart doth not burst with sorrow.  I tell thee, wench, I have seen at this table, where your kinswomen now sit, nine gallant young wenches, much about your age; for the eldest was not above eighteen, and not one of them under fourteen.   

  Mundo es, passe, ande su rueda,   rodee sus alcaduzes, vnos llenos, otros vazíos.   La ley es de fortuna que ninguna cosa en vn ser mucho tiempo permanesce:   su orden es mudanças.   No puedo dezir sin lágrimas la mucha honrra que entonces tenía;   avnque por mis pecados y mala dicha poco a poco ha venido en diminución.   Como declinauan mis días, assí se diminuya y menguaua mi prouecho.  

But such is this world, it comes and goes upon wheels.  We are like pots in a water wheel, or like buckets in a well: one up, and another down, one full, and another empty; it is fortune′s law, that nothing can continue any long time in one, and the selfsame state of being.  Her order is alteration; her custom, change.  I cannot without tears deliver unto you the great honour I then lived in; though now (such is my ill fortune) by little and little, it hath gone decaying: and as my days declined; so diminished and decreased my profit.  

  Prouerbio es antiguo, que quanto al mundo es o crece o descrece.   todo tiene sus límites,   todo tiene sus grados.   Mi honrra llegó a la cumbre, según quien yo era:   de necessidad es que desmengües  y abaxe.   Cerca ando de mi fin.   En esto veo que me queda poca vida.   Pero bien sé que sobí para decender,  

It is an old sayin; that whatsoever is in this world, it doth either increase or decrease. Everything hath its limits; everything its degrees of more or less:  my honour did mount to that height, as was fitting a woman of my quality to rise unto; and now of force, it must descend and fall as much:  By this I know, that I am near to my end, and that the lease of my life is now expiring, and all my years are almost spent and gone; and I also well know, that I did ascend, that I might descend;  

  florescí para secarme, gozé para entristecerme,   nascí para biuir, biuí para crecer,   crecí para enuejecer, enuejecí para morirme.   y pues esto antes de agora me consta,   sofriré con menos pena mi mal; avnque del todo no pueda despedir   el sentimiento,   como sea de carne sentible formada.  

that I flourished, for to wither; that I had joy, that I might have sorrow; that I was born to live; liv′d, to grow; grew, to grow old; and grow old to die:  and though it did always appear unto me, that I ought in this respect to suffer my misery the more patiently, yet as I am formed of flesh and blood, and bear this heavy mass of sin about me, I cannot but think on′t now and then with grief, nor can I wholly, as I would, blot every thought thereof out of the woeful roll of my wretched remembrance.  

    50. LUCR. __ Trabajo tenías, madre, con tantas moças,   que es ganado muy trabajoso de guardar.  

LUCRECIA.  Methinks, mother, it could not choose but be wondrous troublesome unto you, to have the charge of so many young wenches.  For they are very dangerous cattle to keep, and will ask a great deal of pains.

    51. CEL. __ ¿:Trabajo, mi amor? Antes descanso y aliuio.   todas me obedescían, todas me honrrauan,   de todas era acatada, ninguna salía de mi querer,   lo que yo dezía era lo bueno,   a cada qual daua su cobro.   No escogían más de lo que yo les mandaua:   coxo o tuerto o manco,   aquél hauían por sano, que más dinero me daua.  

CELEST.  Pains, sweetheart?  Nay, they were an ease and pleasure unto me; they did all of them obey me:  not one of them that would swerve from my will; what I said, stood for law; it was good and current amongst them;  not any one of them; to whom I gave entertainment, ever made their own choice any further than it stood with my liking; were he lame, crooked, squint-eyed, or crippled: all was one, he was the welcomest and the soundest, that brought me the soudnest gains;  

  Mío era el prouecho, suyo el afán.   Pues seruidores, ¿:No tenía por su causa dellas?   Caualleros viejos y moços,   abades de todas dignidades, desde obispos hasta sacristanes.   En entrando por la yglesia, vía derrocar bonetes en mi honor,   como si yo fuera vna duquesa.   El que menos auía que negociar comigo,   por más ruyn se tenía.   De media legua que me viessen, dexauan las horas.   vno a vno, dos a dos, venían a donde yo estaua   a uer si mandaua algo, a preguntarme cada vno por la suya.   Que hombre havía, que estando diziendo missa,   en viéndome entrar, se turbaua,   que no fazía ni dezía cosa a derechas.  

mine was the profit, and theirs the pains.  Besides, I needed no servants; for in keeping them, I had servants enough.  Why, your noblemen, your knights, your old men, your young men, your learned men, men of all sorts and dignities, from the highest to the lowest; why, they were all at my service: and when I came to a feast, my foot was no sooner in, but I had presently as many bonnets vailed unto me as if I had been a duchess:  he that had least acquaintance, least business with me, was held the most vile, and basest fellow.  They spying on me almost a league off; they would forsake their most earnest occasions, one by one, two by two, and come to me, to see if I would command them any service; and withal ask me severally, how his love how his mistress did? When they saw me once pass by, you should have such a shuffling and scraping of feet, and all in such a general gaze, and so out of order, that they did neither do nor say anything aright.  

  vnos me llamauan señora, otros tía,   otros enamorada, otros vieja honrrada. Allí se concertauan sus   venidas a mi casa,   allí las ydas a la suya,   allí se me ofrecían dineros,   allí promesas, allí otras dádiuas,   besando el cabo de mi manto y avn algunos en la cara,   por me tener más contenta.   agora hame traydo la fortuna a tal estado,   que me digas: buena pro hagan las çapatas.  

One would call me mistress, another aunt, other their love, others honest old woman.  There they would consent, when they should come to my house; there they would agree when I should go unto theirs; there they would offer me money; there they would make me large promises; there likewise present me with gifts:  some kissing the lappet of my coat, and some other my cheek, that by these kindness they might give me contentment, and work me to their will.  But now fortune hath brought me to so low a place in her wheel, that you may say unto me, Mich you good dich you with your old ware, your hinges are now grown rusty for want of oiling.  

    52. SEMP. __ Espantados nos tienes con tales cosas   como nos cuentas de essa religiosa gente y benditas coronas.   ¡Sí, que no serían todos!  

SEMPR.  Mother, you make my hair stand on end, to hear these strange things which you recount unto us; would your nobles, your knights, and learned men fall so low? I am sure, they are now all of them so bad as you make them to be.

    53. CEL. __ No, hijo, ni Dios lo mande que yo tal cosa leuante.   Que muchos viejos deuotos hauía con quien yo poco medraua   y avn que no me podían ver;   pero creo que de embidia de los otros que me hablauan.   Como la clerezía era grande, hauía de todos:   vnos muy castos, otros que tenían cargo de mantener a las de mi oficio.  

