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Acto IV
Sumario
CELESTINA, andando por el camino, habla consigo misma hasta llegar a la puerta de
PLEBERIO, donde hallo a LUCRECIA, criada de PLEBERIO. Ponese con ella en
razones. Sentidas por ALISA, madre de MELIBEA, y sabido que es CELESTINA,
hacela entrar en casa. Viene un mensajero a llamar a ALISA. Vase. Queda
CELESTINA en casa con MELIBEA y le descubre la causa de su venida. |
Act IV
Argument
Celestina, going on her way, talks to herself until she comes to Pleberio's door where
she meets with Lucrecia, one of Pleberio's maidservants. She talks with her and she
is overheard by Alisa, Melibea's mother, and after finding out that it is Celestina,
Alisa has her enter the house. A messenger comes to get Alisa and she leaves. In the
meantime, Celestina is left alone with Melibea and she tells her the reason for her
visit. |
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CEL. __ Agora, que voy sola, quiero mirar bien lo que Sempronio ha temido
deste mi camino. Porque aquellas cosas, que bien no son pensadas, avnque algunas
vezes ayan buen fin, comúnmente crían dessuariados efetos. Assí que la mucha
especulación nunca carece de buen fruto. Que, avnque yo he dissimulado con él,
podría ser que, si me sintiessen en estos passos de parte de Melibea, que no pagasse
con pena, que menor fuesse que la vida, o muy amenguada quedasse, quando matar
no me quisiessen, manteándome o açotándome cruelmente. Pues amargas cient
monedas serían estas. !Ay cuytada de mí! ¡En qué lazo me he metido! ¡Que por me
mostrar solícita y esforçada pongo mi persona al tablero! ¿Qué faré, cuytada,
mezquina de mí, que ni el salir afuera es prouechoso ni la perseuerancia carece de
peligro? ¿Pues yré o tornarme he? ¡O dubdosa y dura perplejidad! ¡No sé quál escoja
por más sano! |
Cel.__ Now that I am alone, I want to consider the fears Sempronio has about the
path I am going to take. Because while sometimes things work out well when they
that are not thought out, it is more than likely that doing do will create grievous
errors. Excessive cautions are not lacking in rewards. For while I have hidden it from
him, it is possible that it could cost me my life if those on Melibea's side found out
my intent; or if they did not want to kill me, I would end up badly because they would
toss me in a blanket or whip me cruelly. Then these would be some bitter one
hundred coins. Oh what a wretch I am! In what a noose I have gotten into! I have
put my life on the line in order to prove that I am solicitous and diligent! What will
I do, wretched me, for getting out of this is not profitable yet perservering does not
lack danger? Well, should I go or should I turn around? Oh doubtful and difficult
perplexity! I do not know which one is the sounder choice! |
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¡En el osar, manifiesto peligro; en la couardía, denostada pérdida! ¿A donde yrá el
buey que no are? Cada camino descubre sus dañosos y hondos barrancos. Si con el
furto soy tomada, nunca de muerta o encoroçada falto, a bien librar. Si no voy, ¿qué
dirá Sempronio? Que todas estas eran mis fuerças, saber y esfuerço, ardid y
ofrecinmento, astucia y solicitud. Y su amo Calisto ¿qué dirá? ¿Qué hará? ¿Qué
pensará; sino que ay nueuo engaño en mis pisadas y que yo he descubierto la celada,
por hauer más prouecho desta otra parte, como sofística preuaricadora? O si no se le
ofrece pensamiento tan odioso, dará bozes como loco. Diráme en mi cara denuestos
rabiosos. Proporná mill inconuenientes, que mi deliberación presta le puso, diziendo:
Tú, puta vieja, ¿Por qué acrescentaste mis pasiones con tus promessas? Alcahueta
falsa, para todo el mundo tienes pies, para mí lengua; para todos obra, para mi
palabra; para todos remedio, para mí pena; para todos esfuerço, para mí te faltó; para
todos luz, para mí tiniebla. Pues, vieja traydora, ¿por qué te me ofreciste? |
In daring there is a clear danger; in cowardliness, disgraceful loss! Where
would the ox go that will not plough? Every path uncovers its own dangerous and
deep ravines. If I am caught with the stolen goods I will not be short of being killed or
at least exposed. If I do not go what will Sempronio say? That these are all my powers;
knowledge and scheming, promises and tricks, astuteness and cunning. And his
master Calisto, what will he say? What will he do? What will he think? That there is
deceit in my steps and that like a sophistic traitor I have revealed the plot because
there is more profit on the other side? Or if he does not come up with such a hateful
thought, he will rant and rave like a madman. He will rabidly denounce me to my
face. He will raised a thousand allegations that my diligent planning brought about. He will
say: You old whore, why did you increase my passions with your promises? False
matchmaker, you have feet for everyone else, but for me, just toungue; for everyone else you have results,
for me just promisses; for everyone else remedies, for me torture; for everyone else the efforts that were lacking
for me; for everyone else you were light, for me darkness. So, old traitor, why did you offer yourself to
me? |
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Que tu ofrecimiento me puso esperança; la esperança dilató mi muerte, sostuuo mi
viuir, púsome título de hombre alegre. Pues no hauiendo efeto, ni tú carecerás de pena
ni yo de triste desesperación. !Pues triste yo! ¡Mal acá, mal acullá: pena en ambas
partes! Quando a los estremos falta el medio, arrimarse el hombre al más sano, es
discreción. Más quiero offender a Pleberio, que enojar a Calisto. Yr quiero. Que
mayor es la vergüença de quedar por couarde, que la pena, cumpliendo como osada lo
que prometí, pues jamás al esfuerço desayudó la fortuna. Ya veo su puerta. En
mayores afrentas me he visto. !Esfuerça, esfuerça, Celestina! ¡No desmayes! Que
nunca faltan rogadores para mitigar las penas. Todos los agüeros se adereçan
fauorables o yo no sé nada desta arte. Quatro hombres, que he topado, a los tres
llaman juanes y los dos son cornudos. La primera palabra, que oy por la calle, fue de
achaque de amores. Nunca he tropeçado como otras vezes. Las piedras parece que se
apartan y me fazen lugar que passe. Ni me estoruan las haldas ni siento cansancio en
andar. Todos me saludan. Ni perro me ha ladrado ni aue negra he visto, tordo ni
cueruo ni otras noturnas. E lo mejor de todo es que veo a Lucrecia a la puerta de
Melibea. Prima es de Elicia: no me será contraria. |
For your promise gave me hope; that hope delayed my death, sustained my life, and
made me a happy man. Since there was no result, you will not lack punishment nor I
sad desperation. Then woe is me! Ill over here, ill over there: punishment for both of
us! When the extremes lack a mean, it is better to get close to the healthiest man. I
prefer to offend Pleberio than anger Calisto. I want to go. For the shame of being a
coward is worse than the punishment that will result from not keeping my promise,
for fortune always helps effort. I see her door already. I have seen myself in greater
dangers. Courage, courage, Celestina! Do not faint! For there always lawyers who will
mitigate the punishments. All of the omens are in my favor if I know anything about
that art. I have run into four men and three of them are named John and two are
cuckolds. The first word that I heard on the street was about love. I did not stumble as
I walked, as I have other times. It seems as if the rocks separate themselves and make
way for me as I pass. My skirts are not bothering me and I do not feel tired from
walking. Everyone is greeting me. No dog has barked at me nor have I seen a black
bird, a thrush, a crow, or any other nocturnal bird. And the best of all is that I see
Lucrecia at Melibea's door. She is Elicia's cousin: she will not go against me. |
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LUCR. __ ¿Quién es esta vieja, que viene haldeando? |
Luc.__ Who is this old woman who comes in such a hurry? |
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CEL. __ Paz sea en esta casa. |
Cel.__ May there be peace in this house. |
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LUCR. __ Celestina, madre, seas bienvenida. ?Qual Dios te traxo por estos
barrios no acostumbrados? |
Luc.__ Celestina, mother, welcome. This is unusual, who in Heavesn brought you to
this neighborhood? |
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CEL. __ Hija, mi amor, desseo de todos vosotros, traerte encomiendas de
Elicia y avn ver a tus señoras, vieja y moça. Que después que me mudé al otro barrio,
no han sido de mí visitadas. |
Cel.__ Daughter, my love, the desire to see all of you, to bring you regards from
Elicia and also to see your mistresses, young and old. For I have not visited here since
I moved to the other neighborhood. |
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LUCR. __ ¿A eso sólo saliste de tu casa? Marauíllome de ti, que no es essa
tu costumbre ni sueles dar passo sin prouecho. |
Luc.__ Is that the only reason why you left your house? I wonder about that, for it
is not your custom to take any steps without some profit. |
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CEL. __ ¿Más prouecho quieres, boua, que complir hombre sus desseos? Y
también como a las viejas nunca nos fallecen necessidades, mayormente a mí, que
tengo que mantener hijas agenas, ando a vender vn poco de hilado. |
Cel.__ What greater profit do you want, fool, than to fulfill the desires of men?
