La Celestina
o
Tragicomedia de Calisto y Melibea

de Fernando de Rojas.
Edición bilingüe, español-inglés, en textos paralelos -- Bilingual edition: Spanish-English, in parallel texts
Tarducción: Patricia Suarez.  --   Revisión y realización para Internet: Miguel Garci-Gomez
Integrado en el sistema MGarci
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ACTOS: 01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21
Acto VII

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

Act VII

Argument:  Celestina talks with Parmeno, and asks him to become friends with Sempronio. Parmeno reminds her of how she promised to give him Areusa, whoM he is very much in love with. They go to Areusa's house and Parmeno stays the night. Celestina goes to her own house and knocks on the door; Elicia opens it for her, and reprimands her for taking so long.

CEL. __ Pármeno hijo, después de las passadas razones,   no he hauido oportuno tiempo   para te dezir y mostrar el mucho amor, que te tengo   y asimismo cómo de mi boca todo el mundo ha oydo hasta agora en absencia bien de ti. La razón no es menester repetirla,   porque yo te tenía por hijo, a lo menos quasi adotiuo y assí que imitavas a natural;   y tú dasme el pago en mi presencia,   paresciéndote mal quanto digo,   susurrando y murmurando contra mí en presencia de Calisto. Bien pensaua yo que, después que   concediste en mi buen consejo,   que no hauías de tornarte atrás. Todavía me parece que te quedan reliquias vanas,   hablando por antojo, más que por razón. Desechas el prouecho por contentar la lengua. Oyeme, si no me has oydo,   y mira que soy vieja y el buen consejo mora en los viejos   y de los mancebos es propio el deleyte. Bien creo que de tu yerro sola la edad tiene culpa. Espero en Dios que serás mejor para mí de aquí adelante, e mudarás el ruyn propósito con la tierna edad. Que, como disen, múdanse costumbres con la mudança del cabello e variación; digo, hijo, cresciendo e viendo cosas nueuas cada día. Porque la mocedad en solo lo presente se impide e ocupa a mirar; mas la madura edad no dexa presente ni passado ni por venir. Cel.__ Parmeno, son, there has not been an opportune moment, since the last time we spoke, for me to show you and tell you the great love I have for you. Everybody only hears good things come from my mouth when I speak about you. It is only natural and there is no reason to explain why, for I have always thought of you as my own son, or at the very least, my adopted son. Now, you have repayed me by contradicting me in my presence, and by murmuring things against me in front of Calisto. I thought that you would not have turned on me after you had conceded to my good counsel. It seems that you are confused because you speak idly and without reason. You reject profit in order to please your tongue. Listen to me, if you have not been, and see that I am an old woman; good counsel resides in the elderly, while it is fitting for the youth to follow pleasure. I very much believe that your errors can be blamed on your young age. I hope, by God, that from here on out you will be better to me and that your ruinious intentions will change along with your tender age. For as they say, habits change along with the change and variation of the hair color as well as by growing and seeing new things everyday. Because youth is occupied only with the present, while maturity does not let the present, past or future pass by.
  Si tú touieras memoria, hijo Pármeno,   del pasado amor, que te tuue,   la primera posada, que tomaste venido nueuamente en esta cibdad,   auía de ser la mía. Pero los moços curays poco de los viejos. Regisvos a sabor de paladar. Nunca pensays que teneys ni haveys de tener necessidad dellos. Nunca pensays en enfermedades. Nunca pensays que os puede faltar esta florezilla de juuentud. Pues mira, amigo, que para tales necessidades, como   éstas, buen acorro es vna vieja conoscida,   amiga, madre y más que madre,   buen mesón para descansar sano,   buen hospital para sanar enfermo,   buena bolsa para necessidad,   buena arca para guardar dinero en prosperidad,   buen fuego de inuierno rodeado de asadores,   buena sombra de verano, buena tauerna para comer y beuer. ?Qué dirás, loquillo, a todo esto?   Bien sé que estás confuso por lo que oy has hablado. Pues no quiero más de ti. Que Dios no pide más del pecador, de arrepentirse e emendarse. Mira a Sempronio. Yo le fize hombre, de Dios en ayuso. Querría que fuesedes como hermanos, porque, estando bien con él, con tu amo e con todo el mundo lo estarías. Mira que es bienquisto, diligente, palanciano, buen seruidor, gracioso. Quiere tu amistad. Crecería vuestro prouecho, dandoos el vno al otro la mano ni aun havría más privados con vuestro amo, que vosotros. E pues sabe que es menester que ames, si quieres ser amado, que no se tornan truchas, etc., ni te lo deue Sempronio de fuero, simpleza es no querer amar e esperar de ser amado, locura es pagar el amistad con odio. If you could only remember, son Parmeno, the love I used to have for you, the first house you would have visited when you came to this city would have been mine. But the youth care little about the elderly. You govern yourself according to the taste of your own palate. You never think that you have or will have any need for us. You never think of sickness. You never think that you will lose your flowering youth. Well, now look here friend, for when you do have need you will want to be able to run to a well known old woman, friend, mother and more than a mother. She will have a good inn for you to rest in when you are healthy, a good hospital to cure you when you are sick, a good purse for when you are in need, a good chest to store money during times of prosperity, a good fire surrounded by meats during the winter, a good shade in the summer, and a good tavern for eating and drinking. What do you have to say about all this, foolish boy?  I know very well that you are confused about the things you have said today. Well, I do not want anything more to do with you. For God does not ask the sinner to repent and mend his ways. Look at Sempronio. With God's help, I made him a man. I wanted for both of you to be like brothers, because by being in good standing with him, you would also be in good standing with your master and with everyone else in the world. Look at how he is loved, how he is diligent, how he is courtly, and how he is a good and gracious servant. He wants your friendship. It would be to your advantage if you were his friend. Nobody else would be more favored by your master than the two of you. Know that you must love in order to be loved, for trout do not return so you can catch them, etc. Sempronio does not owe you this privilege. It is foolish to not want to love and expect to be loved; it is crazy to repay friendship with hatred.
