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.