And also since old women are always in need, especially I who, taking care of
someone else's daughters, go from here to there to sell a little bit of yarn. |
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LUCR. __ ¡Algo es lo que yo digo! En mi seso estoy, que nunca metes aguja
sin sacar reja. Pero mi señora la vieja vrdió vna tela: tiene necessidad dello y tú de
venderlo. Entra y espera aquí, que no os desauenirés. |
Luc.__ I told you! I do have my wits about me, for you never insert a needle
without making sure you get a profit. But actually, my mistress the old woman is
weaving a piece of fabric: she needs to buy what you have and you need to sell it.
Come in and wait here, for you will do some business. |
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ALISA. __ ¿Con quién hablas, Lucrecia? |
Ali.__ Who are you talking to, Lucrecia? |
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LUCR. __ Señora, con aquella vieja de la cuchillada, que solía viuir en las
tenerías, a la cuesta del río. |
Luc.__ Mistress, to the old woman with the knif scar, the one who used to live in the
tannery, down by the river. |
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ALI. __ Agora la conozco menos. Si tú me das a entender lo incógnito por
lo menos conocido, es coger agua en cesto. |
Ali.__ I know less about her now than before. Trying to make me understand the
unknown by something less unknown is like collecting water in a basket. |
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LUCR. __ ¡Jesú, señora! Más conoscida es esta vieja que la ruda. No sé
cómo no tienes memoria de la que empicotaron por hechizera, que vendía las moças a
los abades y descasaua mill casados. |
Luc.__ Jesus, mistress! This woman is better known than malassass. I do not know how you
cannot remember the one that was put in the stocks because she was a sorceress. The
one who sold young girls to the abbots and ruined a thousand marriages. |
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ALI. __ ¿Qué oficio tiene? Quiçá por aquí la conoceré mejor. |
Ali.__ What is her trade? Maybe I will know her better by that. |
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LUCR. __ Señora, perfuma tocas, haze solimán y otros treynta officios.
Conoce mucho en yeruas, cura niños y avn algunos la llaman la vieja lapidaria. |
Luc.__ Mistress, she is a perfumer, she makes sublimates and has another thirty
trades. She knows much about herbs, she cures children and some even call her the
old jewelry seller. |
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ALI. __ Todo esso dicho no me la da a conocer; dime su nombre, si le
sabes. |
Ali.__ After all that you have said I still do not know her; tell me her name, if you
know it. |
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LUCR. __ ¿Si le sé, señora? No ay niño ni viejo en toda la cibdad, que no
lo sepa: ¿Hauíale yo de ignorar? |
Luc.__ If I know it, mistress? There is no child or person of age in the whole city
who does not know it. How could I not? |
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ALI. __ ¿Pues por qué no le dizes? |
Ali.__ Well why do you not say it? |
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LUCR. __ ¡He vergüença! |
Luc.__ I am embarrassed. |
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ALI. __ Anda, boua, dile. No me indignes con tu tardança. |
Ali.__ Go, fool, say it. Do not anger me with your delay. |
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LUCR. __ Celestina, hablando con reuerencia, es su nombre. |
Luc.__ Celestina, I beg your pardon, is her name, |
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ALI. __ ¡Hy! ¡hy! ¡hy! ¡mala landre te mate, si de risa puedo estar, viendo
el desamor que deues de tener a essa vieja, que su nombre has vergüença nombrar!
Ya me voy recordando della. !Vna buena pieça! No me digas más. Algo me verná a
pedir.
Di que suba. |
Ali.__ Ha! Ha! Ha! May the devil take you if I can stop laughing from seeing the
dislike that you must have for that old woman since you are embarrassed to say her
name! Now I remember her! She is a fine piece! Tell me no more. She must have
something to ask of me. Tell her to come up. |
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LUCR. __ Sube, tía. |
Luc.__ Come up, aunt. |
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CEL. __ Señora buena, la gracia de Dios sea contigo y con la noble hija.
Mis passiones y enfermedades han impedido mi visitar tu casa, como era razón; mas
Dios conoce mis limpias entrañas, mi verdadero amor, que la distancia de las
moradas no despega el querer de los coraçones. Assí que lo que mucho desseé, la
necessidad me lo ha hecho complir. Con mis fortunas aduersas otras, me sobreuino
mengua de dinero. No supe mejor remedio que vender vn poco de hilado, que para
vnas toquillas tenía allegado. Supe de tu criada que tenías dello necessidad. Avnque
pobre y no de la merced de Dios, veslo aquí, si dello y de mí te quieres seruir. |
Cel.__ My good mistress, may the grace of God be with you and with your noble
daughter. My troubles and illnesses have not allowed me to visit your home, as I
should have; but God knows how clean my entrails are, how pure my love is and how
the distances between homes does not diminish the love between hearts. So finally
necessity has made me do what I have desired for so long. Along with my other
adverse fortunes, it so happens that my money has dwindled. I did not know what
other remedy to take other than to sell a little bit of yarn, which I had saved to make
some headscarves. I learned from your servant that you were in need of them.
Although I am poor, even though not of God"s mercy, here it is, if you have any need of it and of me. |
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ALI. __ Vezina honrrada, tu razón y ofrecimiento me mueuen a
compassión y tanto, que quisiera cierto más hallarme en tiempo de poder complir tu
falta, que menguar tu tela. Lo dicho te agradezco. Si el hilado es tal, serte ha bien
pagado. |
Ali.__ Honored neighbor, your thoughtfulness and offering move me to so much
compassion, that I want to know how I could fulfill your needs, rather than diminish
your yarn. I am greatful for your offer. If the yarn is as you say, you will be well paid
for it. |
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CEL. __ ¿Tal señora? Tal sea mi vida y mi vejez y la de quien parte
quisiere de mi jura. Delgado como el pelo de la cabeça, ygual, rezio como cuerdas de
vihuela, blanco como el copo de la nieue, hilado todo por estos pulgares, aspado y
adreçado. Veslo aquí en madexitas. Tres monedas me dauan ayer por la onça, assí
goze desta alma pecadora. |
Cel.__ As I say, mistress? By my life and old age and by whoever else would
want to join me in my oath; it is as fine as the hair on your head, as strong as the
cords on a violin, as white as a snowflake and it has been spun, reeled and wound up
by these very fingers. See it here in skeins. Yesterday they gave me three coins for an
ounce, may I enjoy my sinning soul. |
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ALI. __ Hija Melibea, quédese esta muger honrrada contigo, que ya me
parece que es tarde para yr a visitar a mi hermana, su muger de Cremes, que desde
ayer no la he visto, y también que viene su paje a llamarme, que se le arrezió desde
vn rato acá el mal. |
Ali.__ Daughter Melibea, keep this honored woman with you, for it seems that it
is time for me to go and visit my sister, the wife of Chremes, because I have not seen
her since yesterday. Also, her page has come to get me, because her illness has gotten
worse in the past few hours. |
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CEL. __ Por aquí anda el diablo aparejando oportunidad, arreziando el mal
a la otra. !Ea! ¡Buen amigo, ¡ tener rezio! Agora es mi tiempo o nunca. No la dexes,
lléuamela de aquí a quien digo. |
Cel.__ The devil is around here preparing an opportunity by making that other
woman sicker. Go on! Good friend, hold it tight! It is now or never. Do not let her stay,
take her away from here. |
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ALI. __ ¿Qué dizes, amiga? |
Ali.__ What did you say, friend? |
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CEL. __ Señora, que maldito sea el diablo y mi pecado, porque en tal
tiempo houo de crescer el mal de tu hermana, que no haurá para nuestro negocio
oportunidad. ¿Y qué mal es el suyo? |
Cel.__ Mistress, I cursed the devil and my sinfulness, because your sister has
become sicker now and we will not have an opportunity to do our business. And, what
is her sickness? |
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ALI. __ Dolor de costado y tal que, según del moço supe que quedaua,
temo no sea mortal. Ruega tú, vezina, por amor mio, en tus deuociones por su salud a
Dios. |
Ali.__ She has a pain in her side which is so great that, according to what the
page tells me, I fear it may be fatal. Pray to God, my neighbor, by my love, for her health.