PARM. __ Madre, para contigo digo que mi segundo yerro te confiesso   y, con perdón de lo passado, quiero que ordenes lo por venir. Pero con Sempronio me paresce que es impossible sostenerse mi amistad. El es desuariado, yo malsufrido:   conciértame essos amigos. Par.__ Mother, I will tell you that I confess to my second error. I ask forgiveness for what happened, and I want you to tell me what to do  in the future. But I feel that it is impossible to sustain any friendship with Sempronio. He is has an angry temper and I am impatient: how could we be friends?
CEL. __ Pues no era essa tu condición. Cel.__ Well, it was not always this way.
PARM. __ A la mi fe, mientra más fué creciendo, más la primera paciencia me oluidaua. No soy el que solía y assimismo Sempronio no ay ni tiene en que me aproueche. Par.__ It is true that the older I get the less patient I became. I am not who I used to be and neither is Sempronio. And he does not have anything that will benefit me.
CEL. __ El cierto amigo en la cosa incierta se   conosce, en las aduersidades se prueua. Entonces se allega y con más desseo visita la casa,   que la fortuna próspera desamparó. ?Qué te diré, fijo, de las virtudes del buen amigo?   No ay cosa más amada ni más rara. Ninguna carga rehusa. Vosotros soys yguales. La paridad de las costumbres y la semejança de los coraçones es la que más la sostiene. Cata, hijo, que, si algo tienes, guardado se te está. Sabe tú ganar más, que aquello ganado lo fallaste. Buen siglo aya aquel padre, que lo trabajó. No se te puede dar hasta que viuas más reposado y vengas en edad complida. Cel.__ A true friend is known during uncertain times and is proven during adversity. That is when he will get closer to you and when he will visit your house with a greater desire. What else can I tell you, son, about the virtues of a good friend? There is nothing rarer or more loved. He will not refuse you anything. You two are the same. You have the same customs and the same hearts and that is what most sustains a friendship. See here, son, if you have something you should keep it. You may know how to win more but you already have won something. Your father was blessed, but he worked for it. You will not be given anything until you come of age and live a more settled life.
PARM. __ ¿A qué llamas reposado, tía?   Par.__ What do you call settled, aunt?
CEL. __ Hijo, a viuir por ti,   a no andar por casas agenas,   lo qual siempre andarás, mientra no te supieres aprouechar de tu seruicio. Que de lástima, que houe de verte roto, pedí oy manto, como viste, a Calisto.   No por mi manto; pero porque, estando el sastre en casa y tú delante sin sayo, te le diesse. Assí que, no por mi prouecho, como yo sentí que dixiste; más por el tuyo.   Que si espera; al ordinario galardón destos galanes,   es tal, que lo que en diez años sacarás   atarás en la manga. Goza tu   mocedad,  el buen día, la buena noche, el buen comer o beuer. Quando pudieres hauerlo, no lo dexes. Piérdase lo que se perdiere. No llores tú la fazienda,   que tu amo heredó,   que esto te lleuarás deste mundo,   pues no le tenemos más de por nuestra vida. !O hijo mio Pármeno¡Que bien te puedo dezir fijo, pues tanto tiempo te crié. Toma mi consejo, pues sale con limpio deseo de verte en alguna honrra. !O quan dichosa me hallaría en que tú e Sempronio estuuiesedes muy conformes, muy amigos, hermanos en todo, viéndoos venir a mi pobre casa a holgar, a verme e avn a desenojaros con sendas mochachas! Cel.__ Son, when you are independent and do not live in the houses of others, which you will always be doing as long as you do not know how to profit from your services. It pities me to see you looking so tattered, so today I asked Calisto for a mantle, as you saw. The mantle was not for me, but for you since the tailor was in the house and you were in front of me without one. So then it was not for my own profit, as I heard you say, but for yours. For if you wait for the ordinary wages that these boys get, ten years will have passed and you still would not have earned enough to pay for a sleeve. Enjoy your youth, the good days, the good nights and the good food and drink. When you have the chance do not lose it. What is lost will be lost. Do not envy for the wealth that was inherited by your master, for that will shorten your time on earth and our lives are the only things we have. Oh my son, Parmeno! And I have the right to call you my son because I raised you for so long. Take my advice, for it comes from a pure desire to see you with honor. Oh how lucky I would be if you and Sempronio would be in agreement, good friends and brothers in everything. If you two would come to rest and see me in my poor house and even delight with the girls!  
PARM. __ ¿Mochachas, madre mia?   Par.__ Girls, mother mine?
CEL. __ ¡Alahé! Mochachas, digo; que viejas, harto me soy yo. Qual se la tiene Sempronio   y avn sin hauer tanta razón ni tenerle tanta afición como a ti. Que de las entrañas me sale quanto te digo. Cel.__ Yes! Girls, I say; because I am too much of an old lady. Sempronio hs one and he does not even have as much reason to have one or do I have as much affection toward him as I do for you. For I speak from the heart when I tell you this.
PARM. __ Señora, ¿No viues engañada?   Par.__ Mother, are you sure?
CEL. __ Y avnque lo viua, no me pena mucho,   que también lo hago por amor de Dios   y por verte solo en tierra agena   y más por aquellos huessos de quien te me encomendó. Que tú serás   hombre y vernás en buen conocimiento y verdadero   y dirás: la vieja Celestina bien me consejaua. Cel.__ And if I was not, it would not bother me the least, for I also do it for the love of God and because I see you alone in this strange land and mostly because of the bones of that person who entrusted me to you. For you will become a man and you will come into good and true knowledge and you will say: that old Celestina used to give me good advice.