CELEST.  No, my son, Jove forbid that I should raise any such report, or lay a general scandal upon any of their rank.  For there were many old good men amongst them, with whom I had but small dealings, and could scarce endure to see me, but amongst the greatest, as they grew great in number, so had I a great number of them: some of one sort, and some of another; some I found very chaste, and some that took the charge upon them to maintain such traders as myself.  

  y avn todavía creo que no faltan.   y embiauan sus escuderos y moços a que me acompañassen,   y apenas era llegada a mi casa quando entrauan por mi puerta   muchos pollos y gallinas, ansarones, anadones, perdizes, tórtolas,   perniles de tocino, tortas de trigo, lechones.   Cada qual, como lo recebía de aquellos diezmos de Dios,   assí lo venían luego a registrar,   para que comiese yo y aquellas sus deuotas. ¿:Pues, vino?? No   me sobraua?   De lo mejor que se beuía en la ciudad,   venido de diuersas partes, de Monuiedro,   de Luque, de Toro, de Madrigal,   de Sant Martin y de otros muchos lugares,  

And I am still of this belief, that of these there is no lack; and these forsooth would send their squires and young men to wait upon me, whithersoever I went; and I should scarce have set my foot within mine own doors, but straight at the heels of me, you should have one come in with chickens, another with hens, a third with geese, a fourth with ducks.  This man sends me in partridges, that man turtle-doves, he a gammon of bacon, such a one a tart, or a custard, and some good fellow or other a good sucking pig, or two: for every one, as soon as he had a convenient present, so they came presently to register them in my house, that I and those their pretty sounds might merrily eat them together.  And as for wine we wanted none; the best that a man could lay his lips to in the whole city, was sent unto me from divers parts and corners of the town, as that of Monviedro, of Luque, of Toro, of Madrigal, or San Martin, and many other towns and villages;  

  y tantos que, avnque tengo la diferencia de los gustos y sabor en la boca,   no tengo la diuersidad de sus tierras en la memoria.   Que harto es que vna vieja como yo,   en oliendo qualquiera vino, diga de dónde es.   Pues otros curas sin renta, no era ofrecido el bodigo,   quando, en besando el filigrés la estola,   era del primer boleo en mi casa.   Espessos, como piedras a tablado,   entrauan mochachos cargados de prouisiones por mi puerta.   No sé cómo puedo viuir, cayendo de tal estado.  

and indeed so many, that albeit I still keep the differences of their taste and relish in my mouth, yet do I not retain the diversity of their soils in my remembrance.  For it is enough for such an old woman as I, that when a good cup of wine comes near my nose, I can be able to say, This is such a wine, or it comes from such a place, or person; why, your presents from all parts, from all sorts, came upon me as thick as hops, as flies to a pot of honey, or as stones that are thrown upon a stage:  boys came tumbling in at my door, with as much provision as they could carry on their backs. But now those good days are past, I have eaten all my white bread in my youth, and know not how in the world to live, being fallen from so happy an estate.  

    54. AREU. __ Por Dios, pues somos venidas a hauer plazer,   no llores, madre, ni te fatigues:   que Dios lo remediará todo.  

AREUSA.  Since we are come hither to be merry, good mother, do not weep, I pray, do not vex yourself: be of good cheer, pluck up your heart like a woman; the world, while we are in it, is bound to keep us all, and no doubt but you shall have enough.  

    55. CEL. __ Harto tengo, hija, que llorar,   acordándome de tan alegre tiempo y tal vida, como yo tenía,   y quán seruida era de todo el mundo.   Que jamás houo fruta nueua, de que yo primero no gozasse,   que otros supiessen si era nascida.   En mi casa se hauía de hallar,   si para alguna preñada se buscasse.  

CELEST.  Oh daughter!   I have cause enough, I think, to weep, when I call to mind those pleasant days that are past and gone, that merry life which then I led, and how I had the world at will, being served, honoured and sought to of all.  Why, then there was not any new fruit or any thing like dainty, which I had not in my hands, before others knew they were scarce blossomed: in those days, they were sure to be found in my house, if any one with child should long for such a toy.  

    56. SEMP. __ Madre, ningun prouecho trae la memoria del buen tiempo,   si cobrar no se puede; antes tristeza.   Como a ti agora, que nos has sacado el plazer de entre las manos.   Alcese la mesa. Yrnos hemos a holgar   y tú darás respuesta a essa donzella, que aquí es venida.  

SEMPR.  Mother, the remembrance of the good time we have had, doth profit us nothing, when it cannot be recovered again, but rather brings grief and sorrow to ourselves, as this interrupting discourse hath done: but mother, we will go off and solace ourselves, whilst you stay here: and give this maid her answer. 

    57. CEL. __ Hija Lucrecia, dexadas estas razones, querría que me dixiesses   a qué fue agora tu buena venida.  

CELEST.  Daughter Lucrecia, passing over our former discourse, I pray you tell me what is the cause of your happy coming hither?  

    58. LUCR. __ Por cierto, ya se me hauía oluidado mi principal demanda y mensaje   con la memoria de esse tan alegre tiempo como has contado   y assí me estuuiera vn año sin comer,   escuchándote y pensando en aquella vida buena, que aquellas moças gozarían,   que me parece y semeja que estó yo agora en ella.  

LUCRECIA.  Believe me, I had almost forgot my chief errand unto you, with thinking on that merry time which you talked of.  Methinks, I could continue fasting almost a whole year in hearkening unto thee, and thinking on that pleasant life which those young wenches led; methinks that with the very talking thereof, I have a conceit with myself that at this present I feel myself in the same happiness with them.  

  Mi venida, señora, es lo que tú sabrás:   pedirte el ceñidero y, demás desto,   te ruega mi señora sea de ti visitada y muy presto,   porque se siente muy fatigada de desmayos y de dolor del coraçón.  

I shall now, mistress, give you to understand the cause of my coming:  I am sent unto you for my lady′s girdle; and moreover, my lady entreats you that you would come and visit her, and that out of hand, for she feels herself very ill, and much pained and and troubled with griefs and pangs about the heart;  I assure you she is very heart-sick.  

    59. CEL. __ Hija, destos dolorcillos tales, más es el ruydo que las nuezes.   Marauillada estoy sentirse del coraçón muger tan moça.  

CELEST.  Of these petty griefs, the report is more than the pain.   Is′t about the heart, say you? I marvel (I promise you) that so young a gentlewoman as she is, should be pained at the heart.  

    60. LUCR. __ ¡Assí te arrastren, traydora¡   ¿:Tú no sabes qué es?   haze la vieja falsa sus hechizos y vasse;   después házese de nueuas.  

LUCRECIA.  Would thou wert as well dragged along the streets, thou old traitorous hag, as thou know′st well enough what she ails. The subtle old bawd comes and does her witcheries and her tricks, and then goes her ways, an afterwards, when one comes unto her for help, she makes forsooth as if she knew no such matter; it is news, forsooth, to her.  

    61. CEL. __ ¿:Qué dizes, hija?  

CELEST.  What sayest thou daughter?  

    62. LUCR. __ Madre, que vamos presto y me des el cordón.  

LUCRECIA.  Marry, I say, mother, would we were gone [at}> once; and that you would give me the girdle.  

    63. CEL. __ Vamos, que yo le lleuo.  

CELEST.  Come, let us go.  I will carry it along with me.