|
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CEL. __ Yo te prometo, señora, en yendo de aquí, me vaya por essos
monesterios, donde tengo frayles deuotos mios, y les dé el mismo cargo, que tú me
das. Y demás desto, ante que me desayune, dé quatro bueltas a mis cuentas. |
Cel.__ I promise you, mistress, that when I leave here I will go to the monastery,
where I have devoted monks of mine, and I will tell them to do what you have
just told me. And additionally, before I have breakfast, I will say the rosary four
times. |
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ALI. __ Pues, Melibea, contenta a la vezina en todo lo que razón fuere
darle por el hilado. Y tú, madre, perdóname, que otro día se verná en que más nos
veamos. |
Ali.__ So, Melibea, please our neighbor by paying her a reasonable price for her
yarn. And you, mother, pardon me, for another day will come when we will be able to
see more of each other. |
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CEL. __ Señora, el perdón sobraría donde el yerro falta. De Dios seas
perdonada, que buena compañía me queda. Dios la dexe gozar su noble juuentud y
florida mocedad, que es el tiempo en que más plazeres y mayores deleytes se
alcançarán. Que, a la mi fe, la vejez no es sino mesón de enfermedades, posada de
pensamientos, amiga de renzillas, congoxa continua, llaga incurable, manzilla de lo
passado, pena de lo presente, cuydado triste de lo porvenir, vezina de la muerte, choça
sin rama, que se llueue por cada parte, cayado de mimbre, que con poca carga se
doblega. |
Cel.__ Mistress, pardon is not needed when no error has been committed. May
God spare you, for I stay with good company. May God let you delight in your noble
flourishing youth, for it is the time in which the most pleasures and delights will be
within reach. For, by my faith, old age is nothing more than a home for sickness, a
dwelling for worries, a friend of bickering, a continuous grief, an incurable sore, a
shame of the past, a grievance of the present, a wretched care for the future, a
neighbor of death, an ill-thatched hut that rain falls through, and a stick of willow
that bends with a litle weight. |
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MELIB. __ ¿Por qué dizes, madre, tanto mal de lo que todo el mundo con
tan eficacia gozar y ver dessean? |
Mel.__ Why do you speak, mother, so badly of what every living soul so earnestly wants
enjoy and see? |
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CEL. __ Dessean harto mal para sí, dessean harto trabajo. Dessean llegar
allá, porque llegando viuen y el viuir es dulce y viuiendo enuejescen. Assí que el
niño dessea ser moço y el moço viejo y el viejo, más; avnque con dolor. Todo por
viuir. Porque como dizen, biua la gallina con su pepita. Pero ¿Quién te podría contar,
señora, sus daños, sus inconvenientes, sus fatigas, sus cuydados, sus enfermedades, su
frío, su calor, su descontentamiento, su renzilla, su pesadumbre, aquel arrugar de
cara, aquel mudar de cabellos su primera y fresca color, aquel poco oyr, aquel
debilitado ver, puestos los ojos a la sombra, aquel hundimiento de boca, aquel caer de
dientes, aquel carecer de fuerça, aquel flaco andar, aquel espacioso comer? Pues ¡Ay,
ay! ¡Señora!, si lo dicho viene acompañado de pobreza, allí verás callar todos los
otros trabajos, quando sobra la gana y falta la prouisión; ¡Que jamás sentí peor ahíto,
que de hambre! |
Cel.__ They desire their own pain and and grief. They desire to get there, because
by getting there they live and living is sweet but by living they age. Just like the boy
wants to be a young man and the young man wants to be an old man and the old man
wants to be older; even though he may be in pain. All for the sake of living. Because, as they say, let the
hen live with her pip. But who could tell you, mistress, of its problems, its
inconveniences, its weariness, its care, its sickness, its cold, its heat, its
discontentment, its bickering, its grief, the wrinkles on the face, the changing of the
original bright hair color, the hardness of hearing, the debilitated eyes, sunken into shade,
the sinking of the jaws, the falling out of teeth, the lack of
strength, the weakness of the legs and the slowness of eating? But, Oh! Oh! Mistress!
When all I have told you is accompanied by poverty! All the other sorrows are silent
because the need surpasses the lack of provisions. I never knew a habit worse than
hunger! |
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MELIB. __ Bien conozco que dize cada uno de la feria, segund le va en
ella: assí que otra canción cantarán los ricos. |
Mel.__ I know well what everyone talks about the fair according to how it went. I
think that the the rich sing another song. |
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CEL. __ Señora, hija, a cada cabo ay tres leguas de mal quebranto. A los
ricos se les va la bienaventurança, la gloria y descanso por otros alvañares de
asechanças, que no se parescen, ladrillados por encima con lisonjas. Aquél es rico que
está bien con Dios. Más segura cosa es ser menospreciado que temido. Mejor sueño
duerme el pobre, que no el que tiene de guardar con solicitud lo que con trabajo
ganó y con dolor ha de dexar. Mi amigo no será simulado y el del rico sí. Yo soy
querida por mi persona; el rico por su hazienda. Nunca oye verdad, todos le hablan
lisonjas a sabor de su paladar, todos le han enbidia. Apenas hallarás vn rico, que no
confiese que le sería mejor estar en mediano estado o en honesta pobreza. Las
riquezas no hazen rico, mas ocupado; no hazen señor, mas mayordomo. Más son los
posseydos de las riquezas que no los que las posseen. A muchos traxo la muerte, a
todos quita el plazer y a las buenas costumbres ningunas cosa es más contraria. ¿ No
oyste dezir: dormieron su sueño los varones de las riquezas e ninguna cosa hallaron
en sus manos? Cada rico tiene vna dozena de hijos e nietos, que no rezan otra oración,
no otra petición; sino rogar a Dios que le saque de en medio dellos; no veen la hora
que tener a él so la tierra e lo suyo entre sus manos e darle a poca costa su morada
para siempre. |
Cel.__ Mistress, daughter, a every end there remain three leagues of great sorrow.
Happiness, glory and rest escape the rich through the gutters of deceptions, which are
not apparent, being covered by the bricks of flattery. He is rich who is blessed by God. It is safer to be
despised than to be feared. The poor sleep better than the ones who have to carefully
guard all that they have gained with work, which they would be pained to leave
behind. My friends will not flatter me but a rich man's will. I am loved because of
who I am; the rich man for his wealth. He never hears the truth because everyone tells
him what he wants to hear. All of them envy him. You will hardly find a rich man
who does not confess that he would be better off if he had an average estate or honest
poverty. Riches do not make you rich, but only busier; they do not make you a
master, but a butler. More are possessed by their riches than possess their riches. It
has brought many to their deaths, it takes away pleasure from all, and nothing is more
contrary to an honest life. Have you not heard it said: men have dreampt of riches only
to wake up and find nothing in their hands? Every rich man has a dozen sons and
nephews that do not pray any other prayer; except to beg God to take him away from
them; they cannot wait until he is beneath the earth and his riches in their hands, and give him
his everlasting dwelling for a small price. |
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MELIB. __ Madre, pues que assí es, gran pena ternás por la edad que
perdiste. ¿Querrías boluer a la primera? |
Mel.__ Mother, if that is so, you must grieve for for the years you have lost.
