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.