   1. MELIB. __ "¡O lastimada de mí¡O malproueyda donzella¡   ¿:Y no me fuera mejor conceder su petición y demanda ayer a Celestina,   quando de parte de aquel señor, cuya vista me catiuó,   me fue rogado, y contentarle a él y sanar a mí,   que no venir por fuerça a descobrir mi llaga,   quando no me sea agradecido,   quando ya, desconfiando de mi buena respuesta,   aya puesto sus ojos en amor de otra?   ¡Quánta más ventaja touiera mi prometimiento rogado, que mi ofrecimiento forçoso¡   ¡O mi fiel criada Lucrecia¡   ¿:Qué dirás de mí?? qué pensarás de mi   seso,  quando me veas publicar lo que a ti jamás he quesido descobrir?   ¡Cómo te espantarás del rompimiento de mi honestidad y vergüença ,   que siempre como encerrada donzella acostumbré tener¡   No sé si aurás barruntado de dónde proceda mi dolor.  ¡O, si ya veniesses con aquella medianera de mi salud¡   ¡O soberano Dios¡A ti, que todos los atribulados llaman,   los apassionados piden remedio, los llagados medicina;   a ti, que los cielos, mar y tierra con los infernales

MELIBEA.  O wretch that I am!   O unfortunate damsel!   Had I not been better yesterday, to have yielded to Celestina′s petition and request, when in behalf of that gentleman, whose sight hath made me his prisoner, I was so earnestly sued unto: and so have contented him, and cured myself, than to be thus forcibly driven to discover my heart, when haply he will not accept of it; when as already disaffianced in his hope, for want of a good and fair answer, he hath set both his eyes and his heart upon the love and person of another?  How much more advantageous unto me, would an entreated promise have been, than a forced offerture?  To grant being requested, than to yield being constrained?  O my faithful servant, Lucrecia, what wilt thou say of me, what wilt thou think of my judgment and understanding, when thou shalt see me to publish that, which I would never discover unto thee?   How wilt thou stand astonished of my honesty and modesty, which, like a recluse, shut up from all company, I have hitherto kept inviolable?  I know not whether thou hast suspected, or no, whence this my sorrow proceedeth, or whether thou art now coming with that solicitress of my safety.  O thou high and supreme power!  Thou, unto whom, all that are in misery and affliction, call, and cry for help; the appassionated beg remedy, the wounded crave healing; thou, whom the heavens, seas, earth, and the center of hell it self doth obey; thou, whom submittedst all things unto men, I humbly beseech thee, that thou wilt give sufferance and patience to my wounded heart, whereby I may be able to dissemble my terrible passion.  Let not this leaf of my chastity lose its gilding, which I have laid upon this amorous desire, publishing my pain to be otherwise than that, which indeed tormenteth me.  But how shall I be able to do it; that poisoned morsel so cruelly tormenting me, which the sight of that gentleman′s presence gave me?  O sex of womankind! Feeble and frail in thy being; why was it not granted as well unto women, to discover their tormentful and fervent flames, as unto men?  For then neither should Calisto have cause to complain, nor I to live in pain.  

   2. LUCR. __ Tía, detente vn poquito cabo esta puerta.   Entraré a uer con quién está hablando mi señora.   Entra, entra, que consigo lo ha. 

LUCRECIA.  Aunt, stay here a while behind this door, whilst I go in, and see with whom my mistress is talking.  Come in; she is talking alone to herself.  

   3. MELIB. __ Lucrecia, echa essa antepuerta.   ¡O vieja sabía y honrrada, tú seas bienvenida¡   ¿:Qué te parece, cómo ha querido mi dicha   y la fortuna ha rodeado que yo tuuiesse de tu saber necessidad,   para que tan presto me houiesses de pagar en la misma moneda y beneficio   que por ti me fue demandado para esse gentilhombre,   que curauas con la virtud de mi cordón?  

MELIBEA.  Lucrecia, make fast the door there, and pull down the hanging over it.  O wise and honest old dame, you are exceeding welcome; what think you, that chance should be so dispose of things and fortune so bring about her wheel, that I should stand in need of this wisdom, and crave so suddenly of you, that you would pay me in the selfsame coin, the courtesy which was by you demanded of me for that gentleman, whom you were to cure by the virtue of my girdle?  

   4. CEL. __ ¿:Qué es, señora, tu mal,   que assí muestra las señas de su tormento en las coloradas colores de tu gesto?  

CELEST.  Say, lady, what is your disease, that you so lively express the tokens of your torment in those maiden blushes? 

   5. MELIB. __ Madre mia, que comen este coraçón serpientes dentro de mi cuerpo.  

MELIBEA.  Truly, mother, I think there be some serpents within my body, that are gnawing upon my heart.  

   6. CEL. __ Bien está. assí lo quería yo.   Tú me pagarás, doña loca, la sobra de tu yra. 

CELEST.  It is well, even as I would have it.  I will be even with you, you fool, for your yesterday′s anger, I will make you pay for it with a witness.  

   7. MELIB. __ ¿:Qué dizes?   ¿:Has sentido en verme alguna causa, donde mi mal proceda? 

MELIBEA.  What′s that you say?  Have you perceived by my looks any cause from whence my malady proceedeth?  

   8. CEL. __ No me as, señora, declarado la calidad del mal.   ¿:Quieres que adeuine la causa?   Lo que yo digo es que rescibo mucha pena   de ver triste tu graciosa presencia.  

CELEST.  You have not, Madame, told me the quality of your disease; and would you have me divine of the cause?  That which I say, is this, that I am heartily sorry to see you your ladyship so sad and so ill.  

   9. MELIB. __ Vieja honrrada, alégramela tú,   que grandes nueuas me han dado de tu saber. 

MELIBEA.  Good old woman; do thou make me merry then.  For I have heard much of thy wisdom.  

   10. CEL. __ Señora, el sabidor solo es Dios;   pero, como para salud y remedio de las enfermedades   fueron repartidas las gracias en las gentes de hallar las melezinas,   dellas por esperiencia, dellas por arte, dellas por natural instinto,   alguna partezica alcançó a esta pobre vieja,   de la qual al presente podrás ser seruida.  

CELEST.  Madame, as far as human knowledge can discern of inward grief, I dare presume.  And forasmuch as for the health and remedy of infirmities, and diseases, these graces were imparted unto men, for the finding out of fit and convenient medicines, whereof some were attained to by experience, some by art, and some by a natural instinct; some small portion of these good gifts, this poor old creature myself have gotten, who is here present to do you the best service she can.  

   11. MELIB. __ ¡O qué gracioso y agradable me es oyrte¡   Saludable es al enfermo la alegre cara del que le visita.   Parésceme que veo mi coraçón entre tus manos fecho pedaços.   El qual, si tú quisiesses, con muy poco trabajo   juntarías con la virtud de tu lengua:   no de otra manera que, quando vio en sueños aquel grande Alexandre, rey de Macedonia,   en la boca del dragón la saludable rayz   con que sanó a su criado Tolomeo del bocado de la bíuora.   Pues, por amor de Dios, te despojes para muy diligente entender en mi mal   y me des algún remedio. 

MELIBEA.  O how acceptable and pleasing are thy words to mine ears!   It is a comfortable thing to the sick patient, to see his physician to look cheerfully upon him. Methinks I see my heart broken between thy hand in pieces, which with a little labour, and by power and virtue of thy tongue, thou art able, if thou wilt, to join together, and make it whole again:  even as easily as Alexander that great king of Macedon dreamt of that wholesome root in the mouth of a dragon, wherewith he healed his servant Ptolemy, who had been bitten by a viper; and therefore, for the love of Jove, disrobe yourself, that you may more easily, and more diligently look into the nature of my  disease, and afford me some remedy for it.  