Would you want to return to the beginning? |
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__ Loco es, señora, el caminante que, enojado del trabajo del día, quisiesse
boluer comienço la jornada para tornar otra vez aquel lugar. Que todas aquellas
cosas, cuya possessión no es agradable, más vale poseellas, que esperallas. Porque
más cerca está el fin de ellas, quanto más andado del comienço. No ay cosa más
dulce ni graciosa al muy cansado que el mesón. Assí que, avnque la moçedad sea
alegre, el verdadero viejo no la dessea. Porque el que de razón y seso carece, quasi
otra cosa no ama, sino lo que perdió. |
Cel.__ Crazy is, mistress, the traveler who, annoyed by the day's work, would
want to return to the beginning of the journey only to return to the place he just came
from. For it is better to have had disagreeable times than to wait for them to come.
Because the closer you are to their end, the farther you are from their starting line.
There is nothing sweeter or more pleasing to a tired wanderer, than an inn. So while
the young may be happy, those who are truly old do not desire youth. Because only
he who lacks his senses and reason loves almost nothing but what he lost. |
|
MELIB. __ Siquiera por viuir más, es bueno dessear lo que digo. |
Mel.__ If only to live longer it good to desire whzat I have said. |
|
CEL. __ Tan presto, señora, se va el cordero como el carnero. Ninguno es
tan viejo, que no pueda viuir vn año ni tan moço, que oy no pudiesse morir. Assí que
en esto poca avantaja nos leuays. |
Cel.__ The lamb is slaughtered as quickly as the ram, mistress. Neither of
them is so old that they could not live another year nor so young that today they could
not die. So the youth have little advantage over us. |
|
MELIB. __ Espantada me tienes con lo que has hablado. Indicio me dan tus
razones que te aya visto otro tiempo. ¿Dime, madre, eres tú Celestina, la que solía
morar a las tenerías, cabe el río? |
Mel.__ What you have said has scared me. The way you speak makes me think
that I have seen you before. Tell me, mother, are you Celestina, the one who used to
live in the tanneries near the river? |
|
CEL. __ Hasta que Dios quiera. |
Cel.__ For as long as God wants. |
|
MELIB. __ Vieja te has parado. Bien dizen que los días no se van en balde.
Assí goze de mí, no te conociera, sino por essa señaleja de la cara. Figúraseme que
eras hermosa. Otra pareces, muy mudada estás. |
Mel.__ You have become an old woman. It is true that time does not pass in vain.
Trust me; I would not have recognized you if it had not been for that scar on your
face. I think that once you must have been beautiful. You look different, you have
changed a lot. |
|
LUCR. __ ¡Hy! ¡Hy! ¡Hy! ¡Mudada está el diablo! ¡Hermosa era con aquel
su Dios os salue, que trauiessa la media cara! |
Luc.__ Ha! Ha! Ha! The devil has changed! Beautiful she was indeed with that "godspeed"
written across her face! |
|
MELIB. __ ¿Qué hablas, loca? ¿Qué es lo que dizes? ¿De qué te ríes? |
Mel.__ What are you saying, fool? What is it that you say? What are you laughing
at? |
|
LUCR. __ De cómo no conocías a la madre en tan poco tiempo en la
filosomía de la cara. |
Luc.__ Of how you did not recognize the woman, after such a short time, by the
scar on her face. |
|
MELIB. __ No es tan poco tiempo dos años; y más que la tiene arrugada.
|
Mel.__ Two years is not such a short time; besides, her face is wrinkled. |
|
CEL. __ Señora, ten tú el tiempo que no ande; terné yo mi forma, que no se
mude. ¿No has leydo que dizen: verná el día que en el espejo no te conozcas? Pero
también yo encanecí temprano y parezco de doblada edad. Que assí goze desta alma
pecadora y tú desse cuerpo gracioso, que de quatro hijas, que parió mi madre, yo fui
la menor. Mira cómo no soy vieja, como me juzgan. |
Cel.__ Mistress, if you could make time stop running, I would have it so that my
form would never change. Have you not read about the day that will come when you
do not recognize yourself in the mirror? But also my hair went gray early on, so I
look twice my age. May I enjoy my sinful soul just as you do of your gracious body.
I was the youngest of my mother's four daughters. I am not as old as you think I am.
|
|
MELIB. __ Celestina, amiga, yo he holgado mucho en verte y conocerte.
También hasme dado plazer con tus razones. Toma tu dinero y vete con Dios, que me
paresce que no deues hauer comido. |
Mel.__ Celestina, friend, I have enjoyed seeing you and getting to know you.
Also your speech has given me much pleasure. Take your money and go with God for
it seems you have not eaten yet. |
|
CEL. __ ¡O angélica ymagen! ¡O perla preciosa, y cómo te lo dizes¡ Gozo
me toma en verte fablar. ¿Y no sabes que por la diuina boca fué dicho contra aquel
infernal tentador, que no de solo pan viuiremos? Pues assí es, que no el solo comer
mantiene. Mayormente a mí, que me suelo estar vno y dos días negociando
encomiendas agenas ayuna, saluo hazer por los buenos, morir por ellos. Esto tuue
siempre, querer más trabajar siruiendo a otros, que holgar contentando a mí. Pues, si
tú me das licencia, diréte la necessitada causa de mi venida, que es otra que la que
fasta agora as oydo y tal, que todos perderíamos en me tornar en balde sin que la
sepas. |
Cel.__ Oh angelic image! Oh precious pearl, and how you say it! What you say
pleases me. And do you remember what the divine mouth said to the infernal
temptor; that we do not only live on bread? For that is true; one does not only
maintain themself by eating. Especially me, for I am usually negotiating other
people's businesses for one or two days without a bite, only to die for the good ones, and
to die for them. I
have always done this; I work more serving others than live contenting myself. So, if
you will allow me, I will tell you the real reason for my visit, because it is different
from the one you thought it was, and all of us would be sorry if I vainly returned
without you knowing it. |
|
MELIB. __ Di, madre, todas tus necessidades, que, si yo las pudiere
remediar, de muy buen grado lo haré por el passado conoscimiento y vezindad, que
pone obligación a los buenos. |
Mel.__ Tell me, mother, everything that you need, because if I can satisfy them, I
would willingly do so because of our old acquaintance and neighborhood, which
obligates good people. |
|
CEL. __ ¿Mías, señora? Antes agenas, como tengo dicho; que las mías de
mi puerta adentro me las passo, sin que las sienta la tierra, comiendo quando puedo,
beuiendo quando lo tengo. Que con mi pobreza jamás me faltó, a Dios gracias, vna
blanca para pan y vn quarto para vino, después que embiudé; que antes no tenía yo
cuydado de lo buscar, que sobrado estaua vn cuero en mi casa y vno lleno y otro
vazío. Jamás me acosté sin comer vna tostada en vino y dos dozenas de soruos, por
amor de la madre, tras cada sopa. Agora, como todo cuelga de mí, en vn jarrillo
malpegado me lo traen, que no cabe dos açumbres. Seys vezes al día tengo de salir
por mi pecado, con mis canas a cuestas, a le henchir a la tauerna. Mas no muera yo
muerte, hasta que me vea con vn cuero o tinagica de mis puertas adentro. Que en mi
ánima no ay otra prouisión, que como dizen: pan y vino anda camino, que no moço
garrido. Assí que donde no ay varón, todo todo bien fallesce: con mal está el huso,
quando la barua no anda de suso. Ha venido esto, señora, por lo que dezía de las
agenas necessidades e no mías. |
Cel.__ My needs mistress? First the needs of others, for as I told you; I leave
mine at my door, and nobody knows about them; I eat when I can and drink what I
have. For even with all my poverty I have never been lacking, thank God, a penny or
a quarter for wine after I became a widow; before that I never worried about it it since there
was always a couple of wineskins, one that was full and another that was empty. I
never went to bed without eating a piece of toast steeped in wine and two dozen sips,
by the love of my uterus, after every soup. Now that everything depends on me, they
bring it to me in a poor little jar which hardly holds a gallon. Because of my sins I
have to go to the tavern to fill it up six times a day, with my gray hairs upon my
shoulder. May I not die before I see another wineskin or cask in my house. By my
soul, there is no better provision. Like they say: bread and wine will take you farther
down the road than a handsome lad. So, where there is no man, everything good vanishes:
when the beard is not around, the spindle does not run. But this speech, mistress, comes
from what I was saying about how other people's necessities come before
mine. |
|
MELIB. __ Pide lo que querrás, sea para quien fuere. |
Mel.__ Ask me whatever you want, be it for whomever. |
|
CEL. __ ¡Donzella graciosa y de alto linaje! Tu suaue fabla y alegre gesto,
junto con el aparejo de liberalidad, que muestras con esta pobre vieja, me dan osadía
a te lo dezir. Yo dexo vn enfermo a la muerte, que con sola una palabra de tu noble
boca salida, que le lleue metida en mi seno, tiene por fe que sanará, según la mucha
deuoción tiene en tu gentileza. |
Cel.__ My gracious lady of high lineage! Your kind words and cheerful face,
together with the liberal generosity you show this poor old woman, allow me to dare
to say this. I left a sick man at his death, and if only one word were to come from your
noble mouth, which I would bring to him in my busom, he believes he will heal,
accordingly with the great devotion he has for your gentility. |
|
MELIB. __ Vieja honrrada, no te entiendo, si más no declaras tu demanda.