PARM. __ Y avn agora lo siento; avnque soy moço. Que, avnque oy veyas que aquello dezía,   no era porque me pareciesse mal lo que tú fazías;   pero porque veya que le consejaua yo lo cierto   y me daua malas gracias. Pero de aquí delante demos tras él. Faz de las tuyas, que yo callaré. Que ya tropecé en no te creer cerca deste negocio con él. Par.__ I know that to be true now, even though I am a young man. For, although you heard today what I was saying, it was not because I thought what you were doing was wrong, but because he gave me such little thanks when I advised him of the truth. But from now on let us all continue together. Do what you have to do and I will be quiet. For I have already stumbled once by not believing you in this business concerning him.
CEL. __ Cerca deste y de otros tropeçarás y caerás,   mientra no tomares mis consejos,   que son de amiga verdadera. Cel.__ You will stumble and fall upon this one and others for as long as you do not heed my counsel, which comes from a true friend.
PARM. __ Agora doy por bienempleado el tiempo,   que siendo niño te seruí,   pues tanto fruto trae para la mayor edad. Y rogaré a Dios por el ánima de mi padre, que tal tutriz me dexó y de mi madre, que tal muger me encomendó. Par.__ I am grateful for the time I spent serving you when I was a boy, since it is bearing so much fruit for me now. And I pray to God for the soul of my father, for leaving me such a good guide, and also for my mother's, who entrusted me with such a woman.
CEL. __ No me la nombres, fijo, por Dios,   que se me hinchen los ojos de agua. ?Y tuue yo en este mundo otra tal amiga?   ¿Otra tal compañera?   ¿Tal aliuiadora de mis trabajos y fatigas?   ¿Quién suplía mis faltas? Quién sabía   mis secretos?   ¿Quién descubría mi coraçón?   ¿Quién era todo mi bien y descanso, sino tu madre, más que mi hermana y comadre? ¡O qué graciosa era¡   ¡O qué desembuelta, limpia, varonil!   Tan sin pena ni temor se andaua a media noche de cimenterio en cimenterio,   buscando aparejos para nuestro oficio, como de día. Ni dexava christianos ni moros ni judíos, cuyos enterramientos no visitaua. De día los acechaua, de noche los desterraua. Assí se holgaua cola la noche escura, como tú con el día claro; dezía que aquella era capa de pecadores. ?Pues maña no tenía con todas las otras gracias? Una cosa te diré, porque veas qué madre perdiste; avnque era para callar. Pero contigo todo passa. Siete dientes quitó a vn ahorcadocon vnas tenazicas de pelacejas, mientra yo le descalcé los çapatos. Pues entrava en vn cercomejor que yo e con más esfuerço; avnque yo tenía farto buena fama, más que agora, que por mis pecados todo se oluidó con su muerte. ?Qué más quieres, sino que los mesmos diablos la hauían miedo? Atemorizados e espantados los tenía con las crudas bozes, que les daua. Assí era ella dellos conoscida, como tú en tu casa. Tumbando venían vnos sobre otros a su llamado. No le osauan dezir mentira, según la fuerça con que los apremiaua. Después que la perdí, jamás les oy verdad. Cel.__ Do not say her name, son, by God, for my eyes are swelling up with tears. Oh did I ever have such a friend in this world? Such a companion? Such an alleviator of my troubles and fatigues? Who else supplied my wants? Who else knew my secrets? Who else could uncover my heart? Who was all my happiness and my peace, but your mother? She was more than a sister and a comrade! Oh how gracious she was! Oh how open, clean, and courageous! Without shame or fear she would go out in the middle of the night as if it were day, from cementary to cementary, searching for the things we needed for our trade. She visited the graves of Christians, Moors, and Jews alike. By day she would look for them and by night she would dig them up. She was as happy in the dark night as you are on a clear day. She would say it was like a cloak for sinners. And was she skilled in her many other graces? I will tell you one thing, so that you can see what a mother you lost, although it is a secret. But with you it does not matter. She took out seven teeth with some tweezers for plucking hair, from a man who had been hung, while I was taking off his shoes. She was better than me at entering the magic circle even though I tried very hard. Although I was not lacking in fame, I have more now, because all of my sins were forgotten when she died. What more could you want, except that even the devils feared her? She scared and frightened them with her cruel spells. She was well- known to all of them just like you are in your own house. They would come when she called them, tumbling over one another. Because of the great force she held over them, they never dared to tell her a lie. After I lost her, they never tell the truth.
PARM. __ No la medre Dios más a esta vieja,   que ella me da plazer con estos loores de sus palabras. Par.__ May God damn this old woman; she is trying to gain my favor with all these praises.
CEL. __ ¿Qué dizes, mi honrrado Pármeno, mi hijo y más que hijo?   Cel.__ What are you saying, my honorable Parmeno, my son and more?
PARM. __ Digo que ¿ Cómo tenía esa ventaja mi madre,   pues las palabras que ella y tú dezíades eran todas vnas?   Par.__ I said, how did my mother have this advantage, if the words she spoke were the same as yours?
 CEL. __ ¿Cómo? ¿y deso te marauillas? No sabes que dize el refrán que mucho va de Pedro   a Pedro?  Aquella gracia de mi comadre no la alcançábamos todas. ?No has visto en los oficios vnos buenos y otros mejores?   assí era tu madre, que Dios aya,   la prima de nuestro oficio   y por tal era de todo el mundo conocida y querida,   assí de caualleros como clérigos,   casados, viejos, moços y niños. ?Pues moças y donzellas? Assí rogauan a Dios por su vida,   como de sus mismos padres. Con todos tenía quehazer,   con todos fablaua. Si salíamos por la calle,   quantos topáuamos eran sus ahijados. Que fue su principal oficio partera diez y seys años. Así que, avnque tu no sabías sus secretos, por la tierna edad que auías, agora es razón que los sepas, pues ella es finada e tú hombre. Cel.__ How can you wonder about that? Do you not know the Proverb that says there is a great difference between Peter and Peter? The grace that my comrade had cannot be achieved by all. Have you not seen in businesses, that some are good and others are better? That is how your mother was, may God keep her. She was the first of our business and she was known and loved by everyone; by gentleman and clergy alike, by married couples, by the elderly, by young men and boys. And as for the young women and ladies? They would pray to God for her life in the same way they would for their own parents. If we were to go out on the street, everyone we ran into was  her godson. It was her principal profession for sixteen years. So, while you may not have known her secrets because of your previous young age, now it is time, since she is gone and since you are a man.