   12. CEL. __ Gran parte de la salud es dessearla,   por lo qual creo menos peligroso ser tu dolor.   Pero para yo dar, mediante Dios, congrua y saludable melezina, es necessario saber de ti tres   cosas.  La primera, a qué parte de tu cuerpo más declina y aquexa el sentimiento.   otra, si es nueuamente por ti sentido,   porque más presto se curan las tiernas enfermedades en sus principios,   que quando han hecho curso en la perseueración de su oficio;   mejor se doman los animales en su primera edad,   que quando ya es su cuero endurecido,   para venir mansos a la melena;   mejor crescen las plantas, que tiernas y nueuas se trasponen,   que las que frutificando ya se mudan;   muy mejor se despide el nueuo pecado,   que aquel que por costumbre antigua cometemos cada día.   La tercera, si procede de algún cruel pensamiento, que asentó en aquel lugar.   y esto sabido, verás obrar mi cura.   Por ende cumple que al médico como al confessor se hable toda verdad abiertamente.  

CELEST.  A great part of health is the desiring of health.  And a good sign of mending, to be willing to mend.  For which reason I reckon your grief the less, and hold it the less dangerous; but that I may minister a wholesome medicine unto you, and such a one as may be agreeable to your disease, it is requisite that you first satisfy me in these three particulars.   The first is, on which side of your body your pain doth lie most.  The second, how long you have had this pain; whether it hath taken you but of late or no.   For your newly growing infirmities are sooner cured in the tenderness of their growth, than when they have taken deep rooting by over-long preserving in their office: so beasts are sooner tamed when they are young, and more easily brought to the yoke, than when their hide is thoroughly hardened: So far better do those plants grow up, and prosper, which are removed when they are young and tender, than those that are transplanted having long borne fruit.  The third is, whether this your evil hath proceeded of any cruel thought, which hath taken hold on you?  This being made known, you shall see me set myself roundly to work about your cure; for it is very fit and convenient that you should open the whole truth, as well as to your physician, as your confessor.  

   13. MELIB. __ Amiga Celestina, muger bien sabia y maestra grande,   mucho has abierto el camino por donde mi mal te pueda especificar.   Por cierto, tú lo pides como muger bien esperta en curar tales enfermedades.   Mi mal es de coraçón,   la ysquierda teta es su aposentamiento,   tiende sus rayos a todas partes.   Lo segundo, es nueuamente nacido en mi cuerpo.   Que no pensé jamás que podía dolor priuar el seso,   como este haze. Túrbame la cara, quítame el comer, no   puedo dormir, ningún género de risa querría ver.   La causa o pensamiento, que es la final cosa por tí preguntada de mi mal, ésta no sabré dezir.   Porque ni muerte de debdo ni pérdida de temporales bienes   ni sobresalto de visión ni sueño desuariado ni otra cosa puedo sentir,   que fuesse, saluo la alteración, que tú me causaste   con la demanda, que sospeché de parte de aquel cauallero Calisto,   quando me pediste la oración. 

MELIBEA.  Friend Celestina, thou wise matron, and great mistress in thy art, thou hast well opened unto me the way, by which I may manifest my malady unto thee.  Believe me, you have questioned me like a wise woman, and like one that is well experienced in these kind of sicknesses.  My pain is about my heart, its residence near unto my left pap, but disperseth itself over every part of my body.  Secondly, it hath been so but of late; nor did I ever think, that any pain whatsoever could have deprived me of my understanding, as this doth; it troubles my sight, changes my countenance, takes away my stomach, I cannot sleep for it, nor will it suffer me to enjoy any kind of pleasure.  Touching the thought, which was the last thing you demanded concerning my disease, I am not able to deliver it unto you, and as little the cause thereof; for neither death of kinsfolk, nor loss of temporal goods, nor any sudden passion upon any vision, nor any doting dream, nor any other thing can I conjecture to be the cause of it, save only a kind of alteration, caused by yourself upon your request, which I suspected, in the behalf of that gentleman Calisto, when you entreated me for my charm.  

   14. CEL. __ ¿:Cómo, señora, tan mal hombre es aquél?   ¿:Tan mal nombre es el suyo,   que en sólo ser nombrado trae consigo ponçoña su sonido?   No creas que sea essa la causa de tu sentimiento,   antes otra que yo barrunto.   y pues que assí es, si tú licencia me das,   yo, señora, te la diré.  

CELEST.  What, Madame?  Is Calisto so bad a man?   Is his name so bad; that only but to name him, should, upon the very sound thereof, sen forth such poison? Deceive not yourself; do not believe that this is the cause  of your grief: I have another thing in the wind, there is more in′t than so; but since you make it so dainty, if your ladyship will give me leave, I will  tell you the cause of it.  

   15. MELIB. __ ¿:Cómo, Celestina?? Qué es esse nueuo salario, que pides?   ¿:De licencia tienes tú necessidad para me dar la salud?   ¿:Qual físico jamás pidió tal seguro para curar al paciente?   Di, di, que siempre la tienes de mí,   tal que mi honrra no dañes con tus palabras.

MELIBEA.  Why, how now, Celestina, what a strange request is this that thou mak′st unto me?  Needest thou to crave leave of me, who am to receive help from thee?  What physician did ever demand such security, for to cure his patient?  Speak, speak what you please; for you shall always have leave of me to say what you will; always excepted that you wrong not my honour with your words.  

   16. CEL. __ Véote, señora, por vna parte quexar el dolor,   por otra temer la melezina.   Tu temor me pone miedo, el miedo silencio,   el silencio tregua entre tu llaga y mi melezina.   assí que será causa, que ni tu dolor cesse ni mi venida aproueche.  

CELEST.  I see, Lady, that on the one side you complain of your grief, and on the other side, I perceive, that you fear your remedy: your fear strikes a fear into me; which fear causeth silence, and silence truce betwixt your malady and my medicine; so that yourself will be the cause that your pain shall not cease, nor my cunning cure you.  

   17. MELIB. __ Quanto más dilatas la cura, tanto más me acrecientas   y multiplicas la pena y passión.   O tus melezinas son de poluos de infamia y licor de corrupción,   conficionados con otro más crudo dolor,   que el que de parte del paciente se siente,   o no es ninguno tu saber.   Porque si lo vno o lo otro no abastasse,   qualquiera remedio otro darías sin temor,   pues te pido le muestres, quedando libre mi honrra.

MELIBEA.  By how much the longer you defer my cure, by so much the more do you increase my pain and augment my passion.  Either thy medicines are of the powder of infamy and of the juice of corruption, confectionated with some other more cruel pain than that which thy patient already feels, or else thy skill is nothing worth; for if either the one or the other did not hinder thee, thou wouldst tell me of some other remedy boldly and without fear, sithence I entreat thee to acquaint me therewith, my honour still preserved.  

   18. CEL. __ Señora, no tengas por nueuo ser más fuerte de sofrir al herido   la ardiente trementina y los ásperos puntos,   que lastiman lo llagado y doblan la passión,   que no la primera lisión, que dio sobre sano.   Pues si tú quieres ser sana   y que te descubra la punta de mi sotil aguja sin temor,   haz para tus manos y pies vna ligadura de sosiego,   para tus ojos vna cobertura de piedad,   para tu lengua vn freno de silencio,   para tus oydos vnos algodones de sofrimiento y paciencia,   y verás obrar a la antigua maestra destas llagas. 

CELEST.  Madame, think it not strange, that it is harder for him that is wounded, to endure the torment of hot - scalding turpentine, and the sharp incisions, which gall the heart, and double the pain; than the wound that is newly inflicted on him that is whole.  And therefore, if you be willing to be cured, and that I should discover unto you the sharp point of my needle, without any fear at all, frame for your hands and feet a bond of patience and of quietness; for your eyes, a veil of pity and compassion; for your tongue, a bridle of silence; for your ears the bombast or stuffing of sufferance and bearing; and then shall you see, what effects this old mistress in her art, will work upon your wounds.   