Por vna parte me alteras y prouocas a enojo; por otra me mueues compasión. No te
sabría boluer respuesta conueniente, según lo poco que he sentido de tu habla. Que yo
soy dichosa, si de mi palabra ay necessidad para salud de algún cristiano. Porque
hazer beneficio es semejar a Dios, y el que le da le recibe, quando a persona digna dél
le hace. Y demás desto, dizen que el que puede sanar al que padece, no lo faziendo, le
mata. Assí que no cesses tu petición por empacho ni temor. |
Mel.__ Honorable old woman, I cannot understand you unless you clarify your
demand. On the one hand, you upset me and provoke my anger and on the other, you
move me to compassion. I do not know how to respond with a convenient answer
because of the little I have understood of what you have said. I would be fortunate if
a word from my mouth was the only thing necessary to save the life of a
Christian. Because to do good is to imitate God and giving it is receiving, when is in favor of
a person worthy of it. Additionally,
they say that if one has the ability to cure the sick and does not do it, is a murderer. So
then, do not conceal your full petition because of your bashfulness or fear. |
|
CEL. __ El temor perdí mirando, señora, tu beldad. Que no puedo creer que
en balde pintasse Dios vnos gestos más perfetos que otros, más dotados de gracias,
más hermosas faciones; sino para fazerlos almazén de virtudes, de misericordia, de
compassión, ministros de sus mercedes y dádiuas, como a ti. Y pues como todos
seamos humanos, nascidos para morir, sea cierto que no se puede dezir nacido el que
para sí nasció. Porque sería semejante a los brutos animales, en los quales avn ay
algunos piadosos, como se dize del vnicornio, que se humilla a qualquiera donzella.
El perro con todo su ímpetu y braueza, quando viene a morder, si se echan en el
suelo, no haze mal: esto de piedad. ¿Pues las aues? Ninguna cosa el gallo come, que
no participe y llame las gallinas a comer dello. El pelicano rompe el pecho por dar a
sus hijos a comer de sus entrañas. Las cigüeñas mantienen otro tanto tiempo a sus
padres viejos en el nido, quanto ellos le dieron ceuo siendo pollitos. Pues tal
conoscimiento dio la natura a los animales y aues? ¿Por qué los hombres hauemos de
ser mas crueles? ¿Por qué no daremos parte de nuestras gracias e personas a los
próximos, mayormente, quando están embueltos en secretas enfermedades e tales
que, donde está la melezina, salió la causa de la enfermedad? |
Cel.__ I lost my fear when I saw your beauty, mistress. For I cannot believe than
God would paint a face more perfect than others, with more grace and with prettier
features, unless it was to make them a storehouse of virtues, mercy, compassion and
a minister of His blessings and gifts, as He did for you. Besides, since all of us are
human and are born to die, it is certain that one cannot be truly born if he were born
only for himself. Because then they would be similar to the brutish beasts,
although some are pious. For example, it is said that the unicorn will kneel before any
young lady. The dog with all its impetus and fierceness will not bite you if you throw
yourself to the ground: this is piety. And as for the birds? The rooster does not eat
anything unless he has called the hens to share the food with him. The pelican will
tear his chest open in order to let his children eat his entrails. Storks maintain their
old parents in the nest for as long as they themselves were there when they were
chicks. Nature gave such knowledge to the animals and birds so why would mankind
be crueler? Why should we not give a part of our graciousness and person to our
neighbors, especially when they have a strange sickness and the only medicine that
can cure them is the same thing that caused their infirmity? |
|
MELIB. __ Por Dios, sin más dilatar, me digas quién es esse doliente, que
de mal tan perplexo se siente, que su passión y remedio salen de vna misma fuente.
|
Mel.__ By God, without any more delay, tell me who is this hurting man who is
sick from an illness so perplexing that his passion and his remedy flow from the same
fountain. |
|
CEL. __ Bien ternás, señora, noticia en esta cibdad de vn cauallero
mancebo, gentil hombre de clara sangre, que llaman Calisto. |
Cel.__ You may have heard, mistress, news in this city of a young gentleman of
good blood whom they call Calisto. |
|
MELIB. __ ¡Ya, ya, ya! Buena vieja no me digas más, no pases adelante.
¿Esse es el doliente por quien has fecho tantas premissas en tu demanda? ¿Por quién
has venido a buscar la muerte para ti? ¿Por quién has dado tan dañosos passos,
desuergonçada barvuda? ¿Qué siente esse perdido, que con tanta passión vienes? De
locura será su mal. ¿Qué te parece? ¡Si me fallaras sin sospecha desse loco, con qué
palabras me entrauas! No se dize en vano que el más empezible miembro del mal
hombre o muger es la lengua. !Quemada seas, alcahueta falsa, hechizera, enemiga de
onestad, causadora de secretos yerros! ¡Jesú, Jesú¡ !Quítamela, Lucrecia, de delante,
que me fino, que no me ha dexado gota de sangre en el cuerpo! Bien se lo mereçe
esto y más, quien a estas tales da oydos. Por cierto, si no mirasse a mi honestidad y
por no publicar su osadía desse atreuido, yo te fiziera, maluada, que tu razón y vida
acabaran en vn tiempo. |
Mel.__ Enough, enough, enough! Good old woman, do not tell me anymore, do
not continue. Is this the suffering one for whom you have made so many prefaces to
in your demands? For whom you have gone looking for your death? For whom you
have made such dangerous steps, you shameless bearded woman? How much pain
can that lost man be in that you would come with such passion? Insanity is his
ailment. What would you think if I had no suspicion of that fool and your deceitful
words! It is true that the most evil member in a man or a woman is the toungue. May
you be burned, false matchmaker, sorceress, enemy of honest words, and provoker of
secret sins! Jesus, Jesus! Take her away from me, Lucrecia, before I die, for there is not a drop of
blood left in my body! Whoever lend ears for the likes of her deserves this and much more.