 PARM. __ Dime, señora, cuando la justicia te mandó prender,   estando yo en tu casa,   ¿Teníades mucho conocimiento?   Par.__ Tell me, mother, when the officers were sent to apprehend you, and I was in your house, did you know each other well?
CEL. __ ¿Si teníamos me dizes?   ¡Como por burla¡   Juntas lo hizimos, juntas nos sintieron,   juntas nos prendieron y acusaron,   juntas nos dieron la pena essa vez,   que creo que fue la primera. Pero muy pequeño eras tú. Yo me espanto cómo te acuerdas, que es la cosa, que más oluidada está en la cibdad. Cosas son que pasan por el mundo. Cada día verás quien peque y pague,   si sales a esse mercado. Cel.__ If we knew each other, you ask? What a joke! Together we did it, together they caught us, and together they apprehended and accused us. Together they sentenced us that time, which I think was the first. But you were very little. I am amazed at how you remembered, for it is one of the most forgotten things in this city. These things happen in this world. Everyday, if you go out into that marketplace, you will see how people sin and pay.
PARM. __ Verdad es; pero del pecado lo peor es la perseuerancia. Que assí como el primer mouimiento   no es en mano del hombre,   assí el primer yerro;   donde dizen que quien yerra y se enmienda, etc. Par.__ It is true; but the worst is persevering in sin. The first movement, just like the first error, is out of man's hands. That is why they speak about he who errs and amends himself etc.
CEL. __ Lastimásteme, don loquillo. A las verdades nos andamos. Pues espera, que yo te tocaré donde te duela. Cel.__ You have offended me, sir little fool. So we are going for the truth. Well then wait, for I will touch you where it hurts.
 PARM. __ ¿Qué dizes, madre?   Par.__ What did you say, mother?
       25. CEL. __ Hijo, digo que, sin aquélla, prendieron quatro veces a tu madre,   que Dios aya, sola.   y avn la vna la leuantaron que era bruxa,   porque la hallaron de noche con vnas candelillas,   cogiendo tierra de vna encruzijada,   y la touieron medio día en vna escalera en la plaça,   pues vno como rocadero pintado en la cabeça. Pero cosas son que passan. Algo han de sofrir los hombres en este triste mundo   para sustentar sus vidas y honrras. Y mira en qué poco lo tuuo con su buen seso,   que ni por esso dexó dende en adelante de vsar mejor su oficio. Esto ha venido por lo que dezías   del perseuerar en lo que vna vez se yerra. En todo tenía gracia. Que en Dios y en mi conciencia, avn en aquella escalera estaua e parecía que a todos los debaxo no tenía en vna blanca, según su meneo e presencia. Assí que los que algo son como ella e saben e valen, son los que más presto yerran. Verás quien fue Virgilio e qué tanto supo; mas ya haurás oydo cómo estouo en vn cesto colgado de vna torre, mirándole toda Roma. Pero por eso no dejó de ser honrrado ni perdió el nombre de Virgilio. Cel.__ Son, I said that, without including the instance I told you of, your mother had been apprehended on her own at least four times, God save her. And even once they accused her of being a sorceress, because they found her at night, with some candles, gathering up dirt at a cross. They had her for half a day on the scaffold with her crime written on her head. But these things happen. Men have to suffer in this sad world in order to sustain their lives and their honor. And see how little it bothered her good mind, for she did not leave her business and she made the best of it from then on out. This has come from what you said about perservering in sin after erring once. She was gracious in everything. For by God and by my conscience, according to her behavior and presence, when she was on that scaffold it did not look as if she cared a bit about those that were beneath her. Consider what a man Virgil was and how much he knew. You may have heard about how he was hung from a tower in a basket with all of Rome looking up at him. But he did not let that dishonor him nor did he lose the name of Virgil.
PARM. __ Verdad es lo que dizes;   pero esso no fue por justicia. Par.__ It is true what you say; but that was not because of justice.
CEL. __ ¡Calla, bouo¡Poco sabes de achaque de yglesia   y quánto es mejor por mano de justicia, que de otra manera. Sabíalo mejor el cura, que Dios aya, que, viniéndole a consolar, dixo que la sancta Escriptura   tenía que bienauenturados eran los que padescían persecución por la justicia,   que aquéllos posseerían el reyno de los cielos. Mira si es mucho passar algo en este mundo   por gozar de la gloria del otro. Y más que, según todos dezían, a tuerto y sin razón y   con falsos testigos y rezios tormentos   la hizieron aquella vez confessar lo que no era. Pero con su buen esfuerço. Y como el coraçón abezado a sofrir   haze las cosas más leues de lo que son,   todo lo tuuo en nada. Que mill vezes le oya dezir:   si me quebré el pie, fue por mi bien,   porque soy más conoscida que antes. Assí que todo esto pasó tu buena madre acá, deuemos creer que le dará Dios buen pago allá, si es verdad lo que nuestro cura nos dixo e con esto me consuelo. Pues seme tú, como ella, amigo verdadero e trabaja por ser bueno, pues tienes a quien parezcas. Que lo que tu padre te dexó a buen seguro lo tienes. Cel.__ Be quiet, fool! You know little about the subject of the church and which way is better for the hand of justice. The priest knew best, God save him, who upon coming to console her, spoke of the saintly scriptures which said that the lucky ones were those who endured persecution in the name of justice and it was they who would possess the kingdom of heaven. See if it is too much to suffer in this world in order to enjoy the glory of the other. And especially since, according to what everyone says, they made her confess to something that was not true through crookedness, without reason, with false witnesses and with cruel torments. But with great spirit and a heart that was accustomed to suffering, she made matters less than what they were and acted as if nothing had happened. For I heard her say a thousand times: if my foot were to break, it was for my own good because now I am better known than before. So then, since all of this happened here to your good mother, if our priest told us the truth, we should believe that God repaid her well. With this I console myself. So, you should be like her, a true friend and one who works to be good, for you have me as a good example to follow. As for what your father left you; it is guarded safely.