   19. MELIB. __ ¡O cómo me muero con tu dilatar¡   Di, por Dios, lo que quisieres, haz lo que supieres,   que no podrá ser tu remedio tan áspero que yguale con mi pena y tormento.   agora toque en mi honrra, agora dañe mi fama, agora lastime mi cuerpo,   avnque sea romper mis carnes para sacar mi dolorido coraçón,   te doy mi fe ser segura   y, si siento aliuio, bien galardonada.  

MELIBEA.  O how thou killest me with delays! For God′s love, speak what thou wilt, do what thou wilt, exercise thy skill, put thy experience in practice.  For, there is not any remedy so sharp, as can equal the bitterness of my pain and torment.  No, though it touch upon mine honour, though it wrong my reputation, though it afflict my body, though it afflict my body, though it rip and break up my flesh, for to pull out my grieved heart.  I give thee my faith, to do what thou wilt sincerely; and if I may find ease of my pain, I shall liberally reward thee.  

   20. LUCR. __ El seso tiene perdido mi señora.   gran mal es este. Catiuádola ha esta hechizera.  

LUCRECIA.  My mistress hath lost her wits: she is exceeding ill: this same sorceress hath captivated her will.  

   21. CEL. __ Nunca me ha de faltar vn diablo acá y acullá:   escapóme Dios de Pármeno, tópome con Lucrecia. 

CELEST.  One devil or other is still haunting me. One while here, another while there.  I have escaped Parmeno, and have fallen upon Lucrecia.  

   22. MELIB. __ ¿:Qué dizes, amada maestra?   ¿:Qué te fablaua esa moça? 

MELIBEA.  Mother, what is′t you say; what said the wench unto you?  

   23. CEL. __ No le oy nada. Pero diga lo que dixere,   sabe que no ay cosa más contraria en las grandes curas delante los animosos çirujanos,   que los flacos coraçones, los quales con su gran lástima,   con sus dolorosas hablas, con sus sentibles meneos, ponen temor a enfermo,   fazen que desconfíe de la salud y al médico enojan y turban   y la turbación altera la mano, rige sin orden la aguja.   Por donde se puede conocer claro,   que es muy necessario para tu salud   que no esté persona delante y assí que la deues mandar salir.   y tú, hija Lucrecia, perdona. 

CELEST.  I cannot tell, lady, I did not well hear her.  But let her say what she will; yet let me tell you: that there is not anything more contrary in great cures, before strong and stout-hearted surgeons, than weak and fainting hearts, who with their great lamentations, their pitiful words, and their sorrowful gestures strike a fear into the patient, make him despair of his recovery, and anger and trouble the surgeon, which trouble makes him to alter his hand, and direct his needle without any order.  By which you may clearly know, that it is very necessary for your safety, that there is nobody about you; no, not so much as Lucrecia.  And therefore, it is very meet, that you command her absence: daughter Lucrecia, you must pardon me.  

   24. MELIB. __ Salte fuera presto. 

MELIBEA.  Get you out quickly, begone.  

   25. LUCR. __ ¡Ya¡ya¡todo es perdido¡Ya me salgo, señora. 

LUCRECIA.  Well, well, we are all undone.  I go, Madame.  

   26. CEL. __ También me da osadía tu gran pena,   como ver que con tu sospecha has ya tragado alguna parte de mi cura;   pero todavía es necessario traer más clara melezina y más saludable   descanso de casa de aquel cauallero Calisto. 

CELEST.  Your great pain and torment doth likewise put boldness into me, as also that I perceive by your suspicion you have already swallowed some part of my cure.  But notwithstanding it is needful, that we bring a more manifest remedy, and more wholesome mitigation of your pain, from the house of that worthy one Calisto.  

   27. MELIB. __ Calla, por Dios, madre.   No traygan de su casa cosa para mi prouecho ni le nombres aquí.  

MELIBEA.  Mother, I pray you, good now hold your peace; fetch not anything from his house, that may work my good.  If you love me, do not so much as once name him unto me.  

   28. CEL. __ Sufre, señora, con paciencia,   que es el primer punto y principal.   No se quiebre; si no, todo nuestro trabajo es perdido.   Tu llaga es grande, tiene necessidad de áspera cura.   y lo duro con duro se ablanda más eficacemente.   y dizen los sabios que la cura del lastimero médico dexa mayor señal   y que nunca peligro sin peligro se vence.   Ten paciencia, que pocas vezes lo molesto sin molestia se cura.   y vn clavo con otro se espele y vn dolor con otro.   No concibas odio ni desamor   ni consientas a tu lengua dezir mal de persona tan virtuosa como Calisto,   que si conocido fuesse. . .

CELEST.  Madame, I pray be patient.  That which is the chief and principal pillar must not be broken. For then all our labor is lost:  your wound is great, and hath need of a sharp cure, and hard with hard doth smooth and mollify more effectually and more delicately.  And wise men say that the cure of a lancing surgeon, leaves behind it the greater scar: and that without danger, no danger is overcome.  Have patience then with yourself.  For seldom is that cured without pain, which in itself is painful.  One nail drives out another. And one sorrow expels another.  Do not conceive hatred nor disaffection, nor give your tongue leave to speak ill of so virtuous a person, as Calisto, whom, if you did but know him.  

   29. MELIB. __ ¡O por Dios, que me matas¡   ¿:Y no te tengo dicho que no me alabes esse hombre   ni me le nombres en bueno ni en malo? 

MELIBEA.  O you kill me!   No more of him, for God′s sake, no more.   Did not I tell you, that you should not commend him unto me?  And that you should not speak a word of him neither good nor bad?  

   30. CEL. __ Señora, este es otro y segundo punto,   el qual si tú con tu mal sofrimiento no consientes,   poco aprouechará mi venida,   y si, como prometiste, lo sufres,   tú quedarás sana y sin debda y Calisto sin quexa y pagado. Primero te auisé   de mi cura y desta inuisible aguja,   que sin llegar a ti, sientes en sólo mentarla en mi boca. 

CELEST.  Madame, this is that other, and main point in my cure; which if you by your impatience will not consent unto, my coming can little profit you.  But if you will, as promised, be patient, you shall remain sound, and out of doubt, and Calisto be well apaid, and have no cause to complain.  I did before acquaint you with my cures, and with this invisible needle, which before it come at you to stitch up your wound, you feel it, only having it in my mouth and naming it unto you.  

   31. MELIB. __ Tantas vezes me nombrarás esse tu cauallero,   que ni mi promesa baste ni la fe,   que te di, a sofrir tus dichos.   ¿:De qué ha de quedar pagado?   ¿:Qué le deuo yo a él?   ¿:Qué le soy a cargo?   ¿:Qué ha hecho por mí?   ¿:Qué necessario es él aquí para el propósito de mi mal?   Más agradable me sería que rasgases mis carnes y sacasses mi coraçón,   que no traer essas palabras aquí.  

MELIBEA.  So often wilt thou name this gentleman unto me that neither my promise, nor the faith I plighted thee, will suffice to make me any longer to endure your words.  Wherein should he be well apaid?  What do I owe unto him? Wherein am I bound unto him?   What charge have I put him to?  What hath he ever done for me?  What necessity is there that must be driven to use him as the instrument of my recovery?   More pleasing would it be unto me, that you would tear my flesh and sinews asunder, and tear out my heart,  than to utter such words as these.  