It is certain that if it were not for my honor and my unwillingness to make
public the daringness of taht imprudent fellow, I would act, evil one, so that your
reason and life would end at once. |
|
CEL. __ ¡En hora mala acá vine, si me falta mi conjuro! ¡Ea pues: bien sé a
quién digo.! Ce, hermano, que se va todo a perder! |
Cel.__ What a desaster, to come here if my conjuration has fails! I know
well whom I can speaking to! Come, brother, because everything is going to go to waste! |
|
MELIB. __ ¿Avn hablas entre dientes delante mí, para acrecentar mi enojo
y doblar tu pena? ¿Querrías condenar mi onestidad por dar vida a vn loco? ¿Dexar a
mi triste por alegrar a él y lleuar tú el prouecho de mi perdición, el galardón de mi
yerro? ¿Perder y destruyr la casa y la honrra de mi padre por ganar la de vna vieja
maldita como tú? ¿Piensas que no tengo sentidas tus pisadas y entendido tu dañado
mensaje? Pues yo te certifico que las albricias, que de aquí saques, no sean sino
estoruarte de más ofender a Dios, dando fin a tus días. Respóndeme, traydora, ¿Cómo
osaste tanto fazer? |
Mel.__ Do you whisper in front of me so that you can make me angrier and
increase your punishment? Do you want to condemn my honor so that you can give
life to a madman? Leave me sad to make him happy, so that you can take the profit of
my perdition and the prize of my error? Lose and destroy the house and the honor of
my father for the gain of a wicked old woman like you? Do you think that I cannot
see what you are trying to do and understand your damned message? Well I assure
you that the joy you will take from here will be no other than to prevent you
from ever offending God again by putting an end to your days. Respond, traitor, how
did you dare to do this? |
|
63. CEL. __ Tu temor, señora, tiene ocupada mi desculpa. Mi inocencia
me da osadía, tu presencia me turba en verla yrada y lo que más siento y me pena es
recibir enojo sin razón ninguna. Por Dios, señora, que me dexes concluyr mi dicho,
que ni él quedará culpado ni yo condenada. Y verás cómo es todo más seruicio de
Dios, que passos deshonestos; más para dar salud al enfermo, que para dañar la fama
al médico. Si pensara, señora, que tan de ligero hauías de conjecturar de lo passado
nocibles sospechas, no bastara tu licencia para me dar osadía a hablar en cosa, que a
Calisto ni a otro hombre tocasse. |
Cel.__ My fear, mistress, does not allow me to explain myself to you. My
innocence made me bold, your angry presence disturbs me now and what troubles me
and grieves me the most is that I receive your ire for no reason. By God, mistress, let
me finish what I was saying for he will neither remain guilty nor I condemned. And
you will see how everything has been in service to God rather than dishonest steps;
more to give health to the sick than to damage the fame of the doctor. Had I
thought, mistress, that you would so easily conjecture these noxious suspicions from what happend, the
permission would not have been enough for me to dare to speak to you of
anything concerning Calisto or any other man. |
|
MELIB. __ ¡Jesú! No oyga yo mentar más esse loco, saltaparedes, fantasma
de noche, luengo como cigüeña, figura de paramento malpintado; sinó, aquí me caeré
muerta. !Este es el que el otro día me vido y començó a desuariar comigo en razones,
haziendo mucho del galán! Dirásle, buena vieja, que, si pensó que ya era todo suyo y
quedaua por él el campo, porque holgué más de consentir sus necedades, que castigar
su yerro, quise más dexarle por loco, que publicar su grande atreuimiento. Pues
auísale que se aparte deste propósito y serle ha sano; sinó, podrá ser que no aya
comprado tan cara habla en su vida. Pues sabe que no es vencido, sino el que se cree
serlo, y yo quedé bien segura y él vfano. De los locos es estimar a todos los otros de
su calidad. Y tú tórnate con su mesma razón; que respuesta de mí otra no haurás ni la
esperes. Que por demás es ruego a quien no puede hauer misericordia. Y dá gracias a
Dios, pues tan libre vas desta vas desta feria. Bien me hauían dicho quien tu eras e
auisado de tus propriedades, avnque agora no te conocía. |
Mel.__ Jesus! Let me hear no more mention of this madman, that wall-climber,
that night phantom, that long-legged stork, that ill-painted mural figure, or I will drop
dead right here. This is the same one that saw me the other day and began to speak to
me deliriously, acting as if though he was gallant! Tell him, good old woman, that, if
he thought that everything was already his and that he was the master of the field,
because I was pleased to consent to his nonsense rather than punish his error: it was
only because I preferred to leave him for a fool to making public his
boldness; tell him to forget his proposition for hs own good, or he may find that he has
never paid so dearly for a conversation in his life. For know that falure is only in the mind of a person,
he is defeated n, and that I maintain my safety and he his pride. Crazy people
think that everyone else is just like them. And you, return with this same reason;
because there will ne no other response from me and do not await one. It is a waste of
time to expect mercy from one who will not give it. And thank God that you leave
this contest unharmed. They were right in telling me who you were and
advising me against your tricks, although I did not recognize you until now. |
|
CEL. __ ¡Más fuerte estaua Troya y avn otras más brauas he yo amansado!
ninguna tempestad mucho dura. |
Cel.__ Troy was stronger; yet I have tamed angrier ones than this! No
storm lasts for too long. |
|
MELIB. __ ¿Qué dizes, enemiga? Fabla, que te pueda oyr. ?Tienes
desculpa alguna para satisfazer mi enojo y escusar tu yerro y osadía? |
Mel.__ What do you say, enemy? Speak up so that I can hear you. Do you have
an excuse that can satisfy my anger and clear yourself of your error and daringness?
|
|
CEL. __ Mientras viuiere tu yra, más dañará mi descargo. Que estás muy
rigurosa y no me marauillo: que la sangre nueua poca calor ha menester para heruir.
|
Cel.__ As long as your anger continues, the angrier my excuse will make you.
You are very harsh and I am not surprised: for new blood needs little heat in order to
boil. |
|
MELIB. __ ¿Poca calor? ¿Poco lo puedes llamar, pues quedaste tú viua y
yo quexosa sobre tan gran atreuimiento? ¿Qué palabra podías tú querer para esse tal
hombre, que a mí bien me estuuiesse? Responde, pues dizes que no has concluydo:
¡Quiçá pagarás lo passado! |
Mel.__ Little heat? You could call it little because you are still alive and I am
now just complaining about your great boldness. What words could I say to such a
man that would be good for me too? Respond, for you said that you were not
finished: maybe you will pay for what you have done! |
|
CEL. __ Vna oración, señora, que le dixeron que sabías de sancta Polonia
para el dolor de las muelas. Assí mismo tu cordón, que es fama que ha tocado todas
las reliquias, que ay en Roma y Jerusalem. Aquel cauallero, que dixe, pena y muere
dellas. Esta fué mi venida. Pero, pues en mi dicha estaua tu ayrada respuesta,
padézcase él su dolor, en pago de buscar tan desdichada mensajera. Que, pues en tu
mucha virtud me faltó piedad, también me faltará agua, si a la mar me embiara. Pero ya
sabes que el deleyte de la vengança dura un momento y el de la misericordia para
siempre. |
Cel.__ A prayer, mistress, that he said you knew, of Saint Appollonia that would
cure a toothache. Also, a girdle of yours which is known to have touched all of the
relics that exist in Rome and Jerusalem. The gentleman I speak of suffers and dies
becuase of it. That is why I came. But because by my luck I received your angered
response, he will endure his pain as a repayment for finding such an unfortunate
messenger. For since I fail him in findg pity in you great virtue, I will also fail in findind water if sent for it
in the ocean. But you already know that the delight of
vengeance lasts a moment and that of mercy lasts forever. |
|
MELIB. __ Si esso querías, ¿por qué luego no me lo espresaste? ¿Por qué
me lo dixiste en tan pocas palabras? |
Mel.__ If that is what you wanted, why did you not express it to me sooner? Why
did you not tell me in so many words? |
|
CEL. __ Señora, porque mi limpio motiuo me hizo creer que, avnque en
menos lo propusiera, no se hauía de sospechar mal. Que, si faltó el deuido preámbulo,
fué porque la verdad no es necessario abundar de muchas colores. Compassión de su
dolor, confiança de tu magnificencia ahogaron en mi boca al principio la espresión de
la causa. Y pues conosces, señora, que el dolor turba, la turbación desmanda y altera
la lengua, la qual hauía de estar siempre atada con el seso, ¡Por Dios¡Que no me
culpes. Y si el otro yerro ha fecho, no redunde en mi daño, pues no tengo otra culpa,
sino ser mensajera del culpado. No quiebre la soga por lo más delgado. No seas la
telaraña, que no muestra su fuerça sino contra los flacos animales. No paguen justos
por peccadores. Imita la diuina justicia, que dixo: El ánima que pecare, aquella misma
muera; a la humana, que jamás condena al padre por el delicto del hijo ni al hijo por
el del padre. Ni es, señora, razón que su atreuimiento acarree mi perdición. Avnque,
según su merecimiento, no ternía en mucho que fuese él el delinquente e yo la
condemnada. Que no es otro mi oficio, sino seruir a los semejantes: desto biuo e
desto me arreo. Nunca fue mi voluntad enojar a vnos por agradar a otros, avnque ayan
dicho a tu merced en mí absencia otra cosa. Al fin, señora, a la firme verdad el viento
del vulgo, no la empece. Vna sola soy en este limpio trato. En toda la ciudad pocos
tengo descontentos. Con todos cumplo, los que algo me mandan, como si touiesse
veynte pies e otras tantas manos. |
Cel.__ Mistress, because my innocent motive made me think that, although I
should have proposed it with other words, you would suspect no evil. For, if the
necessary preamble was lacking, it was because it was not necessary to burden the
truth with much rhetoric colors. At the beginning, compassion for his pain and confidence in
your magnificence, made me forget to express my intentions. And you know
mistress, that pain disturbs, and disturbance disorders and alters the toungue which
should always be tied to the brain. By God! Do not blame me. And if he has made a
mistake, do not be angry with me, because my only fault is being the messenger of the
accused. Let the chain not break in the eakest link. Do not be the spiderweb that only
proves its strength to the weakest animals. Do not let the righteous ones pay for the
sinners. Imitate the Divine Justice, who said: The soul that sins that shall die. The
law of humanity would never condemn the father for the crimes of his son, or the son
for those of the father. Nor is there, mistress, a reason for why my boldness should
accrue my perdition. Although, according to his social rank, it would not be unheard
of because even if he was the criminal I would be the one that would be condemned.