PARM. __ Bien lo creo, madre; pero querría saber qué tanto es. Par.__ I very much believe you, mother; but I would like to know what it is.
CEL. __ No puede ser agora;   verná tiempo, como te dixe,   para que lo sepas y oyas. Cel.__ It cannot tell you now. The time will come, like I told you, for you to know it and hear it.
PARM. __ Agora dexemos los muertos y las herencias;   que si poco me dexaron, poco hallaré;   hablemos en los presentes negocios,   que nos va más que en traer los passados a la memoria. Bien se te acordará,   no ha mucho que me prometiste me harías hauer a Areusa,   quando en mi casa te dixe cómo moría por sus amores. Par.__ Now let us leave the dead and the inheritances; for if they left me little, little I will get. Let us talk about our present business, for it is worth more to us than bringing up the memories of the past. You will remember it well, for it has not been long since you promised Areusa to me. It was when I told you in my house how I was dying for her love.
CEL. __ Si te lo prometí, no lo he oluidado   ni creas que he perdido con los años la memoria. Que más de tres xaques he rescebido de mí sobre ello en tu absencia. Ya creo que estará bien madura. Vamos de camino por casa,   que no se podrá escapar de mate. Que esto es lo menos, que yo por ti tengo de hazer. Cel.__ I did promise it to you. I have not forgotten and do not think that I have lost my memory along with the years. For I have approached her over three times concerning you in your absence. I think that she is quite ready now. Let us walk to the house, so she will not be able to escape the checkmate. For this is the least of what I will do for you.
PARM. __ Yo ya desconfiaua de la poder alcançar,   porque jamás podía acabar con ella   que me esperasse a poder dezir vna palabra. Y como dizen, mala señal es de amor huyr y boluer la cara. Sentía en mí gran desfuzia desto. Par.__ I did not believe that I would be able to have her. She never lets me speak so I can never finish anything with her. And as they say, it is a bad sign to run and turn your face away from love. I felt within myself a great despair because of this.
CEL. __ No tengo en mucho tu desconfiança,   no me conosciendo ni sabiendo, como agora,   que tienes tan de tu mano la maestra destas labores. Pues agora verás quánto por mi causa vales,   quánto con las tales puedo,   quánto sé en casos de amor. Anda passo. ?Ves aquí su puerta? Entremos quedo, no nos sientan sus   vezinas. Atiende y espera debaxo de desta escalera. Sobiré yo a uer qué se podrá fazer sobre lo hablado   y por ventura haremos más que tú ni yo traemos pensado. Cel.__ I do not think much of your distress, because I was a stranger to you and you did not know, like you do now, that you had such a master of these arts at your very hands. Well, now you will see how much you will get from me, how much I can do about such things, and how much I know about the circumstances of love. Let us go on. Do you see the door here? Enter quietly so that her neighbors do not hear us. Pay attention and wait underneath this staircase. I will go up and see what can be done about what we have spoken of. If we are lucky we will get more than either you or I ever dreamed of.
AREUSA. __ ¿ Quién anda ay?   ¿Quién sube a tal hora en mi cámara?   Are.__ Who goes there? Who is coming up to my room at such an hour?
CEL. __ Quien no te quiere mal, cierto;   quien nunca da passo,   que no piense en tu prouecho;   quien tiene más memoria de ti, que de sí mesma:   vna enamorada tuya, avnque vieja. Cel.__ It is certainly one who wishes you no ill, one who never makes a step without thinking of your benefit and one who has more memories of you than yourself. One who is in love with you even though she is an old woman.
AREU. __ ¡Válala el diablo a esta vieja,   con qué viene como huestantigua a tal hora¡   tía, señora, ¿ Qué buena venida es ésta tan grande?   Ya me desnudaua para acostar. Are.__ The devil is with this old woman, who comes like a ghost at such an hour! Aunt, mother, what good visit is as great as this? I was already undressing so that I could  go to bed.
CEL. __ ¿Con las gallinas, hija? Así se hará la hazienda. ! Andar¡, ¡Passe¡Otro es el que ha   de llorar las necessidades, que no tú. Yerua pasce quien lo cumple. Tal vida quienquiera se la quería. Cel.__ With the hens, daughter? That is how you will make your living. Come on! Move! There is another who is lamenting his needs, and it is not you. Herbs come to those who gather them. Anyone would want such a life.
AREU. __ ¡Jesú! Quiérome tornar a vestir, que he frío. Are.__ Jesus! Let me return and get dressed for it is cold.
CEL. __ No harás, por mi vida;   sino éntrate en la cama, que desde allí hablaremos. Cel.__ You will not get dressed, by my life; get into your bed and we will talk with you there.
AREU. __ Assí goze de mí, pues que lo he bien menester,   que me siento mala oy todo el día. Assí que necessidad, más que vicio,   me fizo tomar con tiempo las sáuanas por faldetas. Are.__ It would be my pleasure, for I have needed to, since I have felt sick all day. So it has been necessity, not vice which has made me take up my sheets this early, instead of my petticoats.