   32. CEL. __ Sin te romper las vestiduras   se lançó en tu pecho el amor:   no rasgaré yo tus carnes para le curar. 

CELEST.  Without any rupture, or rending of your garments, love did lance your breast; and therefore will not sunder your flesh, to cure your sore.  

   33. MELIB. __ ¿:Cómo dizes que llaman a este mi dolor, que assí se ha enseñoreado en lo mejor de mi cuerpo?  

MELIBEA.  How call you this grief, that hath seized on the better part of my body?  

   34. CEL. __ Amor dulce.  

CELEST.  Sweet love.  

   35. MELIB. __ Esso me declara qué es,   que en solo oyrlo me alegro.  

MELIBEA.  Tell me then, what thing this sweet love may be?  For only in the very hearing of it named, my heart leaps for joy.  

   36. CEL. __ Es vn fuego escondido, vna agradable llaga, vn sabroso veneno,   vna dulce amargura, vna delectable dolencia, vn alegre tormento,   vna dulce y fiera herida, vna blanda muerte.  

CELEST.  It is a concealed fire; a pleasing wound; a savoury poison; a sweet bitterness; a delightful grief; a cheerful torment; a sweet, yet cruel hurt; and a gentle death.  

   37. MELIB. __ ¡Ay mezquina de mí¡Que si verdad es tu relación, dubdosa será mi salud.   Porque, según la contrariedad que essos nombres entre sí muestran,   lo que al vno fuere prouechoso acarreará al otro más passión. 

MELIBEA.  O wretched that I am!  For if thy relation be true, I rest doubtful of my recovery: for, according to the contrariety which these names do  carry, that which shall be profitable for one, shall  to another bring more passion.  

   38. CEL. __ No desconfíe, señora, tu noble juuentud de salud.   Que, quando el alto Dios da la llaga, tras ella embía el remedio.   Mayormente que sé yo al mundo nascida vna flor que de todo esto te dé libre. 

CELEST.  Let not your noble youth be diffident of recovery; be of good cheer; take good heart to you; and doubt not of your welfare:  For where heaven gives a wound, there it gives a remedy; and as it hurts, so it heals; and so much the sooner, because I know where the flower grows, that will free you from all this torment.  

   39. MELIB. __ ¿:Cómo se llama?  

MELIBEA.  How is it called?  

   40. CEL. __ No te lo oso dezir. 

CELEST.  I dare not tell you.  

   41. MELIB. __ Di, no temas.  

MELIBEA.  Speak and spare not.  

   42. CEL. __ ¡Calisto¡   ¡O por Dios, señora Melibea¡   ¿:Qué poco esfuerço es éste?? Qué descaescimiento?   ¡O mezquina yo¡Alça la cabeça¡O malauenturada vieja¡   ¡En esto han de parar mis passos¡   Si muere, matarme han; avnque biua, seré sentida,   que ya no podrá sofrirse de no publicar su mal y mi cura.   señora mia, Melibea, ángel mio, ¿:Qué has sentido?   ¿:Qué es de tu habla graciosa?   ¿:Qué es de tu color alegre?   Abre tus claros ojos. ¡Lucrecia¡Lucrecia¡! entra presto acá¡,   verás amortescida a tu señora entre mis manos.   Baxa presto por vn jarro de agua.  

CELEST. Calisto. O Madame; Melibea; ah woe is me, why woman, what mean you? What a cowardly heart have you?  What a fainting is here? O miserable that I am, hold up your head, I pray lift it up; O accursed old woman!   Must my steps end [in] this?  If she go thus away in a swoon, they will kill me; if she revive, she will be much pained: for she will be much pained; for she will never endure to publish her pain, nor give me leave to exercise my cure.  Why, Melibea, my sweet lady, my fair angel!   What′s the matter, sweetheart? Where is your grief?  Why speak you not unto me? What is become of your gracious and pleasing speech? Where is that cheerful colour, that was wont to beautify your cheeks?  Open those brightest lamps, that ever nature tinded: open your eyes, I say, those clear suns, that are able to give light to darkness.  Lucrecia, Lucrecia, come hither quickly, come quickly, I say, you shall see your lady lie here in a swoon in my arms; run down quickly for a jar of water.  

   43. MELIB. __ Passo, passo, que yo me esforçaré. No escandalizes la casa.  

MELIBEA.  Softly, speak softly, I pray; I′ll see if I can rise; in no case do not trouble the house.  

   44. CEL. __ ¡O cuytada de mí¡No te descaezcas,   señora, háblame como sueles.  

CELEST.  Ay me!  Sweet lady, do not sink any more:  speak, speak unto me as you were wont.  

   45. MELIB. __ Y muy mejor. calla, no me fatigues.  

MELIBEA.  I will, and much more than I was wont.  But peace, I pray awhile, and do not trouble me.  

   46. CEL. __ ¿:Pues qué me mandas que faga, perla graciosa?   ¿:Qué ha sido este tu sentimiento?   creo que se van quebrando mis puntos.  

CELEST.  What will you have me to do, my precious pearl?  Whence arose this sudden qualm?  I believe, my points are broken.  

   47. MELIB. __ Quebróse mi honestidad, quebróse mi empacho, afloxó mi mucha vergüença ,  y como muy naturales, como muy domésticos, no pudieron tan liuianamente despedirse de mi cara,   que no lleuassen consigo su color por algún poco de espacio,   mi fuerça, mi lengua y gran parte de mi sentido.   ¡O¡Pues ya, mi buena maestra, mi fiel secretaria,   lo que tú tan abiertamente conoces, en vano trabajo por te lo encubrir.   muchos y muchos días son passados que esse noble cauallero me habló en amor.   Tanto me fue entonces su habla enojosa, quanto, después que tú me le tornaste a nombrar, alegre.   Cerrado han tus puntos mi llaga, venida soy en tu querer.   En mi cordón le lleuaste embuelta la posesión de mi libertad.   Su dolor de muelas era mi mayor tormento,   su pena era la mayor mía.   Alabo y loo tu buen sofrimiento, tu cuerda osadía,   tu liberal trabajo, tus solícitos y fieles passos,   tu agradable habla, tu buen saber, tu demasiada solicitud, tu prouechosa importunidad. Mucho te   deue esse señor y más yo,   que jamás pudieron mis reproches aflacar tu

MELIBEA.  No; it is my honesty that is broken; it is my modesty that is broken; my too much bashfulness and shamefastness, occasioned my swooning, which being my natural and familiar friends, and companions, could not slightly absent themselves from my face, but they would also carry away my colour with them for a while, my strength, my speech, and a great part of my understanding.  But now, my good mistress, my faithful secretary, since that which thou so openly knowest, it is in vain for me to seek to smother it; many, yea many days, are now overpast, since the noble gentleman motioned his love unto me; whose speech and name was then as hateful, as now the reviving thereof is pleasing unto me.  With thy needles thou hast stitched up my wound; I am come to thy Bent; it is in thy power to do with me what thou wilt.  In my girdle, thou carriedst away with thee the possession of my liberty: his anguish was my greater torment; his pain my greater punishment.  I highly praise and commend your singular sufferance, your discreet boldness, your liberal pains, your solicitous and faithful steps, your pleasing speech, your good wisdom, your excessive solicitude, and your profitable importunity: the gentleman is much bound unto you, and myself more. For my reproaches and revilings could never make thee to slack thy coverage, thy strong continuance and forcible perseverance in thy suit, relying still on thy great subtlety and strength of wit; or rather bearing thyself like a most faithful and trusty servant, being then most diligent, when thou wast most reviled; the more I did disgrace thee, the more wast thou importunate; the harsher answer I gave thee, the better didst thou seem to take it: when I was most angry, then wast thou most mild and  humble: and now by laying aside all fear, thou hast  gotten that out of my bosom, which I never thought to  have discovered unto thee, or to any other  whosoever.  