For my business is none other than to serve my neighbors: from this I live and
continue on. It was never my will to anger some to please others, although in my
absence you might have been told otherwise. Finally, mistress, the wind of the
common people cannot destroy the honest truth. I am the only one that has been fair
in this dealing. In the whole city there are few who are discontent with me. I comply
with all those who request something from me, as if I had twenty hands and legs. |
|
MEL. __ No me marauillo, que vn solo maestro de vicios dizen que basta
para corromper vn gran pueblo. Por cierto, tantos y tales loores me han dicho de tus
falsas mañas, que no sé si crea que pedías oración. |
Mel.__ I do not wonder why they say that one master of vices is enough to
corrupt a whole city. It is certain, that I have been told such tales of your trickery
that I do not know if I should believe you were only asking for a prayer. |
|
CEL. __ Nunca yo la reze y si la rezare no sea oyda, si otra cosa de mí se
saque, avnque mill tormentos me diessen. |
Cel.__ If that is true then I will never pray again, and if I do may my prayers
never be heard. Nothing else will be taken out of me even if I am given a thousand
lashings. |
|
MELIB. __ Mi passada alteración me impide a reyr de tu desculpa. Que
bien sé que ni juramento ni tormento te torcerá a dezir verdad, que no es en tu mano.
|
Mel.__ My previous anger does not allow me to laugh at your excuse. For I well
know that neither oath nor lashing will make you tell the truth, for it is out of your
hands. |
|
CEL. __ Eres mi señora. Téngote de callar, hete yo de seruir, hasme tú de
mandar. Tu mala palabra será víspera de vna saya. |
Cel.__ You are my mistress. Befor you I must stay silent, you I must serve, you must give me your orders.
Just a small word from you will get me a new skirt. |
|
MELIB. __ Bien la has merescido. |
Mel.__ Well, you have deserved it. |
|
CEL. __ Si no la he ganado con la lengua, no la he perdido con la intención.
|
Cel.__ If I have not earned it with my toungue I did not lose it because of my
intentions. |
|
MELIB. __ Tanto afirmas tu ignorancia, que me hazes creer lo que puede
ser. Quiero pues en tu dubdosa desculpa tener la sentencia en peso y no disponer de
tu demanda al sabor de ligera interpretación. No tengas en mucho ni te marauilles de
mi passado sentimiento, porque concurrieron dos cosas en tu habla, que qualquiera
dellas era bastante para me sacar de seso: nombrarme esse tu cauallero, que comigo
se atreuió a hablar, y también pedirme palabra sin más causa, que no se podía
sospechar sino daño para mi honrra. Pero pues todo viene de buena parte, de lo
passado aya perdón. Que en alguna manera es aliuiado mi coraçón, viendo que es
obra pía y santa sanar los passionados y enfermos. |
Mel.__ You insist on your ignorance so much that you make me believe that it
could be true. So, I will suspend the sentence for your doubtful excuse and I will not
dispose your demand to the taste of light interpretation. Do not think much of it nor
wonder of my past sentiment, because two things happened in your speech and either
one of them is enough to make me lose my mind: first, naming your gentleman, who
dared to speak with me and also, by asking me to promise something without any
reason, and I could only suspect it was to damage my honor. But since everything was
for a good cause, the past can be forgiven. In some way this has relieved my heart
since I now see that it is a pious and saintly act to cure the suffering and the sick. |
|
CEL. __ ¡Y tal enfermo, señora! Por Dios, si bien le conosciesses, no le
juzgasses por el que has dicho y mostrado con tu yra. En Dios y en mi alma, no tiene
hiel; gracias, dos mill: en franqueza, Alexandre; en esfuerço, Etor; gesto, de vn rey;
gracioso, alegre; jamás reyna en él tristeza. De noble sangre, como sabes. Gran
justador, pues verlo armado, vn Sant George. Fuerça y esfuerço, no tuuo Ercules
tanta. La presencia y faciones, dispusición, desemboltura, otra lengua hauía menester
para las contar. Todo junto semeja ángel del cielo. Por fe tengo que no era tan
hermoso aquel gentil Narciso, que se enamoró de su propia figura, quando se vido en
las aguas de la fuente. Agora, señora, tiénele derribado vna sola muela que jamás
cessa de quexar. |
Cel.__ And so sick, mistress! By God, if you knew him well you would not judge
him to be like the one you have said and shown your anger towards. By God and my
soul he has no evil. He has a thousand charms; he is as liberal as Alexander, as strong
as Hector, he has the presence of a king, he is gracious and happy and he is never
sad. He is of noble blood, as you know. He is a great jouster and in his armour he
looks like Saint George. Hercules did not have as much strength and courage.
Another language would be needed so that I could express his presence, grace,
disposition and agility. All together he resembles an angel from heaven. By my faith
not even Narcissus, who fell in love with his own image when he saw his reflection in
the water, was as beautiful as he is. Now, mistress, a single tooth has knocked him
down and he cannot stop complaining. |
|
MELIB. __ ¿Y qué tanto tiempo ha? |
Mel.__ And how long has it been? |
|
CEL. __ Podrá ser, señora, de veynte y tres años: que aquí está Celestina,
que le vido nascer y le tomó a los pies de su madre. |
Cel.__ It could be, mistress, that he is twenty three years old: for here is Celestina
who saw him born and took him from the feet of his mother. |
|
MELIB. __ Ni te pregunto esso ni tengo necessidad de saber su edad; sino
qué tanto ha que tiene el mal. |
Mel.__ I did not ask you nor do I need to know his age. I asked how long he has
been sick. |
|
CEL. __ Señora, ocho días. Que parece que ha vn año en su flaqueza. Y el
mayor remedio que tiene es tomar vna vihuela y tañe tantas canciones y tan
lastimeras, que no creo que fueron otras las que compuso aquel Emperador y gran
músico Adriano, de la partida del ánima, por sofrir sin desmayo la ya vezina muerte.
Que avnque yo sé poco de música, parece que faze aquella vihuela fablar. Pues, si
acaso canta, de mejor gana se paran las aues a le oyr, que no aquel antico, de quien se
dize que mouía los árboles y piedras con su canto. Siendo este nascido no alabaran a
Orfeo. Mirá, señora, si vna pobre vieja, como yo, si se fallará dichosa en dar la vida a
quien tales gracias tiene. Ninguna muger le vee, que no alabe a Dios, que assí le
pintó. Pues, si le habla acaso, no es más señora de sí, de lo que él ordena. Y pues
tanta razón tengo, juzgá, señora, por bueno mi propósito, mis passos saludables y
vazíos de sospecha. |
Cel.__ Eight days, mistress. But he is so weak it seems a year. And the only relief
he has is to take up his lute and play songs that are sadder than the ones the emperor
and grand musician Hadrian on the departure of the soul, so that he would
endure without fainting his imminent death. For although I know little of music, it seems
that he can make the lute speak. And if by chance he sings, the birds stop to listen
with pleasure instead of listening to that Antiocus [for Amphion] who is said to move the trees and
rocks with his song. If he had been born back then, Orpheus would not have received
any praise. Look, mistress, at how a poor old woman like me could find herself lucky
enough to be able to give life to the one so talented. No woman sees him that
does not thank God for creating him. And, if by chance he speaks to one of them, she
is no longer her own mistress, but is at his command. And so, I have all this reason
for you to judge, mistress, that my purpose is good and my path is charitable and free
from suspicion. |
|
MELIB. __ ¡O quánto me pesa con la falta de mi paciencia! Porque siendo
él ignorante y tú ynocente, haués padescido las alteraciones de mi ayrada lengua. Pero
la mucha razón me relieua de culpa, la qual tu habla sospechosa causó. En pago de tu
buen sofrimiento, quiero complir tu demanda y darte luego mi cordón. Yporque para
escriuir la oración no haurá tiempo sin que venga mi madre, si esto no bastare, ven
mañana por ella muy secretamente. |
Mel.__ Oh how my impatience causes me trouble! Because he has been ignorant
and you have been innocent, you have endured the ire of my angry toungue. But such
reasoning relieve me of guilt, which was caused by your suspicious words,. As a
repayment for your suffering I want to fulfill your demand and immediately give you
my girdle. And because there is not enough time to write the prayer before my
mother returns, if this is not enough, tomorrow, come for it secretly. |
|
LUCR. __ ¡Ya, ya, perdida es mi ama! ¿Secretamente quiere que venga
Celestina? ¡Fraude ay! ¡Más le querrá dar, que lo dicho! |
Luc.__ Now, now, my mistress is lost! She wants Celestina to come secretly?