 CEL. __ Pues no estés asentada;   acuéstate y métete debaxo de la ropa, que paresce serena. Cel.__ Then do not sit; lie down and get underneath your clothes, so that you look serene.
AREU. __ Bien me lo dizes, señora tía. Are.__ What you say sounds good to me, dear aunt.
CEL. __ ¡Ay cómo huele toda la ropa en bulléndote¡   ¡Aosadas, que está todo a punto¡   Siempre me pagué de tus cosas y hechos, de tu limpieza y atauío. ¡ Fresca que estás¡¡ Bendígate   Dios!   ¡Qué sáuanas y colcha¡¡Qué almohadas¡   ¡Y qué blancura¡Tal sea mi vejez,   quál todo me parece perla de oro. Verás si te quiere bien   quien te visita a tales horas. Déxame mirarte toda, a mi voluntad,   que me huelgo. Cel.__ Oh how sweetly your clothes smell when you turn! I assure you that everything is in order! I have always been fond of your things and doings and of your cleanliness and tidiness. You are so fresh! May God bless you! What sheets and what a quilt! What pillows! And what whiteness!  My age is such that everything appears to be a pearl of gold. See who it is that loves you so much to visit you at such hours. Let me look at all of you, as I please, for I am delighted.
AREU. __ ¡Passo, madre, no llegues a mí,   que me fazes coxquillas y prouócasme a reyr   y la risa acreciéntame el dolor. Are.__ No, mother, do not touch me because it tickles and makes me laugh and laughing accentuates the pain.
CEL. __ ¿Qué dolor, mis amores?   ¿Búrlaste, por mi vida, comigo?   Cel.__ What pain, my love? Are you joking with me, by my life?  
AREU. __ Mal gozo vea de mí, si burlo;   sino que ha quatro horas, que muero de la madre,   que la tengo sobida en los pechos,   que me quiere sacar deste mundo. Que no soy tan vieja como piensas. Are.__ May evil come to me if I am. Except that it has been four hours and I have almost dies because of my cramps; the pain has been rising to my breasts and I think it wants to kill me. I am not as old as you think.
CEL. __ Pues dame lugar, tentaré. Que avn algo sé yo deste mal por mi pecado,   que cada vna se tiene o ha tenido su madre y sus çoçobras della. Cel.__ Well give me some space, I will feel you. For I know a little bit about this evil because of my sin, for everyone has or has had cramps and all of the anxieties that they bring.
AREU. __ Más arriba la siento, sobre el estómago. Are.__ I feel it higher up, over my stomach.
CEL. __ ¡Bendígate Dios y señor Sant Miguel, ángel¡   ¿Y qué gorda y fresca estás¡¡Qué   pechos y qué gentileza¡   Por hermosa te tenía hasta agora,   viendo lo que todos podían ver;   pero agora te digo que no ay en la cibdad   tres cuerpos tales como el tuyo, en quanto yo conozco. No paresce que hayas quinze años. !O quien fuera hombre   y tanta parte alcançara de ti para gozar tal vista¡   Por Dios, pecado ganas en no dar parte destas gracias   a todos lo que bien te quieren. Que no te las dio Dios para que pasasen en balde   por la frescor de tu juventud   debaxo de seys dobles de paño y lienço. Cata que no seas auarienta   de lo que poco te costó. No atesores tu gentileza. Pues es de su natura tan comunicable como el dinero. No seas el perro del ortolano. E pues tú no puedes de ti propia gozar, goze quien puede. Que no creas que en balde fueste criada. Que, cuando nasce ella, nasce él e, quando él, ella. Ninguna cosa ay criada al mundo superflua ni que con acordada razón no proueyesse della natura. Mira que es pecado fatigar e dar pena a los hombres, podiéndolos remediar. Cel.__ May God and Saint Michael bless you, angel! How plump and fresh you are! What breasts and what grace! Until now I always knew you were beautiful, since I could see what everyone else could see; but now I can say that I cannot even think of three other bodies in this city like yours. You do not look a day over fifteen. Oh who would be the man who is lucky enough to reach you and delight in such a sight! By God, it is a sin that you do not give a part of your graces to all those that are in love with you. For God did not give them to you so that the freshness of your youth could go in vain underneath six layers of wool and linen. Take care that you should not be so covetous of what has cost you so little. Do not hoard up your charms. For it is within their nature to be as communicable as money. Do not be the dog in the manger. Since you cannot take any pleasure in yourself, let others take pleasure in you. Do not think that you were raised in vain. For when a woman is born, a man is born too, and a woman was made for a man. Nothing in this world has ever created superfluously, without nature having made it for some reason. It is a sin to torment and make men suffer when you can easily remedy them.
AREU. __ Alábame agora, madre, y no me quiere ninguno. Dame algún remedio para mi mal   y no estés burlando de mí. Are.__ You are just trying to make me feel better now mother, for nobody loves me. Give me a cure for my sickness and do not make fun of me.
CEL. __ Deste tan común dolor todas somos,   ¡Mal pecado¡, maestras. Lo que he visto a muchas fazer   y lo que a mí siempre aprouecha, te diré. Porque como las calidades de las personas son diuersas,   assí las melezinas hazen diuersas sus operaciones y diferentes. Todo olor fuerte es bueno,   assí como poleo, ruda, axiensos,   humo de plumas de perdiz, de romero, de moxquete, de encienso. Recebido con mucha diligencia, aprouecha   y afloxa el dolor y buelue poco a poco la madre a su lugar. Pero otra cosa hallaua yo siempre mejor que todas   y ésta no te quiero dezir,   pues tan santa te me hazes. Cel.__ This pain is common and we are all its unfortunate masters. I will tell you what I have seen many do and what usually works for me. But people have different characteristics just as medicines have diverse functions. All strong smells are good, such as; pennyroyal, rue, wormwood, the smoke of partridge feathers, of rosemary, of musk or incense. When they are diligently inhaled they benefit and weaken the pain, and little by little the cramp goes away. But there is another thing that I always find to work the best of all and this one I do not want to tell you since you are so saintly.
