Fernando de Rojas

TRAGICOMEDIA DE CALISTO Y MELEBEA [La Celestina]

Traducción de James Mabbe

ACTO I

Sumario:
Entrando CALISTO una huerta empos de un falcon suyo, hallo alli a MELIBEA, de cuyo amor preso, comenzole de hablar; de la cual rigurosamente despedido, fue para su casa muy angustiado. Hablo con un criado suyo llamado SEMPRONIO, el cual, despues de muchas razones, le enderezo a una vieja llamada Celestina, en cuya casa tenia el mismo criado una enamorada llamada ELICIA, la cual, viniendo SEMPRONIO a casa de CELESTINA con el negocio de su amo, tenia a otro consigo llamado CRITO, al qual escondieron. Entretanto que SEMPRONIO estaba negociando con CELESTINA, CALISTO estaba razonando con otro criado suyo, por nombre PARMENO; el qual razonamiento dura hasta que llega SEMPRONIO y CELESTINA a casa de CALISTO. PARMENO fue conocido de CELESTINA, la cual mucho le dice de los hechos y conocimiento de su madre, induciendole a amor y concordia de SEMPRONIO.

ACTUS I

The Argument:
Calisto entering into a garden after his  usual manner, met there with Melibea, with whose love being caught, he began to court her: by whom  being sharply  checked and dismissed, he gets him home, being much troubled and grieved: he consults his servant Sempronio, who, after much intercourse of talk  and debating of the business, advised him to entertain  an old woman, named Celestina, in whose house his said  servant kept a wench, to whom he made love, called  Elicia: who, Sempronio coming to Celestina′s house  about his master′s business, had at that time another  sweetheart in her company, called Crito, whom they  hid out of sight. In the interim that Sempronio was negotiating with Celestina, Calisto falls in talk with another of his servants, named Parmeno, which discourse continueth till Sempronio and Celestina arrive at Calisto′s house. Parmeno was known by Celestina, who  tells him of the good acquaintance which she had of  his mother, and many matters  that had passed between  them; inducing him  in the end to love and  concord with Sempronio.  

  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.  








ACTO II

Sumario: Partida CELESTINA de CALISTO para su casa, queda CALISTO hablando con SEMPRONIO, criado suyo, al cual, como quien en alguna esperenza puesto esta, todo aguijar le parece tardanza. Envia de si a SEMPRONIO a solicitar a CELESTINA para el concebido negocio. Quedan entretanto CALISTO y PARMENO juntos razonando.  

ACTUS II

The Argument:  CELESTINA, being departed from Calisto, and gone home to her owne house, Calisto continues talking with Sempronio, his servant; who like one that is put in some good hope, thinking all speed too slow, sends away Sempronio to Celestina, to solicit her for the quicker dispatch of his conceived businesse; Calisto and Parmeno in the mean while reasoning together.    Interlocutors:  Calisto, Sempronio, Parmeno.  

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.  






ACTO III
Sumario: SEMPRONIO vase a casa de CELESTINA, a la cual reprende por la tardanza. Ponense a buscar que manera tomen en el negocio de CALISTO con MELIBEA. En fin sobreviene ELICIA. Vase CELESTINA a casa de PLEBERIO. Queda SEMPRONIO y ELICIA en casa.  
ACTUS III  
The Argument:     SEMPRONIO goes to Celestina′s house.  He reprehends her  for her slackness. They consult what course they shall  take in Calisto′s business concerning MELIBEA.  At last  comes Elicia; Celestina, she hies her to the house of PLEBERIO.  In the meanwhile Sempronio remains in the house  with  ELICIA.Interlocutors:    Sempronio, Celestina, 
      1. SEMP. __ ¡Qué espacio lleua la barvuda¡   ¡Menos sosiego trayan sus pies a la venida¡   A dineros pagados, braços quebrados.   ¡Ce¡Señora Celestina: poco as aguijado.   ELICIA.    SEMPRONIO.  Look what leisure the old bearded bawd takes!    How softly she goes!   How one leg comes drawling after  another!   Now she has her money, her arms are broken.   Well overtaken, mother, I perceive you will not hurt  yourself by too much haste.  
    2. CEL. __ ¿A qué vienes, hijo?   CELEST.  How now, son?  What news with you?  
    3. SEMP. __ Este nuestro enfermo no sabe qué   pedir. De sus manos no se contenta.   No se le cueze el pan. Teme tu negligencia.   Maldize su auaricia y cortedad, porque te dio tan poco dinero.   SEMPR.  Why this, our sick patient knows not well himself  what he would have.  Nothing will content him; he will  have his cake baked before it be dough,    He fears thy negligence,  and curseth his own covetousness; he is angry with his  closefistedness and offended that he gave thee no more.
    4. CEL. __ No es cosa más propia del que ama que la impaciencia.   Toda tardança les es tormento. Ninguna dilación les agrada.   En vn momento querrían poner en efeto sus cogitaciones.   Antes las querrían ver concluydas, que empeçadas.   Mayormente estos nouicios amantes, que contra cualquiera sequelo buelan sin deliberación,   sin pensar el daño, que el ceuo de su desseo trae mezclado en su exercicio y negociación para sus personas y siruientes.   CELEST.  There is nothing more proper to lovers than  impatience.  Every small tarriance is to them a great torment; the least delay breeds dislike; in a moment what they imagine must be fully effected; nay concluded before begun; especially these new lovers, who against any luring whatsoever, fly out to check, they care not whither,  or once thinking  on the harm which the meat of their desire may  occasion unto them, intermingled amidst the  affairs and businesses concerning their own persons and  their servants.  
    5. SEMP. __ ¿Qué dizes de siruientes?   ¿Paresce por tu razón que nos puede venir a nosotros daño deste negocio   y quemarnos con las centellas que resultan deste fuego de Calisto?  ¡Aun al diablo daría yo sus amores! Al primer desconcierto,   que vea en este negocio, no como más su pan.   Más vale perder lo seruido, que la vida por cobrallo.   El tiempo me dirá qué faga.   Que primero, que cayga del todo, dará señal, como casa, que se acuesta.   Si te pareçe, madre, guardemos nuestras personas de peligro.   Fágase lo que se hiziere.   Si la ouiere ogaño; si no, a otro: si no, nunca.   Que no ay cosa tan difícile de çofrir en sus principios, que el tiempo no la ablande y faga comportable.   SEMPR.  What sayest thou of servants?  Thinkest thou that  any danger is like to come unto us, by labouring in this  business?  Or that we shall be burned with those sparkles  which scatteringly fly forth of Calisto′s fire?  I had rather see him and all his love go to the devil; upon the  first discovery therefore of any danger, if things chance  to go cross, I will eat no more of his bread,    For it is better to  lose his service than my life in serving him.  But time  will tell me what I shall do.  For before his final  downfall he will, like a house that is ready to fall, give  some token himself of his own ruin.  And therefore,  mother, let us in any case keep our persons from peril;  let us do what may be done: if it be possible, let us work  her for him this year; if not this, the next; if not  never,   though there is not anything so hard to suffer in its  beginning, which time doth not soften and reduce to a  gentle sufferance.  
  Ninguna llaga tanto se sintió, que por luengo tiempo no afloxase su tormento,   ni plazer tan alegre fue, que no le amengüue su antigüedad.   El mal y el bien, la prosperidad y aduersidad, la gloria y pena, todo pierde con el tiempo la fuerça de su acelerado principio.   Pues los casos de admiración y venidos con gran desseo, tan presto como passados, oluidados.   Cada día vemos nouedades y las oymos y las passamos y dexamos atrás.   Diminúyelas el tiempo, házelas contingibles.   And there is no wound so painful,  which in time doth not slacken much of its torment.  Nor  was there ever any pleasure so delightful, which hath not  by long continuance been much diminished and lessened.   Ill and good, prosperity and adversity, glory and grief,  all these with time lose the force and strength of their  hasty beginning; whereas matters of  admiration and things earnestly desired, once obtained,  have no sooner been come than forgotten,  .  Every day we see new and  strange accidents, we hear as many and we  pass them over; leave those,    them also doth time lessen and make contingible  .  
  ¿Qué tanto te marauillarías si dixesen: la tierra tembló o otra semejante cosa, que no oluidases luego? Assí como: elado está el río, el ciego vee ya,   muerto es tu padre,   vn rayo cayó, ganada es Granada, el Rey entra oy, el turco es vencido, eclipse ay mañana, la puente es lleuada, aquél   es ya obispo, a Pedro robaron, Ynés se ahorcó. ¿Qué me dirás, sino que a tres días passados o a la segunda vista, no ay quien dello se marauille?   And I pray, what wonder would  you think it, if some should come and tell you, ′There was  such an earthquake or some such  other things; tell me, would you not straight forget it?   As also, if one should say unto you, ′Such a river is  frozen; such a blind man hath recovered his sight; thy  father is dead; such a thunderbolt fell  Granada is taken; the King enters it this day;  the Turk hath received an overthrow; tomorrow you shall  have a great eclipse; such a bridge is carried away with  the flood; such a one is now made  [Bishop}>;  Peter is robbed; Ines hath hanged herself.′  what wilt thou say, save only this?  That some three days past or upon a second view thereof, there will  be no wonder made of it.  
  todo es assí, todo passa desta manera,   todo se oluida, todo queda atrás.   Pues assí será este amor de mi amo:   quanto más fuere andando, tanto más disminuyendo.   `Que la costumbre luenga amansa los dolores, afloxa y deshaze los deleytes, demengua las marauillas.   Procuremos prouecho, mientra pendiere la contienda.   Y si a pie enxuto le pudiéremos remediar, lo mejor mejor es;   y sinó, poco a poco le soldaremos el reproche o menosprecio de Melibea contra él.   Donde no, más vale que pene el amo, que no que peligre el moço.   All things are thus; they all  pass after this manner; all is forgotten and thrown behind  us,  .  Just so will it be  with this my master′s love; the farther it goes on, the  more it will slacken: for long custom doth allay sorrow,  weakeneth and subdueth our delights, and lesseneth  wonders.  Let us make our profit of him, whist this plea  is depending: and if we may with a dry foot do him good,  the easier the better; if not by little and little we will  solder up this flaw  by Melibea′s  holding him in scorn and contempt.  And if this will do no  good upon him, better it is that the master pained than  his man perilled.  
    6. CEL. __ Bien as dicho. Contigo estoy, agradado me has. No podemos errar.   Pero todavía, hijo, es necessario que el buen procurador ponga de su casa algún trabajo,   algunas fingidas razones, algunos sofísticos actos:   yr y venir a juyzio, avnque reciba malas palabras del juez.   Siquiera por los presentes, que lo vieren; no digan que se gana holgando el salario.   Y assí verná cada vno a él con su pleyto y a Celestina con sus amores.   CELEST.  Well hast thou said; I hold with thee   thy words have well pleased me, we  cannot err.  Yet notwithstanding, my son, it is necessary  that a good proctor should follow his client′s cause  diligently  with  some feigned show of reason; that he press some quillet or  quirk of law; to go and come into  court, though  he  receive some harsh words from the  Judge′s mouth, to the end that they who are present may  both see and say that    he And laboured hard for his fee.  So shall  not he want clients, nor Celestina suitors in cases of love.   
    7. SEMP. __ Haz a tu voluntad, que no será éste el primer negocio, que has tomado a cargo.   SEMPR.  Do as thou thinkest good.  Frame it to thine own  liking; this is not the first business thou hast taken in  hand.  
    8. CEL. __ ¿El primero, hijo? Pocas vírgines, a Dios gracias, has tú visto en esta cibdad,   que hayan abierto tienda a vender, de quien yo no aya sido corredora de su primer hilado.   En nasciendo la mochacha, la hago escriuir en mi registro,   para saber quántas se me salen de la red.   ¿Qué pensauas?? Auíame de mantener del viento?   ¿Heredé otra herencia?? tengo otra casa o viña?   ¿Conócesme otra hazienda, más deste oficio?   ¿De qué como y beuo?   ¿De qué visto y calço?   En esta cibdad nascida, en ella criada, manteniendo honrra, como todo el mundo sabe   ¿Conoscida pues, no soy?   Quien no supiere mi nombre y mi casa tenle por estranjero.   CELEST.  The first, my son?  Few virgins (I thank fortune  for it) hast thou seen in this city, which have opened  their shops and traded for themselves, to whom I have not  been a broker to their first spun thread,  there was not that wench born in  the world, but I writ her down in my register,  to the intent that I  might know how many escaped my net.  Why, what didst thou  think of me, Sempronio?  Can I  feed myself with wind?  Do I inherit any other land?  Have  I any other house or vineyard?  Knowest thou of any other substance of mine, besides this office?  By what do I eat  and drink?  By what do I find clothes to my back, and  shoes to my feet?  In this city was I born; in it was I  bred; living (though I say it) in good credit and  estimation, as all the world knows.  And dost thou think  then, that I can go unknown?  He that knows not both my  name and my house, thou mayest hold him a mere stranger.  
    9. SEMP. __ Dime madre, ¿Qué passaste con mi compañero Pármeno, quando subí con Calisto por el dinero?   SEMPR.  Tell me, mother, what passed betwixt you and my  fellow Parmeno, when I went up with Calisto for the  crowns? 
     10. CEL. __ Díxele el sueño y la soltura, y cómo   ganaría más con nuestra compañía,   que con las lisonjas que dize a su amo;   cómo viuiría siempre pobre y baldonado, si no mudaua el consejo;   que no se hiziesse sancto a tal perra vieja como yo;   acordéle quién era su madre, porque no menospreciase mi oficio;   porque queriendo de mí dezir mal, tropeçasse primero en ella.   CELEST.  I told him my dream and the interpretation  thereof; and how that he should gain more by our company  than with all his  embroidered words, which he uttereth  to his master; how he would always live poor and in want,  unless he  would  Alter his opinion;  that he should not  play the  hypocrite before such an old beaten bitch as myself.  I  did put him in mind of his own mother,   to the end that he might not set my  office at nought,  for should he but offer to speak ill of me, he  must needs stumble first on her. 
     11. SEMP. __ ¿Tantos días ha que le conosces, madre?   SEMPR.  Is it long, mother since you first knew  ?  
    12. CEL. __ Aquí está Celestina, que le vido nascer y le ayudó a criar.   Su madre y yo, vña y carne.   Della aprendí todo lo mejor que sé de mi oficio.   Juntas comíamos, juntas dormíamos, juntas auíamos nuestros solazes, nuestros plazeres, nuestros consejos y conciertos.   En casa y fuera, como dos hermanas.   Nunca blanca gané en que no touiesse su meytad. Pero no viuía yo   engañada, si mi fortuna quisiera que ella me durara.   CELEST.  This Celestina, which is here now with thee, was  the woman that saw  born, and holp to breed     up: why, I tell thee, man, his mother and I were nail and  flesh,  of her I learned the better  part of my trade. We did both eat, both sleep, both enjoy  our pleasures, our counsels, and our bargains,  intermutably one with another; we lived together like two  sisters both at home and abroad: there was not a farthing  which either of us gained, but was faithfully and truly  divided between us.  Had she lived, I should never have  lived to be deceived.  but it was not my fortune   
  ¡O muerte, muerte! ¡A quántos priuas de agradable compañía¡   ¡A quántos desconsuela tu enojosa visitación¡   Por vno, que comes con tiempo, cortas mil en agraz.   Que siendo ella viua, no fueran estos mis passos desacompañados.   ¡Buen siglo aya, que leal amiga y buena compañera me fue!   Que jamás me dexó hazer cosa en mi cabo, estando ella presente.   Si yo traya el pan, ella la carne.   Si yo ponía la mesa, ella los manteles.   No loca, no fantástica ni presumptuosa, como las de agora   En mi anima, descubierta se yua hasta el cabo de la ciudad con su jarro en la mano,   que en todo el camino no oya peor de: señora Claudina.    O death, death, how  many dost thou deprive of their  pleasing  society!   How many dost thou discomfort with thy  troublesome visitation?  For one that  thou eatest being ripe, thou croppest a thousand that are  green; for were she alive, these my steps should not have  been unaccompanied,    I have good cause to remember her;  for to me she was a faithful friend and a good companion.   And whilst she was with me, she would never suffer me to  trouble  About anything; if I  bought bread, she would bring meat; if I did spread the  cloth, she would lay the napkins: she was not foolish, nor  fantastical, nor proud, as most of your women nowadays  are.  And by my fay I swear unto thee, she would go  barefaced from one end of the city to the other with her  [jar}> in her hand, and not one, all the way that  she went, would give her any worse word than mistress  Claudina.  
  Y aosadas que otra conoscía peor el vino y qualquier mercaduría. quando pensaua que no era llegada, era de buelta.   Allí la combidauan, según el amor todos le tenían. Que jamás boluía sin ocho o diez   gostaduras, vn açumbre en el jarro y otro en el cuerpo.   Ansí le fiauan dos o tres arrobas en vezes, como sobre vna taça de plata.   Su palabra era prenda de oro en quantos bodegones auía.    And I dare be bold to say it, that there was  not a woman of a better palate for wine in the world, nor  better skilled in any kind of merchandise whatsoever.  And  when you have thought that she had been scarce out of  doors,  she was here again.  Everyone would invite and  feast her, so great was the affection which they bare unto  her; and she never came home, till she had taken a taste  of some eight or ten sorts of wine, bearing one pottle in  her jar and the other in her belly: and her credit was so  good, that they would have trusted her for a rundlet or  two upon her bare word, as if she had pawned unto them a  piece of plate.  Why, her word was as current as gold in  all the inns  in the town.  
  Si yuamos por la calle, donde quiera que ouiessemos sed, entráuamos en la primera tauerna   y luego mandaua echar medio açumbre para mojar la boca.   Mas a mi cargo que no le quitaron la toca por ello,   sino quanto la rayauan en su taja, y andar adelante.   Si tal fuesse agora su hijo, a mi cargo que tu amo quedasse sin pluma y nosotros sin quexa.   Pero yo lo haré de mi fierro, si viuo;   yo le contaré en el número de los mios.   If we walked  the streets, whensoever we found ourselves thirsty, we  entered straight the next tavern that was at hand, and  called presently for a quart of wine for to moisten our mouths withal,    Nor would they, as from others, take our veils and  our coifs from off our heads, till we had discharged the reckoning, but score it up and so  go on our  way.  O Sempronio!     that such were the son as was the mother, assure thyself  that thy  master shoudl remain without a feather, and we without any  farther care.  But if I live, I will bring this iron to my  fashion;  And reckon him in  the number of mine own.  
    13. SEMP. __ ¿Cómo has pensado hazerlo, que es un traydor?   SEMPR.  How dost thou think to make him thine? He is a  crafty subtle fox;   
    14. CEL. __ A esse tal dos aleuosos.   Haréle auer a   Areusa. Será de los nuestros.   Darnos ha lugar a tender las redes sin embaraço por aquellas doblas de Calisto.   CELEST.  For such a crafty knave, we must  entertain two traitors for the taking of  one.  I will bring him to have Areusa, so and make him  ours; and he shall give us leave without any  let to pitch our nets for the catching of Calisto′s coin.  
    15. SEMP. __ ¿Pues crees que podrás alcançar algo de Melibea?   ¿Ay algún buen ramo?   SEMPR.  But dost thou think thou canst do any good upon  Melibea?  Hast thou any good bough to hang by?  
    16. CEL. __ No ay çurujano, que a la primera cura juzgue la herida.   Lo que yo al presente veo te diré.   Melibea es hermosa, Calisto loco y franco.   Ni a él penará gastar ni a mi andar.   ¡Bulla moneda y dure el pleyto lo que durare¡   todo lo puede el dinero: las peñas quebranta, los ríos passa en seco.   No ay lugar tan alto, que vn asno cargado de oro no le suba.   Su desatino y ardor basta para perder a si y ganar a nosotros.   CELEST.  There is not that surgeon, that can at the first  dressing give a true judgment of his patient′s wound: but  what I see and think for the present, I will plainly deliver unto thee.  Melibea is fair; Calisto fond and  frank; he cares not to spare his purse, not I my pains;  let his money be stirring, and let the suit  hang as long as it will.  Money can do anything; it  splitteth hard rocks; it passeth over rivers dry-foot;  there is not any place so high, whereunto an ass laden  with gold will not get up; his unadvisedness and  ferventness of affection is sufficient to mar him, and to  make us.  
  Esto he sentido, esto he calado, esto sé dél y della,   esto es lo que nos ha de aprouechar.   A casa voy de Pleberio. Quédate Adiós. Que, avnque esté braua Melibea, no es ésta, si a Dios ha plazido, la primera a quien yo he hecho perder   el cacarear.   Cozquillosicas son todas; mas, después que vna vez consienten la silla en el enués del lomo, nunca querrían folgar.   Por ellas queda el campo. Muertas sí; cansadas no.   Si de noche caminan, nunca querrían que amaneciesse:   This I have thought upon; this I have searched  into; this is all I know concerning him and her: and this  is that which must make most for our profit.  Well, now  must I go to Pleberio′s house.  farewell.   For though Melibea brave it,  yet [as God would have it}> is not she the first that I have made to stoop and leave her cackling;  they are all of them ticklish  but  after they are well weighed, they prove good highway jades, and travel quietly; [but after that they have once consented and yielded to their riders, suffering  themselves to be saddled in the opposite part to their  reins and to be strongly girzed in the inside of their  loins, they will never be made to give over; the field  must be theirs;}> you may kill them, but never tire them.   If they journey by night, they wish it may never be  morning.  
  maldizen los gallos porque anuncian el día y el relox porque da tan apriessa.  Requieren las cabrillas y el norte, haziéndose estrelleras.   Ya quando veen salir el luzero del alua, quiéreseles salir el alma:   su claridad les escuresce el coraçón.   Camino es, hijo, que nunca me harté de andar.   Nunca me vi cansada.   Y avn assí, vieja como soy, sabe Dios mi buen desseo.   ¡Quanto más éstas que hieruen sin fuego¡   They curse the cocks, because they proclaim it  is day; the clocks, because they go too fast: they lie  prostrate, as if they looked after the Pleiades and the  North star, making themselves astronomers and star gazers;  but when they see the morning star arise,  And are ready to forsake their bodies; and the  clearing of the day is the clouding of their joy [hearts.   It is a journey, my son, whereof as yet I have never my  fill; me thought I could not peform it soften nor was I  ever in all my life tired out therewith.  And yet, as old  as I am, God he knows my desire is as good as ever it was.   Then, how much more those that flame without fire? 
  Catíuanse del primer abraço, ruegan a quien rogó, penan por el penado,   házense sieruas de quien eran señoras, dexan el mando y son mandadas,   rompen paredes, abren ventanas, fingen enfermedades,   a los cherriadores quicios de las puertas hazen con azeytes vsar su oficio sin ruydo. No te sabré dezir lo mucho que obra en ellas aquel dulçor, que les queda de los primeros besos de quien   aman.  Son enemigas del medio; contino están posadas en los estremos.   They  are captivated even on the very first embracement.}> they entreat  him, of whom they were entreated; they endure torment for  him, whom before they had tormented; they are servants to  those, whose mistresses they were; [they leave of  commanding and give leave to the commanded;}> they break  through  walls, they open windows, feign  sickness; if the hinges of their doors chance to creak,  they anoint and supple them with oil, that they may perform their office without any noise.   I am not able to express unto thee the great impression of  that sweetness, which the  first kisses of  him they love, leaveth imprinted in their hearts.  They are enemies of the mean and wholly set upon extremes.   
    17. SEMP. __ No te entiendo essos términos, madre.   SEMPR.  Mother, I understand not these terms.  
    18. CEL. __ Digo que la muger o ama mucho aquél de quien es requerida o le tiene grande odio.   Assí que, si al querer, despiden, no pueden tener las riendas al desamor.   Y con esto, que sé cierto, voy más consolada a casa de Melibea, que si en la mano la touiesse.   CELEST.  I say that a woman either loveth or  hateth him much, of whom she is beloved, so that, if she  entertain not his love,    there are no reins strong enough to bridle their dislike.   And because I know this to be true, it makes me go more  merrily and cheerfully to Melibea′s house than if I had  her fast in my fist already.  
  Porque sé que, avnque al presente la ruegue, al fin me ha de rogar;   avnque al principio me amenaze, al cabo me ha de halagar.   Aquí lleuo vn poco de hilado en esta mi faltriquera, con otros aparejos, que comigo siempre traygo,   para tener causa de entrar, donde mucho no soy conocida, la primera vez:   assí como gorgueras, garuines, franjas, rodeos, tenazuelas, alcohol, aluayalde y solimán, hasta agujas y alfileres.   For I know that, though at  the first I must be forced to woo her, yet in the end she  will be glad to sue to me.  And though at present perhaps  she threaten me  yet at  last will she be well pleased and fall as much a  flattering,    Here in this  pocket of mine I carry a little parcel of yarn and other  such trinkets, which I always bear about me; that I may  have some pretence at first to make my easier entrance and  free access, where I am not thoroughly known, as gorgets,  coifs, fringes, rolls, fillets, hair-laces, nippers,  antimony, ceruse, and sublimated mercury, needles and  pins;  
  Que tal ay, que tal quiere. Porque donde me tomare la boz, me halle   apercebida para les echar ceuo o requerir de la primera vista.   they shall not ask that thing, which I shall not  have for them.  To the end that look whatsoever they shall  call for, this bait upon the first sight thereof shall work my  acceptance, and hold fast the fish which I mind to take. 
    19. SEMP. __ Madre, mira bien lo que hazes.   Porque, cuando el principio se yerra, no puede seguirse buen fin.   Piensa en su padre, que es noble y esforçado, su madre celosa y braua, tú la misma sospecha.   Melibea es vnica a ellos: faltándoles ella, fáltales todo el bien.   En pensallo tiemblo,   no vayas por lana y vengas sin pluma.   SEMPR.  Mother, look well about you.    For a bad beginning can never make a good ending.   Think on her father, who is noble, and of    and courage; her mother jealous and furious, and thou  suspicion itself,    Melibea is the only child to them both, and she  miscarrying miscarrieth with her all their happiness; the  very thought whereof makes me quake and tremble.  Go not  to fetch wool  And [come back}> yourself without your  plumes.  
    20. CEL. __ ¿Sin pluma, fijo?   CELEST.  Without my plumes, my son?  
    21. SEMP. __ O emplumada, madre, que es peor.   SEMPR.  Or rather implumed, mother, which is worse.  
    22. CEL. __ ¡Alahé, en malora a ti he yo menester para compañero¡   ¡Avn si quisieses auisar a Celestina en su oficio¡   Pues quando tú nasciste ya comía yo pan con corteza.   ¡Para adalid eres bueno, cargado de agüeros y recelo!   CELEST.  Now by my fay, in an ill hour had I need of thee  to be my companion.  As though thou couldst instruct  Celestina in her own trade?  Before ever thou  wast born, I did eat bread with crust.  Oh¡you are a  proper man to make a commander,  when thyself art so dejected with  sinister divinations and fear   
    23. SEMP. __ No te marauilles, madre, de mi temor,   pues es común condición humana que lo que mucho se dessea jamás se piensa ver concluydo.   Mayormente que en este caso temo tu pena y mía.   Desseo prouecho: querría que este negocio houiesse buen fin.   No porque saliesse mi amo de pena, mas por salir yo de lazeria.   y assí miro más inconuenientes con mi poca esperiencia, que no tú como maestra vieja.   SEMPR.  Marvel not, mother, at my fear, since it is the  common condition of all men, that what they most desire,  they think shall never come to pass.  And the rather, for  that in this case now in hand, I dread both thine and my punishment; I desire profit; I would that this business  might have a good end, not because my master thereby might  be rid of his pain, but I of my penury.  And therefore I  cast more inconveniences with my small experience than you with all your aged art  (Cel′s house.)  
    . ELICIA. __ ¡Santiguarme quiero, Sempronio! ¡ quiero hazer vna raya en el agua!   ¿Qué nouedad es esta, venir oy acá dos vezes?   ELICIA.  I will bless myself!   Sempronio, come!   I will  make a streak in the water,  this  is news indeed:  Come hither twice!    Twice in one day!  
    25. CEL. __ Calla, boua, déxale, que otro pensamiento traemos en que más nos va. Dime, ¿Está   desocupada la casa?? Fuese la moça que esperaua al ministro?   CELEST.  Peace, you fool.  Let him alone.  We have other  thoughts, I wis, to trouble our heads withal;    Tell  me, is the house clear?  Is the young wench gone, that  expected the young novice [priest}>?  
    26. ELIC. __ Y avn después vino otra y se fue.   ELICIA.  Gone?  yes; and another come, since she went, and  gone too.  
    27. CEL. __ Sí, que no en balde?   CELEST.  Sayest thou me so, girl?  I hope then it was not  in vain.  
    28. ELIC. __ No, en buena fe, ni Dios lo quiera.   Que avnque vino tarde, más vale a quien Dios ayuda, etc.   ELICIA.  How? in vain? No, by my fay was it not; for though he came late, And little need he to rise early, whom his  stars have a purpose to help.  
    29. CEL. __ Pues sube presto al sobrado alto de la solana y baxa acá el bote del azeyte serpentino,   que hallarás colgado del pedaço de la soga, que traxe del campo la otra noche,   quando llouía y hazía escuro.   Y abre el arca de los lizos y hazia la mano derecha hallarás vn papel escrito con   sangre de morciégalo, debaxo de aquel ala de drago, a que sacamos ayer las vñas.   Mira, no derrames el agua de Mayo, que me traxeron a confecionar.   CELEST.  Go, hie you up quickly to the top of all the  house, as high as you can go, and bring me down hither the  bottle of that oil of serpents, which you shall find fastened to that piece of rope, which I brought out of the fields with me that other night, when it rained so fast  and was so dark: then open my chest where the  be, and on your right hand you shall find a  paper written with the blood of a bat  bring it down also with you together with that wing of the dragon, whereof yesterday we did cut off the claws.  And take heed you do not shed the maydew, which was brought me for to make my confection.  
    30. ELIC. __ Madre, no está donde dizes;   jamás te acuerdas cosa que guardas.   ELICIA.  It is not here, mother; you never remember where  you lay your things.  
    31. CEL. __ No me castigues, por Dios, a mi vejez;   no me maltrates,   Elicia. No infinjas, porque está aquí Sempronio, ni te ensoberuezcas,   que más me quiere a mí por consejera, que a ti por amiga,   avnque tú le ames mucho.   Entra en la cámara de los vngüentos   y en la pelleja del gato negro, donde te mandé meter los ojos de la loba, le fallarás. y baxa la sangre del cabrón   y vnas poquitas de las baruas, que tú le cortaste.   CELEST.  Do not reprove me, I pray thee, in mine old age;  misuse me not ELICIA.  Do not you feign untruths; though  Sempronio be here, be not you proud of it.  For he had  rather have me for his counselor, than you for his playfellow; for all you love him so well.  Enter into the chamber where my ointments be, and there in the skin of a black cat, where I willed you to put the eyes of the she wolf, you shall not fail to find it: and bring down the  blood of the he goat and that little piece of his beard  which you yourself did cut off.  
    32. ELIC. __ Toma, madre, veslo aquí;   yo me subo y Sempronio arriba.   ELICIA.  Take it to you, mother.  Lo, here it is; while  you stay here, I will go up and take my Sempronio with me. 
    33. CEL. __ Conjúrote, triste Plutón, señor de la profundidad infernal,   emperador de la Corte dañada, capitán soberuio de los condenados ángeles, señor de los sulfúreos fuegos, que los   heruientes étnicos montes manan,   CELEST.  (alone) I conjure thee, thou sad god Pluto, Lord  of the infernal deep, Emperor of the damned court, Captain  General and proud Commander of the wicked spirits, Grand  Signor of those sulphureous fires, which the flaming hills  of Etna flash forth   
  gouernador y veedor de los tormentos y atormentadores de las pecadoras ánimas,   regidor de las tres furias, Tessífone, Megera y Aleto, administrador de todas   las cosas negras del reyno de Stigie y Dite,   con todas sus lagunas y sombras infernales, y litigioso caos,   mantenedor de las bolantes harpías, con toda la otra compañía de espantables y pauorosas ydras;   yo, Celestina, tu más conocida cliéntula, te conjuro   por la virtud y fuerça destas vermejas letras;   por la sangre de aquella noturna aue con que están escriptas; por la grauedad de aquestos nombres y signos, que en este   papel se contienen;   por la áspera ponçoña de las bíuoras, de que este azeyte fue hecho,   con el qual vnto este hilado:   vengas sin tardança obedescer mi voluntad y en ello te embueluas   y con ello estés sin vn momento te partir,   hasta que Melibea con aparejada oportunidad que aya, lo compre y con ello de tal manera quede enredada   que, quanto más lo mirare, tanto más su coraçón se ablande a conceder mi petición,   y se le abras y lastimes de crudo y fuerte amor de Calisto, Governor and Supervisor both of the torments and tormentors of those sinful souls,  Prince and chief Ruler of those three hellish Furies, Tisiphone, Megaera, and Alecto; Administrator of all the black things belonging to the kingdoms of Styx and Dis, with all their  lakes,  infernal shades, and litigious chaos; Maintainer of the  flying Harpies, with all the whole rabblement of frightful  Hydras; I, Celestine, thy best known and most noted  client, conjure thee, by the virtue and force of these red  letters, by the blood of this bird of the night, wherewith  they are charactered, by the power and weight of these  names and signs, which are contained in this paper, by the  bitter poison of those vipers, whence this  oil was extracted, wherewith I anoint this clew of yarn,  thou come presently without delay to obey my will, to  envelop and wrap thyself  therein, and there to abide and never depart thence, no,  not the least moment of time, until that Melibea, with  that prepared opportunity which shall be offered unto her,  shall buy it of me, and with it in such sort be entangled and taken, that the more she shall behold it, the more may her heart be mollified and the sooner wrought to yield to  my request: that thou wilt open her heart to my desire and wound her very soul with the love of Calisto;  
  tanto que, despedida toda honestidad, se descubra a mí   y me galardone mis passos y mensaje.   Y esto hecho, pide y demanda de mí a tu voluntad.   Si no lo hazes con presto mouimiento, ternásme por capital enemiga;   heriré con luz tus cárceles tristes y escuras ;   acusaré cruelmente tus continuas mentiras;   apremiaré con mis ásperas palabras tu horrible nombre.   Y otra y otra vez te conjuro. Y assí confiando en mi mucho poder,   me parto para allá con mi hilado, donde creo te lleuo ya embuelto.   And in that  extreme  that despising all honesty  she may discover herself  unto me, and reward both my message and my pains; do this,  and I am at thy command, to do what you wilt have me.  But  if thou do not do it, thou shalt forthwith have me thy  capital foe and professed enemy: I shall strike with light  thy sad and darksome dungeons; I shall cruelly accuse thy  continual lyings    with my charming words  will chain  thy most horrible name. Wherefore, again and again,  I  conjure thee to fulfill my command.  And so presuming on  my great power, I depart hence, that I may go to her with  my clew of yarn, wherein I verily believe, I carry thyself  enwrapped.  