There is fraud! I wonder if she wants to give her more than what she has said! |
|
MELIB. __ ¿Qué dizes, Lucrecia? |
Mel.__ What are you saying, Lucrecia? |
|
LUCR. __ Señora, que baste lo dicho; que es tarde. |
Luc.__ Mistress that you have said enough; for it is late. |
|
MELIB. __ Pues, madre, no le des parte de lo que passó a esse cauallero,
porque no me tenga por cruel o arrebatada o deshonesta. |
Mel.__ Well, mother, do not tell this gentleman what has happened, or he may
think that I am cruel or hasty or dishonest. |
|
LUCR. __ No miento yo; qué mal va este fecho! |
Luc.__ I am not mistaken; this business is going badly! |
|
CEL. __ Mucho me marauillo, señora Melibea, de la dubda que tienes de mi
secreto. No temas, que todo lo sé sofrir y encubrir. Que bien veo que tu mucha
sospecha echó, como suele, mis razones a la más triste parte. Yo voy con tu cordón
tan alegre, que se me figura que está diziéndole allá su coraçón la merced, que nos
hiziste y que lo tengo de hallar aliuiado. |
Cel.__ I am surprised, mistress Melibea, about the doubt you have that I will keep
a secret. Have no fear, for I know how to be patient and conceal anything. For your
great suspicion caused you, as is natural, to interpret what I said in the worst way. I
will happily go with your girdle, and I can imagine that his heart is already telling him
of your mercy and I am sure he is already starting to feel better. |
|
MELIB. __ Más haré por tu doliente, si menester fuere, en pago de lo
sofrido. |
Mel.__ I will do more for your sick patient, if it is necessary, as a payment for
your patience. |
|
CEL. __ Más será menester y más harás y avnque no se te agradezca. |
Cel.__ We shall need more and you will do more even if it does not please you.
|
|
MELIB. __ ¿Qué dizes, madre, de agradescer? |
Mel.__ What are you saying, mother, about pleasing? |
|
CEL. __ Digo, señora, que todos lo agradescemos y seruirémos y todos
quedamos obligados. Que la paga más cierta es, quando más la tienen de complir. |
Cel.__ I said mistress that we are all pleased and we will serve you and are much
obliged. For a great obligation makes payment more certain. |
|
LUCR. __ ¡Trastrócame essas palabras! |
Luc.__ Turn those words around! |
|
CEL. __ ¡Hija Lucrecia! ¡Ce! Yrás a casa y darte he vna lexía, con que
pares essos cavellos más que el oro. No lo digas a tu señora. Y avn darte he vnos
poluos para quitarte esse olor de la boca, que te huele vn poco, que en el reyno no lo
sabe fazer otra sino yo y no ay cosa que peor en la muger parezca. |
Cel.__ Daughter Lucrecia! Quiet! When you come home I will give you a rinse
that will make your hair brighter than gold. Do not tell your mistress. And I will also
give you some powders to remove you mouth breath odor, which smells a little bit; in the
kingdom nobody can make them better than me and there is
nothing that comes acroos worse than that in a woman. |
|
LUCR. __¡O! Dios te dé buena vejez, que más necessidad tenía de todo
esso que de comer. |
Luc.__ Oh may God give you a good old age, for I needed those things more than
I needed to eat. |
|
CEL. __ ¿Pues, porqué murmuras contra mí, loquilla? Calla, que no sabes si
me aurás menester en cosa de más importancia. No prouoques a yra a tu señora, más
de lo que ella ha estado. Déxame yr en paz. |
Cel.__ Well then, why do you murmur against me silly girl? Be quiet for you do
not know if you will need me for something more important. Do not provoke the
anger of your mistress more than it already has been. Let me go in peace. |
|
MELIB. __ ¿Qué le dizes, madre? |
Mel.__ What are you telling her, mother? |
|
CEL. __ Señora acá nos entendemos. |
Cel.__ Mistress it is something between us. |
|
MELIB. __ Dímelo que me enojo quando yo presente se habla cosa de
que no aya parte. |
Mel.__ Tell me because I get angry when people speak about something in my
presence of which I am not a part of. |
|
CEL. __ Señora, que te acuerde la oración, para que la mandes escriuir y
que aprenda de mí a tener mesura en el tiempo de tu yra, en la qual yo vsé lo que se
dize: que del ayrado es de apartar por poco tiempo, del enemigo por mucho. Pues tú,
señora, tenías yra con lo que sospechaste de mis palabras, no enemistad. Porque,
avnque fueran las que tú pensauas, en sí no eran malas: que cada día hay hombres
penados por mugeres y mugeres por hombres, y esto obra la natura y la natura
ordenóla Dios y Dios no hizo cosa mala. Y assí quedaua mi demanda, como quiera
que fuesse, en sí loable, pues de tal tronco procede, y yo libre de pena. Más razones
destas te diría, si no porque la prolixidad es enojosa al que oye y dañosa al que habla.
|
Cel.__ Mistress, I told her to remember your prayer so that you could order it to
be written down and also, that she could learn from me to have patience in times
when you are angered; according to the proverb that says: get away from the angry for
a little while and the enemy forever. For you, mistress, had anger, not enmity,
because of what you suspected from my words. Because even if they had been what
you thought, they themselves were not bad: for every day men are tormented for
women and women for men, and this is the order of nature and nature is ordered by
God and God does not make anything that is bad. And like that my demand was,
however it was interpreted, in itself commendable because it proeceeded from nature
and thus I am free from guilt. I could give you more reasons than these, if prolixity
was not so annoying to the listener and damaging to the speaker. |
|
MELIB. __ En todo has tenido buen tiento, assí en el poco hablar en mi
enojo, como con el mucho sofrir. |
Mel.__ You have had good tact for everything, by saying little when I was angry
as well as by having much patience. |
|
CEL. __ Señora, sofrite con temor, porque te ayraste con razón. Porque
con la yra morando poder, no es sino rayo. Y por esto passé tu rigurosa habla hasta
que tu almazén houiesse gastado. |
Cel.__ Mistress, I endured you with fear, because you were angered with reason.
Because when anger gains power it is a bolt of lightning. And because of this I let you
continue speaking until your heat was spent. |
|
MELIB. __ En cargo te es esse cauallero. |
Mel.__ This gentleman owes you. |
|
CEL. __ Señora, más merece. Y si algo con mi ruego para él he
alcançado, con la tardança lo he dañado. Yo me parto para él, si licencia me das. |
Cel.__ Mistress, he deserves more still. And while my request has obtained
something for him, he has been harmed by my tardiness. If you give me license, I will
go to him. |
|
MELIB. __ Mientra más ayna la houieras pedido, más de grado la
houieras recabdado. Ve con Dios, que ni tu menssaje me ha traydo prouecho ni tu yda
me puede venir daño. |
Mel.__ If you had asked me sooner you would have received it. Go with God, for
your message did not benefit me and your leaving cannot bring me harm. |