AREU. __ ¿Qué, por mi vida, madre?   Vesme penada ¿Y encúbresme la salud?   Are.__ What mother, by my life? You see me in pain and you hide me from my health?
CEL. __ ¡Anda, que bien me atiendes,   no te hagas boua!   Cel.__ Come on; you understand me well! Do not play the fool!
 AREU. __ ¡Ya!¡Ya! Mala landre me mate, si te entendía. ?Pero qué quieres que haga?   sabes que se partió ayer   aquel mi amigo con su capitán a la guerra. ¿Hauía de fazerle ruyndad?   Are.__ Yes! Yes! May I be damned if I understand you. But what do you want me to do? You know that my friend left for war yesterday with his captain. Do I need to wrong him?
 CEL. __ ¡Verás y qué daño y qué gran ruyndad!   Cel.__ There would be nodamage or  great wrongdoing!
 AREU. __ Por cierto, sí sería. Que me da todo lo que he menester,   tiéneme honrrada, fauoréceme y trátame como si fuesse su señora. Are.__ It certainly would be. For he gives me everything that I need, he honors me, favors me and treats me as if though I were his lady.
CEL. __ Pero avnque todo esso sea, mientra no parieres, nunca te faltará este mal y dolor   que agora, de lo qual él deue ser causa. Y si no crees en dolor, cree en color,   y verás lo que viene de su sola compañía. Cel.__ That may all be true, but until you give birth, you will never be rid of the sickness and the pain that you have now, of which he is probably the cause of. And if you do not believe in pain, believe in something else, and you will see what you get from keeping such solitary company.
AREU. __ No es sino mi mala dicha. Maldición mala, que mis padres me echaron. ?Qué, no está ya por prouar todo esso?   Pero dexemos esso, que es tarde   y dime a qué fue tu buena venida. Are.__ It is nothing but bad luck. An evil curse that my parents put on me. But is the time to prove all that? Let us leave this, for it is late, and tell me why you came to visit.
CEL. __ Ya sabes lo que de Pármeno te oue dicho. Quéxasseme que avn verle no le quieres. No sé porqué,   sino porque sabes que le quiero yo bien   y le tengo por hijo. Pues por cierto, de otra manera miro yo tus cosas,   que hasta tus vezinas me parescen bien   y se me alegra el coraçón   cada vez que las veo,   porque sé que hablan contigo. Cel.__ You already know what I have told you about Parmeno. He complains to me that you do not want to see him. I do not know why, unless it is because you know I love him and think of him as my son. But is is certain, that I care for you in a different way, for I even care for your neighbors. My heart becomes overjoyed whenever I see them because I know that they keep you company.
AREU. __ ¿No viues, tía señora, engañada?   Are.__ Are you sure about that, aunt?
CEL. __ No lo sé. A las obras creo;   que las palabras, de balde las venden dondequiera. Pero el amor nunca se paga sino con puro amor y a las obras con obras. Ya sabes el debdo, que ay entre ti y Elicia,   la cual tiene Sempronio en mi casa. Pármeno y él son compañeros, siruen a este señor,   que tú conoces y por quien tanto fauor podrás tener. No niegues lo que tan poco fazer te cuesta. Vosotras, parientas; ellos, compañeros:   mira cómo viene mejor medido, que lo queremos. Aquí viene comigo. Verás si quieres que suba. Cel.__ I do not know. I believe in deeds and not in words, because those are sold everywhere. But love is never paid for, except by pure love, just as deeds are by deeds. You already know the bond that there is between you and Elicia, who Sempronio keeps in my house. Parmeno and he are companions because they serve this gentleman that you know of and who you may have much favor for. Do not deny what can cost you so little. You two are relatives, they are companions: see how well everything fits, just as we want it to. He is here wih me. See if you want him to come up.
AREU. __ ¡Amarga de mí, si nos ha oydo!   Are.__ I will be angry if he has heard us!
CEL. __ No, que abaxo queda. Quiérole hazer subir. Resciba tanta gracia, que le conozcas   y hables y muestres buena cara. Y si tal te paresciere,   goze él de ti y tu dél. Que, avnque él gane mucho,   tú no pierdes nada. Cel.__ No, because he stayed downstairs. I will tell him to come up. Receive him with much grace, notice him, talk to him, and be friendly. And if it seems fitting, let him delight of you and you of him. For, although he will win much, you will not lose anything.
AREU. __ Bien tengo, señora, conoscimiento cómo todas tus razones,   éstas y las passadas, se endereçan en mi prouecho; pero ¿ Cómo quieres   que haga tal cosa,   que tengo a quien dar cuenta, como has oydo   y, si soy sentida, matarme ha?  Tengo vezinas embidiosas. Luego lo dirán. Assí que, avnque no haya más mal de perderle,   será más que ganaré   en agradar al que me mandas. Are.__ I understand, mother, that what you are trying to do now and before is for my own good; but how do you want me to do such a thing when I have someone to whom I must be held accountable to, as you have heard, and if I am found out, I will be killed? I have jealous neighbors. They would tell him immediately. So that while there would be nothing worse than losing him, it is more than I would gain if I pleased the one you entreated to me.
CEL. __ Eso, que temes, yo lo provey primero,   que muy passo entramos. Cel.__ I have aready taken care of your worries  because we entered very quietly.
AREU. __ No lo digo por esta noche, sino por otras muchas. Are.__ I did not say it just because of tonight, but also for the many others that will come.