ACTO IV
Sumario: CELESTINA, andando por el camino, habla consigo misma hasta llegar a la puerta de PLEBERIO, donde hallo a LUCRECIA, criada de PLEBERIO. Ponese con ella en razones. Sentidas por ALISA, madre de MELIBEA, y sabido que es CELESTINA, hacela entrar en casa. Viene un mensajero a llamar a ALISA. Vase. Queda CELESTINA en casa con MELIBEA y le descubre la causa de su venida.   		ACTUS IV The Argument:    CELESTINA going on her way, talks to herself, till she  comes to Pleberio′s gate, where she meets with  Lucrecia, one of Pleberio′s maidservants; she  into discourse with her, who, being  overheard by Alisa, Melibea′s mother, and  understanding it was Celestina, causes her to come  the house.  A messenger comes to call away  Alisa′s she goes her ways; Celestina in the meanwhile  being left alone with Melibea, discovers unto her the  cause of her coming.  Interlocutors:    Celestina, Lucrecia, Alisa, MELIBEA.  
    1. CEL. __ Agora, que voy sola, quiero mirar bien   lo que Sempronio ha temido deste mi camino.   Porque aquellas cosas, que bien no son pensadas,   avnque algunas vezes ayan buen fin, comúnmente crían dessuariados efetos. Assí que   la mucha especulación nunca carece de buen fruto.   Que, avnque yo he dissimulado con él,   podría ser que, si me sintiessen en estos passos de parte de Melibea,   que no pagasse con pena, que menor fuesse que la vida,   o muy amenguada quedasse, quando matar no me quisiessen,   manteándome o açotándome cruelmente.   Pues amargas cient monedas serían estas.   ¡Ay cuytada de mí¡En qué lazo me he metido¡   Que por me mostrar solícita y esforçada pongo mi persona al tablero! ? Qué faré, cuytada, mezquina de mí, que ni el salir afuera es prouechoso   ni la perseuerancia carece de peligro?   ¿Pues yré o tornarme he?   ¡O dubdosa y dura perplexidad¡   ¡No sé quál escoja por más sano¡   CELESTINA.  Now that I am all alone, I will, as I walk by myself, weigh and consider that which  Sempronio feared concerning my travail in this  business.  For those things which are not well weighed  though sometimes they take good  effect, yet commonly fall out ill, so that much  speculation brings forth much good fruit.  For,  although I dissembled with him it may be that, if my  intent should chance to be found out  it would cost me little less than  my life:  or at least, if they should not kill me, I  should rest much impaired in my credit, either by  their tossing me in a blanket, or by causing me to be  cruelly whipped, so that  my hundred crowns in gold be  purchased at too dear rate.  Ay, wretched me!   Into  what a labyrinth have I put myself?    For  that I might shew myself solicitous and resolute, I  have put myself upon the hazard of the dice.  Woe is  me!   What shall I do? To go back is not for my profit,  and to go on stands not with my safety.  Shall I  persist; or shall I desist?    In what a doubtful and strange perplexity?  I  know not which I were best to choose.  "  
  ¡En el osar, manifiesto peligro;   en la couardía, denostada, perdida¡   ¿A donde yrá el buey que no are?   Cada camino descubre sus dañosos y hondos barrancos. Si con el furto soy   tomada, nunca de muerta o encoroçada falto, a bien librar.   Si no voy, ¿Qué dirá Sempronio?   Que todas estas eran mis fuerças,   saber y esfuerço, ardid y ofrecinmento, astucia y solicitud.   Y su amo Calisto ¿Qué dirá?? qué hará?? qué pensará;   sino que ay nueuo engaño en mis pisadas y que yo he descubierto la celada,   por hauer más prouecho desta otra parte, como sofística preuaricadora?   O si no se le ofrece pensamiento tan odioso,   dará bozes como loco   Diráme en mi cara denuestos rabiosos.   Proporná mill inconuenientes, que mi deliberación presta le puso,   diziendo: Tú, puta vieja, ¿Por qué acrescentaste mis pasiones con tus promessas?   Alcahueta falsa, para todo el mundo tienes pies, para mí lengua;   para todos obra, para mi palabra;   para todos remedio, para mí pena;   para todos esfuerço, para mí te faltó;   para todos luz, para mí tiniebla.   Pues, vieja traydora, ¿Por qué te me On my  daringness dependeth manifest danger, on my cowardice  shameful damage.  Which way shall the ox go, but he  must needs plough?  Every way,  discovers  And dangerous  furrows,    But in case I should not go, what will Sempronio then say?  ′ They power, thy wisdom, thy stoutness, thy courage,  thy fair offers, thy tricks,  thy subtleness,  what? Are they all come to this?′  And  his master Calisto, what will he say?  What will he  do?  Or what will he think?  Save only this, that  there is much deceit in my steps, and that I have  discovered this plot  like a  prevaricating sophistress    playing the traitor on both sides, that I might gain  by both?  And if he do not entertain so hateful a  thought, he will rail  like a madman; he  will upbraid me to my face with most reproachful  terms; he will propose a thousand inconveniences,  which my hasty deliberation was the cause of, saying,  ′ you old whore; why didst thou increase my  passions with they promises?  False bawd  for all the world besides thy feet can walk,  for me only thy tongue; others can have works, I only words.  Others can have remedy at they hands; I only  the man that must endure torment.  To all others thy  force can extend itself; and to me is it only wanting.   To all others thou art light, to me darkness.   thou old treacherous,  wretch;  why didst thou offer thyself  unto me?  
  Que tu ofrecimiento me puso esperança;   la esperança dilató mi muerte,   sostuuo mi viuir, púsome título de hombre alegre.   Pues no hauiendo efeto, ni tú carecerás de pena ni yo de triste desesperación.   ¡Pues triste yo¡Mal acá, mal acullá: pena en ambas   partes¡Quando a los estremos falta el medio, arrimarse el hombre al más sano, es discreción.   Más quiero offender a Pleberio, que enojar a Calisto.   Yr quiero. Que mayor es la vergüença de quedar por couarde, que la pena,   cumpliendo como osada lo que prometí,   pues jamás al esfuerço desayudó la fortuna.   Ya veo su puerta. En mayores afrentas me he visto.   ¡Esfuerça, esfuerça, Celestina ¡   ¡No desmayes¡Que nunca faltan rogadores para mitigar las penas.   todos los agüeros se adereçan fauorables   o yo no sé nada desta arte.   Quatro hombres, que he topado, a los tres llaman juanes y los dos son cornudos. La primera palabra,   que oy por la calle, fue de achaque de amores.   Nunca he tropeçado como otras vezes. Las   piedras parece que se apartan y me fazen lugar que passe.   Ni me estoruan las haldas ni siento cansancio en For it was thy offer that did put me in hope:  and  that hope did delay my death, prolonged my life, and  did put upon me the title of a glad man.  Now, for  that thy promises have no proved effectual, neither  shalt thou want punishment, nor I woeful despair.′  So  that,  (miserable woman  that I am), it is ill here, and it is ill there; pain  and grief on either hand:  but when extremes shall  want their mean,  of two evils it is the wiser course to incline to the lesser.  And therefore I had  rather offend Pleberio than displeaseCALISTO.  Well  then, I will go.  For greater will my shame be, to be  condemned for a coward, than my punishment, in daring  to accomplish what I promised.  Besides Fortune still  friendeth those that are bold and valiant.  Lo,  yonder′s the gate; I have seen myself in greater  danger than this in my days.  Coraggio, coraggio, Celestina;  be not dismayed: for there are never suitors wanting for the mitigating  of punishment.  All divinations are  in my favour  or else I am nobody in this my art,    Of four men that I  meet by the way three of them were Johns; whereof two were cuckolds.  The first word that I heard passing  along the street, was a love complaint.  I have not  stumbled since I cam forth, as at other times I used  to do.  Methinks the very stones of the street did  sunder themselves on from another to give me way as I  passed.  Nor did the skirts of my clothes  hinder my feet.  Nor do I  feel any  weariness in my legs.  Every  one saluteth me.  Not a dog that hath once barked at  me: I have neither seen any bird of a black feather,  neither thrush nor crow, nor any other of nature; and, which is a better sign of good  luck than all these, yonder do I see Lucrecia standing  at Melibea′s gate, which is kinswoman to Elicia;    
    2. LUCRECIA. __ ¿Quién es esta vieja, que viene haldeando?   LUCRECIA.  What old witch is this that comes thus trailing her tail on the ground?   
    3. CEL. __ Paz sea en esta casa.   CELEST.  [God be  near and peace.}>  
    4. LUCR. __ Celestina, madre, seas bienvenida.   ¿Quál Dios te traxo por estos barrios no acostumbrados?   LUCRECIA.  Mother Celestina, you be welcome. [good Lord, what a God′s name brought you hither?}>  
    5. CEL. __ Hija, mi amor, desseo de todos vosotros,   traerte encomiendas de Elicia y avn ver a tus señoras, vieja y moça.   Que después que me mudé al otro barrio, no han sido de mí visitadas. CELEST.  daughter, my love,   the desire I have to see all my good friends, and to  bring you commendations fro your cousin Elicia; as  also to see my old and young mistress, whom I have not  seen since I went from this end of the town.  
    6. LUCR. __ ¿A eso sólo saliste de tu casa?   Marauíllome de ti, que no es essa tu costumbre   ni sueles dar passo sin prouecho.   LUCRECIA.  Is this your only errand from home? you make me much to marvel; for I am sure you were not wont to stir your stumps,  nor to go a foot forth of doors, unless it were for your profit. 
    7. CEL. __ ¿Más prouecho quieres, boua, que complir hombre sus desseos?   y también como a las viejas nunca nos fallecen necessidades,   mayormente a mí, que tengo que mantener hijas agenas,   ando a vender vn poco de hilado.   CELEST.  What greater profit, you fool, would you have, than a man to comply with his desires?  Besides  such old women as we never want business, especially  myself, who, having the breeding of so many men′s  daughters as I have, I go to see if I can sell a  little yarn.  
    8. LUCR. __ ¡Algo es lo que yo digo¡   En mi seso estoy, que nunca metes aguja sin sacar reja.   Pero mi señora la vieja vrdió vna tela:   tiene necessidad dello y tú de venderlo.   Entra y espera aquí, que no os desauenirés.   LUCRECIA.  Did not I tell you so before?  I wot well what I said;    But to  let that pass, my old mistress hath begun a web; she  hath need to buy it, and thou hast need to sell it.   Come in and stay here awhile,   (Lucr. Goes up to her mistress.) 
    9. ALISA. __ ¿Con quién hablas, Lucrecia?   ALISA.  Lucrecia, who is that you talk withal?  
    10. LUCR. __ Señora, con aquella vieja de la cuchillada,   que solía viuir en las tenerías, a la cuesta del río.   LUCRECIA.  With that old woman forsooth with the  who sometimes dwelt hard y  here in Tanners′ Row, close upon the riverside.  
    11. ALI. __ Agora la conozco menos.   Si tú me das a entender lo incógnito por lo menos conocido,   es coger agua en cesto.   ALISA.  Now I am further to seek than I was before; if thou wilt give me to understand an unknown  thing by a thing that is less known, [it}> is to take  up water in a sieve.  
    12. LUCR. __ ¡Jesú, señora¡Más conoscida es esta vieja que la ruda.   No sé cómo no tienes memoria de la que empicotaron por hechizera,   que vendía las moças a los abades y descasaua mill casados.   LUCRECIA.  Madame!   Why, this old woman is better  known than the herd rue.  Do not you remember her that  stood on the pillory for a witch?  That sold young wenches [to your Abbey Lubbers}>   And that hath marred many thousands of marriges  
    13. ALI. __ ¿Qué oficio tiene? Quiçá por aquí la conoceré mejor.     What trade is she of? /a> It may be by that I shall know her better.  
    14. LUCR. __ Señora, perfuma tocas, haze solimán y otros treynta officios.   Conoce mucho en yeruas, cura niños   y avn algunos la llaman la vieja lapidaria.   LUCRECIA.  Forsooth, she perfumes cauls, [coifs for the head}>, veils, and the like;> she makes your sublimate mercury, and hath some thirty several trades besides; she is very skillful in herbs; she can cure little children: and some call her the old woman lapidary, for her great dealing in stones.>
    15. ALI. __ Todo esso dicho no me la da a conocer;   dime su nombre, si le sabes.   ALISA.  Al this makes me never a whit the wiser. Tell me her name, if thou knowest it.  
    16. LUCR. __ ¿Si le sé, señora?   No ay niño ni viejo en toda la cibdad, que no lo sepa:   ¿Hauíale yo de ignorar?   LUCRECIA.  If I knew it?  Why, there is neither young nor old in all this city but knows it.  And should not I then know it?  
    17. ALI. __ ¿Pues por qué no le dizes?   ALISA.  If you know it so well,> why then do not you tell it me?  
    18. LUCR. __ ¡He vergüença!   LUCRECIA.  I am ashamed, forsooth.>  
    19. ALI. __ Anda, boua, dile.   No me indignes con tu tardança.   ALISA.  Go too, you fool; tell me her name; do not anger me by this your delay.  
    20. LUCR. __ Celestina, hablando con reuerencia, es su nombre.   LUCRECIA.  Her name (saving your reverence) is Celestina.  
    21. ALI. __ ¡Hy¡hy¡hy¡mala landre te mate,   si de risa puedo estar, viendo el desamor que deues de tener a essa vieja,   que su nombre has vergüença nombrar¡   Ya me voy recordando della. ¡Vna buena pieça¡   No me digas más. Algo me verná a pedir. di Que suba.   ALISA.  Hi, hi, hi!   Now beshrew your fingers!    O my heart¡O my sides! >   I am not able to stand for laughing to see that the loathing which thou hast of this poor> old woman should make thee ashamed to name her unto me. Now I call her to mind; go to; you are a wag,>   no more of this.  She, poor soul,> is come to beg somewhat of me.  Bid her come up.  
    22. LUCR. __ Sube, tía.   LUCRECIA.  Aunt,  you come up.  (Celestina comes  up.)  
    23. CEL. __ Señora buena, la gracia de Dios sea contigo y con la noble hija.   Mis passiones y enfermedades han impedido mi visitar tu casa, como era razón; mas Dios conoce mis limpias   entrañas, mi verdadero amor,   que la distancia de las moradas no despega el querer de los coraçones.   Assí que lo que mucho desseé, la necessidad me lo ha hecho complir.   Con mis fortunas aduersas otras, me sobreuino mengua de dinero.   No supe mejor remedio que vender vn poco de hilado,   que para vnas toquillas tenía allegado.   Supe de tu criada que tenías dello necessidad.   Avnque pobre y no de la merced de Dios, veslo aquí,   si dello y de mí te quieres seruir.   CELEST.  My good lady, all blessings abide with you.  [The grace of God be with  thee}>And your noble daughter.  My many griefs and infirmities have hindered my visiting of  this your house, as in duty I was bound to do; but heaven [God}> knows how fair are the  entrails of my inward affection,  It knows the  And trueness of my love.  For distance of place diplaceth not  that love which is lodged in the heart:  so that what hertofore in myself I did much  desire, now my necessity hath made me to perform.  And amongst other my many crosses  in this life,  in my purse grow daily less and less; so that I  have no better remedy  than to  sell this little parcel of yarn  to make coifs    and understanding by our maid that you had need thereof (howbeit I am poor in everything, I  praise [God}>, save the richness of this grace) it is wholly at your command, if  either it or I may do you any service. 
    24. ALI. __ Vezina honrrada, tu razón y ofrecimiento me mueuen a compassión   y tanto, que quisiera cierto más hallarme en tiempo de poder complir tu falta, que menguar tu tela.   Lo dicho te agradezco.   Si el hilado es tal, serte ha bien pagado.   ALISA.  Honest neighbour, thy discourse and kind offer move me to compassion:  and  so move me, that I had rather light upon some fit occasion, whereby I might supply thy  wants, than diminish thy web, still thanking thee for thy kind offer:  and, if it be such  as will serve my turn, I shall pay you well for it.  
    25. CEL. __ ¿Tal señora? Tal sea mi vida y mi vejez   y la de quien parte quisiere de mi jura.   Delgado como el pelo de la cabeça,   ygual, rezio como cuerdas de vihuela,   blanco como el copo de la nieue,   hilado todo por estos pulgares,   aspado y adreçado. Veslo aquí en madexitas.   Tres monedas me dauan ayer por la onça,   assí goze desta alma pecadora.   CELEST.  Madame, by my life, as I am true old woman, or by any other oath you shall  put me to,  it is as fine as the hair of your head, even  As nothing more strong,  as the strings of a viol, white as a flake of snow, spun all with mine own fingers, reeled  and wound up    Look you, lady, on some of the same in skeins;    Three royals, as I am true woman [and as this my sinful soul shall  be saved}>, I received no longer ago than yesterday for an ounce.  
    26. ALI. __ Hija Melibea, quédese esta muger honrrada contigo,   que ya me parece que es tarde   para yr a visitar a mi hermana, su muger de Cremes,   que desde ayer no la he visto,   y también que viene su paje a llamarme,   que se le arrezió desde vn rato acá el mal.   ALISA.  Daughter Melibea, I will leave this honest woman with you; for methinks it  is now high time,  to go visit my sister, wife unto  Chremes:  I have not seen her since yesterday; and besides, her page is now come to call  me, and tells me that her old fit hath already been on her this  while.  
    27. CEL. __ Por aquí anda el diablo aparejando oportunidad, arreziando el mal a la otra. ¡   Ea¡Buen amigo, ¡ tener rezio! Agora es mi tiempo o nunca.   No la dexes, lléuamela de aquí a quien digo.   CELEST.  Now does the devil go preparing opportunity for my stratagem, by  reinforcing this sickness upon the other.  Go on, my good friend, stand stiffly    For now is the time or never; see you leave her not:   and remove away this woman from me.   
    28. ALI. __ ¿Qué dizes, amiga?   ALISA.  Say, friend, what is that thou sayest?  
    29. CEL. __ Señora, que maldito sea el diablo y mi pecado,   porque en tal tiempo houo de crescer el mal de tu hermana,   que no haurá para nuestro negocio oportunidad. ¿Y qué mal es el suyo?   CELEST.  I say, madame, cursed be the devil and my evil fortune, that your sister′s  sickness is grown now upon her  shall have no fit time  to dispatch our business:  But, I pray, what is her sickness?  
    30. ALI. __ Dolor de costado   y tal que, según del moço supe que quedaua, temo no sea mortal.   Ruega tú, vezina, por amor mio, en tus deuociones por su salud a Dios.   ALISA.  A pain in her side, which takes her in such grievous manner, that, if it be  true which her page tells me, I fear me it will cost her her life.  Good neighbour, let me entreat you for my sake to recommend her recovery unto your best devotions   
    31. CEL. __ Yo te prometo, señora, en yendo de aquí, me vaya por essos monesterios,   donde tengo frayles deuotos mios, y les dé el mismo cargo, que tú me das.   Y demás desto, ante  que me desayune, dé quatro bueltas a mis cuentas.   CELEST.  lady, I  promise, that as soon as I go  hence, I will hie me to  my friends, upon  whom I will lay the same charge as you have laid upon me.  
    32. ALI. __ Pues, Melibea, contenta a la vezina   en todo lo que razón fuere darle por el hilado.   Y tú, madre, perdóname,   que otro día se verná en que más nos veamos.   ALISA.  Melibea? Content our neighbour, and give her that which  is reason for her yarn.  And you, mother, I pray hold me excused, for I doubt not but you  and I shall have another day, when we shall have more leisure to enjoy one another.  
    33. CEL. __ Señora, el perdón sobraría donde el yerro falta.   De Dios seas perdonada, que buena compañía me queda.   Dios la dexe gozar su noble juuentud y florida mocedad,   que es el tiempo en que más plazeres y mayores deleytes se alcançarán.   Que, a la mi fe, la vejez no es sino mesón de enfermedades,   posada de pensamientos, amiga de renzillas,   congoxa continua, llaga incurable, manzilla de lo passado,   pena de lo presente, cuydado triste de lo porvenir, vezina de la muerte, choça sin rama, que   se llueue por cada parte,   cayado de mimbre, que con poca carga se doblega.   CELEST.  Madame, there is no need of pardon, where there is no fault committed.   Jove pardon you, and I do.  For I thank you, you have left me here with very good company.   Jove grant she may long enjoy her noble youth and this her flourishing prime, a time  wherein more pleasures and delights are found than in this old decayed carcass of mine,  which is nothing else but  An inn full of infirmities,  a storehouse  of sad and melancholy thoughts, a friend to    brawling, a continual grief and incurable plague; pitying that which is past, punished in  that which is present, and full of wretched care in that which is to come:  a near  neighbour unto death; a poor cabin without one bough of shelter, whereinto it rains on all  sides; a stick of willow, a staff of weak osiers, which is doubled with any the least  stress you put it to.  (Alisa departs.) 
    34. MELIB. __ ¿Por qué dizes, madre, tanto mal   de lo que todo el mundo con tan eficacia gozar y ver dessean?   MELIBEA.  Tell me, mother, why do you speak so ill of that which the whole world so  earnestly desireth to enjoy and see?  
    35. CEL. __ Dessean harto mal para sí, dessean harto trabajo.   Dessean llegar allá, porque llegando viuen   y el viuir es dulce y viuiendo enuejescen.   Assí que el niño dessea ser moço   y el moço viejo y el viejo, más;   avnque con dolor. Todo por viuir.   Porque como dizen, biua la gallina con su pepita.   Pero ¿Quién te podría contar, señora, sus daños,   sus inconvenientes, sus fatigas, sus cuydados,   sus enfermedades, su frío, su calor, su descontentamiento, su renzilla,   su pesadumbre, aquel arrugar de cara,   aquel mudar de cabellos su primera y fresca color,   aquel poco oyr, aquel debilitado ver,   puestos los ojos a la sombra, aquel hundimiento de boca,   aquel caer de dientes, aquel carecer de fuerça,   aquel flaco andar, aquel espacioso comer?   Pues ¡Ay, ay¡Señora¡, si lo dicho viene acompañado de pobreza,   allí verás callar todos los otros trabajos,   quando sobra la gana y falta la prouisión;   ¡Que jamás sentí peor ahíto, que de hambre!   CELEST.  They desire so much their more hurt; they desire so much their more grief;  they desire to live to be old, because by living to be old, they live.  And life (you know) is sweet; and living, they come to be old.  Hence is it, that your children desire to be  men, and your men to be old men; and your old men to be  more old; and though  they live in never so much pain,    For, as it is in  the proverb, fain would be hen live for all her pip;  .  But who is he, lady, that can recount unto you the inconveniences of old age?  The discommodities it brings with it?  Its torments, its cares,  its troubles, its infirmities, its colds, its heats, its discontentments, its brawls,  its griefs,    Those  wrinkles in the face?  That change and alteration in the hair?  That  fading of fresh and lively colour?  That want of hearing?  That weakness of sight?  in the eyes, seeing, as if they were shut up in a shade?  That sinking  of the jaws?  That toothlessness of the gums?  That failingnesss of force    That feebleness of legs?  That slowness in feeding?  Besides, madame, which makes me sigh to think upon it, when all these miseries I have told you come accompanied  with poverty, all sorrows to this must stoop and strike sail, when the appetite shall be great and the provision small,  for I never knew  any worse habit than that of hunger. 
    36. MELIB. __ Bien conozco que dize cada uno de la feria, segund le va en ella:   assí que otra canción cantarán los ricos.   MELIBEA.  I perceive,  As it goes with you.  so you speak of the fair.    the rich will sing another song.  
    37. CEL. __ Señora, hija, a cada cabo ay tres leguas de mal quebranto. A los ricos se les va   la bienaventurança,   la gloria y descanso por otros alvañares de asechanças,   que no se parescen, ladrillados por encima con lisonjas.   Aquél es rico que está bien con Dios. Más segura    cosa es ser menospreciado que temido.   Mejor sueño duerme el pobre, que no el que tiene de guardar con solicitud   lo que con trabajo  ganó y con dolor ha de dexar.   Mi amigo no será simulado y el del rico sí.   Yo soy querida por mi persona; el rico por su hazienda.   Nunca oye verdad,   todos le hablan lisonjas a sabor de su paladar,   todos le han enbidia.   Apenas hallarás vn rico, que no confiese que   le sería mejor estar en mediano estado o en honesta pobreza.   Las riquezas no hazen rico, mas ocupado;   no hazen señor, mas mayordomo.   Más son los posseydos de las riquezas que no los que las posseen.   A muchos traxo la muerte, a todos quita el plazer   y a las buenas costumbres ningunas cosa es CELEST.  Daughter and mistress,  if  you have one mile of good, have three of bad.  true contentedness,  glory and quietness, run from the  rich by other  gutters of subtlety and deceit; which pipes,  Are never perceived, because they are  bricked over with  flatteries.  He is rich that hath God′s blessing.    Safer it is with him that is  despised than with him that is feared, and a far better sleep doth the poor man take than  he who is bound to keep that with care, which he hath gotten with labour and must leave  with sorrow.  My friend will not dissemble with me, but the rich man′s will with him; I am  loved for mine own sake, the rich man for his wealth′s sake.  A rich man shall never hear  the truth; everyone will flatter him, and seek to please his humour in whatsoever he shall  say.  Besides, he lies open to every man′s envy; and you shall scarce find one rich man  but will  confess that it had been better for him to  have been in a middling estate, or in  honest poverty.  For riches make not a man  rich, but busied; not a master, but a steward.  More are they that are possessed by their  riches, than they that possess their riches, to many they have been a means of their death;  and most men they have robbed of their pleasure  And to say the truth, they are enemies to all goodness.  Have you not heard  say, men have lain down and dreamed of their riches, and behold, they have waked and found  nothing in their hands?  Every rich man hath a dozen of sons or nephews, which repeat no  other prayer, nor tender any other orison to God but that He would be pleased to take him  out of this world; and desire nothing more than to see the hour that they may come  to see him underground, and what was his, in their hands, and with a  small charge, to lay him up in his last and everlasting mansion here on earth.  
    38. MELIB. __ Madre, pues que assí es, gran pena   ternás por la edad que perdiste.   ¿Querrías boluer a la primera?   MELIBEA.  Methinks, mother, it should be a great grief unto you, to think upon  those  which are past    Would you not be willing to run  them over again?  
    39. CEL. __ Loco es, señora, el caminante que,   enojado del trabajo del día, quisiesse boluer comienço la jornada   para tornar otra vez aquel lugar.   Que todas aquellas cosas, cuya possessión no es agradable,   más vale poseellas, que esperallas.   Porque más cerca está el fin de ellas, quanto más andado del comienço.   No ay cosa más dulce ni graciosa al muy cansado que el mesón.   Assí que, avnque la moçedad sea alegre, el verdadero viejo no la dessea. Porque   el que de razón y seso carece,   quasi otra cosa no ama, sino lo que perdió.   CELEST.  That traveller, lady, were a fool, who, having tired out himself with a  hard day′s travel, would, to begin his journey again, desire to return to the same place from whence he came.  For all those things, whose possession is no whit pleasing, it is  better to enjoy them  than to desire their longer stay.  For then are they  so much the nearer to their end, by how much the farther they are from their beginning.   Nor is there anything in the world more sweet  to him that is truly  weary, than his inn,    So that though youth be a thing very jocund, yet he that is truly old doth not desire it.  But he indeed that wants reason and  true understanding, that man in a manner loves nothing else but the days that are   
    40. MELIB. __ Siquiera por viuir más, es bueno dessear lo que digo.   MELIBEA.  Were it but only to live, it is good to desire that which I say.  
    41. CEL. __ Tan presto, señora, se va el cordero como el carnero.   Ninguno es tan viejo, que no pueda viuir vn año   ni tan moço, que oy no pudiesse morir.   Assí que en esto poca avantaja nos leuays.   CELEST.  As soon, lady, dies the young lamb as the old sheep;  there is no man so old but he may live one year more, nor no man so  young but he may die today, so that in this you have little or no advantage of us.  
    42. MELIB. __ Espantada me tienes con lo que has hablado.   Indicio me dan tus razones que te aya visto otro tiempo.   Dime, madre, eres tú Celestina, la que solía morar a las tenerías, cabe el río?   MELIBEA.  Thou has scared me with thy words; thy reasons put me in remembrance that  I have seen thee heretofore.  Tell me, mother, are not thou Celestina, that dwelt in  Tanner′s Row near the river?  
    43. CEL. __ Hasta que Dios quiera.   CELEST.  Even the very same.  
    44. MELIB. __ Vieja te has parado.   Bien dizen que los días no se van en balde.   Assí goze de mí, no te conociera,   sino por essa señaleja de la cara.   Figúraseme que eras hermosa.   Otra pareces, muy mudada estás.   MELIBEA.  By my fay, you are an old woman. Well, I see it is a true saying that  days go not away in vain. Now (never trust me) I did not know you; neither should I, had  it not been for that slash over your face; then were you fair, [now methinks you are as it  were another woman,}> now wonderfully altered.  
    45. LUCR. __ ¡Hy¡hy¡hy¡Mudada está el diablo¡   ¡Hermosa era con aquel su Dios os salue, que trauiessa la media cara!   LUCRECIA.  She changed?  Hi, hi, hi¡the devil she is:  she was fair   
    46. MELIB. __ ¿Qué hablas, loca?? Qué es lo que dizes?   ¿De qué te ríes?   MELIBEA.  What sayest thou, fool?  Speak, what is′t thou sayest?  What laughest  thou at?  
    47. LUCR. __ De cómo no conocías a la madre   en tan poco tiempo en la filosomía de la cara.   LUCRECIA.  As thou  not know Mother  missing[in such a short time in the physiognomy of her face.}>  
    48. MELIB. __ No es tan poco tiempo dos años;   y más que la tiene arrugada.   missing[ MELIBEA. Two years is not such a short time; and besides, she has wrinkles in her face.}>  
    49. CEL. __ Señora, ten tú el tiempo que no ande;   terné yo mi forma, que no se mude.   ¿No has leydo que dizen: verná el día que en el espejo no te conozcas? Pero también yo encanecí temprano   y parezco de doblada edad.   Que assí goze desta alma pecadora y tú desse cuerpo gracioso,   que de quatro hijas, que parió mi madre, yo fué la menor.   Mira cómo no soy vieja, como me juzgan.   CELEST.  Madame, take you hold on time, that it slip not from you.  As for my  complexion, that will never change:  have you not read what they say, the day will come,  when thou shalt not know thyself in a glass?  Though I am now grown gray before my time,  and seem double the years I am of, of four daughters which my mother had, myself was the  youngest.  And therefore, I am sure, I am not so old as you take me to be.  
    50. MELIB. __ Celestina, amiga, yo he holgado mucho en verte y conocerte.   También hasme dado plazer con tus razones.   Toma tu dinero y vete con Dios, que me paresce que no deues hauer comido.   MELIBEA.  Friend Celestina, I am very glad both to see and know thee; and I have  taken great pleasure in thy discourse.  Here, take your money and farewell; for thou lookest, poor soul, as if thou hadst eaten nothing all this day.  
    51. CEL. __ ¡O angélica ymagen¡O perla preciosa,   y cómo te lo dizes¡   Gozo me toma en verte fablar.   ¿Y no sabes que por la diuina boca fué dicho contra aquel infernal tentador,   que no de solo pan viuiremos?   Pues assí es, que no el solo comer mantiene.   Mayormente a mí, que me suelo estar vno y dos días negociando encomiendas agenas ayuna,   saluo hazer por los buenos, morir por ellos.   Esto tuue siempre, querer más trabajar siruiendo a otros, que holgar contentando a mí.  Pues, si tú me das licencia,   diréte la necessitada causa de mi venida,   que es otra que la que fasta agora as oydo   y tal, que todos perderíamos en me tornar en balde sin que la sepas.   CELEST.  O  image!   O precious pearl!   How  truly have you guessed!     I am  ravished hearing thee speak. [And do you not know how by that divine mouth it was uttered  against that hellish tempter, that man live not only by bread?}>  But yet it is not only  eating, that maintaineth a man or woman, especially me, who use to be fasting a whole, nay,  two days together, in soliciting other folk′s businesses. to do good offices for the good, and,  to die for them.  And it was evermore my fashion rather to seek trouble to myself  by serving of others, than to please and content myself. Wherefore, if you will give me  leave, I will tell you the necessitated cause of my coming, which is another    matter than any you have yet heard; and such as we were all undone, if I should return in  vain, and you not know it.  
    52. MELIB. __ Di, madre, todas tus necessidades, que, si yo las pudiere remediar, de muy buen   grado lo haré   por el passado conoscimiento y vezindad, que pone obligación a los buenos.   MELIBEA.  Acquaint me, mother, with all your necessities and wants, and if I can  help you in them  I shall willingly do it, as well out of our old  acquaintance as out of neighbourhood, which in good  mind is a sufficient  bond  
    53. CEL. __ ¿Mías, señora? Antes agenas, como tengo dicho;   que las mías de mi puerta adentro me las passo,   sin que las sienta la tierra,   comiendo quando puedo, beuiendo quando lo tengo.   Que con mi pobreza jamás me faltó, a Dios gracias,   vna blanca para pan y vn quarto para vino,   después que embiudé; que antes no tenía yo cuydado de lo buscar,   que sobrado estaua vn cuero en mi casa y vno lleno y otro vazío.   Jamás me acosté sin comer vna tostada en vino   y dos dozenas de soruos, por amor de la madre, tras cada sopa.   Agora, como todo cuelga de mí, en vn jarrillo malpegado me lo traen, que   no cabe dos açumbres.   seys vezes al día tengo de salir por mi pecado, con mis canas a cuestas,   a le henchir a la tauerna.   Mas no muera yo muerte, hasta que me vea   con vn cuero o tinagica de mis puertas adentro.   Que en mi ánima no ay otra prouisión,   que como dizen: pan y vino anda camino, que no moço garrido.   Assí que donde no ay varón, todo CELEST.  My wants, madame?    Nay, others′, as I  told you, not mine.  For mine own, I pass at home with myself in mine own house without  letting the whole country to know them; eating when I may, and drinking when I can get it.   For, for all my poverty, I never wanted a penny to buy me bread, nor a  to send for wine, no, not in all this time of my widowhood. For  before, I never took thought for any, but had always a good vessel still in my house.  And  when one was empty another was full.  I never went to bed, but I did first eat a toast well  steeped in wine, and two dozen of draughts, sipping still the wine after ever sop, for fear  of the mother,   But now that I husband all  things myself  I am fain to fetch my wine in a little poor  jar, which will scarce hold a pottle.  And sometimes in punishment of my sins  I am forced to go six times a day with these my silver hairs  about my shoulders, to fill and fetch my wine myself at the tavern.  Nor would I by my  goodwill die, till I see myself have a good rundlet or tierce of mine own within mine own  doors.  For, on my life, there is no provision in the world like unto it.  For, as the  saying is, it is bread and wine, not the young man that is spruce and fine,  And travel with mettle; yet let me tell you that, where the good man is  missing, all other good is wanting.  For ill does the spindle move, when the beard does not  wag above.  And this I thought good to tell you by the way upon those speeches, which I  used concerning others′, and not mine own necessities.  
    54. MELIB. __ Pide lo que querrás, sea para quien fuere.   MELIBEA.  Ask what thou wilt, be it either for thyself or anybody else,   
    55. CEL. __ ¡Donzella graciosa y de alto linaje¡   tu suaue fabla y alegre gesto,   junto con el aparejo de liberalidad,   que muestras con esta pobre vieja,   me dan osadía a te lo dezir. Yo dexo   vn enfermo a la muerte,   que con sola una palabra de tu noble boca salida,   que le lleue metida en mi seno,   tiene por fe que sanará,   según la mucha deuoción tiene en tu gentileza.   CELEST.  My most gracious lady, descended of high parentage, your sweet words and cheerful gesture, accompanied with that kind and free proffer, which you are pleased to make to this poor old woman, gives boldness to to speak   I come lately from one, whom I let sick to the death, who only with on word, which should come from your noble mouth, and entrusted in this my bosom -I verily assure myself it will save his life, so great is the devotion which he bears to your gentle disposition,  
    56. MELIB. __ Vieja honrrada, no te entiendo,   si más no declaras tu demanda.   Por vna parte me alteras y prouocas a enojo;   por otra me mueues compasión.   No te sabría boluer respuesta conueniente,   según lo poco que he sentido de tu habla.   Que yo soy dichosa,   si de mi palabra ay necessidad para salud de algún cristiano.   Porque hazer beneficio es semejar a Dios,   y el que le da le recibe,   quando a persona digna dél le hace.   Y demás desto, dizen que el que puede sanar al que padece,   no lo faziendo, le mata.   Assí que no cesses tu petición por empacho ni temor.   MELIBEA.  Good woman, I understand thee not, unless thou deliver thy mind unto me in plain terms.  On the one side thou dost anger me and provoke me to displeasure; on the other thou dost move and stir me to compassion.  Neither know I how to return thee a convenient answer, because I have not fully comprehended thy meaning; I should think myself happy, if my words might save the life of any man,   For to do good is to be like unto de Deity [God}>. Besides he that doth a benefit, receives it, when it is done to a person that desires it.  And he that can cure one that is sick, not doing it, is guilty of his death; and therefore give not over thy petition, but proceed and fear nothing.  
    57. CEL. __ El temor perdí mirando, señora, tu beldad.   Que no puedo creer que en balde pintasse Dios vnos gestos más perfetos   que otros, más dotados de gracias, más hermosas faciones;   sino para fazerlos almazén de virtudes, de misericordia, de compassión,   ministros de sus mercedes y dádiuas, como a ti.   Y pues como todos seamos humanos, nascidos para morir, sea cierto que no se puede dezir nacido el que   para sí nasció.   Porque sería semejante a los brutos animales,   en los quales avn ay algunos piadosos,   como se dize del vnicornio, que se humilla a qualquiera donzella.   El perro con todo su ímpetu y braueza, quando viene a morder,   si se echan en el suelo, no haze mal: esto de piedad.   ¿Pues las aues? Ninguna cosa el gallo come,   que no participe y llame las gallinas a comer dello.   El pelicano rompe el pecho   por dar a sus hijos a comer de sus entrañas. Las cigüeñas mantienen otro tanto tiempo a sus   padres viejos en el nido,   quanto ellos le dieron ceuo siendo pollitos.   Pues tal conoscimiento dio la natura a los animales y aues? CELEST.  All fear fled, fair lady, in beholding your beauty.  For I cannot be persuaded that Nature [God}> did paint in vain one face fairer than another, more enriched with grace more beautiful than another, were it not to make them magazines of virtue, of mercy, compassion ministers of her blessings, of those gifts and graces, which she hath bestowed upon yourself   Besides, sithence we are all mortal and born to die, as also, that it is most certain that be cannot be said truly to be born, who is only born for himself-for then should men be like unto brute beasts, Amongst which there are some, that are very pitiful:  as your unicorn of whom it is reported that he will humble himself at the feet of a virgin; and your dog, for all his fierceness and cruelness when he comes to bite another, if he throw himself down at his feet, he will do him no harm; and this is all out of pity.  Again, to come to your birds your cock eateth not anything, but he first calleth his hens about him, The pelican with her beak breaketh up her own breast, that she may give her very entrails to her young ones to eat. The storks maintain their aged parents
    58. MELIB. __ Por Dios, sin más dilatar, me digas quién es esse doliente,   que de mal tan perplexo se siente,   que su passión y remedio salen de vna misma fuente.   MELIBEA.  For God′s love, without any more dilating tell me who is this sick man, who feeling such great perplexity, hath both his sickness and his cure, flowing from one and the selfsame fountain.  
    59. CEL. __ Bien ternás, señora, noticia en esta cibdad de vn cauallero mancebo,   gentilhombre de clara sangre, que llaman Calisto.   CELEST.  You cannot choose, lady, but know a young gentleman in this city, nobly descended, whose name is Calisto.  
    60. MELIB. __ ¡Ya, ya, ya¡Buena vieja no me digas más, no pases adelante.   ¿Esse es el doliente por quien has fecho tantas premissas en tu demanda?   ¿Por quién has venido a buscar la muerte para ti?   ¿Por quién has dado tan dañosos passos, desuergonçada barvuda?   ¿Qué siente esse perdido, que con tanta passión vienes?   De locura será su mal. ¿Qué te parece? ¡Si me   fallaras sin sospecha desse loco, con qué palabras me entrauas¡   No se dize en vano que el más empezible miembro del mal hombre o muger es la lengua.   ¡Quemada seas, alcahueta falsa, hechizera,   enemiga de onestad, causadora de secretos yerros¡   ¡Jesú, Jesú ¡! Quítamela, Lucrecia, de delante, que me fino,   que no me ha dexado gota de sangre en el cuerpo¡   Bien se lo mereçe esto y más, quien a estas tales da oydos.   Por cierto, si no mirasse a mi honestidad   y por no publicar su osadía desse atreuido,   yo te fiziera, maluada, que tu razón y vida acabaran en vn tiempo.   MELIBEA.  Enough, enough!   No more, good old woman!   not a word more,   Is this the sick patient, for whom thou hast made so many prefaces to come to thy purpose?  Camest thou to seek they death?  Knowest thou for whom, thou bearded impudent, thou hast trodden these dangerous steps?  What ails this wicked one, that thou pleadest for him with such passion?  He is fool-sick, is he not?    What wouldst thou have thought, if thou shouldst have found me without some suspicion and jealousy of this fool?    with what words hast thou come upon me?  I see it is not said in vain that the most hurtful member in a man or woman is the tongue.  I will have thee burned, thou false witch, thou enemy to honesty, thou causeress of secret errors;  !   Lucrecia, out of my sight with her, I die; she hath not left me one drop of blood in my body!   But I well deserve this and more, for giving ear to such As she is.  Believe me, were it not that I regarded mine honour, and that I am unwilling to publish to the world his presumptuous audaciousness and boldness, I would so handle thee, thou accursed hag, that thy discourse and thy life should have ended both together.
    61. CEL. __ ¡En hora mala acá vine, si me falta mi conjuro¡   ¡Ea pues¡: bien sé a quién digo. ¡   Ce, hermano, que se va todo a perder!   CELEST.  In an ill hour came I hither, if my spells and conjuration fail me.  Go to, go to; I wot well enough to whom I speak.  
    62. MELIB. __ ¿Avn hablas entre dientes delante mí,   para acrecentar mi enojo y doblar tu pena?   ¿Querrías condenar mi onestidad por dar vida a vn loco?   ¿Dexar a mi triste por alegrar a él y lleuar tú el prouecho de mi perdición, el galardón   de mi yerro?   ¿Perder y destruyr la casa y la honrra de mi padre   por ganar la de vna vieja maldita como tú?   ¿Piensas que no tengo sentidas tus pisadas y entendido tu dañado mensaje?   Pues yo te certifico que las albricias, que de aquí saques,   no sean sino estoruarte de más ofender a Dios,   dando fin a tus días.   Respóndeme, traydora, ¿ Cómo osaste tanto fazer?   MELIBEA.  Darest thou yet speak before me and mutter words between thy teeth, for to augment my anger and double thy punishment? Wouldst thou have me soil mine honour, for to give life to a madman?  Shall I make myself sad to make him merry?  Wouldst thou thrive by my loss?  And reap profit by my perdition?  And receive remuneration by my error?  Wouldst thou have me overthrow and ruin my father′s house and honour, for to raise that of such an old rotten bawd as thou art?  Dost thou think, I do not track thee step by step?  Or that I understand not thy damnable errand?  But I assure thee, the reward that thou shalt get thereby, shall be no other, save, that I may take from thee all occasion of farther offending heaven, to give an end to thy evil days.  Tell me, traitor as thou art, how didst thou dare to proceed so far with me?  
    63. CEL. __ Tu temor, señora, tiene ocupada mi desculpa.   Mi inocencia me da osadía, tu presencia me turba en verla yrada   y lo que más siento y me pena es recibir enojo sin razón ninguna.   Por Dios, señora, que me dexes concluyr mi dicho,   que ni él quedará culpado ni yo condenada.   Y verás cómo es todo más seruicio de Dios, que passos deshonestos;   más para dar salud al enfermo,   que para dañar la fama al médico.   Si pensara, señora, que tan de ligero hauías de conjecturar de lo passado nocibles sospechas,   no bastara tu licencia para me dar osadía a hablar en cosa,   que a Calisto ni a otro hombre tocasse.   CELEST.  My fear of you, madame, doth interrupt my excuse; but my innocency puts new courage into me:  your presence again disheartens me, in seeing you so angry. But that which grieves and troubles me most, is that I receive displeasure without any reason,   [For God′s love,}> give me leave, good lady, to make an end of my speech, and then will you neither blame it nor condemn me:  then will you see that I rather seek to do [God}> good service, than endeavour any dishonest course; and that I do it more to add health to the patient, than to detract anything from the fame of the physician.  And had I thought that your ladyship would so easily have made this noxious suspicion,  your licence should not have been sufficient warrant to have emboldened me to speak anything, that might concern Calisto, or any other man
    64. MELIB. __ ¡Jesú¡No oyga yo mentar más esse loco, saltaparedes, fantasma de noche, luengo   como cigüeña, figura de paramento malpintado;   sinó, aquí me caeré muerta.   ¡Este es el que el otro día me vido   y començó a desuariar comigo en razones,   haziendo mucho del galán¡   Dirásle, buena vieja, que, si pensó que ya era todo suyo   y quedaua por él el campo,   porque holgué más de consentir sus necedades, que castigar su yerro,   quise más dexarle por loco, que publicar su grande atreuimiento. Pues auísale que se aparte deste propósito y serle ha sano;   sinó, podrá ser que no aya comprado tan cara habla en su vida.   Pues sabe que no es vencido, sino el que se cree serlo,   y yo quedé bien segura y él vfano.   De los locos es estimar a todos los otros de su calidad.   Y tú tórnate con su mesma razón;   que respuesta de mí otra no haurás ni la esperes.   Que por demás es ruego a quien no puede hauer misericordia.   Y dá gracias a Dios, pues tan libre vas desta MELIBEA.  [Iesu}>, let me hear no more of this madman, this leaper over walls; this hobgoblin; long shanked, like a stork; in shape and proportion, like a picture in arras, that is ill wrought; unless you would have me to fall down dead where I stand! This is he who saw me the other day, and began to court me with phrases, professing himself to be a gallant.  Tell him, good old woman, if he think that I was wholly his and that he had won the field, because it pleased me rather to consent to his folly than correct his fault, that I was willing rather to let him go like a fool to publish this his presumptuous enterprise. Moreover, advise him to relinquish his purpose, if he purpose to impart health to himself; which if he refuse to do, never brought words all the days of his life at a dearer rate.  Besides, I would have him know that no man is overcome, but he that thinks himself so to be.  So shall I live secure, and he contented.  But it is evermore the nature of fools, to think others like themselves.  Return thou with this very answer
    65. CEL. __ ¡Más fuerte estaua Troya y avn otras más brauas he yo amansado¡   ninguna tempestad mucho dura.   CELEST.  Troy stood out more stoutly, and held out longer.    No storm lasteth long.  
    66. MELIB. __ ¿Qué dizes, enemiga? Fabla, que te pueda oyr.   ¿Tienes desculpa alguna para satisfazer mi enojo   y escusar tu yerro y osadía?   MELIBEA.  You mine enemy, what say you?  Speak out, I pray, that I may hear you.  Hast thou anything to say in thy excuse, whereby thou mayest satisfy my anger, and clear thyself of this thy error and bold attempt?  
    67. CEL. __ Mientras viuiere tu yra, más dañará mi descargo.   Que estás muy rigurosa y no me marauillo:   que la sangre nueua poca calor ha menester para heruir.   CELEST.  Whilst your choler lives, my cause must needs die.    But [I}> wonder not that you should be thus rigorous with me:  for a little heat will serve to set you blood a boiling.  
    68. MELIB. __ ¿Poca calor?? Poco lo puedes llamar,   pues quedaste tú viua y yo quexosa sobre tan gran atreuimiento?   ¿Qué palabra podías tú querer para esse tal hombre,   que a mí bien me estuuiesse?   Responde, pues dizes que no has concluydo:   ¡Quiçá pagarás lo passado!   MELIBEA.  Little heat, Indeed thou mayest well say little; because thyself yet lives, whilst I with grief endure thy great presumption.  What words canst thou demand of me for such a one as he is, that may stand with my good?  Answer because thou sayest thou has not yet concluded.  And perhaps thou mayest   for that which is past.  
    69. CEL. __ Vna oración, señora, que le dixeron que sabías de sancta Polonia   para el dolor de las muelas.   Assí mismo tu cordón, que es fama que ha tocado todas las reliquias,   que ay en Roma y Jerusalem.   Aquel cauallero, que dixe, pena y muere dellas.   Esta fué mi venida.   Pero, pues en mi dicha estaua tu ayrada respuesta,   padézcase él su dolor, en pago de buscar tan desdichada mensajera. Que, pues en tu mucha   virtud me faltó piedad,   también me faltará agua, si a la mar me embiara.   Pero ya sabes que el deleyte de la vengança dura un momento   y el de la misericordia para siempre.   CELEST.  Marry, a madame, which, as he is informed by many of his good friends, your ladyship hath, [of Saint Appollonia,}> which cureth the toothache; as also that same admirable girdle  of yours,   [For the report goes it hath touched all the relics that are in Rome and Jerusalem.}>  Now this gentleman I told you of, is exceedingly pained with the toothache, and even at death′s door with it.  And this was the cause of my coming:  but since it was my ill hap to receive so harsh And answer, let him still continue in his pain, as a punishment due unto him for sending so unfortunate a messenger.  For since in that muchness of your virtue I have found much of your pity wanting, I fear me he would also want water, should he send me to the sea to fetch it. And you know, that the delight of vengeance endureth but a moment, but that of pity continueth for ever
    70. MELIB. . __ Si esso querías, ¿Por qué luego no me lo espresaste?   ¿Por qué me lo dixiste en tan pocas palabras?   MELIBEA.  It this be that thou wouldst have, why didst thou not tell me of it sooner?    Or why didst thou not deliver it in other words?  
    71. CEL. __ Señora, porque mi limpio motiuo me hizo creer   que, avnque en menos lo propusiera,   no se hauía de sospechar mal.   Que, si faltó el deuido preámbulo,   fué porque la verdad no es necessario abundar de muchas colores.   Compassión de su dolor, confiança de tu magnificencia   ahogaron en mi boca al principio la espresión de la causa.   Y pues conosces, señora, que el dolor turba,   la turbación desmanda y altera la lengua,   la qual hauía de estar siempre atada con el seso,   ¡Por Dios¡Que no me culpes.   Y si el otro yerro ha fecho,   no redunde en mi daño,   pues no tengo otra culpa, sino ser mensajera   del culpado.   No quiebre la soga por lo más delgado.   No seas la telaraña, que no muestra su fuerça sino contra los flacos animales.   No paguen justos por peccadores.   Imita la diuina justicia, que dixo:   El ánima que pecare, aquella misma muera;   a la humana, que jamás condena al padre por el delicto del hijo ni al hijo por el del padre. CELEST.  Because my plain meaning made me believe that, though I should have proposed it in any other words whatsoever, yet would you not have suspected any evil in them.  For, if I were failing in the fitness of my preface it was because truth needeth no colours.  The very compassion that I had of his pain, and the confidence of your maginificency did choke in my mouth, when I first began the expression of the cause.  And for that you know, lady, that sorrow works turbation, and turbation doth disorder and alter the tongue, which ought always to be tied to the brain, for heaven′s [God′s}> love, lay not the fault on me; and if he hath committed and error, let not that redound to my hurt; for I am no farther blameable of any fault, than as I am the messenger of the faulty.  Break not the rope where it is weakest.  Be not like the cobweb. Which never shows its force but on poor little flies. [Let not the righteous be punished for the sinful, but rather imitate that Divine Justice, whose sentence is that the soul which sinneth shall die your death.}>  No human law condemns the father for the son′s offence, nor the son for the father′s; nor indeed, lady, is it any reason, that his presumption should occasion my perdition; though considering his desert, I should not greatly care that he should be the delinquent and myself be
  72. MEL. __ No me marauillo, que vn solo maestro de vicios dizen que basta para corromper vn gran pueblo   Por cierto, tantos y tales loores me han dicho de tus falsas mañas,   que no sé si crea que pedías oración.   MELIBEA.  I now wonder not that your ancients were wont to say that one only teacher of vice was sufficient to mar a great city.  For I have heard such and so many tales of thy false tricks, that I know not whether I may believe thy errand was for this charm.  
    72. CEL. __ Nunca yo la reze y si la rezare no sea oyda,   si otra cosa de mí se saque,   avnque mill tormentos me diessen.   CELEST.  Never let me pray, or if I pray, let me never be heard, if you can draw any other thing from me, though I were to be put to a thousand torments¡  
    73. MELIB. __ Mi passada alteración me impide a reyr de tu desculpa.   Que bien sé que ni juramento ni tormento te torcerá a dezir verdad,   que no es en tu mano.   MELIBEA.  My former late anger will not give me leave to laugh at thy excuse. For I wot very well that neither oath nor torment shall make thee to speak the truth.  For it is not in thy power to do it.  
    74. CEL. __ Eres mi señora. Téngote de callar,   hete yo de seruir, hasme tú de mandar.   Tu mala palabra será víspera de vna saya.   CELEST.  You are my good lady it is my duty to hold my peace; you must command, but your rough language, I hope, will cost your ladyship petticoat.  
    75. MELIB. __ Bien la has merescido.   MELIBEA.  And well hast thou deserved it.  
    76. CEL. __ Si no la he ganado con la lengua,   no la he perdido con la intención.   CELEST.  If I have not gained it with my tongue, I hope I have not lost it with my intention.  
    77. MELIB. __ Tanto afirmas tu ignorancia,   que me hazes creer lo que puede ser. Quiero pues en tu dubdosa desculpa tener la sentencia en   peso  y no disponer de tu demanda al sabor de ligera interpretación.   No tengas en mucho ni te marauilles de mi passado sentimiento,   porque concurrieron dos cosas en tu habla,   que qualquiera dellas era bastante para me sacar de seso:   nombrarme esse tu cauallero, que comigo se atreuió a hablar,   y también pedirme palabra sin más causa,   que no se podía sospechar sino daño para mi honrra.   Pero pues todo viene de buena parte,   de lo passado aya perdón.   Que en alguna manera es aliuiado mi coraçón,   viendo que es obra pía y santa sanar los passionados y enfermos.   MELIBEA.  Thou dost so confidently plead thy ignorance, that thou makest me almost ready to believe thee; yet will I in this thy so doubtful an excuse hold my sentence in suspense, and will not dispose of thy demand upon the relish of so light an interpretation.  Neither would I have thee to think much of it, nor make it any such wonder that I was so exceedingly moved; for two hings did concur in thy discourse, the least  of  which  was sufficient to make me run out  of  my  wits.  First,  in naming this gentleman unto me, who thus  presumed  to  talk  with me: then, that thou shouldst entreat  me  for  him,  without any further cause given; which could  not  but  engender  a strong suspicion of intention  of  hurt  to  my  honour.  But since  all  is  well  meant  I pardon all that is past; for my heart  is now  somewhat lightened, sithence it is a pious and a holy work,  to cure the sick and help the distressed.  
    78. CEL. __ ¡Y tal enfermo, señora¡Por Dios, si bien le conosciesses,   no le juzgasses por el que has dicho y mostrado con tu yra.   En Dios y en mi alma, no tiene hiel;   gracias, dos mill: en franqueza, Alexandre; en esfuerço, Etor;   gesto, de vn rey; gracioso, alegre; jamás reyna en él tristeza.   De noble sangre, como sabes.   gran justador, pues verlo armado, vn Sant George.   Fuerça y esfuerço, no tuuo Ercules tanta.   La presencia y faciones, dispusición, desemboltura,   otra lengua hauía menester para las contar.   Todo junto semeja ángel del cielo.   Por fe tengo que no era tan hermoso aquel gentil Narciso,   que se enamoró de su propia figura,   quando se vido en las aguas de la fuente.   Agora, señora, tiénele derribado vna sola muela   que jamás cessa de quexar.   CELEST.  Ay,  and  so sick, madame,    that,  did you know it as  well  as  I,  you would not judge him the man, which in your anger  you  have censured him to be. By my fay,    the  poor gentleman hath no gall at all,  He is endued  with thousands  of  graces:  for  bounty  he is an Alexander;  for strength  an  Hector; he has the presence of a prince; he is fair  in  his  cariage,  And pleasant    there  is no  melancholy  that reigneth in him; nobly descended, as yourself  well  knows;  a great tilter; and to see him in his  armour,  it  becomes him so well,> that you would take him  to  be  another Saint  George.  Hercules had  not  that  force  and  courage as he hath; his deportment, his person, his feature,  his disposition, his agility  had  need  of  another manner of tongue to express it than mine.  Take  him  all together    And I am verily  persuaded  that  that fair and gentle  Narcissus,  who  was  enamoured  with  his own proper beauty,  when,  he viewed himself in the water, was nothing so fair  as  he, whom now one poor tooth with the extremity  of  its  pain doth so torment, that he doth nothing but complain.  
    79. MELIB. __ ¿Y qué tanto tiempo ha?   MELIBEA. The age, I pray, how long hath he had it?  
    80. CEL. __ Podrá ser, señora, de veynte y tres años:   que aquí está Celestina, que le vido nascer   y le tomó a los pies de su madre.   CELEST.  His  age, madame? Marry, I think he is about  some  three and twenty. For here stands she, who saw him born, and  took him up from his mother′s feet.  
    81. MELIB. __ Ni te pregunto esso ni tengo necessidad de saber su edad;   sino qué tanto ha que tiene el mal.   MELIBEA. This is not that which I ask thee; nor do I care to  know his age. I ask thee how long he hath been troubled with  his toothache?  
    82. CEL. __ Señora, ocho días. Que parece que ha vn año en su flaqueza.   Y el mayor remedio que tiene es tomar vna vihuela  y tañe tantas canciones y tan lastimeras,   que no creo que fueron otras las que compuso aquel Emperador y gran músico Adriano, de la partida del ánima, por sofrir sin desmayo la ya vezina muerte.   Que avnque yo sé poco de música, parece que faze aquella vihuela fablar.   Pues, si acaso canta, de mejor gana se paran las aues a le oyr,   que no aquel antico, de quien se dize que mouía los árboles y piedras con su canto.   Siendo este nascido no alabaran a Orfeo. Mirá, señora, si vna   pobre vieja, como yo,   si se fallará dichosa en dar la vida a quien tales gracias tiene.   Ninguna muger le vee, que no alabe a Dios, que assí le pintó.   Pues, si le habla acaso, no es más señora de sí,   de lo que él ordena.   Y pues tanta razón tengo,   juzgá, señora, por bueno mi propósito,   mis passos saludables y vazíos de sospecha.   CELEST. Some eight days, madame, but you would think he  had  had  it  a  year,  he  is grown so weak  with  it, and  the  greatest  ease and> best remedy he hath, is to  take  his  viol,  whereto he sings so many songs, and in such  doleful  notes, that I verily believe they did far exceed those which  that  great emperor and musician Hadrian composed  conerning  the  soul′s  departure from the body, the better  to  endure  without dismayment his approaching death. For, though I have  but  little  skill  in music, methinks he  makes  the  viol,  when  he  plays  thereon,> to speak; and  when  he  sings  thereunto, the birds with a better will listen unto him than  to  that musician of old, which made the trees and stones to  move.  Had  he  been  born then, Orpheus    lost  his  prey> whose hand did draw so perfect a piece; and, if it be  their  hap to talk with him, they are no more mistresses  of  themselves,  but  are  wholly at his  disposing;    Wherefore,  seeing  I  have so great reason  conceive,  good lady, my purpose to be  honest, my courses  commendable and free from suspicion   
    83. MELIB. __ ¡O quánto me pesa con la falta de mi paciencia¡Porque siendo él ignorante y tú ynocente, haués padescido las alteraciones de   mi ayrada lengua.   Pero la mucha razón me relieua de culpa, la qual tu habla sospechosa causó.   En pago de tu buen sofrimiento, quiero complir tu demanda y darte luego mi cordón.   y porque para escriuir la oración no haurá tiempo sin que venga mi madre,   si esto no bastare, ven mañana por ella muy secretamente.   MELIBEA. O how I am fallen out with mine own impatience¡How  angry  with myself that, he being ignorant and thou innocent  of  any  intended  ill,>  thou hast  endured  the  distemperature of my enraged tongue! But the great reason  I  had  for  it,> frees me from any fault of offence,  urged  thereunto by thy suspicious speeches: but in requital of thy  sufferance, I will forthwith fulfil thy request and likewise  give  thee  my  girdle. And, because I have not  leisure  to  write the charm, till my mother comes home, if this will not  serve the turn, come secretly for it tomorrow morning.  
    84. LUCR. __ ¡Ya, ya, perdida es mi ama¡   ¿Secretamente quiere que venga Celestina?   ¡Fraude ay¡Más le querrá dar, que lo dicho!   LUCRECIA.  Now, now, is my mistress quite undone.  she will  have  Celestina  come  secretly  tomorrow. I smell a rat;  I  fear  me  she will part with something more than words.  
    85. MELIB. __ ¿Qué dizes, Lucrecia?   MELIBEA. What sayest thou, Lucrecia?  
    86. LUCR. __ Señora, que baste lo dicho; que es tarde.   LUCRECIA. Marry, I say, madame, you have worded well. For it  is now somewhat late.  
    87. MELIB. __ Pues, madre, no le des parte de lo que passó a esse cauallero,   porque no me tenga por cruel o arrebatada o deshonesta.   MELIBEA.  I  pray, mother, say nothing to this gentleman  of  what hath passed  lest he should hold  me either cruel, sudden, or dishonest.  
    88. LUCR. __ No miento yo, que ¡Mal va este fecho!   LUCRECIA. I did not lie even now; I see well enough how  ill  the world goes.  
    89. CEL. __ Mucho me marauillo, señora Melibea, de la dubda que tienes de mi secreto.   No temas, que todo lo sé sofrir y encubrir.   Que bien veo que tu mucha sospecha echó, como suele, mis razones a la más triste parte.   Yo voy con tu cordón tan alegre, que se me figura que está   diziéndole allá su coraçón la merced, que nos hiziste   y que lo tengo de hallar aliuiado.   CELEST.  Madame, I much marvel you should entertain any  the  least  doubt of my service. Fear you not; for I  can  suffer  and  cover  anything: and I well perceive that  your  great  jealousy and suspicion of me made you (as commonly it  doth)  to  interpret my speeches to the worst sense. Well,  I  will  take  my leave, and go hence with this girdle so merrily  as  if  I did presently see his heart leaping for you, that  you  have  graced him with  A kindness; and  I  doubt  not but I shall find him much eased of his pain.  
    90. MELIB. __ Más haré por tu doliente,   si menester fuere, en pago de lo sofrido.   MELIBEA. I will do more for your sick patient than this,  if  need require, in requital of your great patience.  
    91. CEL. __ Más será menester y más harás y avnque no se te agradezca.   CELEST. We shall need more, and you must do more than  this,  though  perhaps you will not so well like of it, and  scarce  thank us for it.  
    92. MELIB. __ ¿Qué dizes, madre, de agradescer?   MELIBEA. Mother, what′s that thou talkest of thanks?  
     93. CEL. __ Digo, señora, que todos lo agradescemos   y seruirémos y todos quedamos obligados.   Que la paga más cierta es, quando más la tienen de complir.   CELEST.  Marry I say, madame, that we both give you  thanks,  that  we  are  both  at your service, and rest both  deeply  indebted  And that the payment is there  most certain, where the party is most bound to satisfy.  
     94. LUCR. __ ¡Trastrócame essas palabras!   LUCRECIA.  What chop-logic have we  here? 
    95. CEL. __ ¡Hija Lucrecia¡Ce¡Yrás a casa y darte he vna lexía,   con que pares essos cavellos más que el oro.   No lo digas a tu señora.   Y avn darte he vnos poluos para quitarte esse olor de la boca, que te huele vn poco,   que en el reyno no lo sabe fazer otra sino yo y no ay cosa que peor en la muger parezca.   CELEST. Daughter Lucrecia, hold thy peace;    If  tomorrow I may see thee at my house, I will  give  thee  such a lye as shall make thy hair as yellow  as  gold;  but  tell  not your mistress of it. Thou shalt also  have  a  powder of me to sweeten thy breath, which is a little of the  strongest. There is not any in this kingdom that can make it  but myself. And there is not anything in a woman that can be  worse   
    96. LUCR. __¡O¡Dios te dé buena vejez, que más necessidad tenía de todo esso que de comer.   LUCRECIA.  A  blessing on your aged heart; for I have  more  need of this than of my meat.  
     97. CEL. __ Pues, porqué murmuras contra mí,   loquilla? Calla,   que no sabes si me aurás menester en cosa de más importancia.   No prouoques a yra a tu señora, más de lo que ella ha estado.   Déxame yr en paz.   CELEST.  And  yet,  you  fool, you  will  be  talking   against me. Hold thy peace; for thou know′st  not  what  need  thou  mayest have of me. Do not exasperate  your  mistress  and make her more angry now than she  was  before.  But let me go hence in peace.  
    98. MELIB. __ ¿Qué le dizes, madre?   MELIBEA. What sayest thou  mother?  
    99. CEL. __ Señora acá nos entendemos.   CELEST. Nothing, madame, we have done already.  
    100. MELIB. __ Dímelo que me enojo quando yo presente se habla cosa de que no aya parte.   MELIBEA. Nay, you must tell me  for  I  cannot  abide  that anybody should speak anything  in  my  presence,  and  I  not have a part therein.   
    101. CEL. __ Señora, que te acuerde la oración, para que la mandes escriuir   y que aprenda de mí a tener mesura en el tiempo de tu yra,   en la qual yo vsé lo que se dize:   que del ayrado es de apartar por poco tiempo, del enemigo por mucho.   Pues tú, señora, tenías yra con lo que sospechaste de mis palabras, no enemistad.   Porque, avnque fueran las que tú pensauas, en sí no eran malas:   que cada día hay hombres penados por mugeres y mugeres por hombres, y esto obra la natura y la natura ordenóla Dios y Dios   no hizo cosa mala.   Y assí quedaua mi demanda, como quiera que fuesse, en sí loable,   pues de tal tronco procede, y yo libre de pena.   Más razones destas te diría,   si no porque la prolixidad es enojosa al que oye y dañosa al que habla.   CELEST. I entreated her to put your ladyship in mind of  the  charm, that it might be writ out  And  that  she should learn of me to temper herself in the time of your  anger,  putting her in mind of that ancient adage, `From  an  angry  man get thee gone but for a while, but from an  enemy  for  ever.′  But  you, madame, had only a quarrel  to  those  words  of mine which you suspected, and not any enmity    And say they had been such as  you conceited  them, yet were they not so bad  For it is every day′s experience to see men pained  and tormented for women, and women as much for men. And this  Nature  worketh, and Nature, you know,    works nothing that is ill: so that my demand, you see,  was,  as  my  desire  was it should be, in itself commendable,  as  having its growth from so good a root. Many the like reasons  could I render you, were not prolixity tedious to the hearer  and hurtful to the speaker.  
    102. MELIB. __ En todo has tenido buen tiento,   assí en el poco hablar en mi enojo,   como con el mucho sofrir.   MELIBEA. Thou hast shown a great deal of temper, as well  in  saying  little, when thou saw′st me angry, as  also in  thy  great  sufferance.  
    103. CEL. __ Señora, sofrite con temor, porque te ayraste con razón.   Porque con la yra morando poder, no es sino rayo.   Y por esto passé tu rigurosa habla hasta que tu almazén houiesse gastado.   CELEST. Madame, I endured your chiding with fear, because  I  knew you were angry with reason. Besides, a fit of anger  is  but  like  a  flash  of lightning; which made me  the  more  willing to give way, till your heat were overpast.  
    104. MELIB. __ En cargo te es esse cauallero.   MELIBEA.  This  gentleman is beholding unto  you,  
    105. CEL. __ Señora, más merece. Y si algo con mi ruego para él he alcançado,   con la tardança lo he dañado.   Yo me parto para él, si licencia me das.   CELEST.  Not  so,  madame;  his  deserts  challenge more at my hands. And if by my entreaties  I  have done him any good, I fear me, by my over-long stay I  have  done him as much harm. And therefore if your  ladyship  will license me, I will haste to see how he does.  
    106. MELIB. __ Mientra más ayna la houieras pedido,   más de grado la houieras recabdado.   Ve con Dios, que ni tu menssaje me ha traydo prouecho ni tu yda me puede venir daño.   MELIBEA.  Hadst thou spoke for it sooner, sooner hadst  thou  been  sped.  Go thy ways,  thy  message  being  as  bootless as thy departure shall be harmless.  







                  
ACTO V

Sumario: CELESTINA, andando por el camino, habla consigo misma fasta llegar a la puerta de PLEBERIO, onde hallo a LUCRECIA, criada de PLEBERIO. Ponese con ella en razones. Sentidas por ALISA, madre de MELIBEA, y sabido que es CELESTINA, fazela entrar en casa. Viene un mensajero a llamar a ALISA. Vase. Queda CELESTINA en casa con MELIBEA y le descubre la causa de su venida.  

ACTUS V  

The Argument:    CELESTINA, having taken her leave of Melibea, trudges  along  the street mumbling  to herself. Being come  home,  there  she found Sempronio, who stayed expecting  her  return.  They  go both talking together, till they  come  to  Calisto′s house. And being espied by Parmeno, he tells it to  his master, who wills him to open the door.   Interlocutors:    Celestina, Sempronio, Parmeno,  CALISTO.  

    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,   







ACTO VI

Sumario: Entrada CELESTINA en casa de CALISTO con grande aficion y desseo, CALISTO le pregunta de lo que le ha acontescidon con MELIBEA. Mientras ellos estan hablando, PARMENO, oyendo fablar a CELESTINA de su parte contra SEMPRONIO, a cada razon le pone un mote reprendiendolo SEMPRONIO. En fin la vieja CELESTINA le descubre todo lo negociado y un cordon de MELIBEA. Y despedida de CALISTO, vase para su casa y con ella PARMENO.  

ACTUS VI 

The Argument:    CELESTINA being entred Calisto′s house, Calisto with  great affection and earnestnesse, demandeth of her, what  had happened betwixt her and MELIBEA?  While they  continue talking together, Parmeno hearing Celestina  speak wholy for her selfe, and her owne private  profit, turning himself towards Sempronio, at every  word he gives her a nip, for the which he is  reprehended by Sempronio.  In the end, old Celestina discovers to Calisto all the  whole business, and shows him the girdle she brought from MELIBEA.   And so taking her leave of Calisto, she gets her home  to her own house, taking Parmeno along with her. Interlocutors:  Calisto, Celestina, Parmeno, Sempronio  

    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.  







ACTO VII

Sumario: CELESTINA habla con PARMENO, induziendole a concordia y amistad de SEMPRONIO. Trahele PARMENO a memoria la promessa que le fiziera de le hazer haver a AREUSA, quel mucho amava. Vanse a la casa de AREUSA. Queda ai la noche PARMENO. CELESTINA va para su casa; llama a la puerta. Elicia le viene abrir increpandole su tardana.  

ACTUS VII   

The Argument:    CELESTINA talks with Parmeno, inducing him to concord, and amity with Sempronio; Parmeno puts her in mind of  the promise she made him, for the having of Areusa, whom he exceedingly loved. They go to Areusa′s house,  where that night Parmeno remained. Celestina hies her home, to her own house; and knocking at the door, Elicia opens it unto her, blaming her for her tarrying so long.

Interlocutors: Celestina, Parmeno, Areusa, Elicia.  

    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.  







ACTO VIII

Sumario: La mañana viene. Despierta PARMENO. Despedido de AREUSA, va para casa de CALISTO, su seor. Fallo a la puerta a SEMPRONIO. Conciertan su amistad. Van juntos a la camara de CALISTO. Hallanle hablando consigo mismo. Levantado, va a la yglesia.  

ACTUS VIII

The day appears; Parmeno departs, and takes his leave of Areusa, and goes to his master Calisto.  He finds Sempronio at the door; they enter into amity, go jointly to Calisto′s chamber; they find him talking with himself; being risen, he goes to church. Interlocutors:   Parmeno, Areusa, Calisto, Sempronio  

    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.  







ACTO IX

Sumario: Sumario: SEMPRONIO y PARMENO van a casa de CELESTINA entre si hablando. Llegados alla, hallan a ELICIA Y AREUSA. Ponense a comer; entre comer rintilde;e ELICIA con SEMPRONIO. Levantase de la mesa. Tornanla apaziguar. Estando ellos todos entre si razonando, viene LUCRECIA, criada de MELIBEA, llamar a CELESTINA que vaya a estar con MELIBEA.  

ACTUS IX   

The Argument: SEMPRONIO and Parmeno go talking each with other to Celestina′s house; being come thither, the find there Elicia and AREUSA. They sit down to dinner; being at dinner, Elicia and Sempronio fall out; being risen from table, they grow friends again.  In the meanwhile comes Lucrecia, servant to Melibea, to call Celestina to come and speak with MELIBEA.   Interlocutors:   Sempronio, Parmeno, Celestina, Elicia, Areusa, Lucrecia. 

    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.







ACTO X

Sumario: Mientra andan CELESTINA y LUCRECIA por camino, sta hablando MELIBEA consigo misma. Llegan a la puerta; entra LUCRECIA primero. Haze entrar a CELESTINA. MELIBEA, despues de muchas razones, descubre a CELESTINA arder en amor de CALISTO. Veen venir a ALISA, madre de MELIBEA. Despidense den uno. Pregunta ALISA a MELIBEA de los negocios de CELESTI. Defendiole su mucha conversacion.  

ACTUS X  

The Argument: WHILEST Celestina and Lucrecia go onward on their way, Melibea talks, and discourses with herself.  Being come to the door, first enters Lucrecia, anon after, causes Celestina to come in.  Melibea, after some exchange of words, opens her mind to Celestina, telling her how fervently she was fallen in love with CALISTO.  They spy Alisa, Melibea′s mother coming; they take their leave each of other.  Alisa asks her daughter Melibea, what business she had with Celestina?  And what she made there? Dissuading her from conversing with her, and forbidding her, her company. Interlocutors:     Melibea, Celestina, Alisa, Lucrecia.

   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.  







ACTO XI

Sumario: Despedida CELESTINA de MELIBEA, va por la calle sola hablando. Vee a SEMPRONIO y PARMENO que van a la Madalena por su sentilde;or. SEMPRONIO habla con CALISTO. Sobreviene CELESTINA. Van a casa de CALISTO. Declarale CELESTINA su mensaje y negocio recaudado con MELIBEA. Mientra ellos en essas razones estan, PARMENO y SEMPRONIO entre si hablan. Despidese CELESTINA de CALISTO, va para su casa, llama a la puerta. ELICIA le viene a abrir. Cenan y vanse a dormir.  

ACTUS XI  

The Argument:    CELESTINA having taken her leave of Melibea, goes  mumbling  and talking along the streets to her selfe.   Shee espies Sempronio and Parmeno, who are going to  Saint  Marie Magdalens to looke out their master. Sempronio talkes with Calisto; in the meane while comes  in Celestina.  They go all to Calisto′s house.   Celestina delivereth her message, and the means for  their meeting appointed by  MELIBEA.  In the interim that Celestina and Calisto are discoursing together,  Sempronio and Parmeno fall a talking betweene  themselves; Celestina takes her leave of Calisto, and  gets her home to her owne house.  She knocks at the  doore; Elicia opens it unto her.  They sup, and then goe to take their rest. Interlocutors:     Celestina, Sempronio, Calisto, Parmeno, ELICIA.  

   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?  

CALISTO.  Oh!   what doe I hear? 

   14. CEL. __ Que es más tuya que de si misma;   más está a tu mandato y querer que de su padre Pleberio. 

CELEST.  Nay, shee is more yours than her owne: more at your service and  command than of her father PLEBERIO.  

   15. CAL. __ Habla cortés, madre, no digas tal cosa,   que dirán estos moços que estás loca.   Melibea es mi señora, Melibea es mi Dios,   Melibea es mi vida; yo su catiuo, yo su sieruo.  

CALISTO.  Speake softly (good mother) take heede what you say; let not my men heare you, lest they should call thee foole.  Melibea is my mistresse, Melibea is my desire, Melibea is my life, I am her sevant, I am her slave.

   16. SEMP. __ Con tu desconfiança, señor, con tu poco preciarte, con tenerte en poco,   hablas essas cosas con que atajas su razón.   A todo el mundo turbas diziendo desconciertos.   ¿De qué te santiguas? Dale algo por su trabajo:   harás mejor, que esso esperan essas palabras.  

SEMPR.  Good Sir, with this distrustfulnesse of yours, with this undervalewing of your selfe, you intersert such doubts, as cut off Celestina, in the midst of her discourse; you would tire out a whole world with your disordered, and confused interruptions.  Why doe you crosse and blesse your selfe?  Why do you keep such a wondring?  It were better you would give her some thing for her paines.  For these words are worthy better payment, and expect no lesse at your hands.

   17. CAL. __ Bien has dicho. Madre mia,   yo sé cierto que jamás ygualará tu trabajo y mi liuiano galardón.   En lugar de manto y saya, porque no se dé parte a oficiales,   toma esta cadenilla, ponla al cuello   y procede en tu razón y mi alegría.  

CALISTO.  Well hast thou spoken; deare mother, I wot full well, that my small reward can no waies reward your paines; but in stead of a gowne and a kirtle (because Tradesmen shall not share with you) take this little chaine, pit it about you necke, and goe on with your discourse, and my joy.

   18. PARM. __ ¿Cadenilla la llama?? No lo oyes, Sempronio? No estima el gasto. Pues yo te certifico   no diesse mi parte por medio marco de oro,   por mal que la vieja lo reparta.  

PARM.  Call you that a little chaine?  Heard you him, Sempronio?  This Spend-thrift makes no reckoning of it; but I assure you, I will not give my part thereof for halfe a Marke of gold, let her share it never so ill.

   19. SEMP. __ Oyrte ha nuestro amo,   ternemos en él que amansar y en ti que sanar,   según está inchado de tu mucho murmurar.   Por mi amor, hermano, que oygas y calles,   que por esso te dio Dios dos oydos y vna lengua sola.  

SEMPR.  Peace, I say, for should my Master have overheard you, you should have had worke enough, to pacifie him, and to cure your selfe; So offended is he already with your continuall murmuring.  As you love me (brother) heare, and hold your peace; for to this end, thou hast two eares, and but one tongue.

   20. PARM. __ ¡Oyrá el diablo¡Está colgado de la boca de la vieja,   gordo y mudo y ciego, hecho personaje sin son,   que, avnque le diésemos higas, diría que alçáuamos las manos a Dios,   rogando por buen fin de sus amores.  

PARM.  He hath hang?d himselfe so fast to that old womans mouth, that hee is both deafe, dumbe and blind, like a body without a soule, or a bell without a clapper; insomuch, that if wee should point at him scornefully with our fingers, he would say, We lifted up our hands to heaven, imploring his happy successe in his love.

   21. SEMP. __ Calla, oye, escucha bien a Celestina.   En mi alma, todo lo merece y más que le diese. Mucho dize. 

SEMPR.  Peace, hearken, listen well unto Celestina.  On my soule, shee deserves it all, and more too, had he given it her.  She speakes wonders.

   22. CEL. __ Señor Calisto, para tan flaca vieja como yo, de mucha franqueza vsaste.   Pero, como todo don o dádiua se juzgue grande   o chica respecto del que lo da, no quiero traer a consequencia mi   poca merecer;   ante quien sobra en qualidad y en quantidad.   Mas medirse ha con tu magnificencia, ante quien no es nada.   En pago de la qual te restituyo tu salud, que yua perdida;   tu coraçón, que te faltaua; tu seso, que se alteraua.   Melibea pena por ti más que tú por ella,   Melibea te ama y dessea ver,   Melibea piensa más horas en tu persona que en la suya,   Melibea se llama tuya y esto tiene por título de libertad   y con esto amansa el fuego, que más que a ti la quema.  

CELEST.  Noble Calisto, to such a poore weake old woman as my selfe, you have shewed your selfe exceeding franke and liberall; but as every gift is esteemed great, or little, in regard of him that gives it, I will not therefore compare therewith my small desert, which it surpasseth both in qualitie and quantitie; but rather measure it with you magnificence, before which it is nothing.  In requitall whereof, I restore unto thee thy health, which was upon losing; they heart, which was upon fainting; and thy wits, which were upon turning.  Melibea is pained more for you, then you for her: Melibea loves you, and desires to see you: Melibea calls her selfe thine; and this shee holds as a Title of libertie, and with this, shee allayes that fire, which burnes more in her, then thy selfe. 

   23. CAL. __ ¿Moços, estó yo aquí?? moços, oygo yo esto?   moços, mirá si estoy despierto.   ¿Es de día o de noche?   ¡O señor Dios, padre celestial¡! Ruégote que esto no sea sueño¡Despierto, pues, estoy¡   Si burlas, señora, de mí por me pagar en palabras, no temas, di verdad,   que para lo que tú de mí has recebido, más merecen tus passos.  

CALISTO.  You my servants; Am I heere?  Heare I this?  Looke whether I am awake or not.  Is it day, or is it night?  O thou great God of heaven, I bessech thee, this may not proove a dreame; Sure, I doe not sleepe; mee thinkes I am fully awake.  Tell mee, mother, dost thou make sport with mee, in paying me with words?  Feare nothing, but tell mee the truth; for thy going to and fro deserveth a great deale more then this.

   24. CEL. __ Nunca el coraçón lastimado de deseo toma la buena nueua por cierta ni la mala por dudosa;   pero, si burlo o si no, verlo has yendo esta noche,   según el concierto dexo con ella, a su casa,   en dando el relox doze, a la hablar por entre las puertas.   De cuya boca sabrás más por entero mi solicitud y su desseo   y el amor que te tiene y quién lo ha causado.  