   48. CEL. __ Amiga y señora mia, no te marauilles,   porque estos fines con efecto me dan osadía   a sofrir los ásperos y escrupulosos desuíos de las encerradas donzellas como tú.   Verdad es que ante que me determinasse,   así por el camino, como en tu casa,   estuue en grandes dubdas si te descobriría mi petición.   visto el gran poder de tu padre, temía;   mirando la gentileza de Calisto, osaua;   vista tu discreción, me recelaua;   mirando tu virtud y humanidad, me esforçaua.   En lo vno fablaua el miedo y en lo otro la seguridad.   y pues assí, señora, has quesido descubrir la gran merced, que nos has hecho,   declara tu voluntad, echa tus secretos en mi regaço,   pon en mis manos el concierto deste concierto.   Yo daré forma cómo tu desseo y el de Calisto sean tan breue complidos.  

CELEST.  My most dear both lady and friend, wonder not so much at this; for those ends that have their effect, give me daringness to endure those craggy and dangerous by-ways, by which I come to such recluses as yourself.  True it is that, until I had resolved with myself, as well on my way hitherwards as also here in your house, I stood in great doubt, whether were I best to discover my petition unto you or no?  When I did think on the great power of your father, then did I fear; but when withal, I weighed the nobleness of Calisto, then I grew bold again; when I observed your discretion, I waxed timorous; but when I considered your virtue, and your courtesy, I recovered new courage: in the one I found fear; in the other, safety.  And since, Madame, you have been willing to grace me with the discovery of so great a favour, as now you have made known unto me, declare your will unto me, lay your secrets in my lap; put into my hands the managing of this matter, and I will give it such a form, as both you and Calisto shall very shortly accomplish your desires.  

   49. MELIB. __ ¡O mi Calisto y mi señor¡Mi dulce y suaue alegría¡Si tu coraçón siente lo que agora   el mio,   marauillada estoy cómo la absencia te consiente viuir.   ¡O mi madre y mi señora¡, haz de manera cómo luego le pueda ver, si mi vida quieres.

MELIBEA.  O my Calisto!  My dear lord, my sweet and pleasing joy, if thy heart feel the like torment as mine, I wonder how thy absence gives thee leave to live.  O thou, both my mother and mistress, so handle the business that I may presently see him, if you desire I should live.  

   50. CEL. __ Ver y hablar.  

CELEST.  See him? You shall both see him, and speak with him.  

   51. MELIB. __ ¿:Hablar? Es impossible.  

MELIBEA.  Speak with him?  It is impossible.  

   52. CEL. __ Ninguna cosa a los hombres, que quieren hazerla, es impossible.  

CELEST.  Nothing is impossible to a willing mind.  

   53. MELIB. __ Dime cómo. 

MELIBEA.  Tell me how?  

   54. CEL. __ Yo lo tengo pensado, yo te lo diré: por entre las puertas de tu casa. 

CELEST.  I have it in my head:  marry thus, within the doors of thy house.  

   55. MELIB. __ ¿:Quándo? 

MELIBEA.  When?  

   56. CEL. __ Esta noche.  

CELEST.  This night.  

   57. MELIB. __ Gloriosa me serás, si lo ordenas. Di a qué hora.  

MELIBEA.  Thou shalt be glorious in mine eyes, if thou compass this.  But soft, at what hour?  

   58. CEL. __ A las doze. 

CELEST.  Just when the clock strikes twelve.  

   59. MELIB. __ Pues ve, mi señora, mi leal amiga,   y fabla con aquel señor y que venga muy paso   y de allí se dará concierto, según su voluntad,   a la hora que has ordenado.  

MELIBEA.  Go, begone, hye you, good Mistress, my faithful friend, and talk with that gentleman, and will him that he comes very softly at his appointed hour, and then we will conclude of things, as himself shall think fit to order them.  

   60. CEL. __ Adiós, que viene hazia acá tu madre.  

CELEST.  Farewell.  Lo, yonder is your mother making hitherward.   

   61. MELIB. __ Amiga Lucrecia y mi leal criada y, fiel secretaria,   ya has visto cómo no ha sido más en mi mano.   Catiuóme el amor de aquel cauallero.   Ruégote, por Dios, se cubra con secreto sello,   porque yo goze de tan suaue amor. Tú serás   de mí tenida en aquel lugar que merece tu fiel seruicio. 

MELIBEA.  Friend Lucrecia, my loyal servant, and faithful secretary, you have here seen, that I have no power over myself; and what I have done, lies not in my hands to help it.  Love hath made me prisoner to that gentleman.  I entreat thee, for pity′s sake, that you will sign what you have seen, with the seal of secrecy, whereby I may come to the enjoying of so  sweet a love: in requital whereof thou shalt be held  by me, in that high regard, as thy faithful service deserveth.  

  62. LUCR. __ Señora, mucho antes de agora tengo sentida tu llaga y calado tu desseo.   Hame fuertemente dolido tu perdición.   quanto más tú me querías encobrir   y celar el fuego, que te quemaua,   tanto más sus llamas se manifestauan en la color de tu cara,   en el poco sossiego del coraçón,   en el meneo de tus miembros,   en comer sin gana, en el no dormir.   assí que contino te se cayan, como de entre las manos, señales muy claras de pena.   Pero como en los tiempos que la voluntad reyna en los señores o desmedido apetito,   cumple a los seruidores obedecer con diligencia corporal y no con artificiales consejos de lengua,   sufría con pena, callaua con temor, encobría con fieldad;   de manera que fuera mejor el áspero consejo que la blanda lisonja.   Pero, pues ya no tiene tu merced otro medio, sino morir o amar,   mucha razón es que se escoja por mejor aquello que en sí lo es.  

LUCRECIA.  Madame, long afore this I perceived your wound and sounded your desire: I did much pity your torment; for the more you sought to hide from me the fire which did burn you, the more did those flames manifest themselves in the colour of your face, in the little quietness of your heart, in the restlessness of your members, in your tossing to and fro, in eating without any appetite, and in you unableness to sleep: so that I did continually see from time to time, as plainly as if I had been within you, most manifest, and apparent signs of your  wretched estate; but because in that instant, whenas  with reigneth in those whom we serve, or a disordinate  appetite, it is not fitting for us that are servants to obey them with bodily diligence, and not  to check and control them with the artificial counsels of the tongue.  And therefore did I suffer with pain, held my peace with fear, concealed with fidelity, though I always held it better to use sharp counsel than smooth flattery.  But since that your ladyship hath no other remedy for your recovery, but either to die or to live; it is very meet that you should make choice of that for the best, which in itself is best.  

   63. ALI. __ ¿:En qué andas acá, vezina, cada día?  

ALISA.  How now neighbor?  What′s the matter with you, that you are here thus day by day?  

   64. CEL. __ Señora, faltó ayer vn poco de hilado al peso y vínelo a cumplir,   porque di mi palabra y, traydo, voyme. quede Dios contigo.  

CELEST.  I wanted yesterday a little of my weight in the thread I sold, and now I am come according to my promise for to make it up.  And now that I have delivered it, I am going away.  Jove have you in his good keeping.  