CEL. __ ¿Cómo? ¿Y dessas eres? ¿Dessa manera te tratas?   Nunca tú harás casa con sobrado. Absente le has miedo;   ¿Qué harías, si estouiesse en la cibdad?   En dicha me cabe,   que jamás cesso de dar consejo   a los bouos y todavía ay quien yerre;   pero no me marauillo,   que es grande el mundo y pocos los esperimentados. !Ay! ¡Ay! Hija, si viesses el saber de tu prima   y qué tanto le ha aprouechado mi criança y consejos   y qué gran maestra está. Y avn ¡Que no se halla ella mal con mis castigos!   Que vno en la cama y otro en la puerta   y otro, que sospira por ella en su casa,   se precia de tener. Y con todos cumple   y a todos muestra buena cara y todos piensan   que son muy queridos e cada vno piensa que no ay otro e que él solo es priuado e él solo es el que le da lo que ha menester. ¿E tú piensas que con dos, que tengas, que las tablas de la cama lo han de descobrir? ¿De vna sola gotera te mantienes? ¡No te sobrarán muchos manjares! ¡No quiero arrendar tus excamochos! Nunca vno me agradó, nunca en vno puse toda mi afición. Más pueden dos e más quatro e más dan e más tienen e más ay en qué escoger. No ay cosa más perdida, hija, que el mur, que no sabe sino vn horado. Si aquel le tapan, no haurá donde se esconda del gato. Quien no tiene sino vn ojo, ¡mira a quanto peligro anda! Vna alma sola ni canta ni llora; vn solo acto no haze hábito; Cel.__ What? Are you one of those? Is that how you hold yourself? You will never have a big enough house. You fear him in his absence; what would you do if he was in the city? It has been my own bad luck, because I never stop giving advice to fools and there is always someone who makes a mistake. But that does not make me wonder, for the world is very big and there are few in it that are experienced. Oh! Oh! Daughter, if you only knew the great wisdom that your cousin has and how much she has benefited from my raising her and from my counsel. And what a master she is now. She does not even get upset when I punish her! For she prizes herself on having one in the bed and another at the door and another who sighs for her in his house. And she pleases all of them and to all of them is friendly and all of them think that they are very much loved and that he is her favorite and that he is the only one that gives her what she needs. And you are afraid of being found out by the wooden slats on your bed with only two men? Do you think you can sustain yourself with just one drop? You will never have enough food! I do not want to pay the rent for your scraps! I have never been pleased or put all my affection in just one. Two can do more and four even more because the more you have, the more they give you and the more there is to choose from. There is nothing worse, daughter, than a mouse who knows of only one hole. If it is covered, the mouse will have nowhere to hide from the cat. Do you see the danger that a one-eyed person has! One single soul does not sing or cry; one single act does not make a habit;
  un frayle solo pocas veces lo encontrarás por la calle;   vna perdiz sola por marauilla buela mayormente en verano;   vn manjar solo continuo presta hastío;   vna golondrina no haze verano;   vn testigo solo no es entera fe;   quien sola vna ropa tiene, presto la enuegece. ?Qué quieres, hija, deste número de vno?   Más inconuenientes te diré dél, que años tengo a cuestas. Ten siquiera dos, que es compañía loable   y tal qual es éste:   como tienes dos orejas,   dos pies y dos manos,   dos sáuanas en la cama;   como dos camisas para remudar. Y si más quieres, mejor te yrá,   que mientra más moros, más ganancia;   que honrra sin prouecho, no es sino como anillo en el dedo. Y pues entrambos no caben en vn saco,   acoge la ganancia. Sube, hijo Pármeno. one single monk will never be seen on the street; it is a miracle if you were ever to see one single partridge in the sky, especially during the summer; one meal that never varies makes you sick; one swallow does not make it summer; one witness is not enough for justice; one piece of clothing quickly gets worn out. What do you want, daughter, from the number one? It will give you more inconveniences than I have years on my back. Have at least two, for it is better company and besides, you have two ears, two hands and feet, two sheets on the bed and two shirts to change into. And the more you want, the better it will be; for the more Moors there are, the more booty there is. For honor without profit is nothing but a ring on your finger. And even though they both do not fit in one sack, welcome the profit. Come up son, Parmeno.
 AREU. __ ¡No suba! ¡Landre me mate!   que me fino de empacho,   que no le conozco. Siempre houe vergüença dél. Are.__ Do not let him come up! May I be damned! I am embarrassed since I do not know him. I have always felt shy around him.
CEL. __ Aquí estoy yo que te la quitaré   y cobriré y hablaré por entramos:   que otro tan empachado es él. Cel.__ I am here and I will take it away from you and I will cover you up and speak for you both: for he is just as embarrassed.
PARM. __ Señora, Dios salue tu graciosa presencia. Par.__ Gentlewoman may God save your gracious soul.
AREU. __ Gentilhombre, buena sea tu venida. Are.__ Gentle sir, I welcome you.
CEL. __ Llégate acá, asno. ?Adónde te vas allá assentar al rincón?   No seas empachado,   que al hombre vergonçoso el diablo le traxo a palacio. Oydme entrambos lo que digo. Ya sabes tú, Pármeno amigo, lo que te prometí,   y tú, hija mia, lo que te tengo rogado. Dexada aparte la dificultad con que me lo has concedido,   pocas razones son necessarias,   porque el tiempo no lo padece. El ha siempre viuido penado por ti. Pues viendo su pena,   sé que no le querrás matar   y avn conozco que él te paresce tal,   que no será malo para quedarse acá esta noche en casa. Cel.__ Come here you ass. Why are you going over there to go sit in the corner? Do not be bashful, for the devil brings the shy man to the palace. Listen to what I told you when we came in. You already know what I promised you, friend Parmeno, and you, my daughter, what I have asked of you. Forget the difficulties you just gave me, for because there is little time, few reasons are necessary. From seeing his pain, I know that you do not want to kill him and I know that he is of your liking as well. It will not be so bad if he stays the