CELEST.  The heart, that is wounded with desire, never entertaineth good nnewes for certaine; nor bad for doubtfull.  But whether I jest, or no; your selfe shall see, by going this night to her house (her selfe having agreed with mee about the time) appointing to you to be just there at the clocke strikes twelve, that you may talke together throw the chinks of the doore; for whose owne mouth, you shall fully know my sollicitude, and her desire, and the love which shee beares unto you, and who hath caused it.

   25. CAL. __ Ya, ya, ¿Tal cosa espero?   ¿Tal cosa es possible hauer de passar por mí? Muerto soy de   aquí allá, no soy capaz de tanta gloria,   no merecedor de tan gran merced,   no digno de fablar con tal señora de su voluntad y grado.  

CALISTO.  It is enough; Is it possible, I should hope for so great a happinesse?  Can so great a blessing liht upon Calisto?  I dye till that houre come.  I am not capable of so great a glory.  I doe not deserve so great a favour, nor am I worthy to speake with so faire a Lady, who of her owne free-will, should affoord mee so great a grace.

   26. CEL. __ Siempre lo oy dezir,   que es más difícile de sofrir la próspera fortuna que la aduersa:   que la vna no tiene sosiego y la otra tiene consuelo.   ¿Cómo, señor Calisto, y no mirarías quién tú eres?   ¿No mirarías el tiempo que has gastado en su seruicio?   ¿No mirarías a quién has puesto entremedias?   ¿Y asimismo que hasta agora siempre as estado dudoso de la alcançar y tenías sofrimiento?   agora que te certifico el fin de tu penar ¿ Quieres poner fin a tu vida?   mira, mira que está Celestina de tu parte   y que, avnque todo te faltasse lo que en vn enamorado se requiere,  te vendería por el más acabado galán del mundo,   que te haría llanas las peñas para andar, que te faría las más crescidas aguas corrientes   pasar sin mojarte.   Mal conoces a quien das tu dinero.  

CELEST.  I have often heard, that it is harder to suffer prosperous, then adverse fortune; because the one hath never any quietude, and the other still taketh comfort.  It is strange, Sir, that you will not consider who you are, nor the time that you have spent in her service; nor the person whome you have made to be your meanes: And likewise, that hitherto, thou hast ever beene in doubt of having her, and yet didst still endure all with patience; and now, that I doe certifie unto thee the end of thy torment, wilt thou put an end to thy life?  Consider, consider, I pray, with thy selfe, that Celestina is on thy side; and that although all should be wanting unto thee, which in a Lover were to be required, I would sell thee for the complete gallant of the world; for I would make for thee mountaines of most craggy rocks, to grow plaine, and smooth.  Nay, more, I would make thee to goe thorow the deepest channell, or the highest swelling sea, without wetting of thy foot: you know not on whom you have bestowed your Largesse.

   27. CAL. __ ¡Cata, señora¡? Qué me dizes?? Que verná de su grado?  

CALISTO.  Remember your selfe, mother, did you not tell me, that shee would come to mee of her owne accord?

   28. CEL. __ Y avn de rodillas.  

CELEST.  Yes, and that upon her very knees.

   29. SEMP. __ No sea ruydo hechizo, que nos quieran tomar a manos a todos.   Cata, madre, que assí se suelen dar las çaracas en pan embueltas,   porque no las sienta el gusto.  

SEMPR. Pray heaven it be not a false alarme; one thing rumord, another purpose: It may be a false fire-worke, to blow us all up.  I feare mee, it is a false traine, a made match, and a trappe purposely set to catch us all.  Bethinke your selfe, mother, that so men use to give crooked pinnes wrapt up in bread; poysonsome pilles roll?d up in Suger, that they may not be seene and perceived.  

   30. PARM. __ Nunca te oy dezir mejor cosa.   mucha sospecha me pone el presto conceder de aquella señora   y venir tan ayna en todo su querer de Celestina,   engañando nuestra voluntad con sus palabras dulces y prestas   por hurtar por otra parte, como hazen los de Egypto quando el signo nos catan en la mano.   Pues alahé, madre, con dulces palabras están muchas injurias vengadas.   El manso boyzuelo con su blando cencerrar trae las perdizes a la red;   el canto de la serena engaña los simples marineros con su dulçor.   assí ésta con su mansedumbre y concessión presta querrá tomar vna manada de nosotros a su saluo;   purgará su innocencia con la honrra de Calisto y con nuestra muerte. assí   como corderica mansa que mama su madre y la ajena,   ella con su segurar tomará la vengança de Calisto en todos nosotros,   de manera que con la mucha gente que tiene, podrá caçar a padres y hijos en vna nidada   y tú estarte rascando a tu fuego, diziendo: a saluo está el que repica.  

PARM.  I never heard thee speake better in my life: the sudden yeelding of this Lady, and he so speedy consenting to all that Celestina would have her, ingenders a strong suspition within mee; and makes me to feare, that deceiving our will with her sweet and ready words, she will rob us on the wrong side, as your Gypsies use to doe, when they looke in our hands to tell us our fortunes.  Besides, mother, it is an old saying: that with faire words, amny worngs are revenged: and the counterfet stalking horse, which is made but of Canvasse, with his dissembled gate, and the alluring sound of the tinckling of a belle, drivies the Partridges into the net: the songs Syrens deceive the simple Mariner with the sweetnesse of their voices: Even so, shee with herexceeding kindness, and sudden concession of her love, will seaze hand-smooth on a whole drove of us at once, and purge her innocency with Calisto?s honour, and our deaths: Being like heerein to the teatling Lambe, which suckes both her damm?s teat, and that of another Ewe.  Shee by securing us, will be revenged both of Calisto, and all of us; so that with the great number of people which they have in the house, they may catch up both the old ones and the young one together in the nest, whilest shee shrugging and rubbing her selfe by the fire side, may safely say, Hee is out of gun-shot, that rings the bell to the battell.

   31. CAL. __ ¡Callad, locos, vellacos, sospechosos! Parece que days a entender que los ángeles sepan hazer mal.   Sí, que Melibea ángel dissimulado es, que viue entre nosotros. 

CALISTO.  Peace, you Knaves, you Villaines, you suspitious Rascalls, will you make mee beleeve that Angels can doe ought that is ill?  I tell you, Melibea is but a dissembled Angell, that lives heere amongst us. 

   32. SEMP. __ ¿Todauía te buelues a tus eregías? Escúchale, Pármeno.   No te pene nada, que, si fuere trato doble, él lo pagará,   que nosotros buenos pies tenemos.  

SEMPR.  What? will you still play the Hereticke?  Harken to him, Parmeno; but take thou no care at all; let it not trouble thee.  For, if there be any double dealing, or that the play prove foule, he shall pay for all; for our feete be good, and wee will betake us to our heeles.

   33. CEL. __ Señor, tú estás en lo cierto; vosotros cargados de sospechas vanas.   Yo he hecho todo lo que a mí era a cargo. Alegre te dexo. Dios te libre y aderece. Pártome muy contenta. Si fuere menester para esto o para más, allí estoy muy aparejada a tu seruicio.  

CELEST.  Sir, you are in the right, and these in the wrong; over-lading their thoughts with vaine suspitions and jealousies; I have done all that I was injoyned: and do I leave you to your joyes.  Good Angels defend you and direct you: as for my selfe, I am very well satisfied.  And if you shall have further occasion to use mee, eyther in this particular, or any thing else, you shall finde mee ever ready to doe you the best service I can.

   34. PARM. __ ¡Hi¡hi¡hi!  

PARM.  Ha, ha, he.  

   35. SEMP. __ ¿De qué te ríes, por tu vida, Pármeno?  

SEMPR.  I pray thee, why dost thou laugh?  

   36. PARM. __ De la priessa que la vieja tiene por   yrse.  No vee la hora que hauer despegado la cadena de casa.   No puede creer que la tenga en su poder   ni que se la han dado de verdad.   No se halla digna de tal don, tan poco como Calisto de Melibea. 

PARM.  To see what haste the old Trot makes to be gone: shee thinkes every houre a yeere, till shee be gone  cleare away with the chaine; she cannot perswade her selfe, that it is as yet sure inough in her hands; for shee knowes, that she is as little worthy of that chaine, as  Calisto is of his MELIBEA.  

    37. SEMP. __ ¿Qué quieres que haga vna puta alcahueta,   que sabe y entiende lo que nosotros nos callamos   y suele hazer siete virgos por dos monedas,   después de verse cargada de oro, sino ponerse en saluo con la possessión,   con temor no se la tornen a tomar,   después que ha complido de su parte aquello para que era menester? ¡Pues guárdese del diablo, que sobre el partir no le saquemos el alma!  

SEMPR.  What would you have such an old whorish Bawd as she, to doe? who knowes and understands that which wee silence and keepe secret, and useth to patch up seven Virginities at a clap for two pieces of Silver: And now, that shee sees her selfe to be laden with gold, what, I say, would you have her to doe, but to make it safe and sure, by taking possession thereof, for feare lest hee should take it from her againe, after that hee hath had his desire?  But let us beware of the Divell, and take heede that wee goe not together by the eares, when wee come to devide the spoyle.

   38. CAL. __ Dios vaya contigo, madre. Yo quiero dormir y reposar vn rato para satisfazer a las passadas noches y complir con la por venir.  

CALISTO.  Mother, fare you well, I will lay mee downe to sleepe, and rest my selfe a while, that I may redeeme the nights past, and satisfie the better for that, which is to come.

   39. CEL. __ Tha, tha.  

CELEST.  Tha, ta, ta.  

   40. ELIC. __ ¿Quién llama?  

ELICIA.  Who knockes?  

   41. CEL. __ Abre, hija Elicia.  

CELEST.  Daughter Elicia, open the doore.  

   42. ELIC. __ ¿Cómo vienes tan tarde? No lo deues hazer, que eres vieja; tropeçarás donde caygas y mueras.  

ELICIA.  How chance you come so late?  It is not well done of you (being an old woman as you are) for you may hap to stumble, where you may so fall, that it may be your death.  

   43. CEL. __ No temo esso, que de día me auiso por   donde venga de noche.   Que jamás me subo por poyo ni calçada, sino por medio de la calle.   Porque, como dizen: no da passo seguro quien corre por el muro   y que aquél va más sano que anda por llano.   Más quiero ensuziar mis zapatos con el lodo que ensangrentar las tocas y los cantos.   Pero no te duele a ti en esse lugar.  

CELEST.  I fear not that (wrench:) For I  consult with my selfe in the day, which way I shall goe  in the night; for I never goe neere any  bridge,  bench, pit or Causey:  for (as it is in the Proverbe) He goes not safe, nor never shall, who goes too close  unto the wall: And hee goes still most safe and sound,  whose steps are plaste on plainest ground: and I had  rather foule my shooes with durt, than be-bloody my  Kerchiefe  at every walls corner.  But does it not grieve thee to be heere?  

   44. ELIC. __ ¿Pues qué me ha de doler?  

ELICIA.  Why should it grieve mee?  

   45. CEL. __ Que se fue la compaqía que te dexé, y quedaste sola.  

CELEST.  Because the company I left heere with you, is gone, and you are all alone.  

   46. ELIC. __ Son passadas quatro horas después ¿Y hauíaseme de acordar desso?  

ELICIA.  It is some foure hours agoe, since they went hence; and would you have mee to thinke on that  now?  

   47. CEL. __ Quanto más presto te dexaron, más con razón lo sentiste.   Pero dexemos su yda y mi tardança. Entendamos en cenar y dormir.  

CELEST.  Indeed the sooner they left you, the  more reason you had to thinke thereon; but let us leave  to talke of their speedy going, and of my long staying,  and let us first provide for our supper, and then for  our sleepe.







 

ACTO XII

Sumario: Llegando medianoche, CALISTO, SEMPRONIO y PARMENO, armados, van para casa de MELIBEA. LUCRECIA y MELIBEA estan cabe la puerta, aguardando a CALISTO. Viene CALISTO. Hablale primero LUCRECIA. Llama a MELIBEA. Apartase LUCRECIA. Hablanse por entre las puertas MELIBEA y CALISTO. PARMENO y SEMPRONIO de su cabo departen. Oyen gentes por la calle. Apercibense para huyr. Despidese CALISTO de MELIBEA, dexando concertada la tornada para la noche siguiente. PLEBERIO, al son del ruydo que havia en la calle, despiertase. Llama a su muger, ALISA. Pregunta a MELIBEA quien da patadas en su camara. Responde MELIBEA a su padre, PLEBERIO, fingendo que tenia sed. CALISTO con sus criados va para su casa hablando. Echase a dormir. PARMENO y SEMPRONIO van a casa de CELESTINA. Demandan su parte de la ganancia. Dissimula CELESTINA. Vienen a rentilde;ir. Echanle mano a CELESTINA; matanla. Da bozes ELICIA. Viene la justicia y prendelos ambos.  

ACTUS XII

The Argument: Midnight being come, Calisto, Sempronio, and Parmeno, being well armed, goe towards the house of Melibea.  Lucrecia and Melibea stand at the doore, watching for Calisto.  Calisto comes; Lucrecia first speakes unto him; she calls Melibea.  Lucrecia goes aside; Melibea and Calisto talke together, the doore being betwixt them; Parmeno and Sempronio withdraw themselves a little waies off.  They heare some people comming along the street; they prepare themselves for flight.  Calisto takes his leave of Melibea, leaving order for his returne the next night following; Pleberio awakened with the noise which he heard in the street calls to his wife Alisa; they aske of Melibea who that was, that walk?t up and downe in her chamber?  Melibea answers her father, by faining she was athirst.  Calisto with his servants, goe talking home to his house.  Being come home, he laies him downe to sleepe; Parmeno and Sempronio goe to Celestin?a house, they demand their share of her paines; Celestina dissembles the matter, they fall a wrangling; they lay hands on Celestina, they murther her.  Elicia cryes out; the Justice comes, and apprehends them both.  INTEROCUTORS  Calisto, Lucrecia, Melibea, Parmeno, Sempronio,  Pleberio, Alisa, Celestina, Elicia  

   1. CAL. __ ¿Moços, qué hora da el relox? 

CALISTO.  Sirs, what′s a clock?  

   2. SEMP. __ Las diez.  

SEMPR.  It′s strooke now tenne.

   3. CAL. __ ¡O cómo me descontenta el oluido en los moços¡De mi mucho acuerdo en esta noche   y tu descuydar y oluido se haría vna razonable memoria y cuydado.   ¿Cómo, desatinado, sabiendo quánto me va, Sempronio, en ser diez o onze,   me respondías a tiento lo que más ayna se te vino a la boca?   ¡O cuytado de mí¡Si por caso me houiera dormido   y colgara mi pregunta de la respuesta de Sempronio   para hazerme de onze diez y assí de doze onze,   saliera Melibea, yo no fuera ydo, tornárase:   ¡De manera que ni mi mal ouiera fin ni mi desseo execución!   No se dize en balde que mal ageno de pelo cuelga.  

CALISTO.  O how it discontents me, to see servants so wretchlesse!  Of my much mindfulnesse for this nights meeting, and your much unmindfulnesse, and extreme carelesnesse, there might have been had some indifferent both remembrance, and care; how inconsiderately (knowing hoe much it importeth mee, to be either tenne or eleven) dost thou answer mee at hap-hazard, with that which comes first to mouth!  O unhappy I, if by chance I had oversletp my selfe! and my demand had depended on the answer of Sempronio, to make of eleven, ten; and of twelve, but eleven!  Melibea might have come forth; I had not gone out; and shee returned backe; so that, neither my misery should have had an end, not my desire have taken effect.  And therefore it is not said in vaine, That another mans harme hangs but by one haire, no man caring whether hee sinke or swimme.

   4. SEMP. __ Tanto yerro, señor, me parece, sabiendo preguntar, como ignorando responder.   Mas este mi amo tiene gana de reñir y no sabe cómo.  

SEMPR.  Me thinks it is as great an errour in a man, to aske what hee knowes, as to answer to what hee knowes not.  It were better (Sir) that we should spend this houre that remaineth, in preparing weapons, then in propounding questions.

   5. PARM. __ Mejor sería, señor, que se gastasse esta hora que queda en adereçar armas, que en buscar questiones.   Ve, señor, bien aprecibido, serás bien combatido. 

 

   6. CAL. __ Bien me dize este necio.   No quiero en tal tiempo recebir enojo.   No quiero pensar en lo que pudiera venir, sino en lo que fue;   no en el daño que resultara de su negligencia,   sino en el prouecho que verná de mi solicitud.   quiero dar espacio a la yra,   que o se me quitará o se me ablandará. Descuelga, Pármeno mis coraças, y armaos vosotros y assí yremos a buen recaudo,   porque como dizen: el hombre apercebido, medio combatido. 

CALISTO.  The foole saies well, I would not at such a time receive a displeasure.  I will not thinke on that which may be, but on that which hath beene; not on the harme which may arise by his negligence, but on the good which may come by my carefulnesse.  I will give leisure to my anger, and will either quite dismisse it, or force it to be more remisse.  Parmeno, Take down my Corslets, and arme your selves, so shall we goe the safer: For it is in the Proverbe, Halfe the battell is then waged, when a man is well prepared.

   7. PARM. __ Helas aquí, señor. 

PARM.  Lo, Sir, heere they bee. 

   8. CAL. __ Ayúdame aquí a vestirlas.   mira tú, Sempronio, si parece alguno por la calle. 

CALISTO.  Come helpe mee heere to put them on.  Doe you looke out, Sempronio, and see if any body be stirring in the street.

   9. SEMP. __ Señor, ninguna gente parece   y, avnque la houiesse, la mucha escuridad priuaría el viso y conoscimiento a los que nos encontrasen. 

SEMPR.  Sir, I see not any, and though there were, yet the darknesse of the night is such, and so great, that it is impossible for any that shall meet us, either to see or know us.

   10. CAL. __ Pues andemos por esta calle, avnque se rodee alguna cosa, porque más encubiertos vamos. las doze da ya: buena hora es.  

CALISTO.  Let us along them.  Heere, my masters, this way; for though it be somewhat about, yet is it the more private way, and the lesser frequented.  Now it strikes twelve, a good houre.

   11. PARM. __ Cerca estamos. 

PARM.  Wee are neere unto the place.

   12. CAL. __ A buen tiempo llegamos.   Párate tú, Pármeno, a uer si es venida aquella señora por entre las puertas. 

CALISTO.  We are come in very good time.  Goe, thou, Parmeno, and peepe in at the doore, to see if that Lady be come or no.

   13. PARM. __ ¿Yo, señor? Nunca Dios mande que sea en dañar lo que no concerté;   mejor será que tu presencia sea su primer encuentro,   porque viéndome a mí no se turbe   de ver que de tantos es sabido lo que tan ocultamente quería hazer y con tanto temor faze, o porque quiçá pensará que la burlaste.

PARM.  Who, I, Sir?  God forbid, that I should marre that which I never made.  Much better were it (Sir) that your presence should be her first incounter, lest in seeing mee, shee should be moved to anger, in seeing so many acquainted with that, which she so secretly desires to be done, and undergoeth with so great feare: as also, because she may haply imagine that you mocke her.

   14. CAL. __ ¡O qué bien has dicho¡La vida me has dado con tu sotil auiso, pues no era más menester para me lleuar muerto a casa, que boluerse   ella por mi mala prouidencia.   Yo me llego allá; quedaos vosotros en esse lugar. 

CALISTO.  O how well hast thou spoken! thou hast given mee my life, by giving mee this sound advice; for there needeth nothing more to beare me home dead to my house, thaen that she through my improvidence, should have gone her waies backe: I will goe thither my selfe, and doe you stay heere.

   15. PARM. __ ¿Qué te paresce, Sempronio, cómo el necio de nuestro amo pensaua tomarme por broquel, para el encuentro del primer peligro?   ¿Qué sé yo quién está tras las puertas cerradas?   ¿Qué sé yo si ay alguna trayción?   ¿Qué sé yo si Melibea anda porque le pague nuestro amo su mucho atreuimiento desta manera?   y, avn no somos muy ciertos dezir verdad la vieja.   No sepas fablar, Pármeno: ¡Sacarte han el alma, sin saber quién¡   No seas lisonjero, como tu amo quiere, y jamás llorarás duelos agenos.   No tomes en lo que te cumple el consejo de Celestina y hallarte as ascuras.   Andate ay con tus consejos y amonestaciones fieles:   ¡Darte han de palos¡No bueluas la hoja y quedarte has a buenas noches.   quiero hazer cuenta que hoy me nascí, pues de tal peligro me escapé.  

PARM.  What dost thou thinke (Sempronio) of this foole our Master, who thought to have made me to be his Target, for to receive the incounter of this first danger?  What doe I kno, who stands betweene or behind the dores?  What know I if there be any treason intended, or no?  What can I tell, whether Melibea have plotted this, to cry quittance with our Master, for this his great presumption?  Besides, wee are not sure, whether the old Trot told him truth or no.  Thou knowst not, Parmeno, how to speake.  Thy life shall be taken from thee, and thou ne?r the wise for it: thy soul shall be let forth, and thou not know who was he that did it.  Do not thou turne flatterer, nor sooth up thy Master in every thing, that he would have thee, and then thou shalt never have cause to weepe for other mens woes, or to mourne for others miseries.  Doe thou not follow Celestina?s counsell in that which is fit and convenientfor thee, and thou wert as good goe breake thy neck blindfold.  Goe on with thy good perswasions, and faithfull admonitions, and thou shalt bee well cudgell?d for thy labour.  Turne the leafe now no more, lest thou be forced to bid the world good night, before thou be willing to leave it.  I will solemnize this as my birth-day, since I have escaped so great a danger.

   16. SEMP. __ Passo, passo, Pármeno. No saltes ni hagas esse bollicio de plazer,   que darás causa que seas sentido.  

SEMPR.  Hush, I say, softly (Parmeno) softly.  Doe not you keepe such a leaping and skipping, nor for joy make such a noise, lest you may hap to be heard.

   17. PARM. __ Calla, hermano, que no me hallo de alegría.   ¡Cómo le hize creer que por lo que a él cumplía dexaua de yr y era por mi seguridad¡   ¿Quién supiera assí rodear su prouecho, como yo?   Muchas cosas me verás hazer, si estás de aquí adelante atento,   que no las sientan todas personas,   assí con Calisto como con quantos en este negocio suyo se entremetieren.   Porque soy cierto que esta donzella ha de ser para él ceuo de anzuelo o carne de buytrera,   que suelen pagar bien el escote los que a comerla vienen.  

PARM.  Content your selfe (brother) hold your peace, I pray, for I cannot containe my selfe for very joy, to thinke, that I should make him beleeve, that it was most fit for him to goe to the doore; when as indeed, I did onely put him on, because I held it fittest for mine owne safety.  Who could ever have brought a businesse more handsomely about for his owne good then I my selfe have done?  Thou shalt see mee doe many such things, if thou shalt heerafter beut observe mee, which every man shall not know of, as well towards Calisto himselfe, as all those who shall any way inter-meddle, or interpose themselves in this businesse.  For, I am assured that this Damsell is but the baite to this hooke, whereat hee must hang himselfe: or that flesh which is throwne out to Vultures, whereof hee that eateth, is sure to pay soundly for it.

   18. SEMP. __ Anda, no te penen a ti essas sospechas, avnque salgan verdaderas.   Apercíbete: a la primera boz que oyeres, tomar calças de Villadiego.  

SEMPR.  Let this passe, ne?r trouble thy head with these jealousies, and suspitions of thine; no, though they should happen to be true.  But prepare thy selfe, and like a tall souldier, be in readinesse upon the first Alarme, or word given, to betake thee to thy heeles.  Do like the men of Villa-Diego, who being besieged, ranne away by night, with their Breeches in their hands.

   19. PARM. __ Leydo has donde yo: en un coraçón estamos.   Calças traygo y avn borzeguíes de essos ligeros que tú dizes,   para mejor huyr que otro.   Plázeme que me has, hermano, auisado   de lo que yo no hiziera de vergüença de ti.   Que nuestro amo, si es sentido, no temo que se escapará de manos desta gente de Pleberio,   para podernos después demandar cómo lo hezimos y incusarnos el huyr.  

PARM.  Wee have read both in one booke, and are both of the same mind: I have not only their Breeches, but their light easie Buskins, that I may runne away the nimbler, and out-strip my fellowes.  And I am glad (good brother) that thou hast advised mee to that, which otherwise, even for very shame, and feare of thee, I should never have done: as for our Master, if he chance to be heard, or otherwise discovered, he will never escape, I feare mee, the hands of Pleberio?s people; whereby hee may heereafter demand of us, how wee behav?d our selves in his defence, or that he shall ever be able to accuse us, that wee cowardly forsooke him.

   20. SEMP. __ ¡O Pármeno amigo¡! quán alegre y prouechosa es la conformidad en los compañeros¡   avnque por otra cosa no nos fuera buena Celestina,   era harta la vtilidad que por su causa nos ha venido.  

SEMPR.  O my friend (Parmeno) how good and joyfull a thing is it, for fellowes and companions to live together in love and unity!   And though Celestina should proove good to us in no other thing, save onely this, yet in this alone hath she done us service enough, and deserved very well at our hands. 

   21. PARM. __ Ninguno podrá negar lo que por sí se muestra.   Manifiesto es que con vergüença  el vno del otro,   por no ser odiosamente acusado de couarde,   esperáramos aquí la muerte con nuestro amo,   no siendo más de él merecedor della.  

PARM.  No man can deny that, which in it selfe is manifest.  It is apparent, that we for modesties sake,  and because we would not be branded with the hatefull  name of cowardize, wee sta?d heere, expecting together  with our Master, no lesse then death, though we did not so much deserve it as he did.  

   22. SEMP. __ Salido deue auer Melibea. Escucha, que hablan quedito.  

SEMPR.  Melibea should be come.  Harke, mee thinkes I heare them whispering each to other.  

   23. PARM. __ ¡O cómo temo que no sea ella, sino alguno que finja su voz!  

PARM.  I feare rather that it is not shee, but some one that counterfaytes her voyce.  

   24. SEMP. __ Dios nos libre de traydores,   no nos ayan tomado la calle por do tenemos de huyr;   que de otra cosa no tengo temor. 

SEMPR.  Heavens defend us from the hands of Traytours; I pray God, they have not betaken themselves to that street thorow which we were resolved to flye.  For I feare nothing else but that.  

   25. CAL. __ Este bullicio más de vna persona lo haze.   quiero hablar, sea quien fuere. ¡Ce, señora mia!  

CALISTO.  This stirring and murmur which I feare, is not of one single person alone.  Yet will I speake, come what will come, or be who as will be there.  Madame; Mistresse, be you there? 

   26. LUCR. __ La voz de Calisto es ésta.   quiero llegar. ¿Quién habla?? Quién está fuera?  

LUCRECIA.  If I be not deceived, this is Calisto′s voice.  But for the more surety, I will goe a little neerer.  Who is that that speaks?   Who is there without?  

   27. CAL. __ Aquél que viene a cumplir tu mandado.  

CALISTO.  He that is come addressed to your command.  

   28. LUCR. __ ¿Por qué no llegas, señora? Llega sin temor acá, que aquel cauallero está aquí. 

LUCRECIA.  Madame, why come you not?  Come hither, I say, be not afraid, for heere is the Gentleman you wot of.  

   29. MELIB. __ ¡Loca, habla passo¡Mira bien si es él  

MELIBEA.  Speak softly (you foole.)  Marke him well, that you may be sure it is hee.  

   30. LUCR. __ Allégate, señora, que sí es, que yo le conozco en la voz.  

LUCRECIA.  Come hither I tell you, it is hee, I know him by his voice.  

   31. CAL. __ Cierto soy burlado: no era Melibea la que me habló.   ¡Bullicio oygo, perdido soy¡Pues viua o muera, que no he de yr de aquí.  

CALISTO.  I fear mee, I am deluded, it was not Melibea that spake unto me,  I heare some whispering;  I am undone.  But live or dye, I have not the power to be gone.  

   32. MELIB. __ Vete, Lucrecia, acostar vn poco.   ¡Ce, señor¡? Cómo es tu nombre?? Quién es el que te mandó ay venir? 

MELIBEA.  Lucrecia, go a little aside; and give mee leave to call unto him.  Sir, what is your name?   Who willed you to come hither?  

   33. CAL. __ Es la que tiene merecimiento de mandar a todo el mundo,   la que dignamente seruir yo no merezco.   No tema tu merced de se descobrir a este catiuo de tu gentileza: que el dulce sonido de tu habla, que jamás de mis oydos se   cae,   me certifica ser tú mi señora Melibea.   Yo soy tu sieruo Calisto. 

CALISTO.  She that is worthy to command all the world, she who I may not merit to serve. Let not your Ladiship feare to discover her selfe to this Captive of your gentle disposition; for the sweete sound of those your words, which shall never fall from my eares, give me assurance that you are that Lady Melibea, whom my hearadoreth; I am your servant Calisto.

   34. MELIB. __ La sobrada osadía de tus mensajes me ha forçado a hauerte de hablar, señor Calisto.   Que hauiendo hauido de mí la passada respuesta a tus razones,   no sé qué piensas más sacar de mi amor, de lo que entonces te mostré.   Desuía estos vanos y locos pensamientos de ti,   porque mi honrra y persona estén sin detrimento de mala sospecha seguras.   A esto fue aquí mi venida, a dar concierto en tu despedida y mi reposo.   No quieras poner mi fama en la balança de las lenguas maldezientes. 

MELIBEA.   The strange and excessive boldnesse of thy messages, hath informed me (Calisto) to speake with thee: who having already received my answer to your reasons, I know not what you may imagine to get more out of my love, then what I then made knowne unto you. Banish therefore from thee, those vaine and foolish thoughts, that both my honour and my person may be secured from any hurt they may receive by an ill suspition. For which purpose, I am come hither to take order for your dispatch, and my quietnesse. Doe not, I beseech you, put my good name and reputation upon the ballance of back-biting and detracting tongues.

   35. CAL. __ A los coraçones aparejados con apercibimiento rezio contra las aduersidades,   ninguna puede venir que passe de claro en claro la fuerça de su muro.   Pero el triste que, desarmado y sin proueer los engaños y celadas, se vino a meter por las puertas de tu seguridad,   qualquiera cosa, que en contrario vea es razón que me atormente   y passe rompiendo todos los almazenes en que la dulze nueua estaua aposentada.   ¡O malauenturado Calisto¡O quán burlado has sido de tus siruientes¡   ¡O engañosa muger Celestina¡! Dejárasme acabar de morir y   no tornaras a viuificar mi esperança,   para que tuuiese más que gastar el fuego que ya me aquexa¡   ¿Por qué falsaste la palabra desta mi señora?   ¿Por qué has assí dado con tu lengua causa de mi desesperación?   ¿A qué me mandaste aquí venir, para que me fuese mostrado el disfauor, el entredicho, la desconfiança, el odio,   por la mesma boca desta que tiene las llaues de mi perdición y gloria?   ¡O enemiga¡? Y tú no me dixiste que esta mi señora me era fauorable?   ¿No me dixiste que de su grado mandaua venir este su catiuo al presente lugar,   no para me desterrar nueuamente de su presencia,

CALISTO. To hearts prepared with a strong and dauntless resolution against all adversities whatsoever, nothing can happen unto them,  that shall easily be able to shake the strength of their wall. But that unhappy man, who weaponlesse, and disarmed, not thinking upon any deceit or Abbuscado, puts himselfe within the dores of your safeconduct and protection, whatsoever in such a case falls out contrart to my expectation, it cannot in all reason but torment me, and pierce thorow the very soule of me, breaking all those Magazines and storehouses, wherein this sweet newes was laid up. O miserable and unfortunate Calisto! O, how hast thou beene mocked and deluded by thy servants! O thou cozening and deceitfull Celestina; thou mightst at least have let me alone, and given me leave to dye, and not gone about to revive my hope, to adde thereto more fuell to the fie, which already doth sufficiently waste and consume me. Why didst thou falsifie this my Ladies message? Why hast thou thus with thy tongue given cause to my despaire, and utter undoing? Why didst thou command mee to come hither? Was it that I might receive disgrace, interdiction, diffidence, and hatred, from no other mouth, but that which keepes the keyes of my perdition, or happinesse? O thou enemy to my good! Didst not thou tell mee, that this my Lady would be favourable, and gracious unto mee; Didst not thou tell mee, that of her owne accord, shee had commanded this her captive to come to this very place, where now I am? Not to banish mee afresh from her presence, but to repeale that banishment whereunto shee had sentenced mee by her former command? Miserable that I am, whom shall I trust, or in whom may I hope to find any faith? Where is truth to be had? Who is voyde of deceit? Where doth not falsehood dwell? Who is he that shewes himselfe an open enemy? or who is he that shewes himselfe a faithfull friend? Where is that place, wherein treason is not wrought? Who, I say durst trespasse so much upon my patience, as to give me such cruell hope of destruction?  

   36. MELIB. __ Cesen, señor mio, tus verdaderas querellas:   que ni mi coraçón basta para lo sufrir ni mis ojos para lo dissimular.   Tú lloras de tristeza, juzgándome cruel; yo lloro de plazer, viéndote tan fiel.   ¡O mi señor y mi bien todo¡   ¡Quánto más alegre me fuera poder ver tu haz, que oyr tu voz¡   Pero, pues no se puede al presente más fazer,   toma la firma y sello de las razones que te embié escritas en la lengua de aquella solícita mensajera. Todo lo que te dixo confirmo, todo lo   he por bueno.   Limpia, señor, tus ojos, ordena de mí a tu voluntad.  

MELIBEA.  Cease (good Sir) your true and just complaints. For neither my heart is able to endure it, nor mine eyes any longer to dissemble it; thou weepest out of griefe, judging me cruell; and I weep out of joy, seeing thee so faithfull. O my dearest Lord, and my lifes whole happinesse; how much more pleasing would it be unto me, to see thy face, then to heare thy voyce! But sithence that at this present we cannot injoy each other as wee would, take thou the assignement, and seale of those words, which I sent unto thee, written, and ingrossed in the tongue of that thy diligent and carefull messenger. All that which I then said, I doe heere confirme. I acknowledge, it as my Deede, and hold the Assurance I have made thee, to be good and perfect. Good Sir, doe not you weepe; dry up your teares and dispose of mee as you please.

   37. CAL. __ ¡O señora mia, esperança de mi gloria,   descanso y aliuio de mi pena, alegría de mi coraçón¡   ¿Qué lengua será bastante para te dar yguales gracias a la sobrada y incomparable merced   que en este punto, de tanta congoxa para mí, me has quesido hazer   en querer que vn tan flaco y indigno hombre pueda gozar de tu suauíssimo amor?   Del qual, avnque muy desseoso, siempre me juzgaua indigno,   mirando tu grandeza, considerando tu estado,   remirando tu perfeción, contemplando tu gentileza,   acatando mi poco merescer y tu alto merescimiento,   tus estremadas gracias, tus loadas y manifiestas virtudes.  Pues, ¡O alto Dios¡, ¿Cómo te podré ser ingrato,   que tan milagrosamente has obrado comigo tus singulares marauillas?   ¡O quántos días antes de agora passados me fue venido este pensamiento a mi coraçón,   y por impossible le rechaçaua de mi memoria,   hasta que ya los rayos ylustrantes de tu muy claro gesto dieron luz en mis ojos,   encendieron mi coraçón, despertaron mi lengua, estendieron mi merecer,   acortaron mi couardía, destorcieron mi

CALISTO.  O my deare Lady!Hope of my glory; Easeress of my paine, and my hearts joy: What tongue can be sufficient to give thee thankes, that may equall this so extraordinary and incomparable a kindnesse; which in this instant of so great and extreme a sorrow, thou hast bin willing to conferre upon me; in being willing (I say) that one so meane, and unworthy as my selfe, should be by thee inabled to the injoying of thy sweetest love; whereof, although I was evermore most desirous, yet did I alwaies deeme my selfe unworthy thereof, weighing thy greatnesse, considering thy estate, beholding thy perfection, contemplating thy beauty, and looking into my small merit, thy great worth; besides, other thy singular graces, thy commendable, and well-knowne vertues? Againe; O thou great God, how can I be ungratefull unto thee, who so miraculously has wrought for mee so great and strange wonders? O, how long agoe did I entertaine this thought in my heart, and as a thing impossible, repeld it from my memory, untill now, that the bright beames of thy most cleare shining countenance, gave light unto my eyes, inflamed my heart , awakened my tongue, inlarged my desert, abridged my cowardize, unwreathed my shrunke-up spirits, reinforced my strength, put life and metall into my hands and feet; and in a word, infused such a spirit of boldnesse into me, that they have borne me up by their power, unto this high estate, wherein (with happinesse) I now behold my selfe, in hearing this thy sweet-pleasing voyce; which if I had not heeretofore knowne, and sented out the sweet and wholsome savour of thy words, I should hardly have beleeved they would have been without deceit. But now, that I am well assured of thy pure and noble, both bloud and actions, I stand amazed at the gaze of my good, and with a stricter eye, beginne to view and looke upon my selfe, to see whether I am that same Calisto, whom so great a blessing hath befalne?

   38. MELIB. __ Señor Calisto, tu mucho merecer, tus estremadas gracias, tu alto nascimiento han obrado   que, después que de ti houe entera noticia, ningún momento de mi coraçón te partiesses.   y avnque muchos días he pugnado por lo dissimular, no he podido tanto   que, en tornándome aquella muger tu dulce nombre a la memoria,   no descubriesse mi desseo y viniesse a este lugar y tiempo,   donde te suplico ordenes y dispongas de mi persona segund querrás.   las puertas impiden nuestro gozo,   las quales yo maldigo y sus fuertes cerrojos y mis flacas fuerças,   que ni tú estarías quexoso ni yo descontenta. 

MELIBEA.  Calisto; Thy great worth, thy singular graces, and they nobleness of birth, have (ever since I had true notice of thee) wrought so effectually with mee, that my heart hath not so much as one moment bin absent from thee. And although (now these many dayes) I have strove, and strove againe to dissemble it, yet could I not so smother my thoughts, but that as soone as that Woman returned thy sweet name unto my remembrance, I discovered my desire, and appointed our meeting, at this very place and time: Where, I beseech thee to take order for the disposing of my person, according to thine owne good will and pleasure. These doores debarre us of our joy, whose strong locks and barres I curse, as also mine owne weake strength.  For were I stronger, and they weaker, neither shouldst thou be displeased, nor I discontented. 

   39. CAL. __ ¿Cómo, señora mia, y mandas que consienta a vn palo impedir nuestro gozo?   Nunca yo pensé que, demás de tu voluntad, lo pudiera cosa estoruar.   ¡O molestas y enojosas puertas¡Ruego a Dios que tal huego os abrase, como a mí da guerra:   que con la tercia parte seríades en vn punto quemadas.   Pues, por Dios, señora mia, permite que llame a mis criados para que las quiebren.  

CALISTO.  What (Madame) it is your pleasure, that I should suffer a paltry piece of wood to hinder our joy? Never did I conceive, that any thing, save thine owne will, could possibly hinder us. O troublesoome and sport-hindering doores, I earnestly desire, that you may be burned with as great a fire, as the torment is great, which you give me; for then the third part thereof would be sufficient to consume you to ashes in a moment. Give me leave (sweet Lady) that I may call my servants, and command them to breake them open.

   40. PARM. __ ¿No oyes, no oyes, Sempronio? A   buscarnos quiere venir para que nos den mal año.   No me agrada cosa esta venida.   ¡En mal punto creo que se empeçaron estos amores¡  Yo no espero más aquí.  

PARM.  Harke, Harke (Sempronio) Hearest thou not what he saies? He is comming to seeke after us; wee shall make a badde yeere of it, we shall runne into a pecke of troubles. I tell you truely, I like not of his comming. This love of theirs, I verily perswade my selfe, was begunne in an unlucky houre; if you will goe, goe; for I?ll stay heere no longer.

   41. SEMP. __ Calla, calla, escucha, que ella no consiente que vamos allá. 

SEMPR.  Peace, harke; shee will not consent wee come.

   42. MELIB. __ ¿Quieres, amor mio, perderme a mí y dañar mi fama?   No sueltes las riendas a la voluntad.   La esperança es cierta, el tiempo breue, quanto tú ordenares.   y pues tú sientes tu pena senzilla y yo la de entramos,   tú solo dolor, yo el tuyo y el mio,   conténtate con venir mañana a esta hora por las paredes de mi huerto.   Que si agora quebrasses las crueles puertas,   avnque al presente no fuéssemos sentidos,   amanescería en casa de mi padre terrible sospecha de mi yerro.   y pues sabes que tanto mayor es el yerro quanto mayor es el que yerra,   en vn punto será por la cibdad publicado.  

MELIBEA.  What meanes my Love? Will you undoe me? Will you wound my reputation? Give not your will the reines: your hope is certaine, and the time short: even as soon as your selfe shall appointe it. Besides, your paine is single, mind double: yours for your selfe, mine for us both: you onely feele your owne griefe, I both your own and mine. Content your selfe therefore, and come you to morrow at this very houre, and let your way be by the wall of my garden; for if you should now breake downe thesecruelle doores, though haply wee should not be presently heard, yet to morrow morning there would arise in my fathers house a terrible suspition of my errour: and you know, besides, that by so much the greater is the errour, by how much the greater is the party that erreth: And in the turning of a hand, will be nosyed thorow the whole City.

   43. SEMP. __ ¡Enoramala acá esta noche venimos¡   Aquí nos ha de amanescer,   según el espacio que nuestro amo lo toma.   Que, avnque más la dicha nos ayude,   nos han en tanto tiempo de sentir de su casa o vezinos.

SEMPR.  In an unfortunate houre came we hither this night; we shall stay heere, till the day hath overtaken us, if our master goe on this leysurely, and make no more haste. And albeit fortune hath hitherto well befriended us in this business; yet I feare me, if we stay overlong, we shall be overhead, either by some of Pleberio?s houshold, or of his neighbours.

   44. PARM. __ Ya ha dos horas que te requiero que nos vamos,   que no faltará vn achaque.  

PARM. I would have had thee bin gone 2. houres ago; for he wil never give over, but still find some occasion to continue his discourse.

   45. CAL. __ ¡O mi señora y mi bien todo¡   ¿Porqué llamas yerro aquello que por los sanctos de Dios me fue concedido?   Rezando oy ante el altar de la Madalena,   me vino con tu mensaje alegre aquella solícita muger.  

CALISTO.  My deare Lady, my joy and happinesse; why dost though stile this an error, which was granted unto me by the Destinies; and seconded by Cupid himselfe, to my petitions in the Mirtle-Grove?

   46. PARM. __ ¡Desuariar, Calisto, desuariar¡Por fe tengo, hermano, que no es cristiano.   Lo que la vieja traydora con sus pestíferos hechizos ha rodeado y fecho   dize que los sanctos de Dios se lo han concedido y impetrado.   y con esta confiança quiere quebrar las puertas.   y no haurá dado el primer golpe,   quando sea sentido y tomada por los criados de su padre, que duermen cerca. 

PARM.  Calisto talks idly, surely, he is not well in his wits. I am of the beliefe (brother) that he is not so devout. That shich that old traiterous Trot, with her pestiferous Sorceries hath compassed and brought about, he sticks not to say, that the Destinies have granted, and wrought for him: and with this confidence, he would adventure to breake ope these doores; who shall no sooner have given the first stroke, but that presently he will be heard, and taken by their fathers servants, who lodge hard by.

   47. SEMP. __ Ya no temas, Pármeno, que harto desuiados estamos.   En sintiendo bullicio, el buen huyr nos ha de valer.   Déxale hazer, que si mal hiziere, él lo pagará.  

SEMPR.  Feare nothing (Parmeno) for we are farre inough off. And upon the very first noyse that we heare, we will betake us stright to our heeles, and make our flight our best defence. Let him alone, let him take his course, for if he doe ill, he shall pay for it.

   48. PARM. __ Bien hablas, en mi coraçón estás. assí se haga.   Huygamos la muerte, que somos moços.   Que no querer morir ni matar no es couardía, sino buen natural.   estos escuderos de Pleberio son locos:   no desean tanto comer ni dormir como questiones y ruydos.   Pues más locura sería esperar pelea con enemigo,   que no ama tanto la vitoria y vencimiento,   como la continua guerra y contienda. ¡   O si me viesses, hermano, como estó, plazer haurías¡   A medio lado, abiertas las piernas,   el pie ysquierdo adelante puesto en huyda, las faldas en la cinta, la adarga   arrollada y so el sobaco, porque no me empache.   ¡Que, por Dios, que creo corriesse como vn gamo,   según el temor tengo de estar aquí.  

PARM.  Well has though spoken; thou knowst my mind, as well as if thou hadst bin within me. Be it as thou hast said; let us shun death; for we are both young; and not to desire to dye, nor to kill, it is not corardize, but a naturall goodnesse. Pleberio?s followers, they are but fooles and madmen, they have not that minde to their meate and their sleep, as they have to be brabbling and quarrelling. What fooles then should we be, to fall together by the eares with such enemies, who doe not so much affect Victory and Conquest, as continuall Warre, and endlesse contention? O, if thou didst but see (brother) in what posture I stand, thou wouldst be ready to burst with laughing. I stand sideling, my legs abroad, my left foote formost, ready to take the start; the skirts of my Cassocke tuckt under my girdle, my Buckler clapt close to my arme, that it may not hinder me; and I verily beleeve, that I should out-runne the swiftest Buck; so monstrously am I afraid of staying heere.

   49. SEMP. __ Mejor estó yo, que tengo liado el broquel y el espada con las correas,   porque no se me caygan al correr,   y el caxquete en la capilla. 

SEMPR.  I stand better; for I have bound my Sword and Buckler both together, that they may not fall from me when I run; and have clapt my Caske in the cape of my cloake. 

   50. PARM. __ ¿Y las piedras, que trayas en ella?  

PARM.  But the stones you had in it, What hast thou done with them?

   51. SEMP. __ Todas las vertí por yr más liuiano.   Que harto tengo que lleuar en estas coraças que me hiziste vestir por importunidad;   que bien las rehusaua de traer, porque me parescían para huyr muy pesadas.   ¡Escucha, escucha¡? Oyes, Pármeno?   ¡A malas andan¡Muertos somos! Bota presto,   echa hazia casa de Celestina, no nos atajen por nuestra casa. 

SEMPR.  I have turn?d them all out, that I might goe the lighet; for I have inough to doe to carry this Corslet, which your importunity made me put on; for I could have been very well content to have left it off, because I thoght it would be too heavy for me, when I should runne away. Harke, harke, hearest thou Parmeno? the business goes ill with us; wee are but dead men. Put on, away, be gone, make towards Celestina?s house, that we may not be cut off, be betaking us to our owne house.

   52. PARM. __ Huye, huye, que corres poco.   ¡O pecador de mí¡, si nos han de alcançar,   dexa broquel y todo.  

PARM.  Flye, flye, you runne too slowly. Passion of me, if they should chance to overtake us. Throw away thy Bucker and all.

   53. SEMP. __ ¿Si han muerto ya a nuestro amo? 

SEMPR.  Have they kild our Master? Can you tell?

   54. PARM. __ No sé, no me digas nada;   corre y calla, que el menor cuydado mio es esse. 

PARM.  I know not. Say nothing to mee, I pray; Runne, and hold your peace; as for him, he is the least of my care.

   55. SEMP. __ ¡Ce¡ce¡Pármeno¡Torna, torna   callando, que no es sino la gente del aguazil,   que passaua haziendo estruendo por la otra calle. 

SEMPR.  Zit, zit, Parmeno, not a word; turne, and be still; for it is nothing, but the Alguazills men, who make a noyse as they passe thorow this other street.

   56. PARM. __ Míralo bien. No te fíes en los ojos,   que se antoja muchas veces vno por otro.   No me auían dexado gota de sangre.   Tragada tenía ya la muerte,   que me parescía que me yuan dando en estas espaldas golpes.   En mi vida me acuerdo hauer tan gran temor ni verme en tal afrenta,   avnque he andado por casas agenas harto tiempo y en lugares de harto trabajo.   Que nueue años seruí a los frayles de Guadalupe,   que mill vezes nos apuñeávamos yo y otros.   Pero nunca como esta vez houe miedo de morir. 

PARM.  Take your eyes in your hand, and see you be sure. Trust not I say, too much to those eyes of yours; they may mistake, taking one thing for another; they have not left mee one drop of bloud in my body. Death hade?n almost swallowed me up; for me thought still as I ranne. They were cutting and carbonading my shoulders. I never in my life remember, that I was in the like feare, or ever saw my selfe in the like danger of an affrong, though I have gone many a time thorow other mens houses, and thorow places of much perill, and hard to passe. Nine yeeres and I was servant to Guadaluppe, and a thousand times my selfe and others were at buffets, cutting one another for life, yet was I never in that feare of death, as now.

   57. SEMP. __ ¿Y yo no seruí al cura de Sant Miguel   y al mesonero de la plaça y a Mollejar, el ortelano?   y también yo tenía mis questiones con los que tirauan piedras a los páxaros,   que assentauan en vn álamo grande que tenía, porque dañauan la ortaliza.   Pero guárdete Dios de verte con armas,   que aquel es el verdadero temor.   No en balde dizen: cargado de hierro y cargado de miedo.   Buelue, buelue, que el aguazil es, cierto. 

SEMPR.  And did not [I] (I pray serve at Saint Michaels? and mine Host in the Market-place? and Molleias the gardiner; I also (I tro) was at fisty-cuffes with those which threw stones at the Sparrowes, and other the like birds, which sate upon a green Popler that we had, because with their stones, they did spoile the hearbes in the garden; But God keepe thee, and every good man from the sight of such weapons as these: these are shrewd tooles; this is true feare indeede: and therefore it is not said in vaine; Laden with Iron, laden with feare.  Turne, turne backe; for it is the Alguazill, that?s certaine.

   58. MELIB. __ Señor Calisto, ¿Qué es esso que en la calle suena?   Parescen vozes de gente que van en huyda. Por Dios, mírate, que estás a peligro.  

MELIBEA.  What noyse is that (Calisto) which I heare in the street?  It seemes to be the noise of some that flye and are pursued; for your owne sake and mine, have a care of your selfe; I feare me, you stand in danger. 

   59. CAL. __ Señora, no temas, que a buen seguro   vengo.  Los míos deuen ser, que son unos locos y desarman a quantos passan y huyríales alguno.  

CALISTO.  I warrant you, Madame, feare you nothing; for I stand on a safegard.  They should be my men, who are madcaps, and disarme as many passe by them; and belike, someone hate escapt them, after whom they hasten.

   60. MELIB. __ ¿Son muchos los que traes? 

MELIBEA.  Are they many, that you brought?

   61. CAL. __ No, sino dos;  pero, avnque sean seys sus contrarios, no recebirán mucha pena   para les quitar las armas y hazerlos huyr, según su esfuerço.   Escogidos son, señora, que no vengo a lumbre de pajas.   Si no fuesse por lo que a tu honrra toca,   pedaços harían estas puertas.   y si sentidos fuéssemos, a ti y a mí librarían de toda la gente de tu padre. 

CALISTO.  No (Madame) no more but two; but should halfe a dozen set upon them, they would not be long in disarming then, and make them flye; they are such a couple of tall lusty fellowes; they are men of true, and well approved metall; choyce lads for the nonste; for I come not hither with a fire of straw, which is no sooner in, but out.  And were it not in regard of your honour, they should have broken these doores in pieces; and in case we had been heard, they should have freed both your selfe and me from all your fathers servants.

   62. MELIB. __ ¡O por Dios, no se cometa tal cosa¡   Pero mucho plazer tengo que de tan fiel gente andas acompañado.   Bienempleado es el pan que tan esforçados siruientes comen.   Por mi amor, señor, pues tal gracia la natura les quiso dar,   sean de ti bientratados y galardonados,   porque en todo te guarden secreto.   y quando sus osadías y atreuimientos les corregieres,   a bueltas del castigo mezcla fauor.   Porque los ánimos esforçados no sean con encogimiento diminutos y yrritados en el osar a sus tiempos. 

MELIBEA.  O! of all loves, let not such thing be attempted; yet it glads me much that you are so faithfully attended; that bread is well bestowed which such valiant servants eat.  For that love (Sir) which you beare unto me, since Nature hate inricht them with so good a gift, I pray make much of them, and reward them well; to the end that in all things, they may be trusty and secret, that concerne they service; and when for their boldnesse and presumption, thou shalt either checke, or correct them; intermixe some favours with thy punishments, that their valour and courage may not be daunted, and abated, but be stirred and provoked to out-dare dangers, when thou shalt have occasion to use them.

   63. PARM. __ ¡Ce¡ce¡Señor, quítate presto dende,   que viene mucha gente con hachas   y serás visto y conoscido,   que no hay donde te metas. 

PARM.  Sist, Sist; Heare you Sir? make haste and be gone, for heere is a great company comming along with Torches; and unlesse you make haste, you will be seen, and knowne; for heere is not any place, where you may hide your selfe from their view.

   64. CAL. __ ¡O mezquino yo y cómo es forçado, señora, partirme de ti¡   ¡Por cierto, temor de la muerte no obrara tanto como el de tu honrra¡   Pues que assí es, los ángeles queden con tu presencia. Mi venida será, como ordenaste, por el huerto. 

CALISTO.  O unfortunate that I am!  How am I inforced (Lady) against my will to take my leave!  Beleeve me, the feare of death would not worke so much upon me, as the feare of your honor doth; but since it is so, that we must part; Angels be the guardians of thy faire person.  My comming (as you have ordered it) shall be by the garden.

   65. MELIB. __ Assí sea y vaya Dios contigo.  

MELIBEA.  Be it so, and all happinesse be with you.

   66. PLEB. __ Señora muger, ¿Duermes?  

PLEBERIO.  Wife, are you asleepe?

   67. ALI. __ Señor, no. 

ALISA.  No, sir.  

   68. PLEB. __ ¿No oyes bullicio en el retraimiento de tu hija? 

PLEBERIO.  Doe not you heare some noyse, or stirring in your daughters withdrawing the chamber?

   69. ALI. __ Sí oyo. ¡Melibea¡Melibea¡  

ALISA.  Yes mary doe I.  Melibea, Melibea?

   70. PLEB. __ No te oye; yo la llamaré más rezio. ¡Hija mia, Melibea!  

PLEBERIO.  She does not heare you; I will call a little lowder.  Daughter Melibea?  

   71. MELIB. __ ¡Señor!  

MELIBEA.  Sir.  

   72. PLEB. __ ¿Quién da patadas y haze bullicio en tu cámara?  

PLEBERIO.  Who is that, that tramples up and downe there, and makes that stirring to and fro in your chamber?

   73. MELIB. __ Señor, Lucrecia es, que salió por vn jarro de agua para mí, que hauía gran sed. 

MELIBEA.  It is Lucrecia (Sir) who went forth to fetch some water for me to drinke, for I was very thirsty.

   74. PLEB. __ Duerme, hija, que pensé que era otra cosa.  

PLEBERIO.  Sleepe againe (daughter) I thought it had beene something else.

   75. LUCR. __ Poco estruendo los despertó. con gran pauor hablauan.  

LUCRECIA.  A little noyse (I perceive) can wake them; me thought they spoke somewhat fearefully, as if all had not beene well.

   76. MELIB. __ No ay tan manso animal que con amor o temor de sus hijos no asperece.   Pues ¿Qué harían, si mi cierta salida supiessen?  

MELIBEA.  There is not any so gentle a creature, who with the love or feare of it?s young, is not somewhat moved.  What would they have done, had they had certaine, and assured knowledge of my going downe?

   77. CAL. __ Cerrad essa puerta, hijos. y tú, Pármeno, sube vna vela arriba.  

CALISTO.  My Sonne, shut the dore; and you Parmeno, bring up a light.

   78. SEMP. __ Deues, señor, reposar y dormir esto que queda de aquí al día.  

SEMPR.  You were better (Sir) to take your rest; and that little that it is till day, to take it out in sleepe.

   79. CAL. __ Plázeme, que bien lo he menester.   ¿Qué te parece, Pármeno, de la vieja, que tú me desalabauas?  ¿Qué obra ha salido de sus manos?   ¿Qué fuera hecha sin ella?  

CALISTO.  I will follow thy counsell; for it is no more then needeth.  I want sleepe exceedingly; but tell mee, Parmeno, what dost thou thinke of that old woman, whom thou didst dispraise so much unto me? what a piece of worke hath she brought to passe? what could wee have done without her?

   80. PARM. __ Ni yo sentía tu gran pena   ni conoscía la gentileza y merescimiento de Melibea,   y assí no tengo culpa.   Conoscía a Celestina y sus mañas.   Auisáuate como a señor;   pero ya me parece que es otra. todas las ha mudado.  

PARM.  Neither had I any feeling of your great paine; nor knew I the gentlenesse, and well-deservingnesse of Melibea; and therefore am not to me blamed.  But well did I know both Celestina, and all her cunning trickes and devices; and did thereupon advise you, as became a servant to advise his Master, and as I thought, for the best; but now I see, shee is become another woman, she is quite chang?d from what she was, when I first knew her.

   81. CAL. __ ¿Y cómo mudado?  

CALISTO.  How? chang?d?  How dost thou meane?

   82. PARM. __ Tanto que, si no lo ouiesse visto, no lo creería;   mas assí viuas tú como es verdad. 

PARM.  So much, that had I not seene it, I should never have beleeved it: but now, heaven grant you may live as happy, as this is true.

   83. CAL. __ ¿Pues aués oydo lo que con aquella mi señora he passado?? Qué hazíades?? Teníades temor?  

CALISTO.  But tell me; didst thou heare what past betwixt me and my Mistresse? what did you doe all the while? were you not afraid?

   84. SEMP. __ ¿Temor, señor, o qué?   Por cierto, todo el mundo no nos le hiziera tener.   ¡Fallado auías los temerosos! Allí estouimos esperándote muy aparejados y nuestras armas muy a mano.  

SEMPR.  Afraid, Sir? of what? all the world could not make us afraid; did you ever finde us to be fearefull? did you ever see any such thing in us? we stood waiting for you well provided, and with our weapons in our hands.

   85. CAL. __ ¿Aués dormido algún rato?  

CALISTO.  Slept you not a whit? tooke you not a little nappe?

   86. SEMP. __ ¿Dormir, señor? ¡Dormilones son los moços¡Nunca me assenté ni avn junté por Dios   los pies,   mirando a todas partes para, en sintiendo porqué, saltar presto   y hazer todo lo que mis fuerças me ayudaran.   Pues Pármeno, que te parecía que no te seruía hasta aquí de buena gana,   assí se holgó, quando vido los de las hachas,   como lobo quando siente poluo de ganado,   pensando poder quitárselas, hasta que vido que eran muchos. 

SEMPR.  Sleepe, Sir?  It is for boyes and children to sleepe; I did not so much as once sit downe, not put one legge over another, watching still as diligently as a Cat for a Mouse; that if I had heard but the least noyse in the world, I might presently have leapt forth, and have done as much as my strength should have beene able to performe.  And Parmeno, though till now, he did not seeme to serve you in this businesse with any great willingnesse, hee was as glad, when he spy?d the Torches comming, as the Wolfe, when hee spies the dust of a drove of cattell, or flocke of sheepe; hoping still that he might make his prey, till he saw how many they were.

   87. CAL. __ No te marauilles, que procede de su natural ser osado   y, avnque no fuesse por mí: hazíalo porque no pueden los tales venir contra su vso,   que avnque muda el pelo la raposa, su natural no despoja.   Por cierto yo dixe a mi señora Melibea lo que en vosotros ay   y quán seguras tenía mis espaldas con vuestra ayuda y guarda.   Fijos, en mucho cargo vos soy. Rogad a Dios por salud,   que yo os galardonaré más complidamente vuestro buen seruicio. Yd con Dios a reposar.  

CALISTO.  This is no such wonder (Sempronio) never marvaile at it; for it is naturall in him to be valiant; and though he would not have bestirred himselfe for my sake, yet would he have laid about him because such as he cannot goe against that which they be us?d unto; for though the Foxe change his haire, yet he never changeth his nature; hee will keepe himselfe to his custome, though hee cannot keep himselfe to his colour.  I told my Mistresse Melibea, what was in you, and how safe I held my selfe, having you at my back for my gard.  My sonnes; I am much bound unto you both, pray to heaven for our wellfare and good successe; and doubt not, but I will more fully guerdon your good service.  Good night, and heaven send you good rest.

   88. PARM. __ ¿Adónde yremos, Sempronio?? A la cama a dormir o a la cozina a almorzar?  

PARM.  Whither shall wee goe (Sempronio?)  To our chamber and goe sleepe, or to the Kitchin and breake our fast?

   89. SEMP. __ Ve tú donde quisieres; que, antes que venga el día,   quiero yo yr a Celestina a cobrar mi parte de la cadena.   Que es vna puta vieja. No le quiero dar tiempo en que fabrique alguna ruyndad con que nos escluya.  

SEMPR.  Goe thou whither thou wilt, as for me, e?r it be day, I will get me to Celestina?s house, and see if I can recover my part in the chaine: she is a crafty Hileding, and I will not give her time to invent some one villainous tricke or other whereby to shift us off, and coozen us of our shares.

   90. PARM. __ Bien dizes. Oluidado lo auía. vamos   entramos  y, si en esso se pone, espantémosla de manera que le pese.   Que sobre dinero no ay amistad.  

PARM.  It is well remembered, I had quite forgot it; let us goe both together, and if she stand upon points with us, let us put her into such a feare, that she may be ready to bewray her selfe; for money goes beyond all friendship.

   91. SEMP. __ ¡Ce¡ce¡Calla, que duerme cabo esta ventanilla. Tha, tha, señora Celestina, ábrenos.  

SEMPR.  Cist, cist, not a word; for her bed is hard by this little window heere; let mee knocke her up: Tha, tha, tha; Mistresse Celestina, Open the doore.

   92. CEL. __ ¿Quién llama? 

CELEST.  Who calls?

   93. SEMP. __ Abre, que son tus hijos.  

SEMPR.  Open doore, your Sonnes be heere.

   94. CEL. __ No tengo yo hijos que anden a tal hora. 

CELEST.  I have no sonnes that be abroad at this time of night.

   95. SEMP. __ Abrenos a Pármeno y Sempronio, que nos venimos acá almorzar contigo. 

SEMPR.  It is Parmeno and Sempronio; open the doore, we are come hither to breake our fast with you.

   96. CEL. __ ¡O locos trauiesos¡Entrad, entrad.   ¿Cómo venís a tal hora, que ya amanesce?   ¿Qué haués hecho?? Qué os ha passado?   ¿Despidióse la esperança de Calisto o viue todavía con ella o cómo queda?  

CELEST.  O ye mad lads, you wanton wags, Enter, enter, how chance you come so earely?  It is but now break of day, what have you done?  what hath past?  Tel me, how goes the world?  Calisto?s hopes, are they alive or dead?  Has he her, or has he her not?  how stands it with him?

   97. SEMP. __ ¿Cómo, madre? Si por nosotros no fuera, ya andouiera su alma buscando posada para siempre.   Que, si estimarse pudiesse a lo que de allí nos queda obligado,   no sería su hazienda bastante a complir la debda, si verdad es lo que dizen, que la vida y persona es más digna y de más valor que otra cosa ninguna.  

SEMPR.  How, mother?  Had it not beene for us, his soule e?r this had gone seeking her eternall rest; and if it were possible to prize the debt wherein hee stands bound unto us, all the wealth hee hath, were not sufficient to make us satisfaction.  So true, is that triviall saying; that the life of man, is of more worth, then all the gold in the world.

   98. CEL. __ ¡Jesú¡? Que en tanta afrenta os haués visto? Cuéntamelo, por Dios.  

CELEST.  Have you beene in such danger, since I saw you?  Tell mee, how was it?  How was it I pray?

   99. SEMP. __ Mira qué tanta, que por mi vida la   sangre me hierue en el cuerpo en tornarlo a pensar.

SEMPR.  Mary in such danger, that as I am an honest man, my blood still boyles in my body, to thinke upon it.

   100. CEL. __ Reposa, por Dios, y dímelo.  

CELEST.  Sit downe, I beseech you, and tell me how it was.

   101. PARM. __ Cosa larga le pides, según venimos alterados y cansados del enojo que hauemos hauido.   Farías mejor aparejarnos a él y a mi de almorzar:   quiçá nos amansaría algo la alteración que traemos.   Que cierto te digo que no quería ya topar hombre que paz quisiesse.   Mi gloria sería agora hallar en quién vengar la yra   que no pude en los que nos la causaron, por su mucho huyr. 

PARM.  It will require a long discourse; besides, we have fretted out our hearts, and are quite tired with the trouble and toile, we have had, you may doe better to provide something for his and my breakfast: it may be, when wee have eaten, our choller will be somewhat allayd; for I sweare unto thee, I desire not now to meet that man that desires peace.  I should now glory to light upon some one, on whom I might revenge my wrath, and stanch my anger; for I could not doe it on those that caused it; so fast did they flye from my fury.

   102. CEL. __ ¡Landre me mate, si no me espanto en verte tan fiero¡   creo que burlas. dímelo agora, Sempronio, tú, por mi vida:   ¿Qué os ha passado? .  

CELEST.  The pockes canker out my carkasse to death, if thou makest mee not afraide to looke on thee, thou lookest so fierce and so ghastly.  But for all this, I doe beleeve you doe but jest.  Tell me, I pray thee Semptonio, as thou lov?st me what hath befalne you?

   103. SEMP. __ Por Dios, sin seso vengo, desesperado;   avnque para contigo por demás es no templar la yra y todo enojo y mostrar otro semblante que con los hombres.   Jamás me mostré poder mucho con los que poco pueden.   traygo, señora, todas las armas despedaçadas,   el broquel sin aro, la espada como sierra,   el caxquete abollado en la capilla.   Que no tengo con qué salir vn passo con mi amo, quando menester me aya.   Que quedó concertado de yr esta noche que viene a uerse por el huerto.   ¿Pues comprarlo de nueuo? No mando vn marauedí en que caya muerto.  

SEMPR.  By heavens, I am not my selfe, I come hither I know not how, without wit,  or reason   But as for  you (fellow Parmeno) I cannot but finde fault with  you, for not tempring of your choller, and using more  moderation in your angry mood;  I would have thee looke otherwise now, and not carry that sowre countenance heer, as thou didst  there, when we incountred so many; for mine owne part, before those, that I knew could doe but little, I never made show  that I could doe much.  Mother, I have brought hither my armes all broken and battred in pieces, my Buckler without it?s ring of Iron, the plates being cutasunder, my Sword like a Saw, all to behack?t and hewd, my Caske strangely bruised, beaten as flat as a Cake, and dented in with the blowes that came hammering on my head: so that I have not any thing in the world to goe further with my Master, when hee shall have occasion to use mee.  For it is agreed on, that my Master shall this night have accesse unto his Mistresse, by the way of her garden.  Now for to furnish my selfe anew, if my life lay on it, I know not where to have one penny or farthing.  

   104. CEL. __ Pídelo, hijo, a tu amo, pues en su seruicio se gastó y quebró.   Pues sabes que es persona que luego lo cumplirá.   Que no es de los que dizen: viue comigo y busca quien te mantenga.   El es tan franco, que te dará para esso y para más.  

CELEST.  Since it is spoiled and broken in your Masters service, goe to your Master for more, let him (a Gods name) pay for it.  Besides, you know it is with him, but aske and have; he will presently furnish you, I warrant you.  For hee is none of those who say to their servants: Live with mee, and looke out some other to maintaine thee; he is so franke, and of so liberall a disposition, that hee will not give thee money for this only, but much more, if neede be.  

   105. SEMP. __ ¡Ha¡Trae también Pármeno perdidas las suyas.   A este cuento, en armas se le yrá su hazienda.   ¿Cómo quieres que le sea tan importuno   en pedirle más de lo que él de su propio grado haze, pues es arto?   No digan por mí que dando vn palmo pido quatro.   Diónos las cient monedas, diónos después la cadena.   A tres tales aguijones no terná cera en el oydo.   Caro le costaría este negocio.   Contentémonos con lo razonable, no lo perdamos todo por querer más de la razón,   que quien mucho abarca, poco suele apretar.  

SEMPR. Tush, what′s this to the purpose?  Parmeno′s be also spoyled and marr?d.  After this reckoning, we may spend our Master all that he hath in armes.  How can you in conscience thinke, or with what face imagine, that I should be so importunate, as to demand more of him then what he hath already done of his owne accord?  He for his part hath done inough; I would not it should be said of me, that hee hath given mee an inch, and that I should take an ell. There is a reason in all things: he hath given us a hundred crownes in gold; he hath given us, besides, a chaine; three such picks more, will picke out all the waxe in his ear; hee hath and will have a hard market of it. Let us content our selves with that which is reason; let us not lose all, by seeking to gaine more then is meet; for he that imbraceth much, holdeth little.  

   106. CEL. __ ¡Gracioso es el asno¡Por mi vejez   que, si sobre comer fuera, que dixera que hauíamos todos cargado demasiado.   ¿Estás en tu seso, Sempronio?   ¿Qué tiene que hazer tu galardón con mi salario, tu soldada con mis mercedes?   ¿Só yo obligada a soldar vuestras armas, a complir vuestras faltas? Osadas, que me maten,   si no te has asido a vna palabrilla,   que te dixe el otro día viniendo por la calle,   que quanto yo tenía era tuyo y que, en quanto pudiesse con mis pocas fuerças, jamás te faltaría,   y que, si Dios me diesse buena manderecha con tu amo,   que tú no perderías nada.   Pues ya sabes, Sempronio, que estos ofrescimientos, estas palabras de buen amor no obligan.   No ha de ser oro quanto reluze;   si no, más barato valdría.   ¿Dime, estoy en tu coraçón, Sempronio?   verás si, avnque soy vieja, si acierto lo que tú puedes pensar.   tengo, hijo, en buena fe,   más pesar que se me quiere salir esta alma de enojo.   Di a esta loca de Elicia, como vine de tu casa, la cadenilla que traxe   para que se holgase con ella y no se puede acordar

CELEST.  How wittily this Asse thinks he hath spoken!   I sweare to thee, by the reverence of this my old age, had these words beene spoken after dinner, I should have said, that wee had all of us taken a cuppe too much; that we had beene all drunke.  Art thou well in thy wits, Sempronio?  What has thy remuneration to doe with my reward?  Thy payment with my merit?  Am I bound to buy you weapons?  Must I repaire your losses, and supply your wants?  Now I thinke upon it, let me be hang?d, or dye any other death, if thou hast not tooke hold of a little word, that carelessly slipt out of my mouth the other day, as we came along the street; for as (I remember) I then told you, that what I had was yours; and that I would never be wanting unto you in any thing, to the utmost of my poore ability; and that if Fortune did prosper my businesse with your Master, that you should lose nothing by it;  But you know (Sempronio) that words of compliment and kindenesse, are not obligatory, nor binde me to doe, as you would have mee: all is not gold that glisters, for then it would be a great deale cheaper then it is. Tell me (Sempronio) if I have not hit the right nayle on the head?  Thou maist see by this, that though I am old, that I can divine as much as thou canst imagine.  In good faith (Sonne) I am as full of griefe, as ever my heart can hold, I am even ready to burst with sorrow and anguish.  As soone as ever I came from your house, and was come home; I gave the chaine I brought hither with me, to this fool Elicia, that she might looke upon it, and cheere her selfe with the sight thereof; and she, for her life, cannot as yet call to mind what shee hath done with it:  and all this live-long night neither shee nor I have slept one winke, for very thought and griefe thereof:  Not so much for the valew of the chaine (for it was not much worth), but to see, that she should be so carelesse in the laying of it up; and to see the ill lucke of it; at the very same time that we mist it, came in some friends of mine, that had beene of my old and familiar acquaintance; and I am sorely afraide, lest they have lighted upon it, and taken it away with them; meaning to make use of that vulgar saying, Si spie it, tum sporte fac; Si non spie it, packe and awaky Iacke.

  Siruamos todos, que a todos dará, según viere que lo merescen.   Que si me ha dado algo, dos vezes he puesto por él mi vida al tablero.   Más herramienta se me ha embotado en su seruicio que a vosotros,   más materiales he gastado.   Pues aués de pensar, hijos, que todo me cuesta dinero   y avn mi saber que no lo he alcançado holgando.   De lo qual fuera buen testigo su madre de Pármeno.   Dios aya su alma.   esto trabajé yo; a vosotros se os deue essotro.   esto tengo yo por oficio y trabajo; vosotros por recreación y deleyte.   Pues assí, no aués vosotros de auer ygual galardón de holgar que yo de penar.   Pero avn con todo lo que he dicho,   no os despidays, si mi cadena parece, de sendos pares de calças de grana,   que es el ábito que mejor en los mancebos paresce.   y si no recebid la voluntad, que yo me callaré con mi pérdida.   y todo esto, de buen amor,   porque holgastes que houiesse yo antes el prouecho destos passos que no otra.   y si no os contentardes, de vuestro daño farés.  

But now (my Sonnes) that I may come a little neerer unto you both, and speake home to the point: If your Master gave mee any thing, what he gave me (that, you must thinke) is mine: As for your cloth of gold doublet, I never ask?t you any share out of it, nor ever will.  We all of us serve him, that he may give unto us all, as he sees wee shall deserve: And as for that which he hath given me, I have twice indangered my life for it; more blades have I blunted in his service then you both; more materiall and substantiall stuffe have I wasted, and have worne out more hose and shooes; And you must not thinke (my Sonnes) but all this costs mee good money.  Besides, my skill, which I got not playing or sitting still, or warming my taile over the fire, as most of your idle housewives do, but with hard labour and paines-taking: as Parmeno′s mother could well witnesse for me, if she were living.  This I have gained to by mine owne industry and labour; as for you, what have you done?   If you have done anything for Calisto, Calisto is to requite you.  I get my living by my Trade and my travell; you yours, with recreation and delight; and therefore you are not to expect equall recompence, injoying your service with pleasure, as I, who goe performing it with paines: but whatsoever I have hitherto said unto you: because you shall see, I will deale kindely with you: if my chaine be found againe, I will give each of you a paire of Scarlet Breeches, which is the comeliest habit that young men can weare.  But if it be not found, you must accept of my good will, and my selfe be content to sit downe with my losse; and all this I doe out of pure love, because you were willing that I should have thebenefit of managing this businesse before another: and if this will not content you, I cannot doe withall.  To your owne harme be it.

   107. SEMP. __ No es esta la primera vez que yo he dicho quánto en los viejos reyna este vicio de   cobdicia.  quando pobre, franca; quando rica, auarienta.   assí que aquiriendo cresce la cobdicia, y la pobreza cobdiciando,   y ninguna cosa haze pobre al auariento sino la riqueza.   ¡O Dios, y cómo cresce la necessidad con la abundancia¡   ¡Quién la oyó esta vieja dezir que me lleuasse yo todo el prouecho, si quisiesse, deste negocio,   pensando que sería poco¡   agora, que lo vee crescido, no quiere dar nada,   por complir el refrán de los niños,   que dizen: de lo poco, poco; de lo mucho, nada.  

SEMPR.  This is not the first time I have heard it spoken; how much in old folks the sin of avarice reigneth: as also that other, When I was poore, then was I liberall; when I was rich, then was I covetous: So that covetousnesse increaseth with getting, and poverty with coveting: and nothing makes the covetous man poore but his riches.  O heavens! How doth penury increase with abundance, and plenty?   How often did this old woman say, that I should have all the profit that should grow from this busines? thinking then perhaps, that it would be but little: but now she sees how great it growes, she will not part with any thing, no, not so much as the parings of her nailes; that she may comply with that common saying of your little children: Of a little, a little; of much, nothing. 

   108. PARM. __ Déte lo que prometió o tomémosselo todo.   Harto te dezía yo quién era esta vieja, si tú me creyeras.  

PARM.  Let her give thee that which she promised; let her make that good, or let us take it all from her.  I told you before (would you have beleeved mee) what an old coozening companion you should finde her.  

   109. CEL. __ Si mucho enojo traés con vosotros o con vuestro amo o armas,   no lo quebreys en mí.   Que bien sé dónde nasce esto,   bien sé y barrunto de qué pie coxqueays.   No cierto de la necessidad que teneys de lo que pedís,   ni avn por la mucha cobdicia que lo teneys,   sino pensando que es he de tener toda vuestra vida atados y catiuos con Elicia y Areusa,   sin quereros buscar otras, moueysme estas amenazas de dinero,   poneysme estos temores de la partición.   Pues callá, que quien éstas os supo acarrear, os dará otras diez agora,   que ay más conoscimiento y más razón y más merecido de vuestra parte. y si   sé complir lo que prometo en este caso, dígalo Pármeno.   Dilo, dilo, no ayas empacho de contar   cómo nos passó quando a la otra dolía la madre.  

CELEST.  If you are angry eyther with your selves, your Master, or your armes, wreck not your wrath upon mee; for I wot well inough whence all this growes, I winde you where you are: I now perceive on which foot you halt; not out of want of that which you demand; nor out of any covetousnes that is in you: but because you thinke I will tye you to Racke and Manager, and make you captives all you life-time to Elicia, and Areusa, and provide you no other fresh ware, you make all this adoe, quarrell thus with me for money, and seeke by fearing me, to force mee to a parting and sharing of stakes.  But be still (my boyes) and content your selves; for she who could helpe you with these, will not sticke to furnish you with halfe a score of handsome wenches apiece, fairer than these by farre, now that I see, that you are growne to greater knowledge and more reason, and a better deservingnesse in your selves.  And whether or no, in such a case as this, I am able to be as good as my word, let Parmeno speake for me.  Speake, speake, Parmeno, be not ashamed, man, to tell what did betide us, with that wench you wot of, that was sicke of the Mother?  

   110. SEMP. __ Yo dígole que se vaya y abáxasse las bragas:   no ando por lo que piensas.   No entremetas burlas a nuestra demanda,   que con esse galgo no tomarás, si yo puedo, más liebres.   Déxate comigo de razones.   A perro viejo no cuz cuz.   Danos las dos partes por cuenta de quanto de Calisto has recebido,   no quieras que se descubra quién tú eres.   A los otros, a los otros, con essos halagos, vieja.  

SEMPR.  I goe not for that which you thinke.  You talke of Chalke, and we of Cheese.  Do not thinke to put us off with a jest; our demands desire a more serious answer.  And assure your selfe (if I can helpe it) you shall take no more Hares with this Grayhound; and therefore lay aside these tricks, and do not stand arguing any longer on the matter; I know your fetches too well: To an old dogge, a man need not cry, Now, now.  Come off therefore quickly, and give us two parts of that which you have received of Calisto.  Dispatch I say, and doe not drive us to discover what you are; come, come, exercise your wits upon some other.  Flap those in the mouth, you old Filth, with your coggings and foistings, that know you not; for wee know you too well.

   111. CEL. __ ¿Quién só yo, Sempronio?? Quitásteme de la putería?   calla tu lengua, no amengües mis canas,   que soy vna vieja qual Dios me hizo, no peor que todas.   viuo de mi oficio, como cada qual oficial del suyo, muy limpiamente.   A quien no me quiere no le busco.   De mi casa me vienen a sacar, en mi casa me ruegan.   Si bien o mal viuo, Dios es el testigo de mi coraçón.   y no pienses con tu yra maltratarme,   que justicia ay para todos: a todos es ygual.   Tan bien seré oyda, avnque muger, como vosotros, muy peynados.   Déxame en mi casa con mi fortuna.   y tú, Pármeno, no pienses que soy tu catiua   por saber mis secretos y mi passada vida   y los casos que nos acaescieron a mi y a la desdichada de tu madre.   y avn assí me trataua ella, quando Dios quería.  

CELEST.  Why, what am I, Sempronio? What do you know me to be?  Didst thou take me out of the Puteria.  Broughtst thou me, as a whore, out of the Stewes?  Bridle your tongue for shame, and doe not dishonour my hoary hayres.  I am an old woman of Gods making, no worse then all other women are: I live by my occupation as other women doe, very well, and handsomely; I seeke not after those who seeke not after me; they that will have me, come home to my house to fetch me; they come home, I say, and intreat mee to doe this or that for them.  And for the life that I lead, whether it be good or bad, heaven knowes my heart: and doe not thinke out of your choller to mis-use mee, for there is Law and Justice for all, and equall to all; and my tale, I doubt not, shall be as sooone heard (though I am an old woman) as your, for all you be so smoothly kemb?d.  Let me alone, I pray, in mine owne house, and with mine owne fortune.  And you, Parmeno, doe not you thinke that I am thy slave, because thou knowst my secrets, and my life past, and all those matters that hapned betwixt mee, and that unfortunate mother of thine; for shee also was wont to use mee on this fashion, when she was disposed to play her prankes with mee.

   112. PARM. __ No me hinches las narizes con essas memorias;   si no, embiarte he con nueuas a ella,   donde mejor te puedas quexar.  

PARM.  Doe not hit mee in the teeth with these thy idle memorialls of my mother, unlesse thou meanest I should send thee with these thy tydings, unto her, where thou mayst better make thy complaint.  

   113. CEL. __ ¡Elicia¡Elicia¡Leuántate dessa cama, daca mi manto presto,   que por los sanctos de Dios para aquella justicia me vaya bramando como vna loca.   ¿Qué es esto?? Qué quieren dezir tales amenazas en mi casa?   ¿Con una oueja mansa tenés vosotros manos y braueza?   ¿Con vna gallina atada?? con vna vieja de sesenta años?   ¡Allá, allá, con los hombres como vosotros,   contra los que ciñen espada, mostrá vuestras yras; no contra mi flaca rueca¡Señal es de   gran couardía acometer a los menores y a los que poco pueden.   las suzias moxcas nunca pican sino los bueyes magros y flacos;   los guzques ladradores a los pobres peregrinos aquexan con mayor ímpetu.   Si aquélla, que allí está en aquella cama, me ouiesse a mí creydo,   jamás quedaría esta casa de noche sin varón ni dormiríemos a lumbre de pajas;   pero por aguardarte, por serte fiel, padescemos esta soledad.   y como nos veys mugeres, hablays y pedís demasías.   Lo qual, si hombre sintiéssedes en la posada, no haríades.   Que como dizen: el duro aduersario entibia las yras y sañas.  

CELEST.  Elicia, Elicia, arise and come downe quickly, and bring me my mantle; for by heaven, I will hye mee to the Justice, and there cry out and raile at you, like a made woman. What is′t you would have?  What do you meane, to menace me thus in mine owne house?  Shall your valour and your bravings be exercise on a poore silly innocent sheepe?  On a Hen, that is tyed by the leg, and cannot flye from you?  On an old woman of sixty yeeres of age?  Get you, get you, for shame, amongst men, such as your selves; goe and reake your anger upon such as are girt with the Sword, and not against me and my poore weake Distaffe: it is an infallible note of great cowardize, to assaile the weake and such as have but small, or very little power to resist: your filthy Flyes bite none but leane and feeble Oxen: and your barking Curres flye with greater eagernesse, and more open-mouth upon your poorest passengers.  If she that lies above there in the bed, would have hearkened unto me, this house should not have beene (as now it is) without a man in the night; nor wee have slept (as wee doe) by the naked shaddow of a candle.  But to pleasure you, and to be faithfull unto you, wee suffer this solitude; and because you see wee are women, and have no body heere to oppose you, you prate, and talke, and aske, I know not what, without any reason in the world, which you would as soone have been hang?d, as once dar?d to have proffer?d it, if you had heard but a man stirring in the house; for, as it is in the Proverbe, A hard adversary appeaseth anger.

   114. SEMP. __ ¡O vieja auarienta, garganta muerta de sed por dinero¡   ¿No serás contenta con la tercia parte de lo ganado?  

SEMPR.  O thou old covetous Cribbe, that art ready to dye with the thirst of gold! cannot a third part of the gaine content thee?  

   115. CEL. __ ¿Qué tercia parte? Vete con Dios de mi casa tú.   y essotro no dé vozes, no allegue la vezindad.   No me hagays salir de seso.   No querays que salgan a plaza las cosas de Calisto y vuestras.  

CELEST.  What third part?  A pocks on you both; out of my house in a divels name, you and your companion with you; doe not make such a stirre heere as you doe.  Cause not our neighbours to come about us, and make them thinke wee be madde.  Put mee not our of my wits; make me not madde: you would not, I trow, would you, that Calisto?s matters and your should be proclaimed openly at the Crosse?  Heere?s a stirre indeed.  

   116. SEMP. __ Dá bozes o gritos,   que tú complirás lo que prometiste o complirán oy tus días.  

SEMPR.  Cry, bawle, and make a noyse; all′s one, we care not: eyther looke to performe your promise, or to end your daies.  Dye you must, or else doe as we will have you. 

   117. ELIC. __ Mete, por Dios, el espada. Tenle. Pármeno, tenle, no la mate esse desuariado.  

ELICIA.  Ah woe is mee!  put up your Sword; hold him, hold him, Parmeno; for feare lest the foole should kill her in his madnesse.

   118. CEL. __ ¡Justicia¡justicia¡señores vezinos¡   ¡Justicia¡que me matan en mi casa estos rufianes!  

CELEST.  Justice, Justice; helpe, neighbours, Justice, Justice; for heere be Ruffians, that will murder mee in my house.  Murder, murder murder. 

   119. SEMP. __ ¿Rufianes o qué?   Espera, doña hechizera, que yo te haré yr al infierno con cartas.  

SEMPR.  Ruffians, you Whore?  Ruffians, you old Bawd?  have you no better tearmes?  Thou old Sorceresse; thou witch, thou; looke for no other favour at my hands, but that I send thee poast unto hell; you shall have letters thither, you shall (you old Inchantresse) and that speedily too; you shall have a quicke dispatch. 

   120. CEL. __ ¡Ay, que me ha muerto¡Ay, ay¡! confessión, confessión!  

CELEST.  Ay me, I am slaine.  Ay, ay.  Confession, Confession.

   121. PARM. __ Dale, dale, acábala, pues començaste. ¡Que nos sentirán¡! Muera¡muera¡De los enemigos los menos.  

PARM.  So, so: kill her, kill her; make an end of her, since thou hast begunne; be briefe, be briefe with her; lest the neighbours may chance to heare us.  Let her dye, let her dye; let us draw as few enemies upon us as wee can.

   122. CEL. __ ¡Confessión!  

CELEST.  Oh, oh, oh!

   123. ELIC. __ ¡O crueles enemigos¡   ¡En mal poder os veays¡   ¡Y para quién touistes manos!   ¡Muerta es mi madre y mi bien todo!  

ELICIA.  O cruell-hearted as you are!   Enemies in the highest nature; shame and confusion light upon you; the extremity of Justice fall upon you, with its greatest vigour, and all those that have had a hand in it.  My mother is dead, and with her, all my happinesse.

   124. SEMP. __ ¡Huye¡huye¡Pármeno, que carga mucha gente.   ¡Guarte¡guarte¡Que viene el alguazil.  

SEMPR.  Flye, flye, Parmeno, the people beginne to flocke hitherward.  See, see, yonder comes the Alguazil.  

   125. PARM. __ ¡O pecador de mí¡Que no ay por do nos vamos,   que está tomada la puerta.  

PARM.  Ay me, wretch that I am!  there is no meanes of escape for us in the world; for they have made good the doore, and are entring the house.

   126. SEMP. __ Saltemos destas ventanas. No muramos en poder de justicia.  

SEMPR.  Let us leape out at these windowes; And let us dye rather so, thae fall into the hands of Justice.

   127. PARM. __ Salta, que tras ti voy.  

PARM.  Leape then, and I will follow thee.






 

ACTO XIII

Sumario: Despertado CALISTO de dormir, sta hablando consigo mismo. Dende un poco sta llamando a TRISTAN y a otros sus criados. Torna dormir CALISTO. Ponese TRISTAN a la puerta. Viene SOSIA llorando. Preguntado de TRISTAN, SOSIA cuentale la muerte de SEMPRONIO y PARMENO. Van a dezyr las nuevas a CALISTO, el qual, sabiendo la verdad, haze grande lamentacion.  

ACTUS XIII

THE ARGUMENT Calisto awakened from sleepe, talkes a while with hiselfe; anon after hee calls unto Tristan, and some other of his servants.  By and by Calisto falls asleepe againe; Tristan goes downe, and stands at the doore.  Sosia comes weeping unto him; Tristan, demanding the cause, Sosia delivers unto him the death of Sempronio and Parmeno; they doe and acquaint Calisto with it, who knowing the truth thereof, maketh great lamentation.  Interlocutors: Calisto, Tristan, Sosia.  

   1. CAL. __ ¡O cómo he dormido tan a mi plazer,   después de aquel açucarado rato, después de aquel angélico razonamiento¡   gran reposo he tenido.   El sossiego y descanso ¿Proceden de mi alegría   o causó el trabajo corporal mi mucho dormir o la gloria y plazer del ánimo?   y no me marauillo que lo vno y lo otro se juntassen   a cerrar los candados de mis ojos,   pues trabajé con el cuerpo y persona y holgué con el espíritu y sentido la passada noche.

CALISTO.        O how daintily have I slept!  Ever since that sweete short space of time, since that harmonious discourse I injoyed; I have had exceeding ease, taken very good rest; this contentment and quietude hath proceeded from my joy.  Either the travaile of my body caused so sound a sleepe; of else the glory and pleasure of my minde: Nor doe I much wonder, that both the one and the other should linke hands and joyne together to cloze the lids of mine eyes, since I travail′d the last night with my body and person, and tooke pleasure with my spirit and senses. 

  Muy cierto es que la tristeza acarrea pensamiento   y el mucho pensar impide el sueño,   como a mi estos días es acaescido con la desconfiança, que tenía, de la mayor   gloria, que ya poseo.   ¡O señora y amor mio, Melibea¡? Qué piensas agora?   ¿Si duermes o estás despierta?? Si piensas en mí o en otro?   ¿Si estás leuantada o acostada?   ¡O dichoso y bienandante Calisto, si verdad es que no ha sido sueño lo pasado¡  

True it is, that sorrow causeth much thought; and overmuch thought, much hindreth sleepe: as it was mine owne case within these few daies when I was much discomfited and quite out of heart, of ever hoping to injoy that surpassing happinesse, which I now possesse.  O my sweete Lady, and dearest Love, Melibea, what dost thou thinke on now?  Art thou asleepe, or awake?  Thinkst thou on mee, or some body else?  Art thou up and ready, or art thou not yet stirring?  O most happy, and most fortunate Calisto, if it be true, and that it be no dreame, which hath already passed!  

  ¿Soqélo o no?? Fué fantaseado o passó en verdad?   Pues no estuue solo; mis criados me acompañaron. dos eran.   Si ellos dizen que passó en verdad, creerlo he segund derecho. quiero mandarlos llamar para más firmar mi gozo. ¡Tristanico¡! moços¡ Tristanico¡Leuántate de ay.  

Dream′t I, or dream′t I not?  was it a meere phantasie, or was it a reall truth?  but now I remember my selfe, I was not alone, my servants waited on me, there were two of them with me; if they shall affirme it to be no dreame, but that all that past was true, I am bound to beleeve it: I will command them to be called, for the further confirmation of my joy.  Tristanico, Why ho?  Where are my men?  Tristanico, Hye you and come up: arise, I say, get you up quickly and come hither.

   2. TRIST. __ Señor, leuantado estoy. 

TRISTAN.        Sir, I am up, and heere already.

   3. CAL. __ Corre, llámame a Sempronio y a Pármeno. 

CALISTO.        Goe, runne, and call mee hither Sempronio and Parmeno.

   4. TRIST. __ Ya voy, señor.  

TRISTAN.        I shall, Sir.

   5. CAL. __ Duerme y descansa, penado, Desde agora:   Pues te ama tu señora De tu grado.   Vence plazer al cuydado y no le vea,   Pues te ha fecho su priuado Melibea.  

CALISTO.    Now sleepe, and take thy rest,

   Once griev′d, and pained Wight;

Since shee now loves thee best,

   Who is why hearts delight.

Let joy be thy soules guest;

   And care be banish′t quite;

Since shee hate thee esprest

   To be her Favourite.

   6. TRIST. __ Señor, no ay ningún moço en casa.  

TRISTAN.        There is not so much as a boy in the house.

   7. CAL. __ Pues abre essas ventanas, verás qué hora es.  

CALISTO.        Open the windowes, and see whether it be day or no.

   8. TRIST. __ Señor, bien de día.  

TRISTAN.        Sir, it is broad day.

   9. CAL. __ Pues tórnalas a cerrar y déxame dormir hasta que sea hora de comer.  

CALISTO.        Goe againe, and see if you can finde them; and see you wake me not, till it be almost dinner-time.

   10. TRIST. __ Quiero baxarme a la puerta, porque duerma mi amo   sin que ninguno le impida y a quantos le buscaren se le negaré.   ¡O qué grita suena en el mercado¡? Qué es esto?   alguna justicia se haze o madrugaron a correr toros.  

TRISTAN.        I will goe downe and stand at the doore, that my Master may take out his full sleepe; and to as many as shall aske for him, I shall answer that hee is not within.  O what an out-cry doe I heare in the Market-place!  whats the matter a Gods name?  There is some execution of Justice to be done, or else they are up so earely to see some Bull-baiting. 

  No sé qué me diga de tan grandes vozes como se dan.   De allá viene Sosia, el moço de espuelas.   El me dirá qué es esto.   Desgreñado viene el vellaco.   En alguna tauerna se deue hauer rebolcado.   y si mi amo le cae en el rastro,   mandarle ha dar dos mil palos.   Que, avnque es algo loco, la pena le hará cuerdo.   parece que viene llorando.   ¿Qué es esto, Sosia?? Porqué lloras?? De dó vienes?  

I do not know what to make of this noyse, it is some great matter, the noyse is so great; but lo, yonder comes Sosia, my Masters foot-boy; hee will tell mee what the businesse is.  Looke how the Rogue comes pulling and tearing of his hayre; he hath tumbled into one Taverne or other, where he hate beene scuffling.  But if my master chance to sent him, hee will cause his coat to be well cudgelled; for though hee be somewhat foolish, punhisment will make him wise; be mee thinkes hee comes weeping.  What′s the matter, Sosia?  Why dost thou weepe?  Whence coms′t thou now?  Why speak′st thou not?

   11. SOS. __ ¡O malauenturado yo y qué pérdida tan grande¡   ¡O desonrra de la casa de mi amo¡   ¡O qué mal día amanesció éste¡O desdichados mancebos!

SOSIA.  O miserable that I am!  what misfortune could be more?  O what great dishonour to my Masters house!  O what an unfortunate morning is this!  O unhappy young men!

   12. TRIST. __¿Qué es?? Qué has? ? Porqué te matas?? Qué mal es éste? 

TRISTAN.        What′s the matter, man?  Why dost thou keepe such adoe?  Why griev′st thou thus?  What mischiefe hath befalne us?

   13. SOS. __ Sempronio y Pármeno. . .  

SOSIA.  Sempronio, and Parmeno!

   14. TRIST. __ ¿Qué dizes, Sempronio y Pármeno?   ¿Qué es esto, loco? Aclárate más, que me turbas.  

TRISTAN.  What of Sempronio and Parmeno?  What meanes this foole?  Speake a little plainer, thou torment′st me with delayes.

   15. SOS. __ Nuestros compañeros, nuestros hermanos. . .  

SOSIA.  Our old companions, our fellowes, our brethren. 

   16. TRIST. __ O tú estás borracho o has perdido el seso   o traes alguna mala nueua.   ¿No me dirás qué es esto, qué dices, destos moços?  

TRISTAN.  Thou art eyther drunke or mad; or thou bringest some ill newes along with thee.  Why dost thou not tell mee what thou hast to say, concerning these young men?

   17. SOS. __ Que quedan degollados en la plaça. 

SOSIA.  That they lie slayne in the streete

   18. TRIST. __ ¡O mala fortuna la nuestra, si es verdad¡   ¿Vístelos cierto o habláronte.?  

TRISTAN.  O unfortunate mischance!  Is it true?  Didst thou see them?  Did they speake unto thee?

   19. SOS. __ Ya sin sentido yuan;   pero el uno con harta difficultad, como me sintió   que con lloro le miraua, hincó los ojos en mí,   alçando las manos al cielo, quasi dando gracias a Dios   y como preguntándome que sentía de su morir.  

SOSIA.  No.  They were e′n almost past all sense; but one of them with much adoe, when hee saw I beheld him with teares, beganne to looke a little towards me, fixing his eyes upon me, and lifting up his hands to heaven, as one that is making his prayers unto God; and looking on mee, as if hee had ask′t mee, if I were not sorry for his death?   

  Y en señal de triste despedida abaxó su cabeça con lágrimas en los ojos,   dando bien a entender que no me auía de ver más hasta el día del gran juyzio.  

And straight after, as one that perceiv′d whither he was presently to goe, he let fall his head, with teares in his eyes, giving thereby to understand, that hee should never see mee againe, till we did meete at that day of the great Judgement. 

   20. TRIST. __ No sentiste bien; que sería preguntarte si estaua presente Calisto.   y pues tan claras señas traes deste cruel dolor, vamos presto con las tristes nueuas a nuestro amo. 

TRISTAN.   You did not observe in him, that he would have askt you whether Calisto were there or no?  But since thou hast such manifest proofes of this cruell sorrow, let us haste with these dolefull tidings to our Master.

   21. SOS. __ ¡Señor¡ señor!  

SOSIA.  Master, Master, doe you heare, Sir?

   22. CAL. __ ¿Qué es esso, locos?   ¿No os mandé que no me recordásedes?  

CALISTO.   What, are you mad?  Did not I tell you, I should not be wakened?

   23. SOS. __ Recuerda y leuanta, que si tú no buelues por los tuyos, de cayda vamos.   Sempronio y Pármeno quedan descabeçados en la plaça, como públicos malhechores,   con pregones que manifestauan su delito.  

SOSIA.  Rowze up your selfe, and rise: for if you doe not sticke unto us, we are all undone.  Sempronio and Parmeno lie beheaded in the Market-place, as publike malefactors; and their fault proclaimed by the common Cryer.

   24. CAL. __ ¡O válasme Dios¡? Y qué es esto que me dizes?   No sé si te crea tan acelerada y triste nueua. ¿Vístelos tú?  

CALISTO.  Now heaven helpe mee!  What is′t thou tell′st mee?  I know not whether I may beleeve thee, in this thy so sudden and sorrowfull newes.  Didst thou see them?  

   25. SOS. __ Yo los vi.  

SOSIA.  I saw them, Sir.

   26. CAL. __ Cata, mira qué dizes, que esta noche han estado comigo.  

CALISTO.  Take heede what thou say′st; for this night they were with mee.  

   27. SOS. __ Pues madrugaron a morir.  

SOSIA.  But rose too earely to their deaths.

   28. CAL. __ ¡O mis leales criados¡O mis grandes seruidores¡   ¡O mis fieles secretarios y consejeros¡   ¿Puede ser tal cosa verdad?  

CALISTO.   O my loyall servants!  O my chiefest followers!  O my faithfull Secretaries and Counsellours in all my affaires!  Can it be, that this should be true? 

  ¡O amenguado Calisto¡ Desonrrado quedas para toda tu vida.   ¿Qué será de ti, muertos tal par de criados?   dime, por Dios, Sosia, ¿Qué fue la causa?? Qué dezía el pregón?   ¿Dónde los tomaron? ? Qué justicia lo hizo?  

O unfortunate Calisto!  thou art dishonoured as long as thou hast a day to live; what shall become of thee, having lost such a paire of trusty servants?  Tell mee, for pitty′s sake, Sosia, what was the cause of their deaths?  What spake the Proclomation?  Where were they slaine?  by what Justice were they beheaded?

   29. SOS. __ Señor, la causa de su muerte publicaua el cruel verdugo a vozes,   diziendo: Manda la justicia que mueran los violentos matadores.  

SOSIA.  The cause, Sit, of their deaths, was published by the cruell executioner, or common hangman, who delivered with a loud voyce; Justice hath commanded, that these violent murderers be put to death.

   30. CAL. __ ¿A quién mataron tan presto?? Qué puede ser esto?   No ha quatro horas que de mí se despidieron. ¿Cómo se llamaua el muerto?  

CALISTO.    Who was it they so suddenly slew?  who might it be?  it is no foure houres agoe since they left me.  How call you the party whom they murthered?  What was hee for a man?

   31. SOS. __ Señor, vna muger, que se llamaua Celestina. 

SOSIA.  It was a woman, Sir, one whom they call Celestina.

   32. CAL. __ ¿Qué me dizes?  

CALISTO.    What′s that thou sayest?

   33. SOS. __ Esto que oyes.  

SOSIA.  That which you heard me tell you, Sir.

   34. CAL. __ Pues si esso es verdad, mátame tú a mí, yo te perdono:   que más mal ay, que viste ni puedes pensar,   si Celestina, la de la cuchillada, es la muerta.  

CALISTO.    If this be true, kill thou me too, and I will forgive thee.  For sure, there is more ill behinde; more then was either seene, or thought upon, if that Celestina be slaine, that hath the slash over her face.

   35. SOS. __ Ella mesma es. De más de treynta estocadas la vi llagada,   tendida en su casa llorándola vna su criada.  

SOSIA.  It is the very same, Sir: for I saw her stretcht out in her owne house, and her maide weeping by her, having received in her body above thirty severall wounds. 

   36. CAL. __ ¡O tristes moços¡? Cómo yuan?? Viéronte?? Habláronte?  

CALISTO.   O unfortunate young men!  How went they?  Did they see thee?  Spake they unto thee?

   37. SOS. __ ¡O señor¡Que, si los vieras, quebraras el coraçón de dolor.   El vno lleuaua todos los sesos de la cabeça de fuera, sin ningún sentido;   el otro quebrados entramos braços y la cara magullada.   todos llenos de sangre.  

SOSIA.  O Sir, had you seen them, your heart would have burst with griefe:  One of them had all his braines beaten out in a most pittifull manner, and lay without any sense, or motion in the world:  The other had both his armes broken, and his face so sorely bruised, that it was all blacke and blue, and all of a goare-bloud. 

  Que saltaron de vnas ventanas muy altas por huyr del aguazil.   y assí casi muertos les cortaron las cabeças,   que creo que ya no sintieron nada.  

For, that they might not fall into the Alguazils hands, they leapt downe out of a high window; and so being in a manner quite dead, they chopt off their heads, when, I thinke, they scarce felt, what harme was done them.

   38. CAL. __ Pues yo bien siento mi honrra.   Pluguiera a Dios que fuera yo ellos   y perdiera la vida y no la honrra,   y no la esperança de conseguir mi començado propósito,   que es lo que más en este caso desastrar siento. ¡  

CALISTO.    Now I beginne to have a taste of shame; and to feele how much I am toucht in mine honour: would I had excused them and had lost my life, so I had not lost my honour, and my hope of atchieving my commenced purpose, which is, the greatest griefe and distaste that in this case I feele.   

O mi triste nombre y fama, cómo andas al tablero de   boca en boca¡   ¡O mis secretos más secretos, quán públicos andarés por las plaças y mercados!   ¿Qué será de mí?? Adónde yré?   ¿Que salga allá? : a los muertos no puedo ya remediar.   ¿Que me esté aquí? : parescerá couardía.   ¿Qué consejo tomaré? Dime, Sosia, ¿Qué era la causa por que la mataron?  

O my name and reputation, how unfortunately dost thou goe from Table to Table, from mouth to mouth!  O yee my secret, my secret actions, how openly will you now walk thorow every publike street, and open Market-place?  What shall become of me?  Whither shall I go?  If I goe forth to the dead, I am unable to recover them, and if I stay heere, it will be deemed cowardize.  What counsell shall I take?  Tell me, Sosia, what was the cause they kild her? 

   39. SOS. __ Señor, aquella su criada, dando vozes, llorando su muerte,   la publicaua a quantos la querían oyr,   diziendo que porque no quiso partir con ellos vna cadena de oro que tú le diste.  

SOSIA.  That maid (Sir) of hers, which sate weeping and crying over her, make knowne the cause of her death to as many as would heare it; saying, that they slew her, because she would not let them share with her in that chaine of gold, which you had lately given her.

   40. CAL. __ ¡O día de congoxa¡O fuerte tribulación¡   ¡Y en qué anda mi hazienda de mano en mano y mi nombre de lengua en lengua¡   todo será público quanto con ella y con ellos hablaua,   quanto de mí sabían, el negocio en que andauan.  

CALISTO.   O wretched and unfortunate day!  O sorrow, able to breake even a heart of Adamant!  How goe my goods from hand to hand, and my name from tongue to tongue?  All will be published and come to light, whatsoever I have spoken, either to her, or them; whatsoever they knew of my doings; and whatsoever was done in the businesse. 

  No osaré salir ante gentes.   ¡O pecadores de mancebos, padecer por tan súpito desastre¡   ¡O mi gozo, cómo te vas diminuiendo¡Prouerbio es antigo, que de muy alto grandes caydas se   dan.  Mucho hauía anoche alcançado; mucho tengo oy perdido.   Rara es la bonança en el piélago.   Yo estaua en título de alegre, si mi ventura quisiera tener quedos los ondosos vientos de mi perdición.  

I dare not go forth of doores; I am ashamed to look any man in the face.  O miserable young men! that yee should suffer death by so sudden a disaster.  O my joyes, how doe you goe declining, and waining from me!  but it is an ancient Proverbe; That the higher a man climbes, the greater is his fall.  Last night I gained much; to day I have lost much.  Your Sea-calmes are rare, and seldome.  I might have been listed in the roll of the happy, if my fortune would but have allayd these tempestous winds of my perdition.

  ¡O fortuna, quánto y por quántas partes me has combatido¡   Pues, por más que sigas mi morada y seas contraria a mi persona,   las aduersidades con ygual ánimo se han de sofrir   y en ellas se prueua el coraçón rezio o flaco.   No ay mejor toque para conoscer qué quilates de virtud o esfuerço tiene el hombre.   Pues por más mal y daño que me venga,   no dexaré de complir el mandado de aquélla por quien todo esto se ha causado.  

O Fortune! how much, and thorow how many parts hast thou beaten mee!  But howsoever thou dost shake my house, and how opposite soever thou art unto my person, yet are adversities to be endured with an equall courage: and by them, the heart is prooved, whther it be of Oke, or Elder, strong, or weake; there is no better Say, or Touchstone in the world, to know what finenesse, or what Characts of Vertue or of Fortitude remain in a man.  And therefore come what will come, fall backe, fall edge, I will not desist to accomplish her desire, for whose sake all this hath hapned.   

  Que más me va en conseguir la ganancia de la gloria que espero,   que en la pérdida de morir los que murieron.   Ellos eran sobrados y esforzados:   agora o en otro tiempo de pagar hauían.   La vieja era mala y falsa, según parece que hazía trato con ellos,   y assí que riñieron sobre la capa del justo.  

For it is better for mee to pursue the benefit of that glory, which I expect, then the losse of those that are dead.  They were proud, and stout, and would have beene slaine at some other time, if not now.  The old woman was wicked and false, as it seemes, in her dealings, not complying with that contact which shee had made with them: so that they fell out about the true mans cloake; taking it from the true owner, to share it amongst themselves.

  Permissión fue diuina que assí acabasse en pago de muchos adulterios que por su intercessión o   causa son cometidos.   quiero hazer adereçar a Sosia y a Tristanico.   Yrán comigo este tan esperado camino. Lleuarán escalas, que son muy altas las paredes.  

But this was a just judgement of God upon her, that she should receive this payment, for the many adulteries, which by her intercession and meanes have beene committed.  Sosia and Tristanico shall provide themselves; they shall accompany me, in this my desired walke; they shall carry the Scaling-ladders, for the walls are very high. 

Mañana haré que vengo de fuera, si pudiere vengar estas muertes; si no, pagaré mi inocencia con mi fingida absencia o me fingiré loco, por mejor gozar deste sabroso deleyte de mis amores, como hizo aquel gran capitán Vlixes por euitar la batalla troyana y holgar con Penélope su muger.  

To morrow I will abroad, and see if I can revenge their deaths; if not, I will purge my innocency with a fained absence; or else faine my selfe mad, that I may the better injoy this so tastefull a delight of my sweet Love; as did that great Captaine Vlysses, to shunne the Trojane warre, that hee might lie dulcing at home with his wife Penelope.







ACTO XIV

Sumario: Esta MELIBEA muy affligida hablando con Lucrecia sobre la tardanccedil;a de CALISTO, el qual le avia hecho voto de venir en aquella noche a visitalla, lo qual cumplio; y con el vinieron SOSIA y TRIST N. Y despues que cumplio su voluntad, bolvieron todos a la posada, y CALISTO se retrae en su palacio y quexase por aver estado tan poca quantidad de tiempo con MELIBEA, y ruega a Febo que cierre sus rayos, para haver de restaurar su desseo.  

ACTUS XIV

THE ARGUMENT MELIBEA is much afflicted; she talks with Lucrecia concerning Calisto′s slackness in coming, who had vowed that night to come and visit her.  The which he performed.  And with him came Sosia and Tristan; and after that he had accomplished his desire, they all of them betook them to their rest.  Calisto gets him home to his Palace; and there begins to complain and lament, that he had stayed so little a while with Melibea; and begs of Phoebus, that he would shut his beams, that he might the sooner go to renew his desire. Interlocutors: Melibea, Lucrecia, Sosia, Tristan, Calisto.  

   1. MELIB. __ Mucho se tarda aquel cauallero que esperamos.   ¿Qué crees tú o sospechas de su estada, Lucrecia?  

MELIBEA.        Me thinks the gentleman, whom we look for, stays very long.  Tell me (Lucrecia) what thinkest thou?  Will he come or no?  

   2. LUCR. __ Señora, que tiene justo impedimiento   y que no es en su mano venir más presto.

LUCRECIA.       I conceive (madame) he hath some just cause of stay, and it is not in his power to come so soon as you expect.  

   3. MELIB. __ Los ángeles sean en su guarda,   su persona esté sin peligro,   que su tardanza no me es pena.   Mas, cuytada, pienso muchas cosas   que desde su casa acá le podrían acaecer.   ¿Quién sabe si él, con voluntad de venir a prometido plazo   en la forma que los tres mancebos a las tales horas suelen andar,   fue topado de los alguaziles noturnos   y sin le conocer le han acometido,   el qual por se defender los offendió o es dellos offendido?   O si por caso los ladradores perros con sus crueles dientes   que ninguna differencia saben hazer ni acatamiento de personas, le ayan mordido?   ¿ O si ha caydo en alguna calçada o hoyo,   donde algún daño le viniesse?   ¡ Mas, o mezquina de mí¡? Qué son estos inconuenientes, que el concebido amor me pone delante   y los atribulados ymaginamientos me acarrean?   No plega a Dios que ninguna destas cosas sea,   antes esté quanto le plazerá sin verme. Mas escucha, que passos suenan en la   calle  y avn parece que hablan destotra parte del

MELIBEA.        Good spirits be his guard and preserve his person from peril!   For his long stay doth not so much grieve me: but I am afraid lest some misfortune or other may befall him, as he is on his way unto us.  For who knows, whether he, coming so willingly to the place appointed and in that kind of fashion, as such gentlemen as he on the like occasion and the like hour use to go; whether or no, I say, he may chance to light upon the night-watch, or be met by the alguacils, and they not knowing him have set upon him, and he to defend himself hath either hurt them or they him?  Or whether some roguish cur or other with his cruel teeth (for such dogs as they make no difference of persons) have perhaps unfortunately bit him?  Or whether he hath fallen upon the causey or into some dangerous pit, whereby he may receive some harm?  But, ay me! these are but inconveniences which my conceived love brings forth, and my troubled thoughts present unto me.  Goodness forbid that any of these misfortunes should befall him!   Rather let him stay as long as it shall please himself, from coming to visit me.  But hark, hark, what steps are those that I hear in the street? And to my thinking likewise I hear somebody talking on this side of the garden.  

   4. SOS. __ Arrima essa escalera, Tristán,   que este es el mejor lugar, avnque alto.  

SOSIA.   Tristan, set the ladder here; for, though it be higher, yet I take it to be the better place.  

   5. TRIST. __ Sube, señor. Yo yré contigo,   porque no sabemos quién está dentro. Hablando están.  

TRISTAN.        Get up, sir: and I will along with you.  For we know not who is there within, they are talking (I am sure) whoe′er they be.  

   6. CAL. __ Quedaos, locos, que yo entraré solo,   que a mi señora oygo.  

CALISTO.        Stay here, you fool, I will in alone, for I hear my lady and mistress. 

   7. MELIB. __ Es tu sierua, es tu catiua,   es la que más tu vida que la suya estima.   ¡O mi señor¡No saltes de tan alto, que me moriré en verlo;   baxa, baxa poco a poco por el escala;   no vengas con tanta pressura.  

MELIBEA.        Your servant, your slave, Calisto, who prizes more yours than her own life.  O my dear lord, take heed how you leap, leap not down so high; you kill me, if you do: I shall swoon in seeing it. Come down, come down gently, I pray.  Take more leisure in coming down the ladder; as you love me, come not so fast.  

   8. CAL. __ ¡O angélica ymagen¡O preciosa perla, ante quien el mundo es feo¡   ¡O mi señora y mi gloria¡   En mis braços te tengo y no lo creo.   Mora en mi persona tanta turbación de plazer,   que me haze no sentir todo el gozo que poseo.  

CALISTO.        O divine image!   O precious pearl; before whom the whole world appeareth foul!   O my lady and my glory; I embrace and hug thee in mine arms, and yet I not believe it: such a turbation of pleasure seizeth on my person, that it makes me not feel the fullness of that joy I possess.  

   9. MELIB. __ Señor mio, pues me fié en tus manos,   pues quise complir tu voluntad,   no sea de peor condición,   por ser piadosa, que si fuera esquiua y sin misericordia;   no quieras perderme por tan breue deleyte y en tan poco espacio. Que las malfechas cosas, después de cometidas, más   presto se pueden reprehender que emendar.   Goza de lo que yo gozo,   que es ver y llegar a tu persona;   no pidas ni tomes aquello que, tomado, no será en tu mano boluer.   guarte, señor, de dañar lo que con todos tesoros del mundo no se restaura.  

MELIBEA.        My lord, sithence I have entrusted myself in your hands, since I have been willing to comply with your will, let me not be worse thought of for being pitiful, than if I had been coy and merciless.  Nor do not work my undoing, for a delight so momentary and performed in so short a space.  For actions that are ill, after they are committed, may easier be reprehended than amended. Rejoice thou in that, wherein I rejoice; which is, to see and draw near unto thy person, to view and touch thee.  But do not offer either to ask or take that, which being taken away, is not in thy power to restore.  Take heed, sir, that you go not about to overthrow that, which with all the wealth in the world you are not able to repair.  

   10. CAL. __ Señora, pues por conseguir esta merced toda mi vida he gastado,   ¿Qué sería, quando me la diessen, desechalla?   Ni tú, señora, me lo mandarás ni yo podría acabarlo comigo.   No me pidas tal couardía.   No es fazer tal cosa de ninguno, que hombre sea,   mayormente amando como yo.   Nadando por este fuego de tu desseo toda mi vida,   ¿No quieres que me arrime al dulce puerto a descansar de mis passados trabajos?  

CALISTO.        Dear lady, since for to obtain this favour, I have spent my whole life, what folly were it in me to refuse that which you have so kindly conferred upon me?  Nor (madame) do I hope that you will lay so hard a command upon me, or if you should, yet have I not power to contain myself within the limits of your command.  Do not impose such a point of cowardice upon me: for I tell you, it is not in any man that is a man, to forbear in such a case, and to condition so hard with himself; much less in me, loving as I do, and having swum, as I have done all my life long, through this sea of thy desire and mine own love.  Will you then after my so many travails, deny me entrance into that sweet haven, where I may find some ease of all my former sorrows?

   11. MELIB. __ Por mi vida, que avnque hable tu lengua quanto quisiere,   no obren las manos quanto pueden.   está quedo, señor mio.   Bástete, pues ya soy tuya, gozar de lo esterior   desto que es propio fruto de amadores;   no me quieras robar el mayor don que la natura me ha dado.   Cata que del buen pastor es propio tresquillar sus ouejas y ganado;   pero no destruyrlo y estragarlo.  

MELIBEA.        As you love me (Calisto) though my tongue take liberty to talk what it will; yet, I prithee, let not they hands do all what they can. Be quiet (good sir) since I am yours, suffice it you content yourself in the enjoying of this outwardness which is the proper fruit of lovers, and not to rob me of the greatest [j}>ewel, which nature hath enriched me with; consider besides that it is the property of a good shepherd to fleece, but not to flay his sheep; to sheer them, but not to uncase them.  

   12. CAL. __ ¿Para qué, señora?? para que no esté queda mi passión?   ¿Para penar de nueuo?   ¿Para tornar el juego de comienço?   Perdona, señora, a mis desuergonçadas manos,   que jamás pensaron de tocar tu ropa con su indignidad y poco merecer;   agora gozan de llegar a tu gentil cuerpo y lindas y delicadas carnes.  

CALISTO.        Madame, what mean you by this? That my passions should not be at peace? That I shall run over my torments anew?  That I shall return to my old yoke again?  Pardon (sweet lady) these my impudent hands, if too presumptuously they press upon you, which once did never think (so altogether were they unworthy) not to touch, no not so much as any part of thy garments, that they now have leave to lay themselves with a gentle palm on this dainty body of thine, this most white, soft, and delicate flesh.  

   13. MELIB. __ Apártate allá, Lucrecia.  

MELIBEA.        Lucrecia, go aside a little.  

   14. CAL. __ ¿Por qué, mi señora?   Bien me huelgo que estén semejantes testigos de mi gloria.  

CALISTO.        And why, madame?  I should be proud to have such witnesses as she of my glory.  

   15. MELIB. __ Yo no los quiero de mi yerro.   Si pensara que tan desmesuradamente te auías de hauer comigo,   no fiara mi persona de tu cruel conuersación.  

MELIBEA.        So would not I, when I do amiss. And had I but thought that you would have used me thus, or been but half so violent as I now see you are, I would not have trusted my person with such a rough and cruel conversation.  

   16. SOS. __ Tristán, bien oyes lo que passa.   ¡En qué términos anda el negocio!  

SOSIA.   Tristan, you hear what hath passed and how the gear goes.  

   17. TRIST. __ Oygo tanto, que juzgo a mi amo por el más bienauenturado hombre que nasció.   y por mi vida que, avnque soy mochacho, que diesse tan buena cuenta como mi amo.  

TRISTAN.        I hear so much, that I hold my master the happiest man that lives.  And I assure thee (though I am but a boy to speak of) methinks, I could give as good account of such a business as my master.  

   18. Sos. __ Para con tal joya quienquiera se ternía manos;   pero con su pan se la coma,   que bien caro le cuesta:   dos moços entraron en la salsa destos amores.  

SOSIA.  To such a jewel as this, who would not reach out his hand?  But allow him this flesh to his bread, and much good may it do him.  For he hath paid, well for it: for a couple of his servants served to make sauce for this his love.  

   19. TRIST. __ Ya los tiene oluidados.   ¡Dexaos morir siruiendo a ruynes,   hazed locuras en confiança de su defensión¡Viuiendo con el Conde,   que no matase al hombre,   me daua mi madre por consejo.   Veslos a ellos alegres y abraçados   y sus seruidores con harta mengua degollados.  

TRISTAN.        I had quite forgot that.  But let them die, as instruments of their own destruction.  And let others, as many as will, play the fools upon affiance to be defended.  But for mine own part, I well remember when I served the Count, that my father gave me this counsel: that I should take heed how I killed a man. Of all other things, that I should beware of that.  For (quoth he) you shall see the master merry and kindly embraced, when his man (poor soul) shall be hanged and disgraced.  

   20. MELIB. __ ¡O mi vida y mi señor¡   ¿Cómo has quisido que pierda el nombre y corona de virgen por tan breue deleyte?   ¡O pecadora de mi madre, si de tal cosa fuesses sabidora,   cómo tomarías de grado tu muerte y me la darías a mí por fuerça¡   ¡Cómo serías cruel verdugo de tu propia sangre¡   ¡Cómo sería yo fin quexosa de tus días¡   ¡O mi padre honrrado, cómo he dañado tu fama   y dado causa y lugar a quebrantar tu casa¡   ¡O traydora de mí, cómo no miré primero el gran yerro   que seguía de tu entrada, el gran peligro que esperaua.  

MELIBEA.        O my life and my dear lord, how could you find in your heart, that I should lose the name and crown of a virgin for so momentary and so short a pleasure?  O my poor mother, if thou didst but know what we have done, with what willingness wouldst thou take thine own death!   and with what violence and enforcement give me mine!   How cruel a butcher wouldst thou become of thine own blood!   And how doleful an end should I be of thy days!   O my most honoured father, how have I wronged thy reputation, and given both opportunity and place to the utter overthrowing and undoing of thy house!   O traitor that I am!   Why did I not first look into that great error, which would ensure by thy entrance, as also that great danger, which I could not but expect?  

   21. SOS. __ ¡Ante quisiera yo oyrte esos miraglos!   todas sabés essa oración después que no puede dexar de ser hecho.   ¡Y el bouo de Calisto, que se lo escucha!  

SOSIA.  You should have sung this song before.  Now, it comes too late: you know, it is an old saying, ′What a thing is done, it cannot be undone′: there is no fence for it. But what, if the fool Calisto should hap to hear me.  

   22. CAL. __ Ya quiere amanecer. ¿Qué es esto?   No me paresce que ha vna hora que estamos aquí,   y da el relox las tres.  

CALISTO.        Is it possible?  Look and it be not day already: methinks we have not been here above an hour, and the clock now strikes three.  

   23. MELIB. __ Señor, por Dios, pues ya todo queda por ti,   pues ya soy tu dueña, pues ya no puedes negar mi amor,   no me niegues tu vista de día, passando por mi puerta;   de noche donde tú ordenares.   sea tu venida por este secreto lugar a la mesma ora,   porque siempre te esperé   apercebida del gozo con que quedo, esperando las venideras noches.   y por el presente te ve con Dios,   que no serás visto, que haze muy escuro,   ni yo en casa sentida, que avn no amanesce.  

MELIBEA.        My lord, for Jove′s love, now that all that I have, is yours; now that I am your mistress; now that you cannot deny my love; deny my not your sight!   And on such nights as you shall resolve to come, let your coming be by this secret place and at the selfsame hour; for then shall I still look for you, prepared with the same joy, wherewith I now comfort myself in the hopeful expectation of those sweet nights that are to come. And so for this present I will take my leave.  Farewell (my lord) my hope is, that you will not be discovered, for it is very dark; nor I heard in the house, for it is not yet day.  

   24. CAL. __ Moços, poné el escala. 

CALISTO.        Do you hear there?  Bring hither the ladder.  

   25. SOS. __ Señor, vesla aquí. Baxa.  

SOSIA.  Sir, it is here ready for you to come down.  

   26. MELIB. __ Lucrecia, vente acá, que estoy sola.   Aquel señor mio es ydo.   comigo dexa su coraçón, consigo lleua el mío. ¿Asnos oydo?  

MELIBEA.        Lucrecia, come hither, I am now all alone.  My love is gone, who hath left his heart with me, and hath taken mine with him.  Didst thou not hear us Lucrecia?  

   27. LUCR. __ No, señora, dormiendo he estado.  

LUCRECIA.       No, madame, I was fast asleep.  

   28. SOS. __ Tristán, deuemos yr muy callando,   porque suelen leuantarse a esta hora los ricos,   los cobdiciosos de temporales bienes,   los deuotos de templos, monesterios y yglesias,   los enamorados como nuestro amo,   los trabajadores de los campos y labranças,   y los pastores que en este tiempo traen las ouejas a estos apriscos a ordeñar,   y podría ser que cogiessen de pasada alguna razón,   por do toda su honrra y la de Melibea se turbasse.  

SOSIA.  Tristan, we must go very softly and not speak a word.  For just about this time rise your rich men, your covetous money-mongers, your penny-fathers, your venereans and love-sick souls, such as our master; you day-labourers, your ploughmen and your shepherds; who about his time unpen their sheep, and bring them to their sheep-cotes to be milked.  And it may be, they may hear some word escape us, which may wrong either Calisto′s or Melibea′s honour.  

   29. TRIST. __ O simple rascacauallos¡!   dizes que callemos y nombras su nombre della¡   Bueno eres para adalid   o para regir gente en tierra de moros de noche.   assí que, prohibiendo, permites; encubriendo, descubres; assegurando, offendes,   callando, bozeas y pregonas; preguntando, respondes.   Pues tan sotil y discreto eres,   ¿ no me dirás en qué mes cae Santa María de Agosto,   porque sepamos si ay harta paja en casa que comas ogaño?  

TRISTAN.        Now you silly ass, you whoreson horse-currier, you would have us make no noise, not a word, but mum; and yet thyself dost name her.  Thou art an excellent fellow to make a guide or leader to conduct an army in the Moors′ country: so that prohibiting, thou permittest; covering, thou discoverest; defending, offendest; bidding others hold their peace, thou thyself speakest aloud, nay, proclaimes[t] it; and proclaiming makes[t] answer thereunto.  But though you are so subtle witted and of so discreet a temper, you shall not tell me in what month Our Lady-day in harvest falls. For we know that we have more straw in the house this year than thou art able to eat. 

   30. CAL. __ Mis cuydados y los de vosotros no son todos vnos.   Entrad callando, no nos sientan en casa.   Cerrad essa puerta y vamos a reposar,   que yo me quiero sobir solo a mi cámara.   Yo me desarmaré. Id vosotros a vuestras camas.   ¡ O mezquino yo¡Quánto me es agradable de mi natural la solicitud y silencio y escuridad.   No sé si lo causa que me vino a la memoria la trayción que fize   en me despartir de aquella señora que tanto amo,   hasta que más fuera de día, o el dolor de mi deshonrra.  

CALISTO.        My masters, what a noise make you there?  My cares and yours are not alike.  Enter softly, I pray, and leave your prattling, that they in the house may not hear us; shut this door, and let us go take our rest.  For I will up alone to my chamber, and there disarm me.  Go, get you to bed.  O wretch that I am, how suitable and natural unto me is solitariness, silence, and darkness.   I know not whether the cause of it be, that there cometh now to mind the treason that I have committed in taking my leave of that lady, whom I so dearly  love, before it was further day?  Or whether it be the grief, which I conceive of my dishonour by the death of my servants?  

  ¡ Ay, ay¡Que esto es.   esta herida es la que siento agora que se ha resfriado.   agora que está elada la sangre, que ayer heruía; agora que veo la   mengua de mi casa,   la falta de mi seruicio, la perdición de mi patrimonio,   la infamia que tiene mi persona de la muerte   que de mis criados se ha seguido.?   Qué hize??   En qué me detuue?   ¿ Cómo me puedo soffrir, que no me mostré luego presente,   como hombre injuriado, vengador, soberuio y acelerado   de la manifiesta injusticia que me fue hecha?  

I, I, this is it that grieves me, this is that wound whereof I bleed. Now, that I am grown a little cooler; now, that that blood waxeth cold, which yesterday did boil in me; now that I see the decaying of my house, my want of service, the wasting of my patrimony, and the infamy which lights upon me by the death of my servants? what have I done?  How can I possibly contain myself?  How can I forbear any longer, but that I should presently express myself as a man much wronged, and show myself a proud and speedy revenger of that open injury which hath been offered me?  

  ¡ O mísera suauidad desta breuísima vida¡   ¿ Quién es de ti tan cobdicioso que no quiera más morir luego   que gozar vn año de vida denostado   y prorogarle con deshonrra, corrompiendo la buena fama de los passados?   Mayormente que no ay hora cierta ni limitada ni avn vn solo momento.   Deudores somos sin tiempo, contino estamos obligados a pagar luego.  

Oh!   the miserable sweetness of this most short and transitory life!   Who is he so covetous of thy countenance, who will not rather choose to die presently than to enjoy a whole year of a shameful life? and to prorogue it with dishonour, losing the good report and honourable memory of his noble ancestors?  Especially, sithence that in this world we have not any certain or limited time, no not so much as a moment or a minute.  We are debtors without time: we stand continually bound to present payment.  

  ¿ Porqué no salí a inquirir   siquiera la verdad de la secreta causa de mi manifiesta perdición¡   O breue deleyte mundano¡!   Cómo duran poco y cuestan mucho tus dulçores¡   No se compra tan caro el arrepentir.   ¡ O triste yo¡?  quándo se restaurará tan grande pérdida  ??  Qué haré??  Qué consejo tomaré?   ¿ A quién descobriré mi mengua?  

Why have I not gone abroad, and made all the inquiry I can, after the secret cause of my open perdition?  O thou short delight of the world, how little do thy pleasure[s] last!   And how much do they cost? Repentance should not be bought so dear.  O miserable that I am, when shall I recover so great a loss? What shall I do?  What counsel shall I take? To whom shall I discover my disgrace?  

  ¿ Porqué lo celo a los otros mis seruidores y parientes?   Tresquílanme en concejo y no lo saben en mi casa.   Salir quiero; pero, si salgo para dezir que he estado presente, es tarde; si absente, es temprano. y para   proueer amigos y criados antiguos, parientes y allegados, es menester tiempo   y para buscar armas y otros aparejos de vengança.   ¡  

Why do I conceal it from the rest of my servants and kinsfolk? They clip and note my good name in their council-house and public assembly, and make me infamous throughout the whole kingdom: and they of mine own house and kindred must not know of it; I will out amongst them. But if I go out and tell them that I was presnt, it is too late; if absent, it is too soon.  And to provide me of friends, ancient servants, and near allies, it will ask some time, as likewise that we be furnished with arms, and other preparations of vengeance. 

O cruel juez¡!   y qué mal pago me has dado del pan que de mi padre comiste¡   Yo pensaua que pudiera con tu fauor matar mill hombres sin temor de castigo,   iniquo falsario, perseguidor de verdad, hombre de baxo suelo.   Bien dirán de ti que te hizo alcalde mengua de hombres buenos.   Miraras que tú y los que mataste, en seruir a mis passados y a mí, érades compañeros;   mas, quando el vil está rico, no tiene pariente ni amigo   . ¿ Quién pensara que tú me auías de destruyr?   No ay, cierto, cosa más empecible, que el incogitado enemigo.   ¿ Porqué quesiste que dixessen: del monte sale con que se arde y que crié cueruo   que me sacasse el ojo?   Tú eres público delinquente y mataste a los que son priuados.  

O thou cruel judge, what ill payment hast thou made me of that my father′s bread, which so often thou hast eaten! I thought that by thy favour I might have killed a thousand men without controlment.  O thou falsifier of faith, thou persecutor of the truth, thou man moulded of the baser sort of earth!   Truly is the proverb verified in thee; that for want of good men thou wast made a judge.  Thou shouldst have considered, that thyself and those thou didst put to death were servants to my ancestors and me, and thy fellows and companions.  But when the base to riches doth ascend, he regardeth neither kindred nor friend.  Who would have thought that thou wouldst have wrought my undoing?  But there is nothing more hurtful, than an unexpected enemy.  Why wouldst thou that it should be verified of thee, that that which came out of Etna, should consume Etna? And that I hatched the crow, which picked out mine eyes?  Thou thyself art a public delinquent, and yet punishest those that were private offenders.  

  y pues sabe que menor delito es el priuado que el público,   menor su vtilidad, según las leyes de Atenas disponen.   las quales no son escritos con sangre;   antes muestran que es menor yerro no condenar los malhechores que punir los innocentes.   ¡ O quán peligroso es seguir justa causa delante injusto juez¡   quanto más este excesso de mis criados, que no carescía de culpa.   Pues mira, si mal has hecho, que ay sindicado en el cielo y en la tierra:   assí que a Dios y al rey serás reo y a mí capital enemigo.   ¿ Qué peccó el vno por lo que hizo el otro,   que por sólo ser su compañero los mataste a entrambos?   ¿ Pero qué digo??  con quién hablo?   ¿ estoy en mi seso?  

But I would have thee to know, that a private fault is less than a public, and less the inconvenience and danger; at least, according to the laws of Athens, which were not written in blood, but do show that it is a less error not to condemn a delinquent than to punish the innocent.  O how hard a matter is it, to follow a just cause before an unjust judge!   How much more this excess of my servants, which was not free from offence!   But consider withal spite of all stoical paradox their guilt was not equal, though their sufferings alike.  What deserved the one, for that which the other did?  That only because he was his companion, thou shouldst doom them both to death?  But why do I talk thus?  With whom do I discourse?  Am I in my right wits?  

  ¿ Qué es esto, Calisto?   ¿ Soñauas, duermes o velas?   ¿ estás en pie o acostado?   Cata que estás en tu cámara. ¿   No vees que el offendedor no está presente?   ¿ con quién lo has? Torna en ti.   mira que nunca los absentes se hallaron justos.   Oye entrambas partes para sentenciar.   ¿ No vees que por executar la justicia no auía de mirar amistad ni deudo ni criança?   ¿ No miras que la ley tiene de ser ygual a todos? Mira que Rómulo,   el primer cimentador de Roma, mató a su propio hermano,   porque la ordenada ley traspassó.   mira a Torcato romano, cómo mató a su hijo   porque excedió la tribunicia constitución.   otros muchos hizieron lo mesmo.   Considera que, si aquí presente él estouiese,   respondería que hazientes y consintientes merecen ygual pena;   avnque a entrambos matasse por lo que el vno pecó.  

What′s the matter with thee, Calisto?  Dream′st thou, sleep′st thou or wak′st thou?  Stand′st thou on thy feet? Or liest thou all along?  Consider with thyself that thou art in thy chamber.  Dost thou not see that the offender is not present?  With whom dost thou contend? Come again to thyself; weigh with thyself, that the absent were never found just.  But, if thou wilt be upright in they judgment, thou must keep an ear for either party. Dost thou not see that the law is supposed to be equal unto all?  Remember that Romulus, the fist founder of Rome, kill′d his own brother, because he transgressed the law.  Consider that Torquatus the Roman slew his own son, because he exceeded his commission, and many other like unto these did this man do.  Think likewise with thyself, that if the judge were here present, he would make thee this answer; that the principal and the accessory, the actor and consenter, do merit equal punishment.  Howbeit they were both notwithstanding executed, for that which was committed but by one.  

  y que, si aceleró en su muerte, que era crimen notorio   y no eran necessarias muchas prueuas y que fueron tomados en el acto del matar:   que ya estaua el vno muerto de la cayda que dio.   y también se deue creer que aquella lloradera moça, que Celestina tenía en su casa,   le dio rezia priessa con su triste llanto,   y él, por no hazer bullicio, por no me disfamar,   por no esperar a que la gente se leuantasse y oyessen el pregón,   del qual gran infamia se me siguía,   los mandó justiciar tan de mañana,   pues era forçoso el verdugo y bozeador para la execución y su descargo.   Lo qual todo, assí como creo es hecho,   antes le quedo deudor y obligado para quanto biua,   no como a criado de mi padre, pero como a verdadero hermano.  

And if that other had not his pardon, but received a speedy judgment, it was because the fault was notorious and needed no further proofs: as also that they were taken in the very act of murder, and that one of them was found dead of his fall from the window.  And it is likewise to be imagined, that that weeping wench which Celestina kept in her house, made them to hasten the more by her woeful and lamentable noise; and that the judge, that he might not make a hurly-burly of it, that he might not defame me, and that he might not stay till the people should press together and hear the proclaiming of that great infamy, which could not choose but follow me, he did sentence them so early as he did; and the common hangmen, which was the crier, could do no otherwise, that he might comply with their execution and his own discharge.  All which, if it were done as I conceive it to be, I ought rather to rest his debtor, and think myself bound unto him the longest day of my life, not as to my father′s sometimes servant, but as to my true and natural brother.  

  y puesto caso que assí no fuesse puesto caso que no echasse lo   passado a la mejor parte,   acuérdate, Calisto, del gran gozo passado.   Acuérdate de tu señora y tu bien todo.   y pues tu vida no tienes en nada por su seruicio,   no has de tener las muertes de otros,   pues ningún dolor ygualará con el rescebido plazer   . ¡ O mi señora y mi vida¡Que jamás pensé en absencia offenderte.   Que paresce que tengo en poca estima la merced que me has hecho.   No quiero pensar en enojo, no quiero tener ya con la tristeza amistad.   ¡ O bien sin comparación ¡!   O insaciable contentamiento¡   ¿ y quándo pidiera yo más a Dios por premio de mis méritos,   si algunos son en esta vida,   de lo que alcançado tengo?   ¿ Porqué no estoy contento?   Pues no es razón ser ingrato a quien tanto bien me ha dado.   ¡ Quiérolo conocer, no quiero con enojo perder mi seso,   porque perdido no cayga de tan alta possessión¡   No quiero otra honrra ni otra gloria,   no otras riquezas, no otro padre ni madre,

But put case it were not so; or suppose I should not conster it in the better sense, yet call, Calisto, to mind the great joy and solace thou hast had, bethink thyself of thy sweet lady and mistress and thy whole and sole happiness: and, since for her sake thou esteemest thy life as nothing for to do her service, thou art not to make any reckoning of the death of others: and the rather, because no sorrow can equal thy received please. O my lady and my life that I should ever think to offend thee in thy absence!   And yet in doing as I do,methinks it argues against me, that I hold in small esteem that great and singular favour, which I have received at thy hands.  I will now no longer think on grief; I will no longer entertain friendship with sorrow.  O incomparable good!   O insatiable contentment!   And what could I have asked more of heaven in requital of all my merits in this life (if they be any) than that which I have already received? Why should I not content myself with so great a blessing?  Which being so, it stands not wit reason that I should be ungrateful unto him, who hath conferred upon me so great a good; I will therefore acknowledge it, I will not with care craze my understanding, lest that being lost, I should fall from so high and so glorious a possesion.  I desire no other honour, no other glory, no other riches, no other father nor mother, no other friends nor kinsfolks. In the day, I will abide in my chamber; in the night, in that sweet Paradise, in that pleasant grove, that green plot of ground amidst those sweet trees, and fresh and delightsome walks.  O night of sweet rest and quiet!   O that thou hadst made thy return!  

  ¡ O luziente Febo, date priessa a tu acostumbrado camino¡   ¡ O deleytosas estrellas, apareceos ante de la continua orden¡   ¡ O espacioso relox, avn te vea yo arder en biuo fuego de amor¡   Que si tú esperasses lo que yo,   quando des doze, jamás estarías arrendado a la voluntad del maestro que te compuso.   Pues ¡ vosotros, inuernales meses, que agora estays escondidos¡:   ¡ viniéssedes con vuestras muy complidas noches a trocarlas por estos prolixos días¡   Ya me paresce hauer vn año   que no he visto aquel suaue descanso,   aquel deleytoso refrigerio de mis trabajos.  

O bright shining Phoebus, drive on thy chariot apace, make haste to thy journey′s end!   O comfortable and delightful stars, break your wont, and appear before your time, and out of your wonted and continued course!   O dull and slow clock, I wish to see thee burned in the quickest and liveliest fire that love can make.  For didst thou but expect that which I do, when thou strikest twelve, thou wouldst never endure to be tied to the will of the master that made thee!   O ye hiematical and winterly months, which now hide your heads, and live in darkness and obscurity!   Why haste ye not to cut off these tedious days with your longer nights?  Me thinks, it is almost a year, since I saw that sweet comfort and most delightful refreshing of my travels.  

  ¿ Pero qué es lo que demando?   ¿ Qué pido, loco, sin sufrimiento?   Lo que jamás fue ni puede ser.   No aprenden los cursos naturales a rodearse sin orden,   que a todos es vn ygual curso,   a todos vn mesmo espacio para muerte y vida,   un limitado término a los secretos mouimientos del alto firmamento celestial de los planetas,   y norte de los crescimientos y mengua de la menstrua luna.   todo se rige con vn freno ygual,   todo se mueue con igual espuela:   cielo, tierra, mar, fuego, viento, calor, frío.   ¿ Qué me aprouecha a mí que dé doze horas el relox de hierro, si no las ha dado el del   cielo?  Pues, por mucho que madrugue, no amanesce más ayna.  

But what do I ask?  Why like a fool do I, out of impatience desire that which never either was or shall be?  For your natural courses did never learn to wheel away. For to all of them there is an equal course, to all of them one and the selfsame space and time.  Not so much as to life and death, but there is a settled and limited end.  The secret motions of the high firmament of heaven, of the planets and the North-star, and of the increase and wane of the moon, all of these are ruled with an equal rein, all of these are moved with an equal spur; heaven, earth, sea, fire, wind, heat and cold.  What will it benefit me that this clock of iron should strike twelve, if that of heaven do not hammer with it?  And therefore though I rise never so soon, it will never the sooner be day.  

  Pero tú, dulce ymaginación, tú que puedes, me acorre.   trae a mi fantasía la presencia angélica de aquella ymagen luziente;   buelue a mis oydos el suaue son de sus palabras, aquellos desuíos sin gana,   aquel apártate allá, señor, no llegues a mí;   aquel no seas descortés, que con sus rubicundos labrios vía sonar;   aquel no quieras mi perdición,   que de rato en rato proponía;   aquellos amorosos abraços entre palabra y palabra,   aquel soltarme y prenderme, aquel huyr y llegarse,  

But thou, my sweet imagination, thou, who canst only help me in this case, bring thou unto my fantasy the unparalleled presence of that glorious image. Cause thou to come unto my ears that sweet music of her words, those her unwilling hangings off without profit, that her pretty, I prithee leave off; forbear, good sir, if you love me; touch me not; do not deal so discourteously with me. Out of whose ruddy lips, methinks, I hear these words still sound, Do not seek my undoing: which she would evermore be out withal.  Besides, those her amorous embire, wind, heat and cold.  What will it benefit me that this clock of iron should strike twelve, if that of heaven do not hammer with it?  And therefore though I rise never so soon, it will never the sooner be day.  But thou, my sweet imagination, thou, who canst only help me in this case, bring thou unto my fantasy the unparalleled presence of that glorious image. Cause thou to come unto my ears that sweet music of her words, those her unwilling hangings off without profit, that her pretty, I prithee leave off; forbear, good sir, if you love me; touch me not; do not deal so discourteously with me betwixt every word; that her loosing of herself from me, and clipping me again; that her flying from me and her coming to me; those her sweet sugared kisses;  

  aquellos açucarados besos, aquella final salutación con que se me despidió.   ¡ con quánta pena salió por su boca¡!   con quántos desperezos¡   ¡ con quántas lágrimas, que parescían granos de aljófar,   que sin sentir se le cayan de aquellos claros y resplandecientes ojos!  

and that her last salutation wherewith she took her leave of me.  O with what pain did it issue from her mouth!   With what resuscitation of her spirits!   With how many tears, which did seem to be so many round pearls, which did fall without any noise from her clear and resplendent eyes!   

   31. SOS. __ Tristán, ¿ qué te paresce de Calisto, qué dormir ha hecho?   Que son ya las quatro de la tarde y no nos ha llamado ni ha comido.  

SOSIA.  What thinkest thou of Calisto?  How hath he slept?  It is now upon four of the clock in the afternoon, and he hath neither as yet called us nor eaten anything.  

   32. TRIST. __ Calla, que el dormir no quiere priessa.   Demás desto, aquéxale por vna parte la tristeza de aquellos moços,   por otra le alegra el muy gran plazer de lo que con su Melibea ha alcançado.   assí, que dos tan rezios contrarios verás que tal pararán vn flaco subjecto, donde estuuieren aposentados.  

TRISTAN.        Hold your peace, for sleep requires no haste.  Besides, on the one side he is oppressed with sadness and melancholy for his servants: and on the other side transported with that gladsome delight and singular great pleasure, which he hath enjoyed with his MELIBEA.  And thou knowest that, where two such strong and contrary passions meet, in whomever they shall house themselves, with what forcible violence they will work upon a weak and feeble subject.  

   33. SOS. __ Piénsaste tú que lo penan a él mucho los muertos?   Si no le penasse más a aquélla   que desde esta ventana veo yo yr por la calle,   no lleuaría las tocas de tal color.  

SOSIA.  Dost thou think that he takes any great grief and care for those that are dead? If she did not grieve more, whom I see here out of the window go along the street, she would not wear a veil of that colour as she does.  

   34. TRIST. __ Quién es, hermano?  

TRISTAN.        Who is that, brother?  

   35. SOS. __ Llégate acá y verla has antes que trasponga.   mira aquella lutosa que se limpia agora las lágrimas de los ojos.   Aquélla es Elicia, criada de Celestina y amiga de Sempronio.   vna muy bonita moça; avnque queda agora perdida la pecadora,   porque tenía a Celestina por madre y a Sempronio por el principal de sus amigos.  

SOSIA.  Come hither and see her, before she be passed.  Seest thou that mournful maid, which wipes the tears from her eyes?  That is Elicia, Celestina′s servant and Sempronio′s friend: she is a good, pretty, handsome, well-favoured wench, though now (poor soul) she be left to the wide world and forsaken of all.  For she accounted Celestina her mother, and Sempronio her chiefest and best friend.  

  y aquella casa donde entra, allí mora vna hermosa muger,   muy graciosa y fresca, enamorada, medio ramera;   pero no se tiene por poco dichoso   quien la alcança tener por amiga sin grande escote, y llámase Areusa.   Por la cual sé yo que ouo el triste de Pármeno más de tres noches malas   y avn que no le plaze a ella con su muerte.  

And in that house, where you see her now enter, there dwells a very fair woman, she is exceeding well-favoured, very fresh and lovely: she is half courtesan; yet happy is he, and counts himself so to be, that can purchase her favour at an easy rate, and win her to be his friend.  Her name is Areusa, for whose sake, I know, that unfortunate and poor Parmeno endured many a miserable night.  And I know that she (poor soul) is nothing pleased with his death.    







ACTO XV

Sumario:AREUSA dize palabras injuriosas a un rufian llamado CENTURIO, el qual se despide della por la venida de ELICIA, la qual cuenta a ARE SA las muertes que sobre los amores de CALISTO Y MELIBEA se avian ordenado, y conciertan ARE SA y ELICIA que CENTURIO aya de vengar las muertes de los tres en los dos enamorados. En fin, despidese ELICIA de ARE SA, no consintiendo en lo que le ruega, por no perder el buen tiempo que se dava, estando en su asueta casa.  

ACTUS XV  

The Argument:    AREUSA utters injurious speeches to a ruffian, called  Centurio, who takes leave of her, occasioned by the  coming in of Elicia, which Elicia recounts unto Areusa  the deaths, which had ensued upon the love of Calisto  and  MELIBEA.  And Areusa and Elica agree, and conclude together, that Centurio should revenge the death of all those three, upon the two young lovers.  This done, she would not lose her market at home in her accustomed lodging.

Interlocutors:    Elicia, Centurio, Areusa  

   1. ELIC. __ ¿Qué bozear es este de mi prima?   Si ha sabido las tristes nueuas que yo le traygo,   no auré yo las albricias de dolor que por tal mensaje se ganan.   Llore, llore, vierta lágrimas,   pues no se hallan tales hombres a cada rincón.   Plázeme que assí lo siente.  

ELICIA.  What ails my cousin, that she cries and takes on as she does?  It may be she hath already heard of that ill news, which I came to bring her: if she have, I shall have no reward of her for my heavy tidings.  So, weep, weep on, weep they belly-full; let thine eyes break their banks, and overflow thy bosom with an eternal deluge; for two such men were not everywhere to be had; it is some ease yet unto me, that she so resents the matter, and hath so true a feeling of their deaths.  

  Messe aquellos cabellos como yo triste he fecho,   sepa que es perder buena vida más trabajo que la misma muerte.   ¡ O quánto más la quiero que hasta aquí por el gran sentimiento que muestra!  

Do, tear and rend thy hair, as I (poor soul) have done before thee:  and think, and consider with thyself that to fall from a happy life is more miserable than death itself.  O how I hug her in my heart!   How much more than ever heretofore, do I now love her; that she can express her passion in such lively colours, and, paint forth sorrow to its perfect and true life!  

   2. AREUSA. __ Vete de mi casa, rufián, vellaco, mentiroso, burlador,   que me traes engañada, boua, con tus offertas vanas.   Con tus ronces y halagos hasme robado quanto tengo.   Yo te di, vellaco, sayo y capa, espada y broquel,   camisas de dos en dos a las mill marauillas labradas,  

AREUSA.  Get thee out of my house,  thou ruffianly rascal; thou lying companion; thou cheating scoundrel!   Thou hast deluded me, thou villain; thou hast played bob-fool with me, by thy vain and idle offers; and with thy fair words and flattering speeches (a pox on that smooth tongue of thine!) thou hast robbed me of all that I have!  

  yo te di armas y cauallo,   púsete con señor que no le merescías descalçar;   agora vna cosa que te pido que por mí fagas   pónesme mill achaques.  

I gave thee (you rogue) a jerkin and a cloak, a sword and a buckler, and a couple of shirts, wrought with a thousand devices, all of needlework; I furnished thee with arms and a horse, and placed thee with such a master, as thou wast not worthy to wipe his shoes.  And now that I entreat thee to do a business for me, thou makest a thousand frivolous excuses. 

   3. CENTURIO. __ Hermana mia, mándame tú matar con diez hombres por tu servicio   y no que ande vna legua de camino a pie. 

CENTURIO.  Command me to kill ten men to do you service, rather than to put me to walk a league on foot for you.  

   4. AREU. __ Porqué jugaste tú el cauallo, tahur vellaco?   Que si por mí no ouiesse sido, estarías tú ya ahorcado.   Tres vezes te he librado de la justicia,   quatro vezes desempeñado en los tableros.    ¿ Porqué lo hago?   ¿ Porqué soy loca?   ¿ Porqué tengo fe con este couarde?   ¿ Porqué creo sus mentiras?   ¿ Porqué le consiento entrar por mis puertas?  

AREUSA.  Why then did you play away your horse?   You must be a dicer with a murrain; had it not been for me, thou hadst been hanged long since.  Thrice have I freed thee from the gallows; four times have I disimpawned thee, first from this, and then from that ordinary, when as thou might′st have rotted in prison, had not I redeemed thee and paid thy debts.  O that I should have anything to do with such a villain!    That I should be such a fool!   That I should have any affiance in such a false-hearted, white-livered slave! That I should believe him and his lies!   That I should once suffer him to come within my doors!  

  ¿ Qué tiene bueno?   Los cabellos crespos, la cara acuchillada,   dos vezes açotado, manco de la mano del espada,   treynta mugeres en la putería.   Salte luego de ay.   No te vea yo más,   no me hables ni digas que me conoces;  

What a devil is there good in him?  His hair is curled and shagged like a water spaniel; his face scotched and notched; he hath been twice whipped up and down the town; he is lame on his sword-arm, and hath some thirty whores in the common stews.  Get thee out of my house, and that presently too; look me no more in the face; speak not to me, no not a word; neither say thou, that thou didst ever know me;  

  si no, por los huesos del padre que me hizo   y de la madre que me parió, yo te haga dar mill palos   en essas espaldas de molinero.   Que ya sabes que tengo quien lo sepa hazer y, hecho, salirse con ello.  

lest, by the bones of my father who begot me, and of  my mother who brought me forth, I cause 2,000. Bastinadoes to be laid upon that miller′s back of thine!   For, I would thou shouldst know, I have a friend in a corner, that will not stick to do a greater matter than that for me, and come off handsomely with it, when he has done.   

   5. CENT. __ Loquear, bouilla¡Pues si yo me ensaño, alguna llorará.   Mas quiero yrme y çofrirte,   que no sé quien entra, no nos oyan.  

CENTURIO.  The fool is mad, I think.  But do you hear, dame?  If I be nettled, I shall sting somebody; if my choler be moved, I shall draw tears from some; I shall make somebody put finger in the eye; I shall, i′faith.  But for once, I will go my ways and say nothing; I will suffer all this at your hands, lest somebody may come in, or the neighbours chance to hear us. 

   6. ELIC. __ Quiero entrar, que no es son de buen llanto   donde ay amenazas y denuestos.  

ELICIA.  I will in, for that is no true sound of sorrow, which sends forth threatenings and revilings.  .  

   7. AREU. __ Ay triste yo¡?  eres tú, mi Elicia   ? !   Jesú, Jesú¡No lo puedo creer.   ¿ Qué es esto?  ¿ Quién te me cubrió de dolor?   ¿ Qué manto de tristeza es éste?   Cata, que me espantas, hermana mia. dime presto qué cosa es, que estoy sin tiento,   ninguna gota de sangre has dexado en mi cuerpo.  

AREUSA.  O wretch that I am!   is′t you, my  Elicia? I can hardly believe it.  But what means this? Who hath clothed thee thus in sorrow?  What mourning weed is this?  Believe me (cousin) you much affright me. Tell me quickly what′s the matter?  For I long to know it.  Oh! what a qualm comes over my stomach!   Thou hast not left me one drop of blood in my body.  

   8. ELIC. __ Gran dolor, gran pérdida¡   Poco es lo que muestro con lo que siento y encubro;   más negro traygo el coraçón que el manto, las entrañas que las tocas.   Ay hermana, hermana, que no puedo fablar¡   No puedo de ronca sacar la boz del pecho.  

ELICIA.  Great sorrow, great loss; that which I show, is but little to that which I feel and conceal.   My heart is blacker than my mantle; my bowels, than my veil.  Ah, cousin, cousin!   I am not able to speak through hoarseness; I cannot for sobbing, send my words from out my breast.  

   9. AREU. __ Ay triste¡?  Qué me tienes suspensa?   dímelo, no te messes, no te rascuñes ni maltrates.   ¿ es común de entrambos este mal? ?  Tócame a mí?  

AREUSA.  Ay, miserable me!   why dost thou hold me  in suspense?  Tell me, tell me, I say, do not you tear your hair, do not you scratch and martyr you face, deal not so ill with yourself.  Is this evil common to us both?  Appertains it also unto me?  

   10. ELIC. __ Ay prima mia y mi amor¡   Sempronio y Pármeno ya no biuen,   ya no son en el mundo.   sus ánimas ya están purgando su yerro.   Ya son libres desta triste vida.  

ELICIA.  Ay, my cousin! my dear love!   Sempronio and Parmeno are now no more;  they live not; they  are no longer of this world,  dead, alas they are dead. 

   11. AREU. __ Qué me cuentas? No me lo digas.   calla por Dios, que me caeré muerta.  

AREUSA.  What dost thou tell me?  no more I  entreat thee; for pity hold thy peace, lest I fall down dead at thy feet.  

   12. ELIC. __ Pues más mal ay que suena.   Oye a la triste, que te contará más quexas.   Celestina, aquélla que tú bien conosciste,   aquélla que yo tenía por madre,   aquélla que me regalaua,  

ELICIA.  There is yet more ill news to come unto thine ears.  Listen well to this woeful wight, and she shall tell thee a longer tale of woe; thy sorrow have not yet their end:  Celestina, she whom thou  knewst well; she whom I esteemed as my mother; she who  did cocker me as her child; she who did cover all  my infirmities;  

  aquélla que me encubría,   aquélla con quien yo me honrraua entre mis yguales,   aquélla por quien yo era conoscida en toda la ciudad y arrabales,   ya está dando cuenta de sus obras.   mill cuchilladas le vi dar a mis ojos:   en mi regaço me la mataron.  

she who made me to be honoured  amongst my equals; she by whose means I was know through  all the city and suburbs of the same, stands now  rendering up an account of all her works.  I saw her with these eyes stabbed in a thousand places.  They slew her in my lap, I folding her in mine arms.  

   13. AREU. __ O fuerte tribulación¡!   O dolorosas nueuas, dignas de mortal lloro¡   ¡ O acelerados desastres¡!   O pérdida incurable¡   ¿ Cómo ha rodeado atan presto la fortuna su rueda?   ¿ Quién los mató?? Cómo murieron?   Que estoy enuelesada, sin tiento, como quien cosa impossible oye.   No ha ocho días que los vide biuos   y ya podemos dezir: perdónelos Dios.   Cuéntame, amiga mia, cómo es acaescido tan cruel y desastrado caso. 

AREUSA.  O strong tribulation!   O heavy news worthy our bewailing!   O swift-footed misfortunes!    O incurable destruction!   O irreparable loss!   O how quickly hath fortune turned about her wheel!   Who slew them?  How did they die?  Thou hast made me almost besides myself with this thy news, and to stand amazed as one, who hears a thing that seems to be impossible.  It is not eight days ago since I saw them all alive.  Tell me (good friend) how did this cruel and unlucky chance happen?  

   14. ELIC. __ Tú lo sabrás. Ya oyste dezir, hermana,   los amores de Calisto y la loca de Melibea.   Bien verías cómo Celestina auía tomado el cargo, por intercessión de Sempronio,   de ser medianera, pagándole su trabajo.   La qual puso tanta diligencia y solicitud,   que a la segunda açadonada sacó agua.  

ELICIA.  You shall know.  I am sure (cousin) you have already heard tell of the love betwixt Calisto and that fool Melibea.  And you likewise saw how Celestina, at the intercession of Sempronio, so as she might be paid for her pains, undertook the charge of that business, and to be the means to effect it for him; wherein she used such diligence, and was so careful in the following of it, that she drew water at the second spitting.  

  Pues, como Calisto tan presto vido buen concierto   en cosa que jamás lo esperaua,   a bueltas de otras cosas dio a la desdichada de mi tía vna cadena de oro.   y como sea de tal calidad aquel metal,   que mientra más beuemos dello más sed nos pone,   con sacrílega hambre, quando se vido tan rica,   alçóse con su ganancia   y no quiso dar parte a Sempronio ni a Pármeno dello,   lo qual auía quedado entre ellos que partiessen lo que Calisto diesse.  

Now when Calisto saw so good and so quick a dispatch, which he never hoped to have effected, amongst divers other things, he gave this my unfortunate aunt a chain of gold.  And as it is the nature of that metal, that the more we drink thereof, the more we thirst; she, when she saw herself so rich, appropriated the whole gain to herself, and would not let Sempronio and Parmeno have their parts, it being before agreed upon between them, that whatsoever Calisto gave her they should share it alike.  

  Pues, como ellos viniessen cansados vna mañana   de acompañar a su amo toda la noche, muy ayrados de   no sé qué questiones   que dizen que auían auido,   pidieron su parte a Celestina de la cadena para remediarse.  

Now, they being come home weary one morning from accompanying their master, with whom they had been abroad all night, being in great choler  and  heat upon I know not what quarrels  and brawls  (as they themselves said) that had betided them, they  demanded part of the chain of Celestina, for to  relieve themselves therewith.  

  Ella púsose en negarles la conuención y promesa   y dezir que todo era suyo lo ganado,   y avn descubriendo otras cosillas de secretos,   que, como dizen: riñen las comadres, etc.   assí que ellos muy enojados, por vna parte   los aquexaua la necessidad, que priua todo amor;   por otra, el enojo grande y cansancio que trayan, que acarrea alteración;   por otra, auían la fe quebrada de su mayor esperança.  

She stood upon denial of any such covenant or promise made between them, affirming the whole gain to be due to her, and discovering with all other petty matters of some secrecy.  For (as it is in the proverb) when gossips brawl, then out goes all.  So that they being mightily enraged, on the one side necessity did urge them, which rends and breaks all the love in the world; on the other side the great anger and weariness they brought thither with them, which many times works an alteration in us.  And besides, they saw that they were forsaken in their fairest hopes, she breaking her faith and promise with them:

  No sabían qué hazer.   Estuuieron gran rato en palabras.   Al fin, viéndola tan cobdiciosa, perseuerando en su negar,   echaron mano a sus espadas y diéronle mill cuchilladas.  

 so that they knew not  in the world what to do; and  so continued a great while  upon terms with her,  some hard words passing to and fro  between them.   But in the end perceiving her covetous disposition,  and finding that she still persevered in her denial,  they laid hands upon their swords, and hacked  and  hewed her in a thousand pieces.

   15. AREU. __ O desdichada muger¡?  Y en esto auía su vejez de fenescer¡   ¿ y dellos, qué me dizes?  ¿ En qué pararon?  

AREUSA.  O unfortunate woman!   Wast thou ordained to end thy days in so miserable a manner as this? But for them, I pray, what became of them?  How came they to their end?  

   16. ELIC. __ Ellos, como ouieron hecho delicto, por huyr de la justicia,   que acaso passaua por allí,   saltaron de las ventanas   y quasi muertos los prendieron y sin más dilación los degollaron.  

ELICIA.  They, as soon as ever they had committed this foul murder, that they might avoid the Justice, the Alcalde passing by by chance at that very instant, made me no more ado, but leapt presently out at the windows; and being in a manner dead with the fall, they presently apprehended them, and without any further delay, chopped off their heads. 

   17. AREU. __ O mi Pármeno y mi amor¡   ¡ Y quánto dolor me pone su muerte¡   Pésame del grande amor que con el tan poco tiempo auía puesto,   pues no me auía más de durar.  

AREUSA.  O my Parmeno, my love, what sorrow do I feel for thy sake?  How much doth thy death torment me!   It grieves me, for that my great love, which in so short a space I had settled upon him, sithence it was not my fortune to enjoy him longer.  

  Pero pues ya este mal recabdo es hecho,   pues ya esta desdicha es acaescida,   pues ya no se pueden por lágrimas comprar ni restaurar sus vidas,   no te fatigues tú tanto, que cegarás llorando.   Que creo que poca ventaja me lleuas en sentimiento   y verás con quánta paciencia lo çuffro y passo. 

But being that this ill success hath ensued, being that this mischance hath happened, and being that their lives now lost, cannot be bought, or restored by tears, do not thou vex thyself so much in grieving and weeping  out thine eyes:  I  grieve as much, and believe  thou hast but little advantage of me in thy sorrowing;  and yet thou seest with what patience I bear it and  pass it over.  

   18. ELIC. __ Ay que rauio¡!   Ay mezquina, que salgo de seso¡   ¡ Ay, que no hallo quién lo sienta como yo¡   No hay quien pierda lo que yo pierdo.  

ELICIA.  O!   I grow mad.  O wretch that I am, I am ready to run out of my wits!   Ay me, there is not anybody′s grief, that is like to mine; there is not anybody, that hath lost that which I have lost!  

   ¡ O quánto mejores y más honestas fueran mis lágrimas en passión ajena, que en la propia mía¡    ¿ A dónde yré, que pierdo madre, manto y abrigo;   pierdo amigo y tal que nunca faltaua de mi marido?   ¡ O Celestina sabia, honrrada y autorizada,   quántas faltas me encobrías con tu buen saber¡  

O how much better and more honest had my tears been in another person′s passion than mine own!   Whither shall I go?  For I have lost both money, meat, drink? and clothes; I have lost my friend, and such a one, that had he been my husband, he could not have been  more kind unto me.  O thou wise Celestina, thou much honoured matron, and of great authority; how often didst thou cover my faults by the singular wisdom!  

  Tú trabajauas, yo holgaua; tú salías fuera, yo estaua encerrada;   tú rota, yo vestida; tú entrauas contino como abeja por casa, yo destruya,   que otra cosa no sabía hazer.   ¡ O bien y gozo mundano, que mientra eres posseydo eres menospreciado   y jamás te consientes conocer hasta que te perdemos¡  

Thou tookest pains, whilst I took pleasure; thou wentest abroad, whilst I stayed at home; thou wentest in tatters  and rags, whilst I did ruffle in silks  and satins; thou still camest home like a bee,  continually laden, whilst I did nothing but spend  and play the unthrift:  for I knew not else what  to do.  O thou worldly happiness, and joy, which whilst thou art possessed, art the less esteemed!   Nor dost thou ever let us know what thou art, till we know what that thou art not; finding our loss, greater by wanting, than in enjoying thee;  never knowing what  we have, til we have thee not.  

  ¡ O Calisto y Melibea, causadores de tantas muertes¡   ¡ Mal fin ayan vuestros amores,   en mal sabor se conuiertan vuestros dulces plazeres¡   Tórnese lloro vuestra gloria, trabajo vuestro descanso.   las yeruas deleytosas, donde tomays los hurtados solazes, se conuiertan en culebras,   los cantares se os tornen lloro,   los sombrosos árboles del huerto se sequen con vuestra vista,   sus flores olorosas se tornen de negra color.  

O Calisto and Melibea, occasioners of so many deaths! Let some ill attend upon your love; let your sweet meat have some sour sauce; you pleasure, pain; let your joy be turned into mourning, the pleasant flowers whereon you took your stolen solace, let them be turned into serpents and snakes; your songs, let them be turned into howlings; the shady trees of the garden, let them be blasted and withered with your looking on them; your sweet scenting blossoms and buds, let them be black and dismal to behold!  

   19. AREU. __ Calla, por Dios, hermana, pon silencio a tus quexas,   ataja tus lágrimas, limpia tus ojos, torna sobre tu vida.   Que quando vna puerta se cierra, otra suele abrir la fortuna,   y este mal, avnque duro, se soldará.   y muchas cosas se pueden vengar que es impossible remediar y   ésta tiene el remedio dudoso y la vengança en la mano. 

AREUSA.  Good cousin, content yourself, I pray, be quiet; enjoin silence to your complaints; stop the conduit-pipes to your tears; wipe your eyes; take heart gain unto you.  For when fortune shuts one gate, she usually sets open another; and this estate of yours, though it be never so much broken, it will be soldered  and made whole again:  and many  things may be revenged, which are impossible to be remedied; whereas this hath a doubtful remedy, and a  ready revenge.  

   20. ELIC. __ De quién se ha de auer enmienda,   que la muerta y los matadores me han acarreado esta cuyta?   No menos me fatiga la punición de los delinquentes que el yerro cometido.  

ELICIA.  But by whom shall we mend ourselves?   Of whom shall we be revenged, when as her death, and those that slew her have brought all this affliction and anguish upon me?  Nor doth the punishment of the delinquent less grieve me than the error they committed.  

  ¿ Qué mandas que haga, que todo carga sobre mí?   Pluguiera a Dios que fuera yo con ellos   y no quedara para llorar a todos.   Y de lo que más dolor siento   es ver que por esso no dexa aquel vil de poco sentimiento   de ver y visitar festejando cada noche a su estiércol de Melibea,   y ella muy ufana en ver sangre vertida por su seruicio. 

What would you have me to do, when as all the burden lies upon my shoulders?  I would with all my heart that I were now with them, that I might not lie here, to lament and bewail them all as I do.   And that which grieves me most, is, to see that for all this, that villain Calisto, who hath no sense, nor feeling of his servants′ deaths, goes every night to see and visit his filth Melibea, feasting and solacing himself  in her company, whilst she  grows proud, glorying to see so much blood to be  sacrificed to her service. 

   21. AREU. __ Si esso es verdad, ¿ de quién mejor se puede tomar vengança?   De manera que quien lo comió, aquél lo escote.   Déxame tú, que si yo les caygo en el rastro,   quándo se veen y cómo, por dónde y a qué hora,   no me ayas tú por hija de la pastellera vieja, que bien conosciste,   si no hago que les amarguen los amores.   y si pongo en ello a aquél con quien me viste   que reqía quando entrauas,  

AREUSA.  If this be true, of whom can we revenge ourselves better?  And therefore, he that hath eaten the meat, let him pay the shot; leave the matter to me,  let me alone to deal with them: for, if I  can but track them, or but once find the scent of  their footing, or but have the least inkling in the world, when, how, where, and at what hour they visit one another, never hold me true daughter to that old  pasty-wench whom you knew full well, if I do not give them sour sauce to their sweet meat; and make that their love distasteful,  which now they swallow down with delight:  and if  I employ in this business that ruffian, whom you found  me railing against, when you came into the house,  

  si no sea él peor verdugo para Calisto que Sempronio de Celestina.   Pues, ¡ qué gozo auría agora él en que le pusiesse yo en algo por mi seruicio, que se fue muy triste de verme   que le traté mal¡   y vería él los cielos abiertos en tornalle yo a hablar y mandar.   Por ende, hermana, dime tú de quién pueda yo saber el negocio cómo passa,   que yo le haré armar vn lazo   con que Melibea llore quanto agora goza.  

if  he prove not a worse executioner for Calisto, than Sempronio was for Celestina,  never trust me more.   O! how quickly the villain would fat himself with  joy, and how happy would he hold himself, if I would  but impose any service upon him!   For he went away  from me very sad and heavy, to see how coarsely I used  him:  and should I but now send for him again, and  speak kindly unto him, he would think himself taken up  in some strange sweet rapture;  so much will he be  ravished with joy.  And therefore tell me (cousin) how I may learn how this business goes, for I will set  such a trap for them, as if they be taken in it, shall  make Melibea weep as much as now she laugheth.  

   22. ELIC. __ Yo conozco, amiga, otro compañero de Pármeno, moço de cauallos,   que se llama Sosia, que le acompaña cada noche.   quiero trabajar de se lo sacar todo el secreto   y este será buen camino para lo que dizes.  

ELICIA.  Marry, I know (sweet cousin) another companion of Parmeno′s,  Calisto′s groom of the stable, whose name is Sosia, who accompanies him every night  that he goes:  I will see what I can suck from him; and this (I suppose) will be a very good course for the matter you talk of.  

   23. AREU. __ Más hazme este plazer, que me embíes acá esse Sosia.   Yo le halagaré y diré mill lisonjas y offrescimientos   hasta que no le dexe en el cuerpo de lo hecho y por hazer.   Después a él y a su amo haré reuessar el plazer comido.  

AREUSA.  But hear you me, cousin, I pray do me the kindness, to send Sosia hither unto me, I will take him in hand a little, I will entertain talk with him; and one while I will so flatter him, another while make him such fair offers, that in the end, I will dive into him and reach the very depth of his heart, and learn from him, as well what hath been already, as what is to be done hereafter:  at least learn so much as we desire to know, or may serve our turn:  and when I shall have effected this, I will  make him and his master to vomit up all the pleasure  they have eaten.  

  y tú, Elicia, alma mia, no recibas pena.   Passa a mi casa tu ropa y alhajas y vente a mi compaqía,   que estarás muy sola y la tristeza es amiga de la soledad.   Con nueuo amor oluidarás los viejos.   vn hijo que nasce restaura la falta de tres finados:   con nueuo sucessor se pierde la alegre memoria y plazeres perdidos del passado.   De vn pan que yo tenga, ternás tú la meytad. Más   lástima tengo de tu fatiga que de los que te la ponen.  

And thou (Elicia) that art as dear to me as mine own soul, do not you vex yourself any more, but bring your apparel and such implements as you have, and come and live with me; for there where you are, you shall remain all alone: and sadness (you know) is a friend to solitariness.  What wench!    A new love will make thee forget the old: one son that is born, will repair the love of three that be dead.  With a new successor, we receive anew the joyful memory, and lost delights of forepast times.  If I have a loaf of bread, or a penny in my purse, thou shalt have half of it.  And I have more compassion of thy sorrow, than of those that did cause it.  

  Verdad sea, que cierto duele más   la pérdida de lo que hombre tiene   que da plazer la esperança de otro tal, avnque sea cierta.   Pero ya lo hecho es sin remedio y los muertos irrecuperables.   y como dizen: mueran y biuamos.   A los biuos me dexa a cargo,   que yo te les daré tan amargo xarope a beuer,   qual ellos a ti han dado.  

 True it is, that the loss of that doth grieve a man more, which he already possesseth, than the hope of the like good can glad him, be it never so certain.  You see, the matter is past all remedy, and dead men cannot be recalled; you know the old saying:  fie upon this weeping, let them die, and we live.  As for the rest that remain behind, leave that to me; I will take order for Calisto and Melibea; and I shall give them as bitter a potion to drink, as they have given thee.  

   ¡ Ay prima, prima, cómo sé yo, quando me ensaño,   reboluer estas tramas, avnque soy moça¡   y de al me vengue Dios,   que de Calisto Centurio me vengará.  

 O cousin, cousin, how witty am I when I am angry, to turn all these their plots upside down!   And though I am but young, and a  girl to speak of, to break the neck of these their devices, I shall overthrow them horse and foot. 

   24. ELIC. __ Cata que creo que, avnque llame el que mandas,   no aurá effecto lo que quieres,   porque la pena de los que murieron por descobrir el secreto   porná silencio al biuo para guardarle.  

ELICIA.  Bethink yourself well, what you mean to do.  For I promise you, though I should  do as  you would have me, and should send Sosia unto you,  yet can I not be persuaded that your desire will take  effect.  For the punishment of those who lately suffered for disclosing their secrets, will make him seal up his lips, and look a little better to his life.  

  Lo que me dizes de mi venida a tu casa te agradesco mucho.   y Dios te ampare y alegre en tus necessidades,   que bien muestras el parentesco y hermandad no seruir de viento,   antes en las aduersidades aprouechar.   Pero, avnque lo quiera hazer, por gozar de tu dulce compaqía,   no podrá ser por el daño que me vernía.  

Now for my coming to your house, and to dwell with you, as the offer is very kind, so I yield you the best kind of thanks I can render you, and  Jove bless you for it and help you in your necessity;  for therein dost thou well show that kindred and  alliance serve not for shadows, but ought rather to be  profitable  and helpful in adversity:  and  therefore, though I should be willing to do as you  would have me in regard of that desire, which I have  to enjoy your sweet company; yet can it not  conveniently be done in regard of that loss which would light upon me;  for I know it cannot but be greatly to my hindrance.  

  La causa no es necessario dezir,   pues hablo con quien me entiende. Que allí, hermana, soy conoscida, allí   estoy aparrochada.   Jamás perderá aquella casa el nombre de Celestina, que Dios aya.   Siempre acuden allí moças conoscidas y allegadas,   medio parientas de las que ella crió.   Allí hazen sus conciertos, de donde se me seguirá algún prouecho.   y también essos pocos amigos que me quedan, no me saben otra morada.   Pues ya sabes quán duro es dexar lo vsado   y que mudar costumbre es a par de muerte  

The reason thereof I need not to tell you, because I speak to one that is intelligent, and understand my meaning; for there, cousin, where I am, I am well known; there am I well customed; that house will never lose the name of Old Celestina; thither continually resort your young wenches bordering thereabouts, loving creatures, willing worms, and such as are best know abroad, being of half blood to those, whom Celestina bred up;  there they drive all their bargains, and there they make their matches, and do many other things besides (as you know well enough) whereby now and then I reap  some profit.  Besides, those few friends that I have, know not elsewhere to seek after me.  Moreover, you are not ignorant, how hard a matter it is to forego that which we have been used unto, and to alter custom, is alter custom is as distasteful as death: 

  y piedra mouediza que nunca moho la cobija.   Allí quiero estar, siquiera porque el alquile de la casa,   que está pagado por ogaño,   no se vaya en balde.   assí que, avnque cada cosa no abastasse por sí, juntas aprouechan y ayudan.   Ya me paresce que es hora de yrme.   De lo dicho me lleuo el cargo.   Dios quede contigo, que me voy.  

a rolling  stone never gathers moss, and therefore I will abide  where I am:  and if for no other reason, yet will I stay there, because my house-rent is free, having a  full year yet to come, and will not let it be lost, by lying idle and empty; so that though every  particular reason may not take place, yet when I weigh  them altogether, I hope I shall rest excused, and you  contented.  It is now high time for me to be gone; what we talked of, I will take that charge upon me; and so farewell.







 

ACTO XVI

Sumario: Pensando PLEBERIO y ALISA tener su hija MELIBEA el don de la Virginidad conservada, lo qual, segun ha parescido, esta en contrario, y estan razonando sobre el casamiento de MELIBEA, y en tan gran quantidad le dan pena las palabras que de sus padres oye, que embia a LUCRECIA para que sea causa de su silencio en aquel proposito.  

ACTUS XVI  

The Argument:  PLEBERIO and Alisa, thinking that their daughter Melibea had kept her virginity unspotted and untouched, which was (as it seemed) quite contrary; they fall in talk about marrying of Melibea, which discourse of theirs, she so impatiently endured, and was so grieved in hearing her father treat of it, that she sent in Lucrecia to interrupt them, that by her coming in, she might occasion them to break off both their discourse and purpose. Interlocutors: Melibea, Lucrecia, Pleberio, Alisa.  

  1. PLEB. __ Alisa, amiga, el tiempo, según me parece, se nos va, como dizen, entre los manos. Corren los días como agua de río.  

PLEBERIO. My wife and friend Alisa, time (methinks) slips (as they say) from between our hands; and our days do glide away like water down a river.  There is not anything that flies so swift, as the life of man: death still follows us, and hedges us in on every side, whereunto we ourselves now draw nigh.  

No hay cosa tan ligera para huyr como la vida. La muerte nos sigue y rodea, de la qual somos vezinos y hazia su vandera nos acostamos, según natura. esto vemos muy claro, si miramos nuestros yguales, nuestros hermanos y parientes en derredor. todos los come ya la tierra, todos están en sus perpetuas moradas.  

 We are now (according to the course of nature) to be shortly under his banner; this we may plainly perceive, if we will but behold our equals, our brethren and our kinsfolk round about us; the grave hath devoured them all; they are all brought to their last home.  

 y pues somos inciertos quándo auemos de ser llamados, viendo tan ciertas señales, deuemos echar nuestras baruas en remojo y aparejar nuestros fardeles para andar este forçoso camino; no nos tome improuisos ni de salto aquella cruel boz de la muerte.  

And sinthence we are uncertain when we shall be called hence, seeing such certain and infallible signs of our short abode, it behoveth us (as it is in the proverb) to lay our beard a-soaking, when we see our neighbours shaving off, and to fear lest that which befell them yesterday, may befall us tomorrow. Let us therefore prepare ourselves, and pack up our fardles, for to go this enforced journey which cannot be avoided. Let not that cruel and doleful sounding trumpet of death, summon us away on the sudden and unprovided.  

Ordenemos nuestras ánimas con tiempo, que más vale preuenir que ser preuenidos. Demos nuestra hazienda a dulce sucessor, Acompañemos nuestra vnica hija con marido, qual nuestro estado requiere, porque vamos descansados y sin dolor deste mundo.  

Let us prepare ourselves, and set things in order whilst we have time, for it is better to prevent than to be prevented: let us confer our substance on our sweet successor; let us couple our only daughter to a husband, such a one as may suit with our estate, that we may go quietly and contentedly out of this world.  

Lo qual con mucha diligencia deuemos poner desde agora por obra, y lo que otras vezes auemos principiado en este caso, agora aya execución. No quede por nuestra negligencia nuestra hija en manos de tutores,  

The which with much diligence and carefulness, we ought from henceforth to endeavour and put in execution:  and what we have at other times commenced in this matter, we ought now to consummate it. I would not by our negligence have our daughter in guardians′ hands; I like not she should be a ward: she is now fit for marriage,

pues parescerá ya mejor en su propia casa que en la nuestra. Quitarla hemos de lenguas de vulgo, porque ninguna virtut ay tan perfecta que no tenga vituperadores y maldizientes. No ay cosa con que mejor se conserue la limpia fama en las vírgines, que con temprano casamiento.  

and therefore much better for her to be in a house of her own, than in ours; by which means we shall free her from the tongues of the vulgar; for there is no virtue so absolute and so perfect, which hath not her detracting and foul-mouthed slanderers; neither is there anything, whereby a virgin′s good name is kept more pure and unspotted, than by a mature and timely marriage.  

¿Quién rehuyría nuestro parentesco en toda la ciudad?  ¿Quién no se hallará gozoso de tomar tal joya en su compaqía? ¿En quién caben las quatro principales cosas que en los casamientos se demandan, conuiene a saber: lo primero, discrición, honestidad y virginidad; segundo, hermosura; lo tercero, el alto origen y parientes; lo final, riqueza? De todo esto la dotó natura. qualquiera cosa que nos pidan hallarán bien complida.

Who in all this city will refuse our alliance? Who will not be glad to enjoy such a jewel, in whom those four principal things concur, which are demanded and desired in marriage? The first, discretion, honesty and virginity.  The second, beauty. The third, noble birth and parentage. The last, riches. With all these nature hath endowed her. Whatsoever they shall require of us, they shall find it to be full and perfect.  

  2. ALI. __ Dios la conserue, mi señor Pleberio, porque nuestros desseos veamos complidos en nuestra vida. Que antes pienso que faltará ygual a nuestra hija,  

ALISA. My lord Pleberio, heaven bless her, and send her so to do, that we may see our desires accomplished in our lifetime. And I am rather of opinion that we shall want one that is equal with our daughter,

según tu virtut y tu noble sangre, que no sobrarán muchos que la merezcan. Pero como esto sea officio de los padres y muy ageno a las mugeres, como tú lo ordenares, seré yo alegre, y nuestra hija obedecerá, según su casto biuir y honesta vida y humildad.

considering her virtue and nobleness of blood, than that there are over-many that are worthy to wear her; but because this office more properly appertaineth to the father than the mother, as you shall dispose of her, so shall I rest contented, and she remain obedient, as shall best beseem her chaste carriage, her honest life, and meek disposition.  

  3. LUCR. __ Avn si bien lo supiesses, rebentarías  ¡Ya¡ya¡Perdido es lo mejor¡ ¡Mal año se os apareja a la vejez¡  

LUCRECIA. But if you knew as much as I do, your hearts would burst in sunder. I, I, you mistake your mark, she is not the woman you wot of; the best is lost; an ill year is like to attend upon your old age.

Lo mejor, Calisto lo lleua. No hay quien ponga virgos, que ya es muerta Celestina. Tarde acordays y más auíades de madrugar. ¡escucha¡escucha¡Señora Melibea.  

Calisto hath plucked that flower wherein you so much glory. There is not any that can now new film her, or repair her lost virginity, for Celestina is dead, the only curer of a cracked maidenhead, you have awaked somewhat of the latest; you should have risen a little earlier. Hark, hark; good mistress Melibea, hark, I say.

  4. MELIB. __ Que hazes ay escondida, loca?

MELIBEA. What does the fool there sneaking in the corner?

  5. LUCR. __ Llégate aquí, señora, oyrás a tus padres la priessa que traen por te casar.

LUCRECIA. Come hither, madame, and you shall hear now how forward your father and mother are to provide you a husband, you shall be married out of hand, out of hand, madame.

  6. MELIB. __ Calla, por Dios, que te oyrán. Déxalos parlar, déxalos deuaneen. vn mes ha que otra cosa no hazen ni en otra cosa entienden. No parece sino que les dize el coraçón el gran amor que a Calisto tengo y todo lo que con él vn mes ha he passado.  

MELIBEA. For all loves′ sake speak softly; they will hear you by and by; Let them talk on, they begin to dote; for this month they have had no other talk; their mind hath run on nothing else; it may be their heart tells them of the great love which I bear to Calisto, as also of that which for this month′s space hath passed between us.  

No sé si me han sentido, no sé qué se sea aquexarles más agora este cuydado que nunca. Pues mándoles yo trabajar en vano. Por demás es la cítola en el molino. ¿Quién es el que me ha de quitar mi gloria? ¿Quién apartarme mis plazeres?  

I know not whether they have had any inkling of our meeting? Or whether they have overheard us? Nor can I devise in the world, what should be the reason why they should be so hot upon the matter, and more eager for the marrying of me now, than ever heretofore: but they shall miss of their purpose; they shall labour it in vain: for to what use serves the clapper in the mill, if the miller be deaf? Who is he that can remove me from my glory? Who can withdraw me from my pleasure?

Calisto es mi ánima, mi vida, mi señor, en quien yo tengo toda mi esperança. conozco dél que no biuo engañada. Pues él me ama, ¿con qué otra cosa le puedo pagar?  

Calisto is my soul, my life, my lord; on whom I have set up my rest, and in whom I have placed all my hopes; I know that in him I cannot be deceived. And since that he loves me, with what other thing but love can I requite him?

todas las debdas del mundo resciben compensación en diuerso género; el amor no Admite sino solo amor por paga. En pensar en él me alegro, en verlo me gozo, en oyrlo me glorifico. haga y ordene de mí a su voluntad.  

All the debts in the world receive their payment in diverse kind; but love admits no other payment, but love. I glad myself in thinking on him; I delight myself in seeing him, and rejoice myself in hearing him. Let him do with me what he will, and dispose of me at his pleasure;

Si passar quisiere la mar, con él yré; si rodear el mundo, lléueme consigo; si venderme en tierra de enemigos, no rehuyré su querer. Déxenme mis padres gozar dél, si ellos quieren gozar de mí. No piensen en estas vanidades ni en estos casamientos: que más vale ser buena amiga que mala casada.  

if he will go to sea, I will go with him; if he will round the world, I will along him; if he will sell me for a slave in the enemy′s country, I will not resist his desire. Let my parents let me enjoy him, if they mean to enjoy me; let them not settle their thoughts upon these vanities, nor think no more upon those their marriages. For, it is better to be well beloved, than ill married; and a good friend is better than a bad husband.  

Déxenme gozar mi mocedad alegre, si quieren gozar su vejez cansada; si no, presto podrán aparejar mi perdición y su sepultura. No tengo otra lástima sino por el tiempo que perdí de no gozarlo, de no conoscerlo, después que a mí me sé conoscer.  

Let them suffer me to enjoy the pleasure of my youth, if they mind to enjoy any quietness in their age; if not, they will but prepare destruction for me, and for themselves a sepulcher. I grieve for nothing more, than for the time that I have lost in not enjoying him any sooner, and that he did not know me, as soon as he was known unto me.  

No quiero marido, no quiero ensuziar los ñudos del matrimonio, ni las maritales pisadas de ageno hombre repisar, como muchas hallo en los antiguos libros que ley o que hizieron más discretas que yo, más subidas en estado y linaje.  

I will no husband; I will not sully the knots of matrimony, nor tread against the matrimonial steps of another man; nor walk in the way of wedlock with a stranger, as I find many have done, in those ancient books which I have read, which were far more discreet and wiser than myself; and more noble in their estate and lineage;  

las quales algunas eran de la gentilidad tenidas por diosas, assí como Venus, madre de Eneas y de Cupido, el dios del amor, que siendo casada corrompió la prometida fe marital.  

whereof some were held among the heathens for goddesses, as was Venus, the mother of Aeneas and of Cupid, the god of love, who being married broke her plighted troth of wedlock,  

y avn otras, de mayores fuegos encendidas, cometieron nefarios y incestuosos yerros, como Mirra con su padre, Semíramis con su hijo, Canasce con su hermano y avn aquella forçada Thamar, hija del rey Dauid. otras avn más cruelmente traspossaron las leyes de natura, como Pasiphé, muger del rey Minos, con el toro.  

as likewise divers others, who were inflamed with a greater fire, and did commit most nefarious and incestuous errors, as Myrrha with her father, Semiramis with her son; Canace with her brother; others also in a more cruel and beastly fashion did transgress the law of nature, as Pasiphae, the wife of king Minos, with a bull:  

Pues reynas eran y grandes señoras, debaxo de cuyas culpas la razonable mía podrá passar sin denuesto.  

and these were queens and great ladies, under whose faults (considering the foulness of them) mine may pass as reasonable without note of shame or dishonesty.

Mi amor fue con justa causa. Requerida y rogada, catiuada de su merescimiento, Aquexada por tan astuta maestra como Celestina, seruida de muy peligrosas visitaciones, Antes que concediesse por entero en su amor.  

My love was grounded upon a good and just cause, and a far more lawful ground. I was wooed and sued unto, and captivated by Calisto′s good deserts; being thereunto solicited by that subtle and cunning mistress in her art, dame Celestina, who adventured herself in many a dangerous visit, before that ever I would yield myself true prisoner to his love.  

Y después vn mes ha, como has visto, que jamás noche ha faltado sin ser nuestro huerto escalado como fortaleza y muchas auer venido en balde y por esso no me mostrar más pena ni trabajo.  

 And now for this month and more (as you yourself have seen) he hath not failed, no, not so much as one night, but hath still scaled our garden walls, as if he had come to the scaling of a fort; and many times hath been repulsed, and assaulted it in vain, being driven to withdraw his siege. And yet for all this, he continued more constant and resolute still, and never would give over, as one that thought his labour to be well bestowed.  

Muertos por mí sus seruidores, perdiéndose su hazienda, fingiendo absencia con todos los de la ciudad, todos los días encerrado en casa con esperança de verme a la noche.  

 For my sake his servants have been slain; for my sake he hath wasted and consumed his substance; for my sake he hath feigned absence with all his friends in the city; and all day long he hath had the patience to remain close prisoner in his own house, and only upon hope (wherein he counted himself happy) to see me in the night.  

¡Afuera, afuera la ingratitud, afuera las lisonjas y el engaño con tan verdadero amador, que ni quiero marido ni quiero padre ni parientes¡ Faltándome Calisto, me falte la vida, la qual, porque él de mí goze, me aplaze.  

Far, far therefore from me be all ingratitude; far be all flattery and dissimulation towards so true and faithful a lover; for I regard (in my regard to him) neither husband, father, nor kindred; for in losing my Calisto, I lose my life, which life of mine doth therefore please me, because I pleaseth him; which I desire no longer to enjoy than he shall joy in it.

  7. LUCR. __ Calla, señora, escucha, que todavía perseueran.  

LUCRECIA. Peace, madame, hark, hark, they continue in their discourse.  

  8. PLEB. __ Pues, ¿qué te parece, señora muger?  ¿Deuemos hablarlo a nuestra hija, deuemos darle parte de tantos como me la piden, para que de su voluntad venga, para que diga quál le agrada?  

PLEBERIO.  Since (wife) methinks you seem to like well of this motion, it is not amiss that we make it know to our daughter; we may do well to tell her how many do desire her, and what store of suitors would be willing to come unto her, to the end that she may the more willingly entertain our desire, and make choice of him whom she liketh best.  

Pues en esto las leyes dan libertad a los hombres y mugeres, Avnque estén so el paterno poder, para elegir.  

 For in this particular the laws allow both men and women, though they be under paternal power, for to make their own choice.

  9. ALI. __ Qué dizes?? En qué gastas tiempo  ?? Quién ha de yrle con tan grande nouedad a nuestra Melibea, que no la espante?  

ALISA. What do you mean, husband? Why do you talk and spend time in this? Who shall be the messenger to acquaint our daughter Melibea with this strange news, and shall not affright her therewith?  

¡Cómo¡? y piensas que sabe ella qué cosa sean hombres?  ¿Si se casan o qué es casar? ¿O que del ayuntamiento de marido y muger se procreen los hijos? ¿piensas que su virginidad simple le acarrea torpe desseo de lo que no conosce ni ha entendido jamás? ¿piensas que sabe errar avn con el pensamiento?  

Alas, do you think that she can tell what a man means, or what it is to marry or be married? Or whether by the conjunction of man and woman children are begot or no? Do you think, that her simple and unspotted virginity, can suggest unto her any filthy desire, of that which as yet she neither knows nor understandeth, nor cannot so much as conceive what it means? It is the least part of her thought.

No lo creas, señor Pleberio, que si alto o baxo de sangre o feo o gentil de gesto le mandáremos tomar, Aquello será su plazer, aquello aurá por bueno. Que yo se bien lo que tengo criado en mi guardada hija.  

Believe it, my lord Pleberio, she doth not so much as dream on any such matter; and assure yourself, be he what he will be, either noble or base, fair or foul, we will make her to take whom it pleaseth us; whom we like, him shall she like; she shall confirm her will to ours, and shall think that fit, which we think fit, and no further; for I know, I trow, how I have bred and brought up my daughter.  

  10. MELIB. __ Lucrecia, Lucrecia, corre presto, entra por el postigo en la sala y estóruales su hablar, interrúmpeles sus alabanças con algún fingido mensaje, si no quieres que vaya yo dando bozes como loca, según estoy enojada del concepto engañoso que tienen de mi ignorancia.

MELIBEA.  Lucrecia, Lucrecia, run, hie thee quickly, and go in by the back-door in the hall, and break off their discourse with some feigned errand or other, unless thou wouldst have me cry out, and take on like Bedlam; so much am I out of patience with their misconceit of my ignorance.  

  11. LUCR. __ Ya voy, señora.  

LUCRECIA. I go, madame.







 

ACTO XVII

Sumario: ELICIA, caresciendo de la castimonia de Penelope, determina de despedir el pesar y luto que por causa de los muertos trae, alabando el consejo de ARE SA en este proposito; la qual va a casa de ARE SA, adonde viene SOSIA, al qual ARE SA con palabras fictas saca todo el secreto que esta entre CALISTO y MELIBEA.  

ACTUS XVII  

The Argument:    ELICIA, wanting the chastity of Penelope, determines  to cast off the care and sorrow, which she had  conceived upon the deaths of those for whom she  mourned, highly to this purpose commending Areusa′s  counsel; she gets her to Areusa′s house, whither likewise comes Sosia, out of whom Areusa by fair and flattering words drew those matters of secrecy which  passed betwixt Calisto and Melibea. Interlocutors:    Elicia, Areusa, Sosia.  

   1. ELIC. __ Mal me va con este luto.   Poco se visita mi casa, poco se passea mi calle.   Ya no veo las músicas de la aluorada,   ya no las canciones de mis amigos,   ya no las cuchilladas ni ruydos de noche por mi causa   y, lo que peor siento,   que ni blanca ni presente veo entrar por mi puerta.   De todo esto me tengo yo la culpa, que si tomara   el consejo de aquella que bien me quiere, de aquella verdadera hermana,   quando el otro día le lleué las nueuas deste triste negocio,   que esta mi mengua ha acarreado,   no me viera agora entre dos paredes sola,   que de asco ya no ay quien me vea.  

ELICIA.  I do myself wrong to mourn thus.  Few do visit my house; few do pass this way.  I can hear no music nor stirring betimes in the morning; I have no amorous ditties sung by my lovers at my window; there are no frays nor quarrels before my door; they do not cut and slash one another a nights for my  sake,  as they were wont to do: and that which most  of all grieves me, is that I see neither  penny nor  farthing, nor any other present to come within my  doors.  But for this, can I blame nobody but myself; myself only is in fault; for had I followed the counsel of her, who is my true and faithful sister, when as I brought her the other day the news of this sad and heavy accident, which hath brought all this penury upon me, I had not lived alone mured up between two walls; nor others loathed to have come and seen me.  

  El diablo me da tener dolor   por quien no sé si, yo muerta, lo tuuiera.   osadas, que me dixo ella a mí lo cierto:   nunca, hermana, traygas ni muestres más pena   por el mal ni muerte de otro que él hiziera por ti.   Sempronio holgara, yo muerta;   pues¿  por qué, loca, me peno yo por él degollado?   ¿  y qué sé si me matara a mí,   como era acelerado y loco,   como hizo a aquella vieja que tenía yo por madre?   quiero en todo seguir su consejo de Areusa,   que sabe más del mundo que yo   y verla muchas vezes y traer materia cómo biua.  

The devil (I think) makes me to mourn thus for him, who, had I been dead, would scarce perhaps have shed one tear for me.  Now I dare boldly say that Areusa told me truth. Sister (quoth she) never conceive nor show more sorrow for the misfortune or death of another, than he would have done for thee.   Sempronio, had I been dead, would have been ne′er a whit the less merry, he would not have wronged his delights nor abridged his pleasures.  And why then like a fool should I grieve and vex myself, for one that is dead and gone, and hath lost his head by order of law?  And what can I tell, whether being a choleric and hasty hair - brained fellow as he was, he might have killed me too, as well as he did that old woman, whom I reckoned of as of mine own mother?  I will therefore by all means follow Areusa′s counsel, who knows more of the world than I do; and go now and then to visit her, that I may learn something from her, how I may live another day.  

  ¡  O qué participación tan suaue,   qué conuersación tan gozosa y dulce¡   No en balde se dize:   que vale más vn día del hombre discreto   que toda la vida del nescio y simple.   quiero, pues, deponer el luto, dexar tristeza,   despedir las lágrimas, que tan aparejadas han estado a salir.   Pero como sea el primer officio que en nasciendo hazemos, llorar,   no me marauilla ser más ligero de començar   y de dexar más duro.   Mas para esto es el buen seso,   viendo la pérdida al ojo,   viendo que los atauíos hazen la muger hermosa, avnque no lo sea,   tornan de vieja moça y a la moça más.  

O what a sweet participation will this be!   What a delightful conversation!   I see it is not said in vain; that of more worth is one day of a wise man than the whole life of a fool; I will therefore put off my mourning weeds, lay aside my sorrow, dismiss my tears, which have hitherto been so ready to offer their service to  my eyes.  But sithence that it is the very first office that we do, as soon as we are born, to come crying into the world, I nothing wonder that it is so easy to begin to cry, and so hard to leave off.  But this may teach one wit by seeing the hurt it does to the eyes; by seeing that good clothes and neat dressings make a woman seem fair and handsome, though she be nothing so  nor so; making her of  old, young, and of young, younger.  

  No es otra cosa la color y aluayalde, sino pegajosa liga   en que se trauan los hombres.   Ande, pues, mi espejo y alcohol,   que tengo dañados estos ojos;   anden mis tocas blancas, mis gorgueras labradas, mis ropas de plazer.   quiero adereçar lexía para estos cabellos,   que perdían ya la ruuia color   y, esto hecho, contaré mis gallinas,   haré mi cama, porque la limpieza alegra el coraçón,   barreré mi puerta y regaré la calle,   porque los que passaren vean que es ya desterrado el dolor.  

 Your coloured paintings and your ceruses, which give women such a pure white and red, what are they but a slimy clinging thing, a kind of bird - lime, wherewith men are taken and ensnared?  Come then thou my glass, come hither again unto me; and thou too my antimonium; for I have too much already wronged my eyes, and almost marred my face with my blubbering and weeping.  I will on with white veils, my wrought gorgets, my gay garments, my more pleasing attire, and such other apparel as shall speak pleasure.  I will presently provide some lye for my hair, which now through neglect hath lost its bright burnished hue.   And this being done, I will count my hens, I will make up my bed: for it glads a woman′s heart to see things neat and handsome about her.  I will have all well swept and made clean before my door, and the street that buts upon it sprinkled with water, as well to keep it cool as to lay the dust; to the end that they who pass by, may plainly thereby perceive, that I have banished all grief,  and shaken  hands with sorrow.  

  Mas primero quiero yr a visitar mi prima,   por preguntarle si ha ydo allá Sosia   y lo que con él ha passado,   que no lo he visto después que le dixe cómo le quería hablar Areusa.   quiera Dios que la halle sola,   que jamás está desacompañada de galanes, como buena tauerna de borrachos. 

But first of all I will go and visit my cousin, to know whether Sosia have been with her or no, and what good she hath done upon him.  For I have not seen him, since I told him that Areusa would fain speak with him.  I pray Jove I may find her all alone; for she is seldom any more without gallants, than a good tavern is without drunkards.  

   2. ELIC. __ Cerrada está la puerta.   No deue estar allá hombre. quiero llamar. Tha, tha. 

ELICIA  The door is shut, there  should be nobody within; I will knock and see. Tha.   Tha, tha.  

   3. AREU. __ Quién es? 

AREUSA.  Who′s at door?  

   4. ELIC. __ Abre, amiga; Elicia soy. 

ELICIA.  I pray open it; it is Elicia.  

   5. AREU. __ Entra, hermana mia.   Véate Dios, que tanto plazer me hazes   en venir como vienes, mudado el hábito de tristeza.   agora nos gozaremos juntas,   agora te visitaré,   vernos hemos en mi casa y en la tuya.   quiçá por bien fue para entrambas la muerte de Celestina,   que yo ya siento la mejoría más que antes.   Por esto se dize que los muertos abren los ojos de los que biuen,   a vnos con haziendas, a otros con libertad, como a ti.  

AREUSA.  Come in, good cousin, heaven reward you for this kindness; believe me, I think myself much beholding unto you, that you would take the pains to come and visit me.  I, marry, wench, now it is as it should be. Now thou pleasest me, thou canst not imagine what contentment my eye taketh, to see that habit of mourning and of sorrow to be changed into garments of joy, and gladness.  Now we will enjoy one another; we will laugh and be merry: now I shall have some heart to come and visit thee; thou shalt come to my house, and I will come to thine.  It may be that Celestina′s death will turn to both our goods; for I find that it is beter now with me than it was before; and therefore it is said that the dead to open the eyes to the living, to some by wealth, to other some by liberty, as it is with thee.   

   6. ELIC. __ A tu puerta llaman.   Poco espacio nos dan para hablar,   que te querría preguntar si auía venido acá Sosia. 

ELICIA.  I hear somebody at the door; we are too soon cut off from our discourse, for I was about to ask you whether Sosia had been here or no.  

   7. AREU. __ No ha venido; después hablaremos    . ¡  Qué porradas que dan¡Quiero yr abrir,   que o es loco o priuado. ¿ Quién llama?

AREUSA.  No, not yet; stay, we will talk more anon.  How loud he knocks!   I will go down and see who it is.  Sure, either he is a madman, or our familiar friend.  Who is′t that knocks there?  

   8. SOS. __ Abreme, señora. Sosia soy, criado de Calisto. 

SOSIA.  Open the door, mistress:  It′s Sosia, servant to Calisto.  

   9. AREU. __ Por los santos de Dios, el lobo es en la conseja.   Escóndete, hermana, tras esse paramento   y verás quál te lo paro,   lleno de viento de lisonjas,   que piense, quando se parta de mí, que es él y otro no.   y  sacarle he lo suyo y lo ageno del buche con halagos,   como él saca el poluo con la almohaça a los cauallos.  

AREUSA.  Now in good time: the wolf is in the fable.  Hide yourself, sister, behind these hangings, and you shall see how I will work him, and how I will puff him up with the wind of my fair and flattering words.  And assure yourself that before we two part I will make him wholly ours; he shall not go hence the same Sosia that he came; but with my smooth and enticing terms, my soft and gentle handling of him, I will quite unmaw him and draw from him all that he either knows concerning his master or anybody else, as he draws dust from his horses with his curry comb.  What?  

    Es mi Sosia, mi secreto amigo?   ¿  El que yo me quiero bien sin que él lo sepa?   ¿  El que desseo conoscer por su buena fama?   ¿  El fiel a su amo?   ¿  El buen amigo de sus compañeros?   abraçarte quiero, amor,   que agora que te veo   creo que ay más virtudes en ti que todos me dezían.   Andacá, entremos a assentarnos,   que me gozo en mirarte,   que me representas la figura del desdichado de Pármeno.  

My Sosia?  My inward friend?  Him whom I wish so well unto, though perhaps he knows not of it?  Him whom I have longed to know, led only by the fame and good report which I hear of him?  What?  He that is so faithful to his master?  So good a friend to his acquaintance?  I will embrace thee (my love) I will hug thee in mine arms; for now that I see thee, I see report comes short, and verily persuade myself that there are more virtues in thee than I have been told of.  Fame hath been too sparing of thy praise:  come (sweetheart) let us go in and sit down in my chamber; for it does me good to look upon thee.  O! how thou dost resemble my unfortunate Parmeno!    

  Con esto haze oy tan claro día   que auías tú de venir a uerme.   dime, señor, ¿ conoscíasme antes de agora?  

How lively doth they person represent him unto me!   This is it that makes this day to shine so clear, that thou art come to visit me. Tell me (gentle sir) did you ever know me before? 

   11. SOS. __ Señora, la fama de tu gentileza, de tus gracias y saber   buela tan alto por esta ciudad   que no deues tener en mucho ser de más conoscida   que conosciente,   porque ninguno habla en loor de hermosas   que primero no se acuerde de ti que de quantas son.  

SOSIA.  The fame (gentlewoman) of your gentle and sweet disposition, of your good graces, discretion and wisdom, flies with so swift a wing and in so high  a pitch through all this  city, that you need not much to marvel, if you be of more known than knowing.  For there is not any man, that speaks anything in praise of the fairest and beautifullest in this city, but that you are ranked in the first place, and remembered as the  prime  and chiefest amongst them all. 

   12. ELIC. __ ¡  O hideputa el pelón y cómo se desasna!   ¡  Quién le ve yr al agua con sus cauallos en cerro   y sus piernas de fuera, en sayo,   y agora en verse medrado con calças y capa,   sálenle alas y lengua!  

ELICIA.    This poor silly fellow, this wretched son of a whore, are ridge without a saddle, and his naked legs hanging down beneath his canvass frock, cut out into four quarters; and should now see him thus handsome and well suited, both in his cloak and other his clothes, it would give  a man wings and tongue, and make him crow, as this cockerel doth.  

   13. AREU. __ Ya me correría con tu razón,   si alguno estuuiesse delante,   en oyrte tanta burla como de mí hazes;   pero, como todos los hombres traygays proueydas essas razones,   essas engañosas alabanças, tan comunes para todas, hechas de molde, me quiero de ti espantar.  

AREUSA.  Your talk would make me blush and run away for shame, were there anybody here to hear how you play upon me.  But (as it is the fashion of all you men) you never go unprovided of such kind of phrases as these; these false and deceitful praises are too common amongst you; you have words moulded of purpose, to serve your turn withal, and to suit yourselves as you see cause to any woman whatsoever: yet for all this am I not afraid of you, neither will I start or budge from you.  

  Pero hágote cierto, Sosia, que no tienes dellos necessidad;   sin que me alabes te amo   y sin que me ganes de nueuo me tienes ganada.   Para lo que te embié a rogar que me viesses,   son dos cosas, las quales, si más lisonja o engaño en ti conozco,   te dexaré de dezir, avnque sean de tu prouecho.  

But I must tell you (Sosia) by the way; this praising of me thus is more than needs, for though thou shouldst not commend me, yet should I love thee, and that thereby thou shouldst think to gain my love is as needless; for thou hast gained it already.  There are two things, which caused me (Sosia) for to send for thee, entreating thee to take the pains to come and see me; wherein if I find you to double or dissemble with me, I have done with you.  What they are, I will leave them to yourself to relate, though I know it is for your own good, which makes me to do as I do.   

   14. SOS. __ Señora mia, no quiera Dios que yo te haga cautela.   Muy seguro venía de la gran merced,   que me piensas hazer y hazes.   No me sentía digno para descalçarte.   Guía tú mi lengua,   responde por mí a tus razones,   que todo lo avré por rato y firme.  

SOSIA.  Heaven forbid that I should use any cogging with you, or seek the great favours, which you intend, and now do me, holding myself not worthy to pull off your shoes.  Do thou therefore direct my tongue; answer thou for me to thine own questions:  for I shall ratify and confirm whatsoever thou shalt propound.  

   15. AREU. __ Amor mio, ya sabes quánto quise a Pármeno,   y como dizen: quien bien quiere a Beltrán a todas sus cosas ama.   todos sus amigos me agradauan,   el buen seruicio de su amo, como a él mismo, me plazía.   Donde vía su daño de Calisto, le apartaua.  

AREUSA.  My love, thou know′st how dearly I loved Parmeno.  And as it is in the proverb, he that loves Beltram loves anything that is his; all his friends were always welcome unto me:  his good service to his master did as much please me, as it pleased himself.   When he saw any harm towards Calisto, he did study to prevent it.  

  Pues como esto assí sea,   acordé dezirte, lo vno, que conozcas el amor que te tengo   y quánto contigo y con tu visitación siempre me alegrarás   y que en esto no perderás nada, si yo pudiere,   antes te verná prouecho.  

Now as all this is true, so thought I it good to acquaint thee with it.  First then did I send for thee, that I might give thee to understand how much I love thee, and how much I joy and ever shall in this thy visiting me; nor shalt thou lose anything by it, if I can help it, but rather turn to  thy profit  and benefit.  

  Lo otro y segundo, que pues yo pongo mis ojos en ti, y mi amor y   querer, auisarte que te guardes de peligros   y más de descobrir tu secreto a ninguno,   pues ves quánto daño vino a Pármeno y a Sempronio   de lo que supo Celestina,  

Secondly, since that I have settled my eyes, my love and affection on thee, that I may advise thee to take heed how thou comest in danger; and besides, to admonish thee that thou do not discover thy secrets to any:  for you see what ill befell Parmeno and Sempronio by imparting things of secrecy unto Celestina.  

  porque no querría verte morir mallogrado como a tu compañero.   Harto me basta auer llorado al vno.   Porque has de saber que vino a mí una persona   y me dixo que le auías tú descubierto   los amores de Calisto y Melibea   y cómo la auía alcançado   y cómo yuas cada noche a le acompañar   y otras muchas cosas, que no sabría relatar.  

 For I would not willingly see thee die in such an ill fashion, as your fellow and companion did:  it is enough for me that I have bewailed on of you already, and therefore I would have you to know, that there came one unto me, and told me that you had discovered unto him the love that is betwixt Calisto and Melibea; and how he won her, and how you yourself night by night went along with him, and many other things which now I cannot call to mind.   Take heed (friend) for not to keep a secret is proper only unto women, yet not unto all, but such as are fools and children.  Take heed (I say) for here hence great hurt may come unto you:  and to this end did Nature give you two ears and two eyes, and but one tongue; to the end that what you see and hear should be double to that you speak.  

  Cata, amigo, que no guardar secreto es propio de las mugeres. No de todas, sino de las baxas y de los   niños.  Cata que te puede venir gran daño.   Que para esto te dio Dios dos oydos   y dos ojos y no más de vna lengua,   porque sea doblado lo que vieres y oyeres que no el hablar.   Cata no confíes que tu amigo te ha de tener secreto de lo que le dixeres,   pues tú no le sabes a ti mismo tener.   quando ouieres de yr con tu amo Calisto   a casa de aquella señora,   no hagas bullicio, no te sienta la tierra,   que otros me dixeron que yuas cada noche   dando bozes, como loco, de plazer.  

Take heed and do not think your friend will keep your secret, when you yourself cannot keep it; when therefore thou art to go with thy master Calisto, to that lady′s house, make no noise, lest you be heard; for some have told me that ever night you keep a coil, and cannot contain yourselves, as men  transported and overjoyed.  

   16. SOS. __ O cómo son sin tiento   y personas desacordadas los que tales nueuas, señora, te acarrean¡   Quien te dixo que de mi boca lo hauía oydo, no dize verdad.   Los otros de verme yr con la luna de noche a dar agua a mis cauallos,   holgando y auiendo plazer,   diziendo cantares por oluidar el trabajo   y desechar enojo, y esto antes de las diez,   sospechan mal y de la sospecha hazen certidumbre,   affirman lo que barruntan.  

SOSIA.  O what busy-bodies, and what idle-headed persons be they who abuse your ears with such frivolous tales!   Whosoever told you that he heard any such matter out of my mouth, he told you an untruth; and some others perhaps, because they see me go a- nights when the moon shines, to water my horses, whistling and singing, and such like kind of mirth, to drive away care and to make me forget my toiling and my moiling, and all this before ten a clock at night, conceive an evil suspicion; and of this suspicion make certainties, and affirm that to be true, which themselves do falsely surmise.  

  Sí, que no estaua Calisto loco,   que a tal hora auía de yr a negocio de tanta affrenta   sin esperar que repose la gente,   que descansen todos en el dulçor del primer sueño.   Ni menos auía de yr cada noche,   que aquel officio no çufre cotidiana visitación.  

And Calisto is not so mad for foolish, that at such an hour as that he should go about a business of so great a consequence, but that he will first be sure that all abroad is quiet, and that every man reposes himself in the sweetness of his first sleep:  and less are you to suppose that he should go every night unto her; for such a duty will not endure a daily visitation.  

  Y si más clara quieres, señora, ver su falsedad,   como dizen, que toman antes al mentiroso que al que coxquea, en vn mes   no auemos ydo ocho vezes,   y dicen los falsarios reboluedores que cada noche. 

And that you may (mistress) more manifestly see their falsehood; for (as the proverb is) a liar is sooner ta′en, than he that is lame; we have not gone eight times a month; and yet these lying babblers stick not to avouch, we go night after night.  

   17. AREU. __ Pues por mi vida, amor mio, porque yo los acuse   y tome en el lazo del falso testimonio,   me dexes en la memoria los días qué aueys concertado de salir   y, si yerran, estaré segura de tu secreto   y cierta de su leuantar.   Porque no siendo su mensaje verdadero,   será tu persona segura de peligro   y yo sin sobresalto de tu vida.   Pues tengo esperança de gozarme contigo largo tiempo. 

AREUSA.  If you love me then (my dear love) that I may accuse them to their faces, and take them in the noose of their falsehood, acquaint me with those days you determine to go thither; and if then they shall err in their report, I shall thereby be assured of your secrecy and their roguery:  for that being not  true which they tell me, your person shall be secured  from danger, and I freed from any sudden fear of your  life, hoping long to enjoy you.  

   18. SOS. __ Señora, no alarguemos los testigos.   Para esta noche en dando el relox las doze   está hecho el concierto de su visitación por el huerto.   Mañana preguntarás lo que han sabido,   de lo qual si alguno te diere señas,   que me tresquilen a mí a cruzes.  

SOSIA.  Mistress, let us not stand any longer upon examination of witnesses.  This very night, when the clock shall strike twelve, they have appointed to meet by the way of the garden:  tomorrow you may ask them what they know; whereof, if any man shall give  you true notice, I will be content that he shall  scotch an notch me for a fool.  

   19. AREU. __ y por qué parte, alma mia,   porque mejor los pueda contradezir,   si anduuieren errados vacilando? 

AREUSA.  And on which side of the garden (my sweetheart?)  Because I may contradict them the better, if I find them varying.  

   20. SOS. __ Por la calle del vicario gordo, a las espaldas de su casa.  

SOSIA.  By the street where the fat hostess dwells, just on the backside of her house.  

   21. ELIC. __ ¡  Tiénente, don handrajoso¡!   No es más menester¡Maldito sea   el que en manos de tal azemilero se confía¡    ¡  Qué desgoznarse haze el badajo!

ELICIA.   No more, good man rag-tail, it is enough, we need no more.  Cursed is he who makes such a muleteers acquainted with his secrets. The blockhead hath swallowed the bait; he hath let her unhinge him.  

   22. AREU. __ Hermano Sosia, esto hablado, basta   para que tome cargo de saber tu innocencia   y la maldad de tus aduersarios.   Vete con Dios, que estoy ocupada en otro negocio   y me he detenido mucho contigo. 

AREUSA.  Brother Sosia, this that thou hast said, shall suffice to make known thy innocency and their wickedness:  and so a good speed with thee, for I have some other business to dispatch, and I fear me I have spent too much time with you.  

   23. ELIC. __ O sabia muger¡!   O despidiente propio,   qual le merece el asno que ha vaziado su secreto tan de ligero!  

ELICIA.   O wise wench!   O what a proper dismission, well befitting such an ass, who hath so easily revealed his secrets!  

   24. SOS. __ Graciosa y suaue señora, perdóname   si te he enojado con mi tardança.   mientra holgares con mi seruicio, jamás hallarás   quien tan de grado auenture en él su vida.   y queden los ángeles contigo. 

SOSIA.  Courteous sweet mistress, pardon me, if my long stay hath been troublesome unto you.  And if it shall please you to accept of my service, you shall never light upon any that shall more willingly therein adventure his life.  And so your own best wishes attend you.

   25. AREU. __ Dios te guíe. ¡  Allá yrás, azemilero  ¡   ¡  Muy vfano vas por tu vida¡   Pues toma para tu ojo, vellaco,   y perdona, que te la doy de espaldas.  

AREUSA.  And you too.  So:  are you gone, muleteer?  How proudly the villain goes his way!   I have put a trick upon you (you rogue) I have bored you, I wis, through the nose; pardon me, if I turn my back to thee, and withdraw my favour from thee.  I will have your coat soundly cudgelled for his gear.  

  ¿  A quién digo? Hermana, sal acá.   ¿  Qué te parece, quál le embío?   assí sé yo tratar los tales,   assí salen de mis manos los asnos,   apaleados como éste y los locos corridos   y los discretos espantados y los deuotos alterados   y los castos encendidos.  

But to whom do I speak?   Sister, come forth, tell what dost thou think of him, whom I sent away?  Have I not handsomely played my part with him?  Thus know, I how to handle such fellows; thus do such asses go out of my hands, beaten and laden with blows; thus your bashful fools, and no better do I use your discreeter men that are timorous, and your devout persons that are passionate, and your chaste men, when they are once set on fire.  

  Pues, prima, aprende, que otra arte es ésta que la de Celestina; avnque ella me   tenía por boua,   porque me quería yo serlo.   y pues ya tenemos deste hecho sabido quanto desseáuamos,   deuemos yr a casa de aquellotro cara de ahorcado   que el jueues eché delante de ti baldonado de mi casa,   y haz tú como que nos quieres fazer amigos   y que rogaste que fuesse a verlo.  

Learn of me therefore, cousin:  for this is another kind of art than that of Celestina; it is a trick beyond any that she had in her budget, though she took me for a fool, because I was content to be so accounted at her hands.  And sithence now that we have squeezed the orange, and wrung out of this fool as much as we desire to know, I think it no Sister, come forth, tell what dost thou think of him, whom I sent away?  Have I not handsomely played my part with him?  Thus know, I how to handle such fellows; thus do such asses go out of my hands, beaten and laden with blows; thus your bashful fools, and no better do I use amiss that we go to seek out that dog′s face, at his house, whom on Thursday last I rated so bitterly out of mine.  You shall make show, as though you were desirous to make us friends, and that you had earnestly entreated me to come and see him.







 

ACTO XVIII

Sumario: Yendo CALISTO con SOSIA y TRIST N al huerto de PLEBERIO a visitar a MELIBEA que lo estava esperando y con ella LUCRECIA, cuenta SOSIA lo que le acontecio con ARE SA. Estando CALISTO dentro del huerto con MELIBEA, viene TRASO y otros por mandado de CENTURIO a complir lo que avia prometido a ARE SA y a ELICIA, a los quales sale SOSIA. Y oyendo CALISTO desde el huerto onde estava con MELIBEA el ruydo que traian, quiso salir fuera, la qual salida fue causa que sus dias peresciessen, porque los tales este don resciben por galardon e por esto han de saber desamar los amadores.  

 

ACTUS XVIII  

The Argument:    ELICIA, being resolved to make Areusa and Centurio  friends, as Areusa had before instructed her, they go  to Centurio′s house; where they entreat him to revenge  their friends′ deaths upon Calisto and Melibea, which  he promiseth them to do.  And as it is the nature of  such ruffians as he, not to perform what they promise,  he seeks to excuse himself, as you shall see in the  sequel.      Interlocutors:    Elicia, Centurio, Areusa.       

     1. ELIC. __ Quién está en su casa? 

  ELICIA.  Who′s at home here?       

         2. CENT. __ Mochacho, corre, verás quién osa entrar sin llamar a la puerta.   Torna, torna acá, que ya he visto quién es.   No te cubras con el manto, señora:   ya no te puedes esconder, que, quando vi adelante entrar a Elicia,   vi que no podía traer consigo mala compaqía   ni nueuas que me pesassen,   sino que me auían de dar plazer. 

    CENTURIO.  Boy, run and see:  who dares presume  to enter my house, and not first have the manners to  knock at the door?  Come, come back again, sirrah; I  now see who it is.  Do not cover your face, mistress,  with your mantle, you cannot hide yourself from me.   For, when I saw Elicia come in before you, I knew she  could not bring with her any bad company, nor any news  that could offend me, but rather that should please  and delight me.         

         3. AREU. __ No entremos, por mi vida, más adentro,   que se estiende ya el vellaco,   pensando que le vengo a rogar.   Que más holgara con la vista de otras como él, que con la nuestra. Boluamos,   por Dios, que me fino en ver tan mal gesto.    ¿  Paréscete, hermana, que me traes por buenas estaciones   y que es cosa justa venir de bísperas   y entrarnos a uer vn desuellacaras que ay está?   

      AREUSA.  If you love me, sister, let us not in any further; for the villain  stands upon his pantofles, and begins to look big; thinking perhaps  that I am come to cry him mercy.  He had rather have such company as himself than ours:  come, let us go, for I am the worse to look upon him; I am ready to swoon with the very sight of such an ill-favoured face.  Think you, sister, that you have used me well, to train me thus along to such a walk as this?  Is it a fit thing, that we should come from good company, and enter in here to see this villainous fellow, that flayeth off the skins from  dead men′s faces,  that he may go disguised and  unknown? 

         4. ELIC. __ Torna por mi amor, no te vayas;   si no, en mis manos dexarás el medio manto.   

      ELICIA.  If you love me come back again; I pray you do not you go, unless you mean to leave half your mantle behind you.  I will hold you fast, indeed I will not let you go. 

         5. CENT. __ Tenla, por Dios, señora, tenla no se te suelte. 

      CENTURIO.  Hold her, as you love me, hold her.  Do not let her go.   

         6. ELIC. __ Marauillada estoy, prima, de tu buen seso.   ¿  quál hombre ay tan loco   y fuera de razón que no huelgue de ser visitado, mayormente de mugeres?   Llégate acá, señor Centurio,   que en cargo de mi alma por fuerça haga que te abraçe,   que yo pagaré la fruta.  

    ELICIA.  I wonder, Cousin, what you mean by this?   You seem to be wiser than I am.  Tell me, what man is so foolish or so void of reason, that is not glad to be visited, especially by women?  Come hither, Centurio: now trust me, I swear, she shall embrace thee, whether she will or no; if she will be angry,  let her, I will bear the blame of it.           

         7. AREU. __ Mejor lo vea yo en poder de justicia   y morir a manos de sus enemigos,   que yo tal gozo le dé.   ¡  Ya, ya hecho ha conmigo para quanto biua¡   ¿  y por quál carga de agua le tengo de abraçar   ni ver a esse enemigo?   Porque le rogué estotro día que fuesse vna jornada de aquí, en que me yua la vida y dixo de no.                   

      AREUSA.  Embrace him?  Marry gup with a murrain!   I had rather see him under the power and rigour of the law, and had rather see him die by the  hands of his enemies, than that I should do the slave  such a kindness.  No, no, I have done with him, I have nothing to say to him; as long as I live,  he and I shall be two.  And wherein, I pray, am I so beholding unto him, that I should embrace him?  Nay, so much as once vouchsafe to look upon such a professed enemy as he?  I did but entreat him the other day to have gone but a little way for me about a business that did as much concern me as my life; and do you think that I could get him to go?  Speak him fair, entreat him, do what I could for my life, he  still answered me, No.  And shall I embrace a villain, that regards me no more than so? 

         8. CENT. __ Mándame tú, señora, cosa que yo sepa   hazer,  cosa que sea de mi officio.   vn desafío con tres juntos y si más vinieren:   que no huya por tu amor.   Matar vn hombre, cortar vna pierna o braço,   harpar el gesto de alguna que se aya ygualado contigo:   estas tales cosas, antes serán hechas que encomendadas.        

      CENTURIO.  Command me, Mistress, in such things as I know;  exercise me in my art, and employ me in such offices as appertain to my profession:  as, to  fight for you with three men at once; or say they should be more, for your sake I would not refuse them,  but challenge them the field.  Command me to kill this or that man; to cut off a leg or an arm; to slash  any woman over the face, that shall stand in  competition with thee,  such  trifles as these shall be no sooner said than done.      

  No me pidas que ande camino ni que te dé dinero,   que bien sabes que no dura conmigo,   que tres saltos daré sin que me se cayga blanca.   ninguno da lo que no tiene.              

But do not, I prithee, entreat me to walk afoot; nor  to give thee any money; for thou know′st I have it  not.  Gold and silver will not tarry with me; they  are flinchers, they will not abide with me.  I may  cut three capers, and yet not shake one poor blank out  of my breeches:  no man gives that which he has not;  you can have no more of a cat than his skin.  Heart  and goodwill, but not a rag of money.     

  En vna casa biuo qual vees,   que rodará el majadero por toda ella sin que tropiece.   las alhajas que tengo es el axuar de la frontera,   vn jarro desbocado, vn assador sin punta.                

I live here  in a house as you see, wherein you may throw a  bowl and meet with never a rub;  all the movables  that I have are not worth a button; my implements are  such as you see here before me; an old jar with a  broken brim; a rusty spit without a point;              

  La cama en que me acuesto   está armada sobre aros de broqueles,   vn rimero de malla rota por colchones,   vna talega de dados por almohada.   Que, avnque quiero dar collación, no tengo qué empeñar,   sino esta capa harpada, que traygo a cuestas.                 

the bed  wherein I lie, is bound about with hoops of bucklers,  which I broke in fight; my feather-bed a bundle of  broken pikes; my sheets shirts of torn mail; for my  pillow I have a pouch  filled with pebble stones.   And should I bestow a collation on you, I have nothing  in the world that I can pawn, save this poor ragged and thread-bare cloak, which I have on my back.   

       9. ELIC. __ Assí goze, que sus razones me contentan a marauilla.   Como vn santo está obediente,   como ángel te habla, a toda razón se allega;    ¿  qué más le pides?   Por mi vida que le hables y pierdas enojo,   pues tan de grado se te offresce con su persona.       

    ELICIA.  So let me prosper, as his words do  exceedingly please me; why, he is as obedient to you  as a  servant; he speaks to you like a Suppliant; and he hath said nothing, but  what is reason.  What would you more of a man?  I  prithee,  as thou lov′st me, speak unto him, and  lay aside your displeasure;  suffer him not to live  thus sad and melancholy, but speak kindly unto him,  and put him out of his dumps, since he offers his  person so willingly to your disposal. 

         10. CENT. __ Offrescer dizes, señora? Yo te juro por el sancto martilogio de pe a pa   el braço me tiembla de lo que por ella entiendo hazer,   que contino pienso cómo la tenga contenta y jamás acierto.   La noche passada soñaua que hazía armas   en vn desafío por su seruicio con quatro hombres,   que ella bien conosce,   y maté al vno.   y de los otros que huyeron,   el que más sano se libró   me dexó a los pies vn braço yzquierdo.   Pues muy mejor lo haré despierto de día,   quando alguno tocare en su chapín. 

      CENTURIO.  Offer myself, Elicia?  I swear unto  thee, by the Christ-cross-row,  by the whole alphabet  and syllabication of the letters, that my arm trembles, to think what I would execute for her sake; for it is and ever shall  be my continual meditation, to study how I may  please her, but  it is my unhappiness that it never  hits right.  The last night I was adream′d, that is  her quarrel I challenged four men into the field, all  of them well known unto her, if  I should name  them; and methought I slew one of them; and for the  rest which fled, he that scaped best, left his left  arm at my foot.  Much better should I have bestirred  myself, had it been day, and that I had been awake, if  the proudest of them should have once presumed but to  have touched her shoe.         

         11. AREU. __ Pues aquí te tengo, a tiempo somos. Yo te perdono,   con condición que me vengues de vn cauallero, que se llama Calisto,   que nos ha enojado a mí y a mi prima.   

    AREUSA.  I take thee at thy word; now we be  friends; and in good time have we met.  I here pardon  what is past, but upon condition that you revenge me  upon a gentleman, called Calisto, who hath wronged  both me and my cousin.       

       12. CENT. __ O¡Reñiego de la condición.  dime luego si está confessado.   

  CENTURIO.  O how I turn renegado!   How fain  would I renew the condition!   But tell me;  has he made even with the world?     

       13. AREU. __ No seas tú cura de su ánima.   

    AREUSA.  All′s one for that, take you no care.     

       14. CENT. __ Pues sea assí. Embiémosle a comer al infierno sin confessión.   

    CENTURIO.  Well, seeing you will have it so, let us send him to dine in hell without company.       

       15. AREU. __ Escucha, no atajes mi razón.   esta noche lo tomarás.   

    AREUSA.  But do you hear.  Interrupt me not; Fail me not, I advise you;  this night, if you will, you may take him napping.   

       16. CENT. __ No me digas más, al cabo estoy.   Todo el negocio de sus amores sé   y los que por su causa ay muertos y lo que os tocaua a vosotras,   por dónde va y a qué hora y con quién es. Pero dime,  ¿  quántos son los que le acompañan?   

    CENTURIO.  No more, I apprehend your meaning; I  know the whole course of his love;  how he carries  himself in it; how such and such suffered in the  business:  as also where you two are galled.  I know whither he goes, at what hour and with whom.  But tell me, how many accompany him?         

       17. AREU. __ Dos moços. 

  AREUSA.  Only two; and those, young fellows.       

         18. CENT. __ Pequeña presa es essa,   poco ceuo tiene ay mi espada.   Mejor ceuara ella en otra parte esta noche, que estaua concertada. 

      CENTURIO.  This is too small a prey, too poor a  pittance; my sword will have but a short supper; it  would fare far better  at some other time, than that  which now you have concluded on.   

         19. AREU. __ Por escusarte lo hazes.   A otro perro con esse huesso.   No es para mí essa dilación.   Aquí quiero ver si dezir y hazer si comen juntos a tu mesa.   

    AREUSA.  No, no; this is but to shift us off,  and to excuse your not doing it.  It will not serve your turn, you must give this bone to some  other dog to pick; I must not be fed with delays; I  will see whether sayings and doings eat together at  your table, whether deeds and words sit both at one board with you.    

       20. CENT. __ Si mi espada dixesse lo que haze, tiempo le faltaría para hablar.   ¿  Quién sino ella puebla los más cimenterios?   ¿  Quién haze ricos los cirujanos desta tierra?   ¿  Quién da contino quehazer a los armeros?   ¿  Quién destroça la malla muy fina?   ¿  Quién haze riça de los broqueles de Barcelona?   ¿  Quién reuana los capacetes de Calatayud, sino ella? Que los caxquetes   de Almazén assí los corta   como si fuessen hechos de melón.   Veynte años ha que me da de comer.   Por ella soy temido de hombres y querido de mugeres; sino de ti.   Por ella le dieron Centurio por nombre a mi abuelo   y Centurio se llamó mi padre y Centurio me llamo yo. 

    CENTURIO.  If my sword should but tell you the  deeds it hath done, it would want time to utter them.   What does empeople churchyards but it?  Who makes  surgeons rich but it?  Who sets armourers awork but  it?  Who hews  and unriveteth the finest mail but  it?  Who  drives before him and shivers in pieces the bucklers of Barcelona, but it?   Who shreds the casks of Almazan, as short as if they  were made of Pumpions, but it?  These twenty years  hath it found me food; by means of it am I feared of  men and beloved of women, only yourself excepted; for  it, the name of Centurio was given to my grandfather;  for it, my father likewise was called Centurio, and so  am I.                           

         21. ELIC. __ Pues¿  qué hizo el espada por que ganó tu abuelo esse nombre?   dime, ¿  por ventura fue por ella capitán de cient hombres? 

      ELICIA.  But I pray, tell me, what did your  sword, that your grandfather should gain his name by  it?  Was he by it made captain of a hundred men?       

         22. CENT. __ No; pero fue rufián de cient mugeres.                         

      CENTURIO.  No, he was made it by it Champion to a hundred women.

       23. AREU. __ No curemos de linaje ni hazañas viejas.   Si has de hazer lo que te digo,   sin dilación determina, porque nos queremos yr.   

    AREUSA.  We will have nothing to do with your pedigree nor famous acts of old; if you will do that I  spoke to you of, resolve suddenly, for we must be  gone.         

       24. CENT. __ Más desseo ya la noche por tenerte contenta,   que tú por verte vengada.   y porque más se haga todo a tu voluntad,   escoge qué muerte quieres que le dé.   Allí te mostraré vn reportorio   en que ay sietecientas y setenta species de muertes:   verás quál más te agradare.   

    CENTURIO.  I long more for this night, wherein I  may give you content, than you long to be revenged.   And that everything may be done to your good liking,  make your own choice, what death you will have him  die.  For I can show you a bead-roll, if you will see  it, wherein there are set down some seven hundred and  seventy several sorts of deaths;  which when you have  seen, you may choose that which likes you best.           

       25. ELIC. __ Areusa, por mi amor, que no se ponga este fecho   en manos de tan fiero hombre.   Más vale que se quede por hazer   que no escandalizar la ciudad,   por donde nos venga más daño de lo passado.   

    ELICIA.  If you love me, Areusa, let not this  matter be put into such a madman′s hands;  he is too  bloody for the business: and it were better to let  all alone than that the city should receive such a  scandal; so that our second harm shall be worse than  the first.           

       26. AREU. __ Calla, hermana; díganos alguna, que no sea de mucho bullicio.     

  AREUSA.  I pray content yourself, Sister,  hold your peace.  Name that city unto us, if you can, which is not full of hurly-burlies, and where some  scandals do not arise.   

       27. CENT. __ Las que agora estos días yo vso y más traygo entre manos son espaldarazos sin sangre   y porradas de pomo de espada o reués mañoso;   a otros agujero como harnero a puñaladas,   tajo largo, estocada temerosa, tiro mortal.   algún día doy palos por dexar holgar mi espada.                     

    CENTURIO.  The affronts and disgraces which are now in request, and wherein I am most conversant, are banging a man over the shoulders with a sword,  having its scabbard on; dry-beatings without  drawing of blood;  thumping him on the breast, or  making his head ring  noon with the pommel of my  sword, or by falsifying of a thrust  or blow to give  him his payment where he least looks for it.  Others  I use like sieves, pricking them full of holes with my  poniard; some I cut in a large size, giving them a  fearful stoccado or mortal wound:  and now and then I  use my cudgel or  bastinado, that my sword may keep holy day and rest itself from its labor.   

     28. ELIC. __ No passe, por Dios, adelante;   déle palos, porque quede castigado y no muerto.   

  ELICIA.  For  love′s sake ha′ done, tell us of  no more.  Bastinado him, I pray thee:  for I would  have him beaten, but not slain.   

       29. CENT. __ Juro por el cuerpo santo de la letanía,   no es más en mi braço derecho dar palos sin matar   que en el sol dexar de dar bueltas al cielo.   

    CENTURIO.  I swear by the whole generation of Turke and Termagaunt, that it is as possible for this right arm of mine to bastonado a man and not kill him, as it is for the sun to stand still in the firmament and never move.     

       30. AREU. __ Hermana, no seamos nosotras lastimeras;   haga lo que quisiere, mátele como se le antojare.   Llore Melibea como tú has hecho.   Dexémosle. Centurio, dá buena cuenta de lo encomendado.   De qualquier muerte holgaremos.   mira que no se escape sin alguna paga de su yerro.       

  AREUSA.  Sister, let not you and I sorrow for the matter;  why should we seem to pity him?  Let him  do with him what he will; let him kill him, as he  finds himself humoured,  when he comes to do the  business; let Melibea weep as well as you have done  before her:  and so let us leave him.  Centurio, see  you give a good account of that which is committed to  your charge.  Take your own course; and  way so  as you revenge us on him, shall content us; but in any  case take heed that he do not escape without paying  for his error.   

       31. CENT. __ Perdónele Dios, si por pies no se me va.   Muy alegre quedo, señora mia, que se ha ofrecido caso, avnque pequeño,   en que conozcas lo que yo sé hazer por tu amor.               

    CENTURIO.  O heavens!   [God pardon him.}>  He  is going to  Pluto I warrant you already; .  Dearest in my affection, it glads me to the heart, that I have this  occasion offered unto me, though it be but in a trifle  and a  matter scarce worth thanks; that you may  know by this, how far I would,  if occasion served,  enforce, enforce myself for your sake.   

       32. AREU. __ Pues Dios te dé buena manderecha   y a él te encomiendo, que nos vamos.   

    AREUSA.  Mars direct the hand aright.  And so farewell, for it is time for us to be gone.       

       33. CENT. __ El te guíe y te dé más paciencia con los tuyos.     Allá yrán estas putas atestadas de razones.   agora quiero pensar cómo me escusaré de lo prometido,   de manera que piensen que puse diligencia con ánimo de executar lo dicho   y no negligencia, por no me poner en peligro.   Quiérome hazer doliente; pero, ¿  qué aprouecha?   Que no se apartarán de la demanda, quando sane.    

    CENTURIO.  Well, adieu.  Go your ways, like a couple of headstrong and pertinacious whores as you be.  Now will I bethink myself, how I  may excuse myself of my promise; and in such sort too,  that they may be persuaded, that I used all possible diligence for to execute their desire, and that it was  not of negligence  for the freezing of myself from  danger.  I will feign myself sick:  but what will that profit me?  For then they will be at me again when I am well.         

  Pues si digo que fui allá   y que les hize huyr,   pedirme han señas de quién eran   y quántos yuan y en qué lugar los tomé   y qué vestidos lleuauan;   yo no las sabré dar.   ¡  Helo todo perdido¡   Pues  ¿  qué consejo tomaré,   que cumpla con mi seguridad y su demanda?   quiero embiar a llamar a Traso, el coxo, y a sus dos compañeros   y dezirles que, porque yo estoy ocupado esta noche en otro negocio, vaya a dar vn repiquete de broquel a manera de   leuada,  para oxear vnos garçones, que me fue encomendado,   que todo esto es passos seguros   y donde no consiguirán ningún daño,   más de fazerlos huyr y boluerse a dormir.  

Again, if I shall tell them that I have been there, and that I forced them to fly, they will ask me who they were, how many in number, and in what place I buckled with them?  And what apparel they wore?  And by what marks I knew them to be such and such?  And the devil a whit shall I be able to tell them:  and then all the fat is in the fire.  What counsel then shall I take, that may comply with mine own safety and their desire?  I will send for lame Thraso and his companions, and tell them that because this night I shall be otherwise employed, they would go and make a clattering with their swords and bucklers in manner of a fray, for to fear and  affright certain young men,  whom they shall find in  such a place, which service was faithfully  recommended unto me to execute.  This I know is a sure course, and no other hurt can follow thereupon, save to make them fly, and so get them home to bed. 







    









ACTO XIX

Sumario: LUCRECIA llama a la puerta de la camara de PLEBERIO. Preguntale PLEBERIO lo que quiere. LUCRECIA le da priessa que vaya a ver a su hija MELIBEA. Levantado PLEBERIO, va a la camara de MELIBEA. Consuelala, preguntando que mal tiene. Finge MELIBEA dolor del coraccedil;on. Embia MELIBEA a su padre por algunos estrumentos musicos. Sube ella y LUCRECIA en una torre. Embia de si a LUCRECIA; cierra tras ella la puerta. Llegasse su padre al pie de la torre.  

ACTUS XIX

THE ARGUMENT: CALISTO, going with Sosia and Tristan to Pleberio′s garden to visit his Melibea, who stayed looking for him, attended by Lucrecia; Sosia recounts unto Tristan all that which had passed betwixt him and Areusa. Calisto remaining in the garden with Melibea: Thraso and his companions come, sent thither by the appointment of Centurio, for the fulfilling of that which he had promised to Areusa and Elicia. Upon whom Sosia sallies forth. Now Calisto hearing from the garden where he remained with Melibea, the clashing and clattering which they made, would needs go forth amongst them. Which issuing forth was the cause that his days were finished; for this is the recompense which such lovers receive. Whence the may learn that it is better for them not to love at all than so to love> . Interlocutors: Sosia, Tristan, Calisto, Melibea, Lucrecia.  

  1. SOS. __ Muy quedo, para que no seamos sentidos. Desde aquí al huerto de Pleberio te contaré, hermano Tristán, lo que con Areusa me ha passado oy, que estoy el más allegre hombre del mundo. Sabrás que ella, por las buenas nueuas que de mi auía oydo, estaua presa de mi amor y embióme a Elicia, rogándome que la visitasse. y dexando aparte otras razones de buen consejo que passamos, mostró al presente ser tanto mía quanto algún tiempo fue de Pármeno.  

SOSIA. Softly, that we may not be heard. As we go from hence to Pleberio′s garden, I will tell thee all, brother Tristan, that passed this day betwixt Areusa and myself, taking myself now to be the happiest man in the world. Thou shalt understand then that upon the good report which she heard of me, she fell extremely in love with me, and sent me word by Elicia, that I would do her the kindness, as to come and speak with her. But omitting many other speeches of good counsel, which then past between us, she made present show unto me, that she was now as much mine as ever she was Parmeno′s.  

Rogóme que la visitasse siempre, que ella pensaua gozar de mi amor por tiempo. Pero yo te juro por el peligroso camino en que vamos, hermano, y assí goze de mí, que estuue dos o tres vezes por me arremeter a ella, sino que me empachaua la vergüença de verla tan hermosa y arreada y a mí con una capa vieja ratonada. Echaua de sí en bulliendo vn olor de almizque; yo hedía al estiércol que lleuaua dentro de los çapatos.  

She requested me that I would continually come and visit her; and that she did not doubt, but that she should long enjoy my love. And I swear to thee, brother, by that dangerous way wherein we walk, and as ever any good may hereafter befall me, that twice or thrice it was as much as ever I could do for my life to forbear from boarding her; but that very shame did hinder me, seeing her so fair and so well-clad, and myself in an old mouse-eaten cloak: still as she moved and advanced herself, she did breathe forth a most sweet and redolent odour of musk; and I never stirred or heaved my body, but I sent forth a most rank scent of that horse-dung, which had got within my shoes.  

tenía unas manos como la nieue, que quando las sacaua de rato en rato de un guante parecía que se derramaua azahar por casa. Assí por esto, como porque tenía vn poco ella quehacer, se quedó mi atreuer para otro día. y avn porque a la primera vista todas las cosas no son bien tratables y quanto más se comunican mejor se entienden en su participación.  

She had a hand as white as snow, and ever and anon as she pulled off her glove, thou wouldst have thought, that she had scattered flowers of oranges about the room; so that as well in regard of this, as also because at that time she was somewhat busy, I was content to defer my boldness till another day: as likewise because all things at the first sight are not so tractable; for the more they are communicated, the better are they understood in their participation.  

  2. TRIST. __ Sosia amigo, otro seso más maduro y esperimentado, que no el mio, era necessario para darte consejo en este negocio; pero lo que con mi tierna edad y mediano natural alcanço al presente te diré.  

TRISTAN. Friend Sosia, another more ripe and mature brain, and better experimented in matters of the world that mine is, were very necessary to be your adviser in the business; yet as far forth as my tender age, and the means of my natural parts and wit shall be able to reach unto, I will tell you what I think.  

Esta muger es marcada ramera, según tú me dixiste: quanto con ella te passó has de creer que no caresce de engaño. sus offrecimientos fueron falsos y no sé yo a qué fin. Porque amarte por gentilhombre ¿quántos más terná ella desechados?  

This woman, as you told me yourself, is a known and noted whore; and therefore whatsoever hath passed between you, flatter not yourself, but rather believe that her words do not want to deceit. Her offers, I persuade me were false, though I know not to what end she made them. If she love thee, because thou art a gentleman; how not to what end she made them. If she love thee, because thou art a gentleman; how many better than myself hath she rejected?  

Si por rico, bien sabe que no tienes más del poluo que se te pega del almohaça. Si por hombre de linaje, ya sabrá que te llaman Sosia, y a tu padre llamaron Sosia, nascido y criado en vna aldea, quebrando terrones con vn arado, para lo qual eres tú más dispuesto que para enamorado.  

If because thou art rich; she knows well enough that thou hast no other dust than that which clings to the curry-comb. If because thou art nobly descended and of high lineage; she knows thy name is Sosia and so was thy father′s; and that he was born and bred in a poor little hamlet, getting his living by following the plough-tail, and breaking clods of earth, for which thyself art more fit than to make a lover.  

mira, Sosia, y acuérdate bien si te quería sacar algún punto del secreto deste camino que agora vamos, para con que lo supiesse reboluer a Calisto y Pleberio, de embidia del plazer de Melibea. Cata que la embidia es vna incurable enfermedad donde assienta, huésped que fatiga la posada: en lugar de galardón, siempre goza del mal ageno.  

Be wise, Sosia, and consider with thyself, if she do not go a-birding, to see if she could get out of thee the secrecy of this walk, whereby to work some heart-burning, and breed no good blood betwixt Calisto and Pleberio out of that envy which she bears to Melibea′s pleasure. Beware, I say: for envy (I tell you) is an incurable infirmity, when it is once settled; she is a guest that is always more troublesome than thankful for her lodging, and is never merry, but at other folk′s miseries, nor ever laughs, but at a shrewd turn.  

Pues si esto es assí, ¡O cómo te quiere aquella maluada hembra engañar con su alto nombre, del qual todos se arrean¡ con su vicio ponçoñoso quería condenar el ánima por complir su apetito, reboluer tales cosas para contentar su dañada voluntad.  

Now then, if this be so, O how this wicked woman will deceive thee with her smooth and subtle words, whereof, such as she are never to seek, but have them still ready in the deck, and more perfect than their Pater noster! With this venomous vice she will not stick to damn her soul, so as she may please her appetite; she would fain turn all things topsy-turvy, and set men together by the ears, and only for to content her damnable desire.  

¡O arufianada, muger, y con qué blanco pan te daua çaraças! quería vender su cuerpo a trueco de contienda.  

O ruffianly strumpet! O mankind Quean! With what white bread hath she given thee crooked pins, to choke thee?  She cares not how she sells and barters her body, so as she may truck and exchange it for strife and contention.  

Oyeme y, si assí presumes que sea, ármale trato doble, qual yo te diré: que quien engaña al engañador. ... ya me entiendes. y si sabe mucho la raposa, más el que la toma. Contramínale sus malos pensamientos, escala sus ruyndades, quando más segura la tengas, y cantarás después en tu establo: vno piensa el vayo y otro el que lo ensilla.  

Hear me, Sosia, and if thou dost, as thou mayest, presume upon it, that it is as I tell thee, deal (if thou wilt be advised by me) as doubly with her; for he that deceives the deceiver - you know what I mean; and if the fox be crafty, more crafty is he that catches him. I would have thee make a countermine against these her wicked and devilish imaginations. Set up scaling ladders to meet with her lewdness; and then cry quittance with her, when she thinks herself most safe and secure; and laugh at her afterwards, when thou art by thyself all alone in thy stable: the bay horse thinks one thing, and he that saddles him, another.

  3. SOS. __ O Tristán, discreto mancebo¡ Mucho más me has dicho que tu edad demanda. Astuta sospecha has remontado y creo que verdadera. Pero, porque ya llegamos al huerto y nuestro amo se nos acerca, dexemos este cuento, que es muy largo, para otro día.  

SOSIA. O Tristan, thou discreet young man¡More hast thou spoken than could be expected from one of thy years. A shrewd suspicion hast thou raised in me, and I fear me too true; but, because we are hard by the garden, and our master is close at our heels, let us break off this discourse, which is too large for the present, and defer it some fitter opportunity.  

  4. CAL. __ Poned, moços, la escala y callad, que me paresce que está hablando mi señora de dentro. Sobiré encima de la pared y en ella estaré escuchando, por ver si oyré alguna buena señal de mi amor en absencia.  

CALISTO. Do you hear there?  Set up the ladder, and see you make no noise; for methinks I hear my mistress′ tongue. Sure it is she, she is talking to somebody, whoe′er it be.  I will get me up to the top of the wall, and there will I stand hearkening awhile to see if I can hear from her any good token of her love to me in this my absence.

  5. MELIB. __ Canta más, por mi vida, Lucrecia, que me huelgo en oyrte, mientra viene aquel señor, y muy passo entre estas verduricas, que no nos oyrán los que passaren.  

MELIBEA.  Sing on. Lucrecia, if thou lovest me; I prithee sing on; for it does my heart good to hear thee; sing on, I say, till my Lord come. Be not too loud, and let us go aside into this green walk, that they that pass by may not hear us.  

  6. LUCR. __ O quién fuesse la ortelana de aquestas viciosas flores, por prender cada mañana al partir a tus amores¡ Vístanse nueuas collores derramen frescos olores, quando entre por estrena.  

LUCRECIA. O that I kept the key,  Which opes to these fair flowers,  To pluck the day by day,  When you do leave these bowers.  The lilies and the roses,  Put on their newest colours,  And when thy love reposes,  They breathe their freshest odours.  

  7. MELIB. __ O quán dulce me es oyrte¡ De gozo me deshago. No cesses, por mi amor.  

MELIBEA. O how sweet is thy music to mine ears! It makes my heart even to melt and dissolve for joy. I prithee give not over.  

  8. LUCR. __ Alegre es la fuente clara A quien con gran sed la vea; mas muy más dulce es la cara de Calisto a Melibea. Pues, avnque más noche sea, con su vista gozará  . ¡O quando saltar le vea, qué de abraços le dará¡ Saltos de gozo infinitos da el lobo viendo ganado; con las tetas los cabritos, Melibea con su amado. Nunca fue más desseado amado de su amiga, ni huerto más visitado, ni noche más sin fatiga.  

LUCRECIA. Sweet is the fount, the place,  I drank at, being dry;  More sweet Calisto′s face, In Melibea?s eye.  And though that it be night,  His sight my heart will cheer,  And when he down shall light,  O how I′ll clip my dear!  The wolf for joy doth leap,  To see the lambkins move,  The kid joys in the teat,  And thou joy′st in thy love.  Never was loving wight,  Of′s friend desired so;  Ne′er walks of more delight,  Nor nights more free from woe.  

  9. MELIB. __ Quanto dizes, amiga Lucrecia, se me representa delante, todo me parece que lo veo con mis ojos. Procede, que a muy buen son lo dizes y ayudarte he yo.  

MELIBEA. Friend Lucrecia, methinks I see that which thou singest, represented most lively unto me; methinks I see him as perfectly with these mine eyes, as if he stood just before me. Go on; for thou dost exceeding well, and with an excellent air: I will bear a part with thee, and help thee as well as I can.

  10. LUCR. MELIB. __ Dulces árboles sombrosos, humilláos quando veays aquellos ojos graciosos del que tanto desseays. Estrellas que relumbrays, norte y luzero del día  , ¿Por qué no le despertays, si duerme mi alegría?  

MELIBEA. Sweet trees who shade this mold and Of earth, your heads down bend. When you those eyes behold  Of my best-loved friend.  Fair stars whose bright appear  Doth beautify the sky,  Why wake ye not my dear,  If he asleeping lie?  

  11. MELIB. __ Oyeme tú, por mi vida, que yo quiero cantar sola. Papagayos, ruyseñores, que cantays al aluorada, lleuad nueua a mis amores, cómo espero aquí asentada. La media noche es passada, y no viene. Sabedme si ay otra amada que lo detiene.  

MELIBEA. Hear me now, I prithee; I will sing alone.  You birds, whose warblings prove  Aurora draweth near,  Go fly, and tell my love  That I expect him here.  The night doth posting move,  Yet comes he not again;  God grant some other love  Do not my love detain.  

  12. CAL. __ Vencido me tiene el dulçor de tu suaue canto;  no puedo más suffrir tu penado esperar  . ¡O mi señora y mi bien todo¡  ¿quál muger podía auer nascida, que despriuasse tu gran merecimiento?  ¡O salteada melodía¡O gozoso rato¡  ¡O coracón mio¡  ¿y cómo no podiste más tiempo sufrir  sin interrumper tu gozo  y complir el desseo de entrambos?  

CALISTO. The sweetness of thy voice hath ravished me; I cannot endure to let thee live any longer in a pained expectation. O my sweet mistress, and my life′s happiness; what woman could ever be born into the world, that should be able to deprive thee of thy great deservingness? O interrupted melody! O music suddenly broke off!  O short-timed pleasure! O my dear heart, why didst thou not continue thy harmony, without interrupting thy joy, and complying with both our desires?  

   13. MELIB. __ O sabrosa trayción¡O dulce sobresalto!  ¿es mi señor de mi alma?  ¿es él? No lo puedo creer.  ¿Dónde estauas, luziente sol?  ¿Donde me tenías tu claridad escondida?  ¿auía rato que escuchauas?  ¿Por qué me dexauas echar palabras sin seso al ayre,  con mi ronca boz de cisne?  todo se goza este huerto con tu venida.  

MELIBEA. O pleasing treason! O sweet-sudden passion! What? My lord! My soul! Is it he? I cannot believe it; where hast thou been, thou bright shining sun? In what place hast thou hid thy brightness from me? Is it not a pretty while since that thou heardest me? Why didst thou suffer me to send forth my words into the air, senseless and foolish as they were, and in this hoarse swannish voice of mine?  

 mira la luna quán clara se nos muestra,  mira las nuues cómo huyen.  Oye la corriente agua desta fontezica,  ¡quánto más suaue murmurio su río lleua por entre las frescas yeruas¡  escucha los altos cipreses, ¡  cómo se dan paz unos ramos con otros  por intercessión de vn templadico viento que los menea¡  mira sus quietas sombras,  ¡quán escuras están y aparejadas para encobrir nuestro deleyte¡  Lucrecia, ¿  

Look on the moon, and see how bright she shines upon us; look on the clouds, and see how speedily they rack away; hearken to the gurgling waters of this fountain, how sweet a murmur, and what a pretty kind of purling they make, rushing along these fresh herbs and pleasant flowers; hearken to these high cypresses, how one bough makes peace with another by the intercession of a mild, gentle and temperate wind, which moves them to and fro. Behold these silent and quiet shades, how dark they are, and how excellently well prepared for the covering and concealing of our sports. Lucrecia?  

qué sientes, amiga?  &iuqest;Tórnaste loca de plazer? Déxamele, no me le despedaces,  no le trabajes sus miembros con tus pesados abraços.  Déxame gozar lo que es mio, no me ocupes mi plazer.  

Why, how now, friend? What are you doing?  Art thou turn′d mad with pleasure? Let me alone with my love; touch him not, I charge you; do not you pluck and hale him from me; do not burden his body with your heavy arms. Let me enjoy what is mine, you shall not possess any part of my pleasure.  

    14. CAL. __ Pues, señora y gloria mía, si mi vida  quieres,  no cesse tu suaue canto.  No sea de peor condición mi presencia, con que te alegras,  que mi absencia, que te fatiga.  

CALISTO. Dear lady, and glory of my life, if you love me, give not over your singing; let not my presence, which glads thee, be of a worse and more unfortunate condition than my absence which did grieve thee.  

   15. MELIB. __ Qué quieres que cante, amor mío?  ¿Cómo cantaré, que tu desseo era el que regía mi son  y hazía sonar mi canto?  Pues conseguida tu venida, desaparecióse el desseo,  destemplóse el tono de mi boz.  

MELIBEA. Why, my love, would you have me sing? Or how can I sing? For my desire of thee was that which ruled my voice, and made me to air my notes. But now that thou art come, that desire disappears, it is vanished, and the tone of my voice distempered and out of tune.  

 Y pues tú, señor, eres el dechado de cortesía y buena criança,  ¿cómo mandas a mi lengua hablar  y no a tus manos que estén quedas?  ¿Por qué no oluidas estas manos?  Mándalas estar sossegadas y dexar su enojoso vso  y conuersación incomportable.  Cata, ángel mío, que assí como me es agradable tu vista sossegada,  me es enojoso tu riguroso trato;  

And because you, sir, are the pattern of courtesy and good behaviour, how can you in reason require my tongue to speak, when as you cannot rule your own hands and keep them quiet?  Why do not you forget these tricks, and learn to leave them?  Lay your command upon them to be quiet, and will them to lay aside this offensive custom, and consider, my dearest, that as to see thee, whilst thou carriest thyself quietly and civilly, is the greatest happiness that either my heart or my eye can enjoy; so is it as displeasing unto me to see thee handle me so roughly.  

 tus honestas burlas me dan plazer, tus deshonestas manos me fatigan  quando passan de la razón.  dexa estar mis ropas en su lugar  y, si quieres ver si es el hábito de encima de seda o de paño,  ¿para qué me tocas en la camisa?  Pues cierto es de lienço.  Holguemos y burlemos de otros mill modos que yo te mostraré;  no me destroces ni maltrates como sueles.  ¿Qué prouecho te trae dañar mis vestiduras?  

Thy honest sporting pleaseth me, but thy dishonest hands offend me, especially when they are too far out of reason. And though love ofttimes forget reason, yet amongst your well-educated, and noble and generous spirits, kindness keeps a decorum, and revels not but with decency; let such, sweetheart, be our embraces, such and so modest be our dalliance, my dearest Calisto, my love, my lord. And since I wholly subject myself to your pleasure, be it your pleasure to take and make such worthy benefit of my affection, presence and service, as best beseems true lovers, and is agreeable to both our high births and breeding. But alas, stilly woman, why should I direct you?  No, I will not. Do, Calisto, do what you will, and say what you will, I am yours to use; please yourself, and you shall please me.

   16. CAL. __ Señora, el que quiere comer el aue, quita primero las plumas.  

CALISTO. Madame, fervency of love loves not to be idle; pardon then, I pray you, if I have been too busy.   

   17. LUCR. __ Mala landre me mate si más los escucho.  ¿Vida es ésta? ¡Que me esté yo deshaziendo de dentera  y ella esquiuándose porque la rueguen¡  

LUCRECIA. Now never trust me again, if I hearken to them any longer. Here′s a life indeed! O how I feel myself melt within, like snow against the sun; and how squeamish my mistress seems, because forsooth she would fain be entreated!   

Ya, ya apaziguado es el  ruydo:  no ouieron menester despartidores.  Pero también me lo haría yo,  si estos necios de sus criados me fablassen entre día;  pero esperan que los tengo de yr a buscar.  

Assuredly had I been in her case, and have lost so much time, I should think the worse of myself the longest day of my life.

   18. MELIB. __ Señor mio, quieres que mande a Lucrecia traer alguna colación?  

MELIBEA. Sir, shall I send Lucrecia to fetch you some sweetmeats?  

   19. CAL. __ No ay otra colación para mi  sino tener tu cuerpo y belleza en mi poder.  Comer y beuer, donde quiera se da por dinero,  en cada tiempo se puede auer  y qualquiera lo puede alcançar;  pero lo no vendible, lo que en toda la tierra no ay ygual que en este huerto,  ¿cómo mandas que se me passe ningún momento que no goze?  

CALISTO. No, Lady; no other sweetmeats for me, save only to embrace this thy body, to fold it within mine arms, and to have the possession of thy beauty. Everywhere a man may eat and drink for his money; that a man may have at any time; it is everywhere to be bought. But that which is not vendible, that which in all the world is not to be matched; and save only in this garden, not to be found again from one pole to the other. Why wish you me not rather that I should not let slip the least moment, in enjoying so sweet a treasure?    

   20. LUCR. __ Ya me duele a mi la cabeça de escuchar  y no a ellos de hablar  ni los braços de retoçar  ni las bocas de besar.  ¡Andar¡Ya callan:  a tres me parece que va la vencida.  

LUCRECIA. My head aches with hearing; and yet their tongues ache not with talking, nor their arms with coiling, nor their lips with kissing. Sure, they will make me gnaw the finger of my glove all to pieces.    

   21. CAL. __ Jamás querría, señora, que amaneciesse,  según la gloria y descanso que mi sentido recibe  de la noble conuersación de tus delicados miembros.  

CALISTO. O my dear Mistress! I could wish it would never be day, that I might still enjoy that sweet happiness and fullness of content, which my senses receive in the noble conversing with this thy delicate and dainty sweet self.  

   22. MELIB. __ Señor, yo soy la que gozo,  yo la que gano;  tú, señor, el que me hazes con tu visitación incomparable merced.  

MELIBEA. Sir, it is that enjoy this happiness, this fullness of content. If anybody gain by it, it is I; and I must acknowledge myself most infinitely beholding unto you, that you would vouchsafe to visit me in so kind and loving a manner, as no thanks are able to requite so great a favour.  

   23. SOS. __ Assí, vellacos, rufianes, veníades a asombrar a los que no os temen?  Pues yo juro que si esperárades,  que yo os hiziera yr como merecíades.  

SOSIA. Out, you ruffianly rascals! Come ye to fright those that fear you not? Had I been ware of your coming, or had you stayed any longer, I would have sent some of you packing, and have given you somewhat that should have stuck by you. Out, you Rogues!

   24. CAL. __ Señora, Sosia es aquél que da bozes.  Déxame yr a valerle, no le maten,  que no está sino un pajezico con el.  Dame presto mi capa, que está debaxo de ti.  

CALSITO. Madame, this is Sosia′s voice; suffer me to go and see that they do not kill him, for there is nobody with him but a little page that came with me. Give me my cloak quickly, it lies under you.  

   25. MELIB. __ O triste de mi ventura¡  No vayas allá sin tus coraças; tórnate a armar.  

MELIBEA. O unfortunate that I am! I pray do not go without your cuirasses. If you love me, come back; I will help to arm you myself.

   26. CAL. __ Señora, lo que no haze espada y capa y coraçón,  no lo fazen coraças y capaçete y couardía.  

CALISTO. That, mistress, which a sword, a cloak, and a good heart cannot do, can never be effected by cuirass, casque, or cowardice.  

   27. SOS. __ Avn tornays? Esperadme. quiçá venís por lana.  

SOSIA. Yea?  Are you come again? I shall be with you to bring by and by; you come for wool, do you? But if you stay a little longer, I shall send you home without a fleece, I shall plume you, I shall, you rascals.  

   28. CAL. __ Déxame, por Dios, señora, que puesta está el escala.  

CALISTO. Lady, if you love me, let me go. The ladder stands ready for me.

   29. MELIB. __ O desdichada yo¡Y¿cómo vas tan rezio  y con tanta priessa y desarmado  a meterte entre quien no conosces?  Lucrecia, ven presto acá, que es ydo Calisto a vn ruydo.  Echémosle sus coraças por la pared, que se quedan acá.  

MELIBEA. O miserable me! Why dost thou go so furiously and so fast? And all disarmed as thou art, to hazard thy life amongst thou know′st not whom? Lucrecia, come hither quickly; for Calisto is gone to thrust himself into a quarrel.  Let us take his cuirasses, and throw them over the wall; for he hath left them here behind him.  

   30. TRIST. __ Tente, señor, no baxes, que ydos son;  que no era sino Traso el coxo  y otros vellacos, que passauan vozeando.  Que ya se torna Sosia.  Tente, tente, señor, con las manos al escala.  

TRISTAN. Stay, sir, do not come down. They are gone; it is nobody but lame Thraso and a company of other rogues with him, that made a noise as they passed by: and Sosia is come back again. Take heed, sir, hold fast by the ladder, for fear lest you fall.  

   31. CAL. __ O, válame Santa María¡! Muerto soy¡confessión¡  

CALISTO. Oh, oh! Look upon me. Ay me! I am a dead man! Oh!

   32. TRIST. __ Llégate presto, Sosia, que el triste de nuestro amo es caydo del escala  y no habla ni se bulle.  

TRISTIAN. Come hither quickly, Sosia; for our unfortunate master is fallen from the ladder, and neither speaks nor wags.  

   33. SOS. __ Señor, señor¡A essotra puerta!  ¡Tan muerto es como mi abuelo¡  ¡O gran desuentura¡  

SOSIA. Master, master, do you hear, sir?  Let us call a little at this other door. He hears on neither ear; he is as dead as a door-nail; there is no more life in him than in my great grandfather, who died some hundred years since.  O foul mishap! What will become of us?   

   34. LUCR. __ ¡Escucha, escucha¡gran mal es éste¡  

LUCRECIA.Hark, hark, Madame! What a great mischance is this?  

   35. MELIB. __ ¿Qué es esto?? Qué oygo? ¡Amarga de mí¡  

MELIBEA. O wretch that I am! What do I hear?  

   36. TRIST. __ ¿O mi señor y mi bien muerto¡  ¡O mi señor despeñado¡  ¡O triste muerte sin confessión!  Coge, Sosia, essos sesos de essos cantos,  júntalos con la cabeça del desdichado amo nuestro.  ¡O día de aziago! ¡O arrebatado fin¡  

TRISTAN. Oh, my master, my master is dead! And with him all my happiness, all my good; he is fallen headlong down; he is dead; he is dead: and (which is a fearful thing) suddenly dead. O pitiful, O horrible sight. Help, Sosia, help to gather up these brains, that lie scattered here amongst the stones, and let us put them again into his head. O unfortunate master! O unlucky day! O sudden and unexpected end! 

   37. MELIB. __ ¡O desconsolada de mí¡? Qué es esto?  ¿Qué puede ser tan áspero acontecimiento como oygo?  Ayúdame a sobir, Lucrecia, por estas paredes, veré mi dolor;  si no, hundiré con alaridos la casa de mi padre.  ¡Mi bien y plazer, todo es ydo en humo¡  ¡Mi alegría es perdida¡ Consumióse mi gloria¡  

MELIBEA. O disconsolate woman that I am! What a thing is this? What vile mishap, that hath thus disturbed our quiet? What mischance can possibly prove so cruel as that which I now hear? Help me, Lucrecia, to get father′s house with cries and scrikes? What? Is all my joy turned into smoke? Is all my pleasure lost? All my glory come to an end?  

   38. LUCR. __ Tristán, ¿Qué dizes, mi amor?? qué es esso, que lloras tan sin mesura?  

LUCRECIA. Tristan, what′s the matter, my love? Why dost thou weep so bitterly? Why take you on so, beyond all measure and reason?

   39. TRIST. __ ¡Lloro mi gran mal, lloro mis muchos dolores!  Cayó mi señor Calisto del escala y es muerto.  Su cabeça está en tres partes.  sin confessión pereció.  Díselo a la triste y nueua amiga,  que no espere más su penado amador.  

TRISTAN. I bewail my great misery; I bewail my many sorrows. My master Calisto hath fallen from the ladder, and is dead; his head is in three pieces; he died suddenly, and lamentably torn and dashed to pieces: bear this sad message to his new friend, that she must never more expect her pained lover.  

 toma tú, Sosia, dessos pies.  Lleuemos el cuerpo de nuestro querido amo donde no padezca su honrra detrimento,  avnque sea muerto en este lugar.  vaya con nosotros llanto,  acompáñenos soledad, síganos desconsuelo,  visítenos tristeza, cúbranos luto y dolorosa xerga.  

Sosia, do thou take up his feet, and let us carry his body hence, that he may not in this place suffer dishonour, though he have suffered death. Let mourning go along with us; let solitariness accompany us; let discomfort wait upon us; let sorrow apparel us; let mourning weeds cover us; and let us put on sad habits.  

   40. MELIB. __ ¡O la más de las tristes triste! ¡Tan  tarde alcançado el plazer, tan presto venido el dolor¡  

MELIBEA. Ay me, of all other most miserable! So short a time to posses my pleasure? So soon to see my sorrows come upon me?  

   41. LUCR. __ Señora, no rasgues tu cara ni meses tus cabellos.  ¡Agora en plazer, agora en tristeza¡  ¿Qué planeta houo, que tan presto contrarió su operación?  ¡Qué poco coraçón es este¡  Leuanta, por Dios, no seas hallada de tu padre en tan sospechoso lugar,  que serás sentida.  

LUCRECIA. Madame, tear not your face; rend not your hair. What? But even now all pleasure? And now all sorrow? Out alas! That one, and the selfsame planet should so suddenly afford an effect so contrary? Where is you courage?  Fie, what a faint heart have you! Pray you arise from the ground: let not your father find you in so suspicious a place; for if you continue thus, you cannot choose but be heard.  

 señora, señora, ¿No me oyes?  No te amortezcas, por Dios.  Ten esfuerço para sofrir la pena,  pues touiste osadía para el plazer.  

Why, Madame, Madame, I say, hear you me? Do you hear, Lady? Of all loves, do not fall any more into these swoons. Be as valiant and courageous in enduring your sorrow, as you were hot and hardy in committing your error.  

   42. MELIB. __ ¿Oyes lo que aquellos moços van hablando?  ¿oyes sus tristes cantares?  ¡Rezando lleuan con responso mi bien todo¡  ¡Muerta lleuan mi alegría¡  ¡No es tiempo de yo biuir¡  ¿Cómo no gozé más del gozo?  ¿Cómo tuue en tan poco la gloria que entre mis manos toue?  ¡O ingratos mortales¡ jamás conocés vuestros bienes, sino quando dellos caresceys¡  

MELIBEA. Hear you what moan his poor servants make? Hear you how woefully they lament his loss. Wailing and weeping, praying and answering each to other, they carry away from me all my good, all my happiness; my dear joy, my dearest love, they carry away from me; my time is come; I am but a dead woman; I can live no longer, since I may no more enjoy the joy of my heart. O that I should let thee go!  That I should hold the jewel no faster which I so lately held in my hands! O ungrateful mortals! O unthankful as we be, who never know our happiness, until we want it!  

   43. LUCR. __ Abíuate, abiua, que mayor mengua será hallarte en el huerto  que plazer sentiste con la venida  ni pena con ver que es muerto.  Entremos en la cámara, acostarte as.  Llamaré a tu padre y fingiremos otro mal,  pues este no es para poderse encobrir.  

LUCRECIA. Up, up, madame¡For it will be a greater dishonour unto you, to be found thus here in the garden, than either the pleasure you received by his coming or the sorrow which you take for his death. Come, let us into your chamber, and go lay you down on your bed; and I will call your father. We will feign some other ill, since to hide this, it is impossible.  

ACTO XIX

Sumario: LUCRECIA llama a la puerta de la camara de PLEBERIO. Preguntale PLEBERIO lo que quiere. LUCRECIA le da priessa que vaya a ver a su hija MELIBEA. Levantado PLEBERIO, va a la camara de MELIBEA. Consuelala, preguntando que mal tiene. Finge MELIBEA dolor del coraccedil;on. Embia MELIBEA a su padre por algunos estrumentos musicos. Sube ella y LUCRECIA en una torre. Embia de si a LUCRECIA; cierra tras ella la puerta. Llegasse su padre al pie de la torre.  

ACTUS XIX

THE ARGUMENT: CALISTO, going with Sosia and Tristan to Pleberio′s garden to visit his Melibea, who stayed looking for him, attended by Lucrecia; Sosia recounts unto Tristan all that which had passed betwixt him and Areusa. Calisto remaining in the garden with Melibea: Thraso and his companions come, sent thither by the appointment of Centurio, for the fulfilling of that which he had promised to Areusa and Elicia. Upon whom Sosia sallies forth. Now Calisto hearing from the garden where he remained with Melibea, the clashing and clattering which they made, would needs go forth amongst them. Which issuing forth was the cause that his days were finished; for this is the recompense which such lovers receive. Whence the may learn that it is better for them not to love at all than so to love> . Interlocutors: Sosia, Tristan, Calisto, Melibea, Lucrecia.  

  1. SOS. __ Muy quedo, para que no seamos sentidos. Desde aquí al huerto de Pleberio te contaré, hermano Tristán, lo que con Areusa me ha passado oy, que estoy el más allegre hombre del mundo. Sabrás que ella, por las buenas nueuas que de mi auía oydo, estaua presa de mi amor y embióme a Elicia, rogándome que la visitasse. y dexando aparte otras razones de buen consejo que passamos, mostró al presente ser tanto mía quanto algún tiempo fue de Pármeno.  

SOSIA. Softly, that we may not be heard. As we go from hence to Pleberio′s garden, I will tell thee all, brother Tristan, that passed this day betwixt Areusa and myself, taking myself now to be the happiest man in the world. Thou shalt understand then that upon the good report which she heard of me, she fell extremely in love with me, and sent me word by Elicia, that I would do her the kindness, as to come and speak with her. But omitting many other speeches of good counsel, which then past between us, she made present show unto me, that she was now as much mine as ever she was Parmeno′s.  

Rogóme que la visitasse siempre, que ella pensaua gozar de mi amor por tiempo. Pero yo te juro por el peligroso camino en que vamos, hermano, y assí goze de mí, que estuue dos o tres vezes por me arremeter a ella, sino que me empachaua la vergüença de verla tan hermosa y arreada y a mí con una capa vieja ratonada. Echaua de sí en bulliendo vn olor de almizque; yo hedía al estiércol que lleuaua dentro de los çapatos.  

She requested me that I would continually come and visit her; and that she did not doubt, but that she should long enjoy my love. And I swear to thee, brother, by that dangerous way wherein we walk, and as ever any good may hereafter befall me, that twice or thrice it was as much as ever I could do for my life to forbear from boarding her; but that very shame did hinder me, seeing her so fair and so well-clad, and myself in an old mouse-eaten cloak: still as she moved and advanced herself, she did breathe forth a most sweet and redolent odour of musk; and I never stirred or heaved my body, but I sent forth a most rank scent of that horse-dung, which had got within my shoes.  

tenía unas manos como la nieue, que quando las sacaua de rato en rato de un guante parecía que se derramaua azahar por casa. Assí por esto, como porque tenía vn poco ella quehacer, se quedó mi atreuer para otro día. y avn porque a la primera vista todas las cosas no son bien tratables y quanto más se comunican mejor se entienden en su participación.  

She had a hand as white as snow, and ever and anon as she pulled off her glove, thou wouldst have thought, that she had scattered flowers of oranges about the room; so that as well in regard of this, as also because at that time she was somewhat busy, I was content to defer my boldness till another day: as likewise because all things at the first sight are not so tractable; for the more they are communicated, the better are they understood in their participation.  

  2. TRIST. __ Sosia amigo, otro seso más maduro y esperimentado, que no el mio, era necessario para darte consejo en este negocio; pero lo que con mi tierna edad y mediano natural alcanço al presente te diré.  

TRISTAN. Friend Sosia, another more ripe and mature brain, and better experimented in matters of the world that mine is, were very necessary to be your adviser in the business; yet as far forth as my tender age, and the means of my natural parts and wit shall be able to reach unto, I will tell you what I think.  

Esta muger es marcada ramera, según tú me dixiste: quanto con ella te passó has de creer que no caresce de engaño. sus offrecimientos fueron falsos y no sé yo a qué fin. Porque amarte por gentilhombre ¿quántos más terná ella desechados?  

This woman, as you told me yourself, is a known and noted whore; and therefore whatsoever hath passed between you, flatter not yourself, but rather believe that her words do not want to deceit. Her offers, I persuade me were false, though I know not to what end she made them. If she love thee, because thou art a gentleman; how not to what end she made them. If she love thee, because thou art a gentleman; how many better than myself hath she rejected?  

Si por rico, bien sabe que no tienes más del poluo que se te pega del almohaça. Si por hombre de linaje, ya sabrá que te llaman Sosia, y a tu padre llamaron Sosia, nascido y criado en vna aldea, quebrando terrones con vn arado, para lo qual eres tú más dispuesto que para enamorado.  

If because thou art rich; she knows well enough that thou hast no other dust than that which clings to the curry-comb. If because thou art nobly descended and of high lineage; she knows thy name is Sosia and so was thy father′s; and that he was born and bred in a poor little hamlet, getting his living by following the plough-tail, and breaking clods of earth, for which thyself art more fit than to make a lover.  

mira, Sosia, y acuérdate bien si te quería sacar algún punto del secreto deste camino que agora vamos, para con que lo supiesse reboluer a Calisto y Pleberio, de embidia del plazer de Melibea. Cata que la embidia es vna incurable enfermedad donde assienta, huésped que fatiga la posada: en lugar de galardón, siempre goza del mal ageno.  

Be wise, Sosia, and consider with thyself, if she do not go a-birding, to see if she could get out of thee the secrecy of this walk, whereby to work some heart-burning, and breed no good blood betwixt Calisto and Pleberio out of that envy which she bears to Melibea′s pleasure. Beware, I say: for envy (I tell you) is an incurable infirmity, when it is once settled; she is a guest that is always more troublesome than thankful for her lodging, and is never merry, but at other folk′s miseries, nor ever laughs, but at a shrewd turn.  

Pues si esto es assí, ¡O cómo te quiere aquella maluada hembra engañar con su alto nombre, del qual todos se arrean¡ con su vicio ponçoñoso quería condenar el ánima por complir su apetito, reboluer tales cosas para contentar su dañada voluntad.  

Now then, if this be so, O how this wicked woman will deceive thee with her smooth and subtle words, whereof, such as she are never to seek, but have them still ready in the deck, and more perfect than their Pater noster! With this venomous vice she will not stick to damn her soul, so as she may please her appetite; she would fain turn all things topsy-turvy, and set men together by the ears, and only for to content her damnable desire.  

¡O arufianada, muger, y con qué blanco pan te daua çaraças! quería vender su cuerpo a trueco de contienda.  

O ruffianly strumpet! O mankind Quean! With what white bread hath she given thee crooked pins, to choke thee?  She cares not how she sells and barters her body, so as she may truck and exchange it for strife and contention.  

Oyeme y, si assí presumes que sea, ármale trato doble, qual yo te diré: que quien engaña al engañador. ... ya me entiendes. y si sabe mucho la raposa, más el que la toma. Contramínale sus malos pensamientos, escala sus ruyndades, quando más segura la tengas, y cantarás después en tu establo: vno piensa el vayo y otro el que lo ensilla.  

Hear me, Sosia, and if thou dost, as thou mayest, presume upon it, that it is as I tell thee, deal (if thou wilt be advised by me) as doubly with her; for he that deceives the deceiver - you know what I mean; and if the fox be crafty, more crafty is he that catches him. I would have thee make a countermine against these her wicked and devilish imaginations. Set up scaling ladders to meet with her lewdness; and then cry quittance with her, when she thinks herself most safe and secure; and laugh at her afterwards, when thou art by thyself all alone in thy stable: the bay horse thinks one thing, and he that saddles him, another.

  3. SOS. __ O Tristán, discreto mancebo¡ Mucho más me has dicho que tu edad demanda. Astuta sospecha has remontado y creo que verdadera. Pero, porque ya llegamos al huerto y nuestro amo se nos acerca, dexemos este cuento, que es muy largo, para otro día.  

SOSIA. O Tristan, thou discreet young man¡More hast thou spoken than could be expected from one of thy years. A shrewd suspicion hast thou raised in me, and I fear me too true; but, because we are hard by the garden, and our master is close at our heels, let us break off this discourse, which is too large for the present, and defer it some fitter opportunity.  

  4. CAL. __ Poned, moços, la escala y callad, que me paresce que está hablando mi señora de dentro. Sobiré encima de la pared y en ella estaré escuchando, por ver si oyré alguna buena señal de mi amor en absencia.  

CALISTO. Do you hear there?  Set up the ladder, and see you make no noise; for methinks I hear my mistress′ tongue. Sure it is she, she is talking to somebody, whoe′er it be.  I will get me up to the top of the wall, and there will I stand hearkening awhile to see if I can hear from her any good token of her love to me in this my absence.

  5. MELIB. __ Canta más, por mi vida, Lucrecia, que me huelgo en oyrte, mientra viene aquel señor, y muy passo entre estas verduricas, que no nos oyrán los que passaren.  

MELIBEA.  Sing on. Lucrecia, if thou lovest me; I prithee sing on; for it does my heart good to hear thee; sing on, I say, till my Lord come. Be not too loud, and let us go aside into this green walk, that they that pass by may not hear us.  

  6. LUCR. __ O quién fuesse la ortelana de aquestas viciosas flores, por prender cada mañana al partir a tus amores¡ Vístanse nueuas collores derramen frescos olores, quando entre por estrena.  

LUCRECIA. O that I kept the key,  Which opes to these fair flowers,  To pluck the day by day,  When you do leave these bowers.  The lilies and the roses,  Put on their newest colours,  And when thy love reposes,  They breathe their freshest odours.  

  7. MELIB. __ O quán dulce me es oyrte¡ De gozo me deshago. No cesses, por mi amor.  

MELIBEA. O how sweet is thy music to mine ears! It makes my heart even to melt and dissolve for joy. I prithee give not over.  

  8. LUCR. __ Alegre es la fuente clara A quien con gran sed la vea; mas muy más dulce es la cara de Calisto a Melibea. Pues, avnque más noche sea, con su vista gozará  . ¡O quando saltar le vea, qué de abraços le dará¡ Saltos de gozo infinitos da el lobo viendo ganado; con las tetas los cabritos, Melibea con su amado. Nunca fue más desseado amado de su amiga, ni huerto más visitado, ni noche más sin fatiga.  

LUCRECIA. Sweet is the fount, the place,  I drank at, being dry;  More sweet Calisto′s face, In Melibea?s eye.  And though that it be night,  His sight my heart will cheer,  And when he down shall light,  O how I′ll clip my dear!  The wolf for joy doth leap,  To see the lambkins move,  The kid joys in the teat,  And thou joy′st in thy love.  Never was loving wight,  Of′s friend desired so;  Ne′er walks of more delight,  Nor nights more free from woe.  

  9. MELIB. __ Quanto dizes, amiga Lucrecia, se me representa delante, todo me parece que lo veo con mis ojos. Procede, que a muy buen son lo dizes y ayudarte he yo.  

MELIBEA. Friend Lucrecia, methinks I see that which thou singest, represented most lively unto me; methinks I see him as perfectly with these mine eyes, as if he stood just before me. Go on; for thou dost exceeding well, and with an excellent air: I will bear a part with thee, and help thee as well as I can.

  10. LUCR. MELIB. __ Dulces árboles sombrosos, humilláos quando veays aquellos ojos graciosos del que tanto desseays. Estrellas que relumbrays, norte y luzero del día  , ¿Por qué no le despertays, si duerme mi alegría?  

MELIBEA. Sweet trees who shade this mold and Of earth, your heads down bend. When you those eyes behold  Of my best-loved friend.  Fair stars whose bright appear  Doth beautify the sky,  Why wake ye not my dear,  If he asleeping lie?  

  11. MELIB. __ Oyeme tú, por mi vida, que yo quiero cantar sola. Papagayos, ruyseñores, que cantays al aluorada, lleuad nueua a mis amores, cómo espero aquí asentada. La media noche es passada, y no viene. Sabedme si ay otra amada que lo detiene.  

MELIBEA. Hear me now, I prithee; I will sing alone.  You birds, whose warblings prove  Aurora draweth near,  Go fly, and tell my love  That I expect him here.  The night doth posting move,  Yet comes he not again;  God grant some other love  Do not my love detain.  

  12. CAL. __ Vencido me tiene el dulçor de tu suaue canto;  no puedo más suffrir tu penado esperar  . ¡O mi señora y mi bien todo¡  ¿quál muger podía auer nascida, que despriuasse tu gran merecimiento?  ¡O salteada melodía¡O gozoso rato¡  ¡O coracón mio¡  ¿y cómo no podiste más tiempo sufrir  sin interrumper tu gozo  y complir el desseo de entrambos?  

CALISTO. The sweetness of thy voice hath ravished me; I cannot endure to let thee live any longer in a pained expectation. O my sweet mistress, and my life′s happiness; what woman could ever be born into the world, that should be able to deprive thee of thy great deservingness? O interrupted melody! O music suddenly broke off!  O short-timed pleasure! O my dear heart, why didst thou not continue thy harmony, without interrupting thy joy, and complying with both our desires?  

   13. MELIB. __ O sabrosa trayción¡O dulce sobresalto!  ¿es mi señor de mi alma?  ¿es él? No lo puedo creer.  ¿Dónde estauas, luziente sol?  ¿Donde me tenías tu claridad escondida?  ¿auía rato que escuchauas?  ¿Por qué me dexauas echar palabras sin seso al ayre,  con mi ronca boz de cisne?  todo se goza este huerto con tu venida.  

MELIBEA. O pleasing treason! O sweet-sudden passion! What? My lord! My soul! Is it he? I cannot believe it; where hast thou been, thou bright shining sun? In what place hast thou hid thy brightness from me? Is it not a pretty while since that thou heardest me? Why didst thou suffer me to send forth my words into the air, senseless and foolish as they were, and in this hoarse swannish voice of mine?  

 mira la luna quán clara se nos muestra,  mira las nuues cómo huyen.  Oye la corriente agua desta fontezica,  ¡quánto más suaue murmurio su río lleua por entre las frescas yeruas¡  escucha los altos cipreses, ¡  cómo se dan paz unos ramos con otros  por intercessión de vn templadico viento que los menea¡  mira sus quietas sombras,  ¡quán escuras están y aparejadas para encobrir nuestro deleyte¡  Lucrecia, ¿  

Look on the moon, and see how bright she shines upon us; look on the clouds, and see how speedily they rack away; hearken to the gurgling waters of this fountain, how sweet a murmur, and what a pretty kind of purling they make, rushing along these fresh herbs and pleasant flowers; hearken to these high cypresses, how one bough makes peace with another by the intercession of a mild, gentle and temperate wind, which moves them to and fro. Behold these silent and quiet shades, how dark they are, and how excellently well prepared for the covering and concealing of our sports. Lucrecia?  

qué sientes, amiga?  &iuqest;Tórnaste loca de plazer? Déxamele, no me le despedaces,  no le trabajes sus miembros con tus pesados abraços.  Déxame gozar lo que es mio, no me ocupes mi plazer.  

Why, how now, friend? What are you doing?  Art thou turn′d mad with pleasure? Let me alone with my love; touch him not, I charge you; do not you pluck and hale him from me; do not burden his body with your heavy arms. Let me enjoy what is mine, you shall not possess any part of my pleasure.  

    14. CAL. __ Pues, señora y gloria mía, si mi vida  quieres,  no cesse tu suaue canto.  No sea de peor condición mi presencia, con que te alegras,  que mi absencia, que te fatiga.  

CALISTO. Dear lady, and glory of my life, if you love me, give not over your singing; let not my presence, which glads thee, be of a worse and more unfortunate condition than my absence which did grieve thee.  

   15. MELIB. __ Qué quieres que cante, amor mío?  ¿Cómo cantaré, que tu desseo era el que regía mi son  y hazía sonar mi canto?  Pues conseguida tu venida, desaparecióse el desseo,  destemplóse el tono de mi boz.  

MELIBEA. Why, my love, would you have me sing? Or how can I sing? For my desire of thee was that which ruled my voice, and made me to air my notes. But now that thou art come, that desire disappears, it is vanished, and the tone of my voice distempered and out of tune.  

 Y pues tú, señor, eres el dechado de cortesía y buena criança,  ¿cómo mandas a mi lengua hablar  y no a tus manos que estén quedas?  ¿Por qué no oluidas estas manos?  Mándalas estar sossegadas y dexar su enojoso vso  y conuersación incomportable.  Cata, ángel mío, que assí como me es agradable tu vista sossegada,  me es enojoso tu riguroso trato;  

And because you, sir, are the pattern of courtesy and good behaviour, how can you in reason require my tongue to speak, when as you cannot rule your own hands and keep them quiet?  Why do not you forget these tricks, and learn to leave them?  Lay your command upon them to be quiet, and will them to lay aside this offensive custom, and consider, my dearest, that as to see thee, whilst thou carriest thyself quietly and civilly, is the greatest happiness that either my heart or my eye can enjoy; so is it as displeasing unto me to see thee handle me so roughly.  

 tus honestas burlas me dan plazer, tus deshonestas manos me fatigan  quando passan de la razón.  dexa estar mis ropas en su lugar  y, si quieres ver si es el hábito de encima de seda o de paño,  ¿para qué me tocas en la camisa?  Pues cierto es de lienço.  Holguemos y burlemos de otros mill modos que yo te mostraré;  no me destroces ni maltrates como sueles.  ¿Qué prouecho te trae dañar mis vestiduras?  

Thy honest sporting pleaseth me, but thy dishonest hands offend me, especially when they are too far out of reason. And though love ofttimes forget reason, yet amongst your well-educated, and noble and generous spirits, kindness keeps a decorum, and revels not but with decency; let such, sweetheart, be our embraces, such and so modest be our dalliance, my dearest Calisto, my love, my lord. And since I wholly subject myself to your pleasure, be it your pleasure to take and make such worthy benefit of my affection, presence and service, as best beseems true lovers, and is agreeable to both our high births and breeding. But alas, stilly woman, why should I direct you?  No, I will not. Do, Calisto, do what you will, and say what you will, I am yours to use; please yourself, and you shall please me.

   16. CAL. __ Señora, el que quiere comer el aue, quita primero las plumas.  

CALISTO. Madame, fervency of love loves not to be idle; pardon then, I pray you, if I have been too busy.   

   17. LUCR. __ Mala landre me mate si más los escucho.  ¿Vida es ésta? ¡Que me esté yo deshaziendo de dentera  y ella esquiuándose porque la rueguen¡  

LUCRECIA. Now never trust me again, if I hearken to them any longer. Here′s a life indeed! O how I feel myself melt within, like snow against the sun; and how squeamish my mistress seems, because forsooth she would fain be entreated!   

Ya, ya apaziguado es el  ruydo:  no ouieron menester despartidores.  Pero también me lo haría yo,  si estos necios de sus criados me fablassen entre día;  pero esperan que los tengo de yr a buscar.  

Assuredly had I been in her case, and have lost so much time, I should think the worse of myself the longest day of my life.

   18. MELIB. __ Señor mio, quieres que mande a Lucrecia traer alguna colación?  

MELIBEA. Sir, shall I send Lucrecia to fetch you some sweetmeats?  

   19. CAL. __ No ay otra colación para mi  sino tener tu cuerpo y belleza en mi poder.  Comer y beuer, donde quiera se da por dinero,  en cada tiempo se puede auer  y qualquiera lo puede alcançar;  pero lo no vendible, lo que en toda la tierra no ay ygual que en este huerto,  ¿cómo mandas que se me passe ningún momento que no goze?  

CALISTO. No, Lady; no other sweetmeats for me, save only to embrace this thy body, to fold it within mine arms, and to have the possession of thy beauty. Everywhere a man may eat and drink for his money; that a man may have at any time; it is everywhere to be bought. But that which is not vendible, that which in all the world is not to be matched; and save only in this garden, not to be found again from one pole to the other. Why wish you me not rather that I should not let slip the least moment, in enjoying so sweet a treasure?    

   20. LUCR. __ Ya me duele a mi la cabeça de escuchar  y no a ellos de hablar  ni los braços de retoçar  ni las bocas de besar.  ¡Andar¡Ya callan:  a tres me parece que va la vencida.  

LUCRECIA. My head aches with hearing; and yet their tongues ache not with talking, nor their arms with coiling, nor their lips with kissing. Sure, they will make me gnaw the finger of my glove all to pieces.    

   21. CAL. __ Jamás querría, señora, que amaneciesse,  según la gloria y descanso que mi sentido recibe  de la noble conuersación de tus delicados miembros.  

CALISTO. O my dear Mistress! I could wish it would never be day, that I might still enjoy that sweet happiness and fullness of content, which my senses receive in the noble conversing with this thy delicate and dainty sweet self.  

   22. MELIB. __ Señor, yo soy la que gozo,  yo la que gano;  tú, señor, el que me hazes con tu visitación incomparable merced.  

MELIBEA. Sir, it is that enjoy this happiness, this fullness of content. If anybody gain by it, it is I; and I must acknowledge myself most infinitely beholding unto you, that you would vouchsafe to visit me in so kind and loving a manner, as no thanks are able to requite so great a favour.  

   23. SOS. __ Assí, vellacos, rufianes, veníades a asombrar a los que no os temen?  Pues yo juro que si esperárades,  que yo os hiziera yr como merecíades.  

SOSIA. Out, you ruffianly rascals! Come ye to fright those that fear you not? Had I been ware of your coming, or had you stayed any longer, I would have sent some of you packing, and have given you somewhat that should have stuck by you. Out, you Rogues!

   24. CAL. __ Señora, Sosia es aquél que da bozes.  Déxame yr a valerle, no le maten,  que no está sino un pajezico con el.  Dame presto mi capa, que está debaxo de ti.  

CALSITO. Madame, this is Sosia′s voice; suffer me to go and see that they do not kill him, for there is nobody with him but a little page that came with me. Give me my cloak quickly, it lies under you.  

   25. MELIB. __ O triste de mi ventura¡  No vayas allá sin tus coraças; tórnate a armar.  

MELIBEA. O unfortunate that I am! I pray do not go without your cuirasses. If you love me, come back; I will help to arm you myself.

   26. CAL. __ Señora, lo que no haze espada y capa y coraçón,  no lo fazen coraças y capaçete y couardía.  

CALISTO. That, mistress, which a sword, a cloak, and a good heart cannot do, can never be effected by cuirass, casque, or cowardice.  

