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 lo atizan 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.