   65. ALI. __ Y contigo vaya Hija Melibea, ¿:Qué quería la vieja?  

ALISA.  And you too.  Daughter Melibea, what would this old woman have?  

   67. MELIB. __ Venderme vn poquito de solimán.  

MELIBEA.  She would have sold me a little sublimated mercury.  

   68. ALI. __ Esso creo yo más que lo que la vieja ruyn dixo.   Pensó que recibiría yo pena dello y mintióme.   guarte, hija, della, que es gran traydora.   Que el sotil ladrón siempre rodea las ricas moradas.   sabe ésta con sus trayciones, con sus falsas mercadurías, mudar los propósitos castos.   Daña la fama. A tres vezes que entra en vna casa, engendra sospecha.  

ALISA.  Ay, marry, I rather believe this than that which the old lewd hag told me.  She was afraid, I would have been angry with her, and so she popped me in the mouth with a lie.  Daughter, take heed of her.   For she is an old crafty fox; and false as the devil.  A whole country cannot afford you such another treacherous housewife.  Take you heed therefore, I say, of her.  For, your cunning and crafty thieves go always a-prowling about your richest houses.   She knows by her treasons and false merchandise, how to change chaste purposes.  She causeth an ill report, bringeth a bad name and fame upon those that have anything to do with her. If she be but seen to have entered one house thrice, it is enough to engender suspicion.  

   69. LUCR. __ Tarde acuerda nuestra ama.  

LUCRECIA.  My old lady′s counsel comes too late.  

   70. ALI. __ Por amor mio, hija, que si acá tornare sin verla yo,   que no ayas por bien su venida ni la recibas con plazer.   Halle en ti onestidad en tu respuesta y jamás boluerá.   Que la verdadera virtud más se teme que espada.  

ALISA.  I charge you, daughter, upon my blessing, and by that love which I bear unto you, that if she come hither any more, when I am out of the way, that you do not give her any entertainment, no manner of welcome, no, not so much as to show her any the least countenance of liking, lest it should encourage her to come again.  Let her find, that you stand upon your honesty and reputation.  And be you round and short with her in your answers, and she will never come at you again.  For true virtue is more feared than a sword.  

   71. MELIB. __ ¿:Dessas es? ¡Nunca más¡Bien huelgo, señora, de ser auisada,   por saber de quién me tengo de guardar.  

MELIBEA.  Is she a blade of that making?  Is she such a whipster?  Is she one of those, you know what?  She shall never come at me more.  And believe me, Madame, I much joy in your good advice, and that you have so well instructed me, of whom I ought to beware.  

   1. CEL. __ ¡Ay Dios, si llegasse a mi casa con mi mucha alegría a cuestas¡   A Pármeno y a Sempronio veo yr a la Magdalena.   Tras ellos me voy y, si ay no estouiere Calisto,   passaremos a su casa a pedirle las albricias de su gran gozo.  

CELEST.  O thrice happy day!  would  I were at home with all my joy, wherewith I goe laden.   But I see Parmeno and Sempronio going to the Mirtle-Grove:  I will after them,  and if I meete with Calisto there, we will all along  together to his house, to demand a reward for the great good newes that I bring him.  

   2. SEMP. __ Señor, mira que tu estada es dar a todo el mundo que dezir.   Por Dios, que huygas de ser traydo en lenguas,   que al muy deuoto llaman ypócrita.   ¿:Qué dirán sino que andas royendo los sanctos?   Si passión tienes, súfrela en tu casa;   no te sienta la tierra. No descubras tu pena   a los estraños, pues está en manos el pandero que lo sabrá bien tañer.  

SEMPRONIO.  Take heede, sir, lest by your long stay, you give occasion of talke to the world.  For your honesty have a care, that you make not your selfe become a by-word to the people.  For now-a-dayes, it is commonly spoken against them, he is an Hypocrite, that is too devout.  For, what will they say of you,  if they see you thus, but scoffe in derision at you,  and say, He is gone to the  Mirtle-Grove to sacrifice some halfescore Hecatombes of  sighs and ay-mees to Venus sonne, to prosper and preferre  him to the favour and fruition of some Mistresse?′   If you are opprest with passion, indure it at home in your owne house, that the world may not perceive it.   Discover not your griefe unto strangers, since the drumme is in their hands, who know best how to beate it, and your business in her hands, who knows best how to  manage it.

   3. CAL. __ ¿:En qué manos?  

CALISTO.  In whose hands?  

   4. SEMP. __ De Celestina. 

SEMPR.  In Celestina′s.  

   5. CEL. __ ¿:Qué nombrays a Celestina?? Qué dezís desta esclaua de Calisto?   toda la calle del Arcidiano vengo a más andar tras vosotros   por alcançaros y jamás he podido con mis luengas haldas.  

CELEST.  Who is that names Celestina?  What saist thou of this slave of Calisto′s?  I have come trudging all along the Augurs street, to see if I could overtake you.  I did put my best legge  foremost, but all would not doe: the skirts of my Petticoate were put so long  and did so often  interfold themselves betweene my feet. 

   6. CAL. __ ¡O joya del mundo, acorro de mis passiones, espejo de mi vista¡   El coraçón se me alegra en ver essa honrrada presencia, essa noble senetud.   dime, ¿:Con qué vienes?? Qué nueuas traes, que te veo alegre y no sé en qué está mi vida?  

CALISTO.  O thou joy of the world!   Thou ease of my passions,  thou relieveresse of my paine, my eyes looking-glasse, my heart doth even exult for joy, in  beholding so honoured a presence, an age so ennobled  with yeeres; tell me, what is′t thou com′st with, what  good newes dost thou bring?  For I see thou lookst cheerfully: And yet I know not of what terms my life doth stand, in what it consisteth.  

   7. CEL. __ En mi lengua.  

CELEST.  In my tongue.  

   8. CAL. __ ¿:Qué dizes, gloria y descanso mio?   Declárame más lo dicho.  

CALISTO.  What saist thou then?  Speake, thou that art my glory and comfort.  Deliver it more at large unto mee.  

   9. CEL. __ Salgamos, señor, de la yglesia   y de aquí a casa te contaré algo   con que te alegres de verdad.  

CELEST.  Sir, let us first goe more privately; and as wee goe home to your house, I will tell you that, which shall make you glad indeede.  

   10. PARM. __ Buena viene la vieja, hermano: recabdado deue hauer.  

PARM.  Brother, the old woman lookes merrily; Sure, shee hath sped well to day.  

   11. SEMP. __ Escúchala.  

SEMPR.  Soft, listen what shee saies.  

    12. CEL. __ Todo este día, señor, he trabajado en tu negocio   y he dexado perder otros en que harto me yua. muchos tengo quexosos por tenerte a ti   contento.  Más he dexado de ganar que piensas.   Pero todo vaya en buena hora,   pues tan buen recabdo traygo, que te traygo muchas buenas palabras de Melibea   y la dexo a tu servicio.  

CELEST.  All this day, Sir, have I been labouring in you businesse, and have neglected other weighty and serious affaires, which did much concerne mee: many doe I suffer to live in paine, onely that I may yeeld you  comfort.  Besides, I have lost more by it, then you are aware of; but  farewell it.  All is well lost,  sithence I have brought my businesse to so good an end.   And heare you mee, for I will tell it to you in few words (for I love to be short) Melibea is wholy at your service. 

   13. CAL. __ ¿:Qué es esto que oygo?