   27. SOS. __ Avn tornays? Esperadme. quiçá venís por lana.  

SOSIA. Yea?  Are you come again? I shall be with you to bring by and by; you come for wool, do you? But if you stay a little longer, I shall send you home without a fleece, I shall plume you, I shall, you rascals.  

   28. CAL. __ Déxame, por Dios, señora, que puesta está el escala.  

CALISTO. Lady, if you love me, let me go. The ladder stands ready for me.

   29. MELIB. __ O desdichada yo¡Y¿cómo vas tan rezio  y con tanta priessa y desarmado  a meterte entre quien no conosces?  Lucrecia, ven presto acá, que es ydo Calisto a vn ruydo.  Echémosle sus coraças por la pared, que se quedan acá.  

MELIBEA. O miserable me! Why dost thou go so furiously and so fast? And all disarmed as thou art, to hazard thy life amongst thou know′st not whom? Lucrecia, come hither quickly; for Calisto is gone to thrust himself into a quarrel.  Let us take his cuirasses, and throw them over the wall; for he hath left them here behind him.  

   30. TRIST. __ Tente, señor, no baxes, que ydos son;  que no era sino Traso el coxo  y otros vellacos, que passauan vozeando.  Que ya se torna Sosia.  Tente, tente, señor, con las manos al escala.  

TRISTAN. Stay, sir, do not come down. They are gone; it is nobody but lame Thraso and a company of other rogues with him, that made a noise as they passed by: and Sosia is come back again. Take heed, sir, hold fast by the ladder, for fear lest you fall.  

   31. CAL. __ O, válame Santa María¡! Muerto soy¡confessión¡  

CALISTO. Oh, oh! Look upon me. Ay me! I am a dead man! Oh!

   32. TRIST. __ Llégate presto, Sosia, que el triste de nuestro amo es caydo del escala  y no habla ni se bulle.  

TRISTIAN. Come hither quickly, Sosia; for our unfortunate master is fallen from the ladder, and neither speaks nor wags.  

   33. SOS. __ Señor, señor¡A essotra puerta!  ¡Tan muerto es como mi abuelo¡  ¡O gran desuentura¡  

SOSIA. Master, master, do you hear, sir?  Let us call a little at this other door. He hears on neither ear; he is as dead as a door-nail; there is no more life in him than in my great grandfather, who died some hundred years since.  O foul mishap! What will become of us?   

   34. LUCR. __ ¡Escucha, escucha¡gran mal es éste¡  

LUCRECIA.Hark, hark, Madame! What a great mischance is this?  

   35. MELIB. __ ¿Qué es esto?? Qué oygo? ¡Amarga de mí¡  

MELIBEA. O wretch that I am! What do I hear?  

   36. TRIST. __ ¿O mi señor y mi bien muerto¡  ¡O mi señor despeñado¡  ¡O triste muerte sin confessión!  Coge, Sosia, essos sesos de essos cantos,  júntalos con la cabeça del desdichado amo nuestro.  ¡O día de aziago! ¡O arrebatado fin¡  

TRISTAN. Oh, my master, my master is dead! And with him all my happiness, all my good; he is fallen headlong down; he is dead; he is dead: and (which is a fearful thing) suddenly dead. O pitiful, O horrible sight. Help, Sosia, help to gather up these brains, that lie scattered here amongst the stones, and let us put them again into his head. O unfortunate master! O unlucky day! O sudden and unexpected end! 

   37. MELIB. __ ¡O desconsolada de mí¡? Qué es esto?  ¿Qué puede ser tan áspero acontecimiento como oygo?  Ayúdame a sobir, Lucrecia, por estas paredes, veré mi dolor;  si no, hundiré con alaridos la casa de mi padre.  ¡Mi bien y plazer, todo es ydo en humo¡  ¡Mi alegría es perdida¡ Consumióse mi gloria¡  

MELIBEA. O disconsolate woman that I am! What a thing is this? What vile mishap, that hath thus disturbed our quiet? What mischance can possibly prove so cruel as that which I now hear? Help me, Lucrecia, to get father′s house with cries and scrikes? What? Is all my joy turned into smoke? Is all my pleasure lost? All my glory come to an end?  

   38. LUCR. __ Tristán, ¿Qué dizes, mi amor?? qué es esso, que lloras tan sin mesura?  

LUCRECIA. Tristan, what′s the matter, my love? Why dost thou weep so bitterly? Why take you on so, beyond all measure and reason?

   39. TRIST. __ ¡Lloro mi gran mal, lloro mis muchos dolores!  Cayó mi señor Calisto del escala y es muerto.  Su cabeça está en tres partes.  sin confessión pereció.  Díselo a la triste y nueua amiga,  que no espere más su penado amador.  

TRISTAN. I bewail my great misery; I bewail my many sorrows. My master Calisto hath fallen from the ladder, and is dead; his head is in three pieces; he died suddenly, and lamentably torn and dashed to pieces: bear this sad message to his new friend, that she must never more expect her pained lover.  

 toma tú, Sosia, dessos pies.  Lleuemos el cuerpo de nuestro querido amo donde no padezca su honrra detrimento,  avnque sea muerto en este lugar.  vaya con nosotros llanto,  acompáñenos soledad, síganos desconsuelo,  visítenos tristeza, cúbranos luto y dolorosa xerga.  

Sosia, do thou take up his feet, and let us carry his body hence, that he may not in this place suffer dishonour, though he have suffered death. Let mourning go along with us; let solitariness accompany us; let discomfort wait upon us; let sorrow apparel us; let mourning weeds cover us; and let us put on sad habits.  

   40. MELIB. __ ¡O la más de las tristes triste! ¡Tan  tarde alcançado el plazer, tan presto venido el dolor¡  

MELIBEA. Ay me, of all other most miserable! So short a time to posses my pleasure? So soon to see my sorrows come upon me?  

   41. LUCR. __ Señora, no rasgues tu cara ni meses tus cabellos.  ¡Agora en plazer, agora en tristeza¡  ¿Qué planeta houo, que tan presto contrarió su operación?  ¡Qué poco coraçón es este¡  Leuanta, por Dios, no seas hallada de tu padre en tan sospechoso lugar,  que serás sentida.  

LUCRECIA. Madame, tear not your face; rend not your hair. What? But even now all pleasure? And now all sorrow? Out alas! That one, and the selfsame planet should so suddenly afford an effect so contrary? Where is you courage?  Fie, what a faint heart have you! Pray you arise from the ground: let not your father find you in so suspicious a place; for if you continue thus, you cannot choose but be heard.  

 señora, señora, ¿No me oyes?  No te amortezcas, por Dios.  Ten esfuerço para sofrir la pena,  pues touiste osadía para el plazer.  

Why, Madame, Madame, I say, hear you me? Do you hear, Lady? Of all loves, do not fall any more into these swoons. Be as valiant and courageous in enduring your sorrow, as you were hot and hardy in committing your error.  

   42. MELIB. __ ¿Oyes lo que aquellos moços van hablando?  ¿oyes sus tristes cantares?  ¡Rezando lleuan con responso mi bien todo¡  ¡Muerta lleuan mi alegría¡  ¡No es tiempo de yo biuir¡  ¿Cómo no gozé más del gozo?  ¿Cómo tuue en tan poco la gloria que entre mis manos toue?  ¡O ingratos mortales¡ jamás conocés vuestros bienes, sino quando dellos caresceys¡  

MELIBEA. Hear you what moan his poor servants make? Hear you how woefully they lament his loss. Wailing and weeping, praying and answering each to other, they carry away from me all my good, all my happiness; my dear joy, my dearest love, they carry away from me; my time is come; I am but a dead woman; I can live no longer, since I may no more enjoy the joy of my heart. O that I should let thee go!  That I should hold the jewel no faster which I so lately held in my hands! O ungrateful mortals! O unthankful as we be, who never know our happiness, until we want it!  

   43. LUCR. __ Abíuate, abiua, que mayor mengua será hallarte en el huerto  que plazer sentiste con la venida  ni pena con ver que es muerto.  Entremos en la cámara, acostarte as.  Llamaré a tu padre y fingiremos otro mal,  pues este no es para poderse encobrir.  

LUCRECIA. Up, up, madame¡For it will be a greater dishonour unto you, to be found thus here in the garden, than either the pleasure you received by his coming or the sorrow which you take for his death. Come, let us into your chamber, and go lay you down on your bed; and I will call your father. We will feign some other ill, since to hide this, it is impossible.







 

ACTO XX

Sumario: LUCRECIA llama a la puerta de la camara de PLEBERIO. Preguntale PLEBERIO lo que quiere. LUCRECIA le da priessa que vaya a ver a su hija MELIBEA. Levantado PLEBERIO, va a la camara de MELIBEA. Consuelala, preguntando que mal tiene. Finge MELIBEA dolor del coraccedil;on. Embia MELIBEA a su padre por algunos estrumentos musicos. Sube ella y LUCRECIA en una torre. Embia de si a LUCRECIA; cierra tras ella la puerta. Llegasse su padre al pie de la torre. Descubrele MELIBEA todo el negocio que avia passado. En fin, dexase caer de la torre abaxo.  

ACTUS XX

The Argument:    LUCRECIA comes to Pleberio′s chamber, and knocks at  the door.  Pleberio asks her what′s the matter.   Lucrecia entreats him to come presently to see his  daughter  Melibea.  Pleberio rises, and goes straight  to Melibea′s chamber.  He comforts her, demanding what she aileth, and where was her grief.  Melibea feigns her  pain to be about her heart.  Melibea sends her father  forth for some musical instruments.  She and Lucrecia  get them, when he was gone, to the top of a tower.   She sends away Lucrecia, and shuts the door after her.   Her father comes to the foot of the tower, Melibea discovers unto him all the whole business of what had passed.  That done, she throws herself down from the top of the tower.   Interlocutors:    Pleberio, Lucrecia,  Melibea.  

   1. PLEB. __ ¿Qué quieres, Lucrecia?? Qué quieres tan presurosa? ¿Qué pides con tanta importunidad y poco sosiego?? Qué es lo que mi hija ha  sentido? ¿Qué mal tan arrebatado puede ser, que no aya yo tiempo de me vestir ni me des avn espacio a me leuantar?  

PLEBERIO.  What would you, Lucrecia?  What means  this exceeding haste, and with so great importunity and troubledness of mind?  What ails my daughter?   What sudden sickness hath seized on her, that I cannot  have the leisure to put on my clothes?  Nay, scarce so  much time as to rise?  

   2. LUCR. __ Señor, apresúrate mucho, si la quieres ver viua, que ni su mal conozco de fuerte ni a ella ya de desfigurada.  

LUCRECIA.  Sir, if you will see her alive, come quickly.  What her grief is I know not; nay, scarce  know I her, so disfigured as her face.  

   3. PLEB. __ vamos presto, anda allá, entra adelante, Alça esa antepuerta y abre bien essa ventana, porque le pueda ver el gesto con claridad. ¿Qué es esto, hija mia? ¿Qué dolor y sentimiento es el tuyo? ¿Qué nouedad es ésta? ¿Qué poco esfuerço es éste? Mírame, que soy tu padre. Fabla comigo, cuéntame la causa de tu arrebatada pena. ¿Qué has?? Qué sientes?? Qué quieres? Háblame, mírame, dime la razón de tu dolor, porque presto sea remediado. No quieras embiarme con triste postrimería al sepulcro. Ya sabes que no tengo otro bien sino a ti. Abre essos alegres ojos y mírame.  

PLEBERIO.  Come, let us go quickly; lead the way; in afore; lift up the hangings; open this same window;  set it wide open, that I may have light enough to take  a full view of her.  Why, how now, daughter?  What′s  the matter? What is your pain? Where lies it?  What a  strange thing is this?  What faintness do I see?   What weakness and feebleness?  Look upon me,  daughter!   I am thy father: speak unto me, for pity′s sake speak, and tell me the cause of your grief, that  we may the sooner provide a remedy. Send not my gray  hairs with sorrow to the grave; thou knowest I have no  other good but thee, no other worldly happiness.   Open thy gladsome eyes; look cheerfully upon me.  

  MELIB. __ ¡Ay dolor!  

MELIBEA.  Ay me!   What shall I do? 

  PLEB. __ ¿Qué dolor puede ser, que yguale con ver yo el tuyo? u madre está sin seso en oyr tu mal.  pudo venir a verte de turbada. fuerça tu fuerça, abiua tu coraçón, réziate de manera que puedas tú comigo yr a visitar a ella. dime, ánima mia, la  causa de tu sentimiento.  

PLEBERIO.  What woe can equal mine, to see thee in such woeful plight?  Your mother, as soon as ever  she but heard you were ill, fell presently into a  swoon, and lies in that extremity, and in a manner  senseless, that she is not able to come and see thee.   Be of good cheer, pluck up thy heart; and so raise up  thy spirits, that thou mayest rise and go along with  me to visit her.  Tell me, sweet soul, the cause of  thy sorrow.  

  MELIB. __ ¡Pereció mi remedio!  

MELIBEA.  My cure is remediless.  

  PLEB. __ Hija, mi bienamada y querida del viejo padre, por Dios, no te ponga desesperación el cruel tormento desta tu  enfermedad y passión, que a los flacos coraçones el dolor los arguye. Si tú me cuentas tu mal, luego seráremediado. Que ni faltarán medicinas ni médicos ni siruientes para buscar tu salud, Agora consista en yeruas o en piedras o en palabras o esté secreta en cuerpos de animales. Pues no me fatigues más, no me atormentes, no me hagas salir de mi seso y dime ¿Qué sientes?  

PLEBERIO.  My dear daughter, the best beloved of thy aged father; for pity′s sake, let not this thy  cruel torment cause thee to despair of recovery, being  carried away with the violence and infirmity of they  passion:  for sorrow still assaulteth the weakest  hearts, and conquers them most, that are most cowardly.  If thou wilt but tell me thy grief, it  shall presently be remedied; for neither physic nor  physician nor servants shall be wanting for the recovery of thy health, whether it consist in herbs,  in stones, or in words or remain more secret in the  bodies and bowels of beasts.  Do not then vex me any  more; torment me no longer; force me not out of my  wits; make me not mad, but tell me, good daughter,  what and where is your pain.  

    8. MELIB. __ Vna mortal llaga en medio del coraçón,   que no me consiente hablar.   No es ygual a los otros males;   menester es sacarle para ser curada,   que está en lo más secreto dél.  

MELIBEA.  I feel a mortal wound even in the very midst of my heart, the anguish whereof is so grievous  unto me, that it will scarce suffer me to fetch my  breath, much less to speak:  there is no malady like  unto mine; it is of a different nature from all other  diseases.  And before you can come to cure it in my  heart, you must first take out my heart; for it lies  even in the hidden and most secret place thereof.  

   9. PLEB. __ Temprano cobraste los sentimientos de la vegez. La mocedad toda suele ser plazer y alegría, enemiga de enojo. Levántate de ay. vamos a uer los frescos ayres de la ribera: Alegrarte has con tu madre, descansará tu pena. Cata, si huyes de plazer, no hay cosa más contraria a tu mal.  

PLEBERIO.  Too too soon hast thou received this feeling and sense of elder years; youth should be a  friend to pleasure and mirth, and an enemy unto care  and sorrow.  Rise then from hence, and let us go and  take some fresher air along by the riverside; come and  make merry with your mother; you shall see, that will  ease and rid away your pain.  Take heed what you do;  do not wilfully cast away yourself; for, if you fly  and shun mirth, there is not anything in the world  more contrary to your disease.

    10. MELIB. __ Vamos donde mandares. Subamos,   señor, al açotea alta,   porque desde allí goze de la deleytosa vista de los nauíos:   por ventura afloxará algo mi congoxa.  

MELIBEA.  Let us go whither you please:  and if it stand with your liking, sir, let us go up to the  top of the leads; for from thence I may enjoy the  pleasing sight of those ships that pass to and fro,  and perhaps it may give some ease to my grief.  

    11. PLEB. __ Subamos y Lucrecia con nosotros.  

PLEBERIO.  Come, let us go and take Lucrecia with  us.  

    12. MELIB. __ Mas, si a ti plazerá, padremio,   mandar traer algún instrumento de cuerdas   con que se sufra mi dolor o tañiendo o cantando,   de manera que, avnque aquexe por vna parte la fuerça de su acidente,   mitigarlo han por otra los dulces sones y alegre armonía.  

MELIBEA.  With a very good will.  I pray, father, will you cause some musical instrument to be  sent unto me, that by playing thereon or singing  thereunto, I may see if I can drive away this grief:   for though on the one side, the force and violence  thereof doth much torment me; yet on the other side, I  doubt not but those sweet sounding instruments and  delightful harmony will much lessen and mitigate my  sorrow.  

    13. PLEB. __ Esso, hija mia, luego es hecho. Yo lo voy a mandar aparejar.  

PLEBERIO.  This daughter, shall presently be done:  I will go myself, and will it to be provided. 

    14. MELIB. __ Lucrecia, amiga mia, muy alto es esto.   Ya me pesa por dexar la compañía de mi padre.   Baxa a él y dile que se pare al pie desta torre,   que le quiero dezir vna palabra   que se me oluidó que fablasse a mi madre.

MELIBEA.  Friend Lucrecia, this place, methinks, is too hight; I am very loth to leave my father′s  company.  I prithee make a step unto him, and entreat  him to come to the foot of this tower; for I have a  word or two, which I forgot to tell him, that he  should deliver from me my mother.  

    15. LUCR. __ Ya voy, señora.  

LUCRECIA.  I go, madame.  

    16. MELIB. __ De todos soy dexada.   Bien se ha adereçado la manera de mi morir.   algún aliuio siento en ver que tan presto seremos juntos   yo y aquel mi querido amado Calisto.   quiero cerrar la puerta,   porque ninguno suba a me estoruar mi muerte.   No me impidan la partida,   no me atajen el camino,   por el qual en breue tiempo podré visitar en este día   al que me visitó la passada noche.  

MELIBEA.  They have all of them me.  I am now alone by myself and nobody with me.  The manner oh my death falls fit and pat to my mind; it is some ease  unto me, that I and my beloved Calisto shall soon meet  again.  I will shut and make fast the door, that  nobody may come up to hinder my death, nor disturb my  departure, nor to stop me in my journey, wherein I  purpose to post unto him; not doubting but to visit  him as well this very day, as he did me this last  night.  

  todo se ha hecho a mi voluntad.   Buen tiempo terné para contar a Pleberio mi señor   la causa de mi ya acordado fin.   gran sinrazón hago a sus canas, gran ofensa a su vegez.   gran fatiga le acarreo con mi falta.   En gran soledad le dexo. Y caso que por mi morir a mis   queridos padres sus días se diminuyessen,   ¿quién dubda que no aya auido otros más crueles contra sus padres?   Bursia, rey de Bitinia, sin ninguna razón,   no aquexándole pena como a mí,   mató su propio padre.   Tolomeo, rey de Egypto, a su padre y madre y hermanos   y muger, por gozar de vna manceba.   Orestes a su madre Clistenestra.   El cruel emperador Nero a su madre Agripina   por sólo su plazer hizo matar.   estos son dignos de culpa,  

All things fadge aright, and have fallen out  as luckily as I could wish it; I shall now have time  and leisure enough to recount to my father Pleberio  the cause of this my short and sudden end.  I  confess, I shall much wrong his silver hairs, and  offer much injury to his elder years; I shall work great woe unto him by this my error; I shall leave him  in great heaviness and desolation all the days of  his life: but admit my death will be the death of my  dearest parents, and put case that the shortening of  my days will be the shortening of theirs; who doth  not know but that others have been more cruel to their  parents than I am?  Prusias, King of Bithynia, without  any cause, not enduring that pain which I do, slew his  own father.  Ptolemy, King of Egypt, slew both father  and mother and brother and wife, and all for the love  of his mistress.  Orestes killed his! mother, Clytemnestra, and that cruel Emperor Nero only for the fulfilling of his pleasure murdered his own mother.   These and such as they are worthy of blame.  

 estos son verdaderos parricidas,   que no yo; que con mi pena, con mi muerte purgo la culpa que de su dolor  se me puede   poner. otros muchos crueles ouo, que mataron hijos y hermanos,   debaxo de cuyos yerros el mío no parescerá grande.   Philipo, rey de Macedonia; Herodes, rey de Judea;   Constantino, emperador de Roma; Laodice, reyna de Capadocia,   y Medea, la nigromantesa.   Todos éstos mataron hijos queridos y amados,   sin ninguna razón, quedando sus personas a saluo.  

These are  true parricides, not I, who with mine own punishment,  and with mine own death purge away the guilt, which  otherwise they might more justly lay upon me for their  deaths.  There have been others fare more cruel, who have slain their own children and their own brothers,  in comparison of whose errors mine is as nothing; at  least nothing so great.  Phillip, King of Macedon,  Herod, King of Jewry, Constantine, Emperor of Rome,  Laodice, Queen of Cappadocia, and Medea the  sorceress; all these slew their own sons and dearest children, and that without any reason or just cause,  preserving their own persons still in safety.  

  Finalmente, me ocurre aquella gran crueldad de Phrates, rey de los  Parthos,   que, porque no quedasse sucessor después dél, mató a Orode, su viejo  padre,   y a su vnico hijo y treynta hermanos suyos.   estos fueron delictos dignos de culpable culpa,   que, guardando sus personas de peligro, matauan sus mayores y  descendientes y hermanos.   Verdad es que, avnque todo esto assí sea,   no auía de remedarlos en lo que malhicieron   pero no es más en mi mano.   Tú, Señor, que de mi habla eres testigo,   ves mi poco poder,   ves quán catiua tengo mi libertad,   quán presos mis sentidos de tan poderoso amor del muerto cauallero,   que priua al que tengo con los viuos padres.  

To  conclude, that great cruelty of Phraates, King of the Parthians, occurs to my remembrance, who, because he would have no successor behind him, murdered Orodes,  his aged father, as also his only son, besides some  thirty more of his brethren.  These were delicts  worthy blame indeed; because they, keeping their own  persons free from peril, butchered their ancestors,  their successors, and their brethren.  True it is that  though all this be so, yet are we not to imitate them  in those things wherein they did amiss; but it is not  in my power to do otherwise.  And thou great Governor of the heavens, who art witness to my words, thou  seest the small power that I have over my passion; thou seest how my liberty is captivated, and how my senses  are taken with that powstill in safety.  To conclude,  that great cruelty of Phraates, King of the Parthians,  occurs to my remembrance,! who, because he would have  no successor behind him, murdered Orodes, his aged  father, as love of that late deceased gentlemen, who  hath deprived me of the love, which I bear to my  living parents.  (Pleb. comes to the foot of the  tower.)  

    17. PLEB. __ Hija mia Melibea, ¿Qué hazes sola?   ¿Qué es tu voluntad dezirme?   ¿Quieres que suba allá?  

PLEBERIO.  Daughter Melibea, what make you there  alone?  What is it you would have with me? Shall I come up to you?  

    18. MELIB. __ Padre mío, no pugnes ni trabajes por venir adonde yo estó,   que estoruaras la presente habla que tequiero fazer.   Lastimado serás breuemente con la muerte de tu vnica fija.   Mi fin es llegado, llegado es mi descanso y tu passión,   llegado es mi aliuio y tu pena,   llegada es mi acompañada hora y tu tiempo de soledad.  

MELIBEA.  No, good father, content you where you  are, trouble not yourself, nor strive to come to me; you shall but disturb and interrupt that short speech which I am now to make unto you.  Now, by and  by shalt thou be suddenly wounded; thy heart shall  presently be pricked with grief, and shall bleed  abundantly, to see the death of thy only daughter.   My end draws near; at hand is my rest and thy passion,  my ease and thy pain, my hour of keeping company and  they time of solitariness.  

  No haurás, honrrado padre, menester instrumentos para aplacar mi dolor,   sino campanas para sepultar mi cuerpo.   Si me escuchas sin lágrimas,   oyrás la causa desesperada de mi forçada y alegre partida.   No la interrumpas con lloro ni palabras;   si no, quedarás más quexoso en no saber por qué me mato,   que doloroso por verme muerta.   ninguna cosa me preguntes ni respondas,   más de lo que de mi grado dezirte quisiere.   Porque, quando el coraçón está embargado de passión,   están cerrados los oydos al consejo   y en tal tiempo las frutuosas palabras, enlugar de amansar, acrecientan la saña.  

You shall not need, my  most honoured father to seek out any instruments of  music to assuage my sorrow; nor use any other good,  save the sound of bells, for to ring my knell, and  bring my body to the grave.  And, if you canst hearken unto me for tears, if thine eyes will give thine ears  leave to hear, thou shalt hear the desperate cause of  this my forced yet joyful departure:  see thou neither  speak nor weep; interrupt me not, either with tears or  words, unless thou mean′st more hereafter to be  tormented, in not knowing why I do kill myself, than  thou art now sorrowful to see my death.  Neither ask  nor answer me anything; nor question me any further  than what of mine own accord I shall willingly tell  thee; for, when the heart is surcharged with sorrow,  the ear is deaf to good counsel; and at such a time good and wholesome words rather incense than allay rage.  

  Oye, padre mio, mis vltimas palabras   y, si como yo espero, las recibes, no culparás mi yerro.   Bien vees y oyes este triste y doloroso sentimiento   que toda la ciudad haze.   Bien vees este clamor de campanas, este alarido de gentes,  este aullido de canes, este grande estrépito de armas.   De todo esto fuy yo la causa.   Yo cobrí de luto y xergas en este día quasi la mayor parte de la cibdadana cauallería,  

Hear, my aged father, the last words that ever  I shall speak unto you.  And if you entertain them, as  I hope you will, you will rather excuse than condemn  my error.  I am sure, you both well perceive and hear  that most sad and doleful lamentation, which is made  throughout all this city; I am sure you hear this  great noise and ringing of bells, the shreiking and  cryings out of all sorts of people, this howling  and barking of dogs, this noise and clattering of  armour.  Of all this have I been the cause; I, even  this very day, have clothed the greater part of the  knights and gentlemen of this city in mourning.  

  yo dexé oy muchos siruientes descubiertos de señor, yo quité muchas   raciones y limosnas a pobres y enuergonçantes,   yo fuy ocasión que los muertos touiessen compañía   del más acabado hombre que en gracia nasció,   yo quité a los viuos el dechado de gentileza,   de inuenciones galanas, de atauíos y brodaduras,   de habla, de andar, de cortesía, de virtud;   yo fuy causa que la tierra goze sin tiempo   el más noble cuerpo y más fresca juuentud,   que al mundo era en nuestra edad criada.   y porque estarás espantado con el son de mis no acostumbrados delitos,   te quiero más aclarar el hecho.  

I,  even this very day, have left many servants orphaned  and quite destitute of a master.  I have been the  cause that many a poor soul hath now lost its alms and  relief.  I have been the occasion that the dead should have the company of the most complete gentleman, for his good graces and qualities that were never born. I have been the occasion that the living have  lost the only pattern and paragon of courtesy, of  gallant inventions, of witty devices, of neatness and  decency in his clothes, of speech, of gait, of kindness, and of virtue.  I have been the occasion  that the earth doth now enjoy the most noble body and  the freshest flower of youth, that ever was created in  this age of ours. And because you may stand amazed  and astonished at the sound of these my unusual and  unaccustomed crimes, I will open the business, and  make this matter apear more clear unto you.  

  muchos días son passados, padre mio,   que penaua por amor vn cauallero,   que se llamaua Calisto,   el qual tú bien conosciste.   Conosciste assimismo sus padres y claro linaje:   sus virtudes y bondad a todos eran manifiestas.   era tanta su pena de amor   y tan poco el lugar para hablarme,   que descubrió su passión a vna astuta y sagaz muger, que llamauan Celestina.   La qual, de su parte venida a mí,   sacó mi secreto amor de mi pecho.   Descubría a ella lo que a mi querida madre encobría.  

It is now, dear father, many days since that a  gentlemen called Calisto, whom you well knew, as  likewise his ancestors and noble lineage, did languish  and pine away for my love.  As for his virtues and  goodness they were generally known to the whole world.   So great was his love - torment, and so little both  place and opportunity to speak with me, that he was  driven to discover his passion to a crafty and subtle  woman named Celestina, which Celestina coming as a  suitor unto me in his behalf drew my secret love from  forth my bosom, and made me to manifest that unto her,  which I concealed from mine own mother.  

  Touo manera como ganó mi querer,   ordenó cómo su desseo y el mio houiessen efeto.   Si él mucho me amaua, no viuía engañado. Concertó el triste concierto de la dulce y   desdichada execución de su voluntad.   Vencida de su amor, dile entrada en tu casa.   Quebrantó con escalas las paredes de tu huerto,   quebrantó mi propósito. Perdí mi virginidad.   Del qual deleytoso yerro de amor gozamos quasi vn mes.   y como esta passada noche viniesse, según era acostumbrado,   a la buelta de su venida,   como de la fortuna mudable estouiesse dispuesto y ordenado,   según su desordenada costumbre,  

 She found  that means to win me to her will; she made the match  between us; she plotted how his desire and mine should take effect.  And if he dearly loved me, I was not therein deceived: she made up that sad  conclusion of that sweet and unfortunate execution of  his will; and thus being overcome with the love of  Calisto, I gave him entrance into your house; he  scaled your walls with ladders, and brake into your  garden; brake my chaste purpose by taking from me the  flower of my virginity.  And thus almost this month  have we liv′d in this delightful error or love.  And  as he came this last night unto me, as he was wont to  do, e′en just about the time that he should have  returned home as ill fortune would have it, who in  the mutability of her nature ordereth and disposeth  all things according to her disordered custom,  

como las paredes eran altas,   la noche escura, la escala delgada,   los siruientes que traya no diestros en aquel género de seruicio   y él baxaua pressuroso a uer un ruydo   que con sus criados sonaua en la calle,   con el gran ímpetu que leuaua,   no vido bien los pasos,   puso el pie en vazío y cayó.   De la triste cayda sus más escondidos sesos quedaron repartidos por las piedras  y paredes.  

the  walls being high, the night dark, the ladder light  and weak, his servants that brought it unacquainted  with that kind of service, he going down somewhat  hastily to see a fray, which he heard in the street  between his servants and some others that then passed  by, being in choler, making more haste than good  speed, thinking he should never come soon enough, not  eyeing well his steps, he sets is foot quite besides  the rounds, and so fell down, and with that woeful and unfortunate fall, he pitched upon his head,  and had his brains beaten out, and dashed in pieces  against the stones and pavement of the street.  

  Cortaron las hadas sus hilos,   cortáronle sin confessión su vida,   cortaron mi esperança, cortaron mi gloria, cortaron mi compañía.   Pues ¿Qué crueldad sería, padre mío,   muriendo él despeñado, que viuiese yo penada?   Su muerte combida a la mía,   combídame y fuerça que sea presto, sin dilación,   muéstrame que ha de ser despeñada por seguille en todo.   No digan por mí: a muertos y a ydos. . .   y assí contentarle he en la muerte,   pues no tuue tiempo en la vida. ¡O mi amor y   señor Calisto¡  

Thus  did the destinies cut off his thread; thus cut off his  life without confession; cut off my hope; cut off my  glory; cut off my company.  Things therefore being  thus, tell me, father, what cruelty were it in me,  he dying disbrained, that I should live pained all the  days of my life?  His death inviteth mine; inviteth? Nay, enforceth me, that it be speedily effected and without delay; it teacheth  me that I should also fall headlong down, that I may  imitate him in all things.  It shall not be said of me  that those that are dead and gone are soon forgotten.   And therefore I will seek to content him in my death,  since I had not time to give him content in my life.  

  Espérame, ya voy; detente, si me esperas;   no me incuses la tardança que hago,   dando esta vltima cuenta a mi viejo padre,   pues le deuo mucho más.   ¡O padre mio muy amado!   Ruégote, si amor en esta passada y penosa vida me has tenido,   que sean juntas nuestras sepulturas:   juntas nos hagan nuestras obsequias.   algunas consolatorias palabras te diría antes de mi agradable fin,   coligidas y sacadas de aquellos antiguos libros   que tú, por más aclarar mi ingenio, memandauas leer;   sino que ya la dañada memoria con la grand turbación me las ha perdido   y avn porque veo tus lágrimas malsofridas decir por tu arrugada haz.  

O my love and dear lord, Calisto, expect me, for mow I come.  But stay a little, though thou dost expect me;  and be not angry, I prithee, that I delay thee, being  that I am now paying my last debt, and giving it my  final account to my aged father, to whom I owe much  more.  O my best-beloved father, I beseech you, if you  ever did love me in this painful forepast life, that  we may both be interred in one tomb and both our  obsequies be solemnized together.  I would fain speak  some words of comfort unto you before this my gladsome  and well-pleasing end, gathered and collected out of  those ancient books, which for the bettering of my wit  and understanding you willed me to read, were it not  that my memory fails me, being troubled and disquieted  with the loss and death of my love; as also because I  see your ill endured tears trickle so fast down your  wrinkled cheeks.

  Salúdame a mi cara y amada madre:   sepa de ti largamente la triste razón porque muero.   ¡Gran plazer lleuo de no la ver presente!   toma, padre viejo, los dones de tu vegez.   Que en largos días largas se sufren tristezas.   Rescibe las arras de tu senectud antigua,   rescibe allá tu amada hija. gran   dolor lleuo de mí, mayor de ti,   muy mayor de mi vieja madre. Dios quede contigo y con ella. A él   ofrezco mi ánima.   Pon tú en cobro este cuerpo, que allí baxa.  

Recommend me to my most dear and  best-beloved mother; and do you inform her at large of  the doleful occasion of my death.  I am glad with all  my heart that she is not here present with you; for  her sight would but increase my sorrow.  Take, aged  father, the gifts of old age; for in large days large  griefs are to be endured. Receive the pledge and  earnest of thy reverend age; receive it at the hands  of thy beloved daughter.  I sorrow much for myself,  more for you, but most for my aged mother:  and so I  recommend me to you both, and both or you unto your more happiness, to whom I offer up my soul;  leaving the care to you, to cover this body that is now coming down unto you.







 

ACTO XXI

Sumario: PLEBERIO, tornado a su camara con grandisimo llanto, preguntale ALISA, su muger, la causa de tan supito mal. Cuentale la muerte de su hija MELIBEA, mostrandole el cuerpo della todo fecho pedaccedil;os, y haziendo su planto, concluye.  

ACTUS XXI

The Argument:    PLEBERIO returning weeping to his chamber, his wife  Alisa demands the cause of this so sudden an ill.  He  relates unto her the death of her daughter Melibea;  shewing unto her her bruised body, and so making  lamentation for her, he gives a conclusion to this tragic-comedy. Interlocutors:    Alisa, Pleberio.  

   1. ALI. __ ¿Qué es esto, señor Pleberio?   ¿Por qué son tus fuertes alaridos?   sin seso estaua adormida   del pesar que oue quando oy dezir que sentía dolor nuestra hija;   agora oyendo tus gemidos, tus vozes tan altas,   tus quexas no acostumbradas,   tu llanto y congoxa de tanto sentimiento,   en tal manera penetraron mis entrañas,   en tal manera traspasaron mi coraçón,   assí abiuaron mis turbados sentidos,   que el ya rescibido pesar alançé de mí.   vn dolor sacó otro, vn sentimiento otro.   dime la causa de tus quexas.    ¿Por qué maldizes tu honrrada vegez?? Por qué   pides la muerte?   ¿Por qué arrancas tus blancos cabellos?   ¿Por qué hieres tu honrrada cara?? es algún mal de Melibea?   Por Dios, que me lo digas,   porque si ella pena, no quiero yo viuir. 

ALISA.  Why Pleberio? my lord!   What′s the matter?  Why do you weep and sob, and take on in  such extreme and violent manner?  I have lain ever  since in a dead swoon, so was I overcome with grief,  when I heard that our daughter was so ill.  And now  hearing your pitiful lamentations, your loud  cryings, your unaccustomed complaints, your  mournings and great anguish, they have so pierced my  very bowels, made so quick a passage to my heart, and  have so quickened and revived my troubled and benumbed senses, that I have now put away the grief  which I entertained:  thus one grief drives out another, and  sorrow expelleth sorrow.  Tell me the cause of your  complaint; why do you curse your honourable old age?   Why do you desire death?  Why do you tear your milk-white hairs up by the roots?  Why do you scratch and  rend your reverend face?! Is any ill befallen  Melibea?  For I pray you tell me; for if she be not  well, I cannot live.  

   2. PLEB. __ ¡Ay, ay, noble muger¡   Nuestro gozo en el pozo.   Nuestro bien todo es perdido   ¡No queramos más biuir¡   y porque el incogitado dolor te dé más pena,   todo junto sin pensarle, porque más presto vayas al sepulcro,   porque no llore yo solo la pérdida dolorida de entramos,   ves allí a la que tú pariste y yo engendré, hecha pedaços.   La causa supe della;   más la he sabido por estenso desta su triste siruienta.   Ayúdame a llorar nuestra llagada postremería   ¡O gentes, que venís a mi dolor¡   ¡O amigos y señores, ayudáme a sentir mi pena¡   ¡O mi hija y mi bien todo¡   Crueldad sería que viua yo sobre ti.  

PLEBERIO.  Out alas!   Ay me, my most noble wife!   Our solace is in the suds; our joy is turn′d  into annoy; all our conceived hopes are utterly lost;  all our happiness is quite overthrown; let us now no  longer desire to live.  And because unexpected sorrows  leave a greater impression of grief; and because  they may bring thee the sooner to thy grave; as also,  that I may not alone by myself bewail that heavy loss  which belongs to us both; look out and behold her,  whom thou broughtest forth and I begot, dashed and  broken all to pieces.  The cause I understood from  herself, but laid open more at large by this her sad and sorrowful servant.  Help to lament these our  latter days, which are now growing to an end.  O ye  good people, who come to behold my sorrows, and you  gentlemen, my loving friends, do you also assist to  bewail my misery!   O my daughter!   and my only good!    It were cruelty in me, that I should outlive thee.  

Más   dignos eran mis sesenta años, de la sepultura, que tus veynte.   Turbóse la orden del morir con la tristeza que te aquexaua.   ¡O mis canas, salidas para auer pesar¡   Mejor gozara de vosotras la tierra que de aquellos ruuios cabellos que presentes veo.   Fuertes días me sobran para viuir;    ¿Quexarme he de la muerte?   ¿Incusarle he su dilación? Quanto tiempo me dexare solo después de ti,   fálteme la vida, pues me faltó tu agradable compaqía.   ¡O muger mia¡Leuántate de sobre ella   y, si alguna vida te queda,   gástala comigo en tristes gemidos, en quebrantamiento y sospirar.   y si por caso tu espíritu reposa con el suyo,   si ya has dexado esta vida de dolor,    ¿Por qué quesiste que lo passe yo todo?   En esto tenés ventaja las hembras a los varones,   que puede vn gran dolor sacaros del mundo   sin lo sentir o a lo menos perdeys el sentido,   que es parte de descanso.   ¡O duro coraçón de padre¡   ¿Cómo no te quiebras de dolor,   que ya quedas sin tu amada heredera?   ¿Para quién edifiqué torres?

My  threescore years were fitter for the grave that thy twenty; but the order of my dying was altered by the extremity of grief, which did hasten thy end.  O ye my  hoary hairs, grown forth to no other end save sorrow!    it would better have suited with you to have been  buried in the earth, than with the these golden  tresses which lie here before me. Too too many are  the days that I have yet to live; I will complain and  cry out against death; I will accuse him of delay; how  long will he suffer me to remain here after thee! Let  my life now leave me, since I must leave thy sweet company.  O my dear wife, rise up from her, and if any  life be left in thee, spend that little with me in  tears and lamentations, in sobs and in sighs:  but in  case thy soul resteth now with hers; if out of very  grief thou hast left this life, why wouldst thou lay  this heavy burden on me?  Wh! y let me remain here  alone and have nobody to help me in the unsheathing  of my sorrows?  In this ye women have a great  advantage of us that are men; for some violent grief can make you go out of the world without any pain; or  at least cast you into a swoon, which is some ease to  your sorrows.  O the hard heart of a father why dost  thou not burst forth with grief?  Why do not your  heart-strings crack in sunder to see thyself bereaved  oh thy beloved heir?  For whom didst thou build these  turrets?  For whom got I honours?  For whom planted  trees?  For whom built ships?  O hard-hearted earth,  why dost thou bear me any longer?  Where shall my  disconsolate old age find any resting place?  

  ¡O fortuna variable, ministra y mayordoma de los temporales bienes¡, ¿Por qué no executaste tu cruel   yra,  tus mudables ondas, en aquello que a ti es subjeto?   ¿Por qué no destruyste mi patrimonio?   ¿Por qué no quemaste mi morada?   ¿Por qué no asolaste mis grandes heredamientos?   Dexárasme aquella florida planta, en quien tú poder no tenías;   diérasme, fortuna flutuosa, triste la mocedad con vegez alegre,   no peruertieras la orden.   Mejor sufriera persecuciones de tus engaños en la rezia y robusta edad,   que no en la flaca postremería.   ¡O vida de congoxas llena, de miserias acompañada¡   ¡O mundo, mundo¡Muchos mucho de ti dixeron,   muchos en tus qualidades metieron la mano,   a diuersas cosas por oydas te compararon;   yo por triste esperiencia lo contaré,   como a quien las ventas y compras de tu engañosa feria no prósperamente sucedieron,   como aquél que mucho ha fasta agora callado tus falsas propiedades,   por no encender con odio tu yra,   porque no me secasses sin tiempo   esta flor que este día echaste de tu poder.

O  variable fortune, and full of change, thou  ministress and high stewardess of all temporal  happiness, why didst thou not execute they cruel anger  upon me?  Why didst thou not overwhelm him with thy  mutable waves, who professes himself to be thy  subject?  Why didst thou not rob me of my patrimony?   Why didst thou not set fire on my house? Why didst  thou not lay waste mine inheritance?  Why didst thou not strip me of my great revenues?  What is′t I would  not thou shouldst have done, so as thou hadst left me  that flourishing young plant, over which thou oughtest  not to have had such power?  Thou mightest, O fortune  fluctuant and fluent as thou are, have given me a  sorrowful youth and a mirthful age; neither have  therein perverted order. Better could I have borne  thy blow, better endured thy persecutions, in that my  more strong and oaky age than in this my weak and  feeble declining.  O life fulfilled with grief and  accompanied with nought but misery!   O world, world!    Much have men spoken of thee, much have men writ  concerning thy deceits; and much have I heard myself:  and mine own woeful experience is able to  say something of thee, as one who have been in the  unfortunate fair, and have often bought and sold with  thee, but never had anything that succeeded happily  with me.  As one who many a time heretofore, even to  this present hour, have silenced thy false properties,  and all because I would not purchase thy displeasure,  and pull they hatred upon me; and that thou shouldst  not untimely pluck this flower from me, which this day  thou hast cropped by the mightness of thy power.  

  Pues agora sin temor, como quien no tiene qué perder,   como aquél a quien tu compaqía es ya enojosa,   como caminante pobre, que sin temor de los crueles salteadores   va cantando en alta boz.   Yo pensaua en mi más tierna edad   que eras y eran tus hechos regidos por alguna orden;   agora, visto el pro y la contra de tus bienandanças,   me pareces vn laberinto de errores,   vn desierto espantable, vna morada de fieras,   juego de hombres que andan en corro,   laguna llena de cieno, región llena de espinas,   monte alto, campo pedregoso, prado lleno de serpientes,   huerto florido y sin fruto,   fuente de cuydados, río de lágrimas, mar de miserias,   trabajo sin prouecho, dulce ponçoña, vana   esperança, falsa alegría, verdadero dolor.

 And  therefore now will I go with fear, like one that hath nothing to lose; or as one to whom thy company is now odious and troublesome; or like a poor traveller,  who fearless of thieves goes singing on his way.  I  thought in my more tender years, that both thou and  thy actions were governed by order, and ruled by  reason:  but now I see thou art pro and con; there  is no certainty in thy calms. Thou seemest now unto  me to be a labyrinth of errors; a fearful wilderness;  an habitation of wild beasts; a dance full of changes;  a fen full of mire and dirt; a country full of thorns; a steep and craggy mountain; a field full of  stones; a meadow full of snakes and serpents; a  pleasant garden to look to, but without any fruit; a  fountain of cares, a river of tears, a sea of  miseries; trouble without profit; a sweet poison, a  vain hope, a false joy, and a true sorrow. ! O thou false world!   Thou dost cast before us the baits of  thy best delights, and when we have swallowed them,  they seeming savoury unto us, then dost thou show us  the hook that must choke us.  Nor can we avoid it,  because together with us thou dost captivate our  wills:  thou promisest mountains, but perfomest mole-  hills; and then thou dost cast us off, that we may not  put thee in mind of making good thy vain promises. We  run through the spacious fields of thy rank vices,  retchlessly and with a loose rein; and then dost thou discover thy ambushes unto us, when thou seest there  is no way for us to retreat.  Many have forsaken  thee, fearing thy sudden forsaking of them; and well  may they style themselves happy, when they shall see,  how well thou hast rewarded this poor heavy sorrowful  old man for his long service.  Thou dost put out our  eyes, and then to make ! us amends thou anointest the  place with oil; thou breakest our head and givest us  a plaster; after thou hast done us a great deal of  harm, thou givest us a poor cold comfort.  Thou dost  hurt unto all, that no man may boast that others have not their crosses as well as we; telling them that it  is some ease to the miserable to have companions in  their misery. But I alas, disconsolate old man, stand  all alone.  

  Yo fui lastimado sin hauer ygual compañero de semejante dolor; avnque más en mi fatigada   memoria rebueluo presentes y passados.   Que si aquella seueridad y paciencia de Paulo Emilio me viniere a consolar   con pérdida de dos hijos muertos en siete días,   diziendo que su animosidad obró   que consolase él al pueblo romano y no el pueblo a él,   no me satisfaze, que otros dos le quedauan dados en adobción.   ¿Qué compaqía me ternán en mi dolor aquel Pericles,   capitán ateniense, ni el fuerte Xenofón,   pues sus pérdidas fueron de hijos absentes de sus tierras?   Ni fue mucho no mudar su frente y tenerla serena   y el otro responder al mensajero,   que las tristes albricias de la muerte de su hijo le venía a pedir,   que no recibiesse él pena, que él no sentía pesar.   Que todo esto bien diferente es a mi mal.   Pues menos podrás dezir, mundo lleno de males,   que fuimos semejantes en pérdida aquel Anaxágoras y yo,   que seamos yguales en sentir   y que responda yo, muerta mi amada hija, lo que el su vnico hijo,   que dijo: como yo fuesse mortal,

 I am singular in my sorrows; I am  grieved and have not equal companion of my grief.  No  man′s misfortune is like unto mine; though I revolve  in my troubled memory, persons both present and past,  I cannot instance in the like.  If I shall seek to  comfort myself with the severity and patience of  Paulus Aemilius, who, having lost two sons in seven  days, bore this brunt of fortune with so undaunted a courage, that the people of Rome had rather need to be comforted by him than he by them; yet cannot this  satisfy me, for he had two more remaining that were  his adopted sons.  What companion then will they allot  me of my misery?  Pericles, that brave Athenian  captain?  Or valiant Xenophon?  Tush, they lost sons  indeed, but their sons died out of their sight,  having lost their lives abroad in foreign countries  far form home; so that it was not much for ! the one  not to change countenance, but to take it cheerfully,  nor for the other to answer the messenger, who brought  him the ill tidings of his sons′ deaths, that he  should receive no punishment, because himself had  received no grief; for all this is far differing from  mine.  Less canst thou say, thou world replenished  with evil that Anaxagoras and I were alike in our  loss; that we were equal in our greifs; and that I  should say of my dead daughter, as he did of his only son, when he said, ′Being that I was mortal, I knew  that he whom I had begot was to die′.  

  Porque mi Melibea mató a sí misma de su voluntad   a mis ojos con la gran fatiga de amor que la aquexaba;   el otro matáronle en muy lícita batalla.   ¡O incomparable pérdida¡O lastimado viejo¡   Que quanto más busco consuelos, menos razón fallo para me consolar.   Que, si el profeta y rey Dauid al hijo, que enfermo lloraua,   muerto no quiso llorar,   diziendo que era quasi locura llorar lo irrecuperable,   quedáuanle otros muchos con que soldase su llaga;   y yo no lloro triste a ella muerta, pero la causa desastrada   de su morir.   agora perderé contigo, mi desdichada hija,   los miedos y temores que cada día me espauorecían:   sola tu muerte es la que a mí me haze seguro de sospecha.   ¿Qué haré, quando entre en tu cámara y retraymiento y la halle sola?   ¿Qué haré de de que no respondas, si te llamo?   ¿Quién me podrá cobrir la gran falta que tú me hazes?  

For my Melibea,  willingly and out of her own election, killed herself  before mine eyes, enforced thereunto through the extreme passion of her love, so great was her torment, whereas his on was slain in battle, in a just and lawful war. O incomparable loss!   O most  wretched and sorrowful old man that I am!   Who the  more I seek after comfort, the less reason do I find  for my comfort.  For much  more miserable do I find my misfortune, and do not so  much grieve at her death, as I do lament the manner of her death.  Now shall I lose together with thee, most unhappy daughter, those fears, which were daily wont  to affright me.  Only thy death is that which makes me  secure of all suspicions and jealousies.  What shall I  do, when I shall come into thy chamber and thy  withdrawing room, and shall find it solitary and empty?  Who is he  that can supply that want which thou h! ast caused?  Who  can stop up that breach in my heart which thou hast  made?  

  ninguno perdió lo que yo el día de oy,   avnque algo conforme parescía la fuerte animosidad de Lambas de Auria,   duque de los ginoveses, que a su hijo herido   con sus braços desde la nao echó en la mar.   Porque todas estas son muertes que, si roban la vida, es forçado de complir con la   fama.  Pero ¿Quién forçó a mi hija a morir, sino la fuerte fuerça de amor?   Pues, mundo halaguero, ¿Qué remedio das a mi fatigada vegez?   ¿Cómo me mandas quedar en ti, conosciendo tus falacias,   tus lazos, tus cadenas y redes,   con que pescas nuestras flacas voluntades?   ¿A dó me pones mi hija?   ¿Quién acompañará mi desacompañada morada?   ¿Quién terná en regalos mis años, que caducan?  

Never any man did lose that which I have lost  this day. Though in some sort that great fortitude of  Lambs de Auria, Duke of Genoa, seemeth to suit with  my present estate and condition, who, seeing his son  was wounded to death, took him and threw him with  his own arms forth of the ship into the sea.  But such  kind of deaths as these, though they take away life,  yet they give reputation; and many times men are  enforced to undergo such actions, for to comply with  their honour, and get themselves fame and renown. But what did enforce my daughter to die, but only the strong force of love?  What remedy now, thou  flattering world, wilt thou afford my wearisome age?   How wouldst thou have me to rely upon thee, I knowing  thy falsehoods, thy gins, thy snares, and thy nets,  wherein thou entrap′st and takest our weak and  feeble wills?  Tell me, what hast thou done with my&n! bsp; daughter?  Where hast thou bestow′d her? Who shall  accompany my disaccompanied habitation?  Who shall  cherish me in mine old age?  Who with gentle usage shall cocker my decaying years?  

  ¡O amor, amor¡   ¡Que no pensé que tenías fuerça ni poder de matar a tus subjectos¡   Herida fue de ti mi juuentud,   por medio de tus brasas passé:   ¿Cómo me soltaste, para me dar la paga de la huyda en mi vegez?   Bien pensé que de tus lazos me auía librado,   quando los quarenta años toqué,   quando fui contento con mi conjugal compañera,   quando me vi con el fruto que me cortaste el día de oy.   No pensé que tomauas en los hijos la vengança de los padres.   Ni sé si hieres con hierro ni si quemas con fuego. Sana   dexas la ropa; lastimas el coraçón.   hazes que feo amen y hermoso les parezca.   ¿Quién te dio tanto poder?   ¿Quién te puso nombre que no te conuiene?   Si amor fuesses, amarías a tus siruientes.   Si los amasses, no les darías pena.   Si alegres viuiessen, no se matarían, como agora mi amada hija.  

O Love, Love, I did  not think thou had′st had the power to kill thy  subjects!   I was wounded by thee in my youth:  I did pass through the midst of thy flames.  Why didst thou  let me scape?  Was it that thou might′st pay me home  for my flying from thee then, in mine old age?  I had  well thought that I had been freed from thy snares,  when I once began to grow towards forty; and when I  rested contented with my wedded consort, and when I  saw I had that fruit, which this day thou hast cut  down, I did not dream that thou wouldst in the children have taken vengeance of the parents; and I  know not whether thou woundest with the sword, or  burnest with fire.  Thou leavest our clothes whole,  and yet most cruelly woundest our hearts; thou  makest that which is foul, to seem fair and  beautiful unto us.  Who gave thee so great a power?   Who gave thee tha! t name which so ill befitteth thee?   If thou wert Love, thou wouldst love thy servants; and  if thou didst love them, thou wouldst not punish them as thou dost.  If to be thy fellow were to live  merrily, so many would not kill themselves, as my  daughter now hath, and infinite of us.  

  ¿En qué pararon tus siruientes y sus ministros?   La falsa alcahueta Celestina murió a manos de los más fieles compañeros   que ella para su seruicio enponçoñado jamás halló.   Ellos murieron degollados. Calisto, despeñado.  Mi triste hija quiso tomar la misma muerte por seguirle.   esto todo causas.   Dulce nombre te dieron; amargos hechos hazes.   No das yguales galardones.   Iniqua es la ley, que a todos ygual no es.   Alegra tu sonido; entristece tu trato.   Bienauenturados los que no conociste   o de los que no te curaste.   Dios te llamaron otros,   no sé con qué error de su sentido traydos.   Cata que Dios mata los que crió;   tú matas los que te siguen.   Enemigo de toda razón, a los que menos te siruen das   mayores dones,   hasta tenerlos metidos en tu congoxosa dança.   Enemigo de amigos, amigo de enemigos,   ¿Por qué te riges sin orden ni concierto?  

 What end  have thy servants and ministers had?  As also that  false bawd, Celestina, who died by the hands of the faithfullest companions, that ever she lighted upon in  her life, for their true performance in this thy  venomous and impoisoned service?  They lost their  heads; Calisto, he brake his neck; and my daughter to  imitate him submitted herself to the selfsame death.   And of all this thou wast the cause: they gave thee a  sweet name; but thy deeds are exceeding sour; thou  dost not give equal rewards; and that law is unjust,  which is not equal alike unto all.  Thy voice promiseth pleasure, but thy actions proclaim pain;  happy are they who have not know thee, or knowing thee  have not cared for thee.  Some led with, I know not  what error, have not sticked to call thee a god; but  I would have such fools as these to consider with  themselves, it savors not! of a deity to murder or destroy those  that serve and follow him.  O thou enemy to all reason!   To those that serve thee least, thou givest  thy greatest rewards, until thou has brought them at  last into this thy troublesome dance.  Thou art an  enemy to thy friends and a friend to thy enemies; and  all this is, because thou dost not govern thyself  according to order and reason.  

  Ciego te pintan, pobre y moço.   Pónente vn arco en la mano, con que tiras a tiento;   más ciegos son tus ministros,   que jamás sienten ni veen el desabrido galardón que se saca de tu seruicio.   Tu fuego es de ardiente rayo,   que jamás haze señal do llega.   La leña, que gasta tu llama, son almas y vidas de humanas criaturas.   las quales son tantas, que de quien començar pueda, apenas me ocurre.   No sólo de christianos; mas de gentiles y judíos   y todo en pago de buenos seruicios.   ¿Qué me dirás de aquel Macías de nuestro tiempo,   cómo acabó amando, cuyo triste fin tú fuiste la causa?   ¿Qué hizo por ti Paris?? Qué Elena?   ¿Qué hizo Ypermestra?? Qué Egisto?   Todo el mundo lo sabe.   Pues a Sapho, Ariadna, Leandro,  

They paint thee blind,  poor, and young; they put a bow into thy hand, wherein  thou drawest, and shootest at random; but more blind  are they that serve thee.  For they never taste or see  the unsavoury and distasteful recompense, which they receive by thy service; thy fire is of hot burning  lightning, which scorches unto death, yet leaves no  impression or print of any wound at all. The sticks  which thy flames consume, are the souls and lives of  human creatures, which are so infinite and so  numberless, that is scarce occurreth unto me, with  whom I should first begin; not only to Christians, but of Gentiles and of Jews; and all forsooth in requital  of their good services.  What shall I speak of that  Maciasor or our times; and how by loving, he came to  his end?  Or whose sad and woeful death thou wast the  sole cause.  What service did Paris do thee?  What  Helena?&! nbsp; What Clytemnestra?  What Aegisthus?  All the world knows how it went with them.  How well likewise  didst thou requite Sappho, Ariadne, and Leander.  

 ¿Qué pago les diste?   Hasta Dauid y Salomón no quisiste dexar sin pena.   Por tu amistad Sansón pagó lo que mereció,   por creerse de quien tú le forçaste a darle fe.   otros muchos, que callo,   porque tengo harto que contar en mi mal.   Del mundo me quexo, porque en sí me crió,   porque no me dando vida, no engendrara en él a Melibea;   no nascida, no amara;   no amando, cessara mi quexosa y desconsolada postrimería.   ¡O mi compañera buena¡   ¡O mi hija despedaçada¡   ¿Por qué no quesiste que estoruasse tu muerte?   ¿Por qué no houiste lástima de tu querida y amada madre?   ¿Por qué te mostraste tan cruel con tu viejo padre?   ¿Por qué me dexaste, quando yo te havía de dexar?   ¿Por qué me dexaste penado?   ¿Por qué me dexaste triste y solo in hac lachrymarum valle.

 

 MABBE NO TRADUCE LA CONCLUSION  

And many other  besides, whom I willingly silence, because I have  enough to do in the repetition of mine own misery?  I  complain me of the world because I was bred up in it;  for had not the world given me life, I had not therein  begot Melibea; not being begot, she had not been born;  not being born, I had not loved her; and not loving her, I should not have mourned, as now I do, in this  my latter and uncomfortable old age!   O my good  companion! O my bruised daughter, bruised even all to  pieces!   Why wouldst thou not suffer me to divert thy  death?  Why wouldst thou not take pity of thy kind and  loving mother? Why didst thou shew thyself so cruel  against thy aged father?  Why hast thou left me thus  in sorrow?  Why hast thou left me comfortless, and all  alone, in hac lachrimarum valle, in this veil of  tears and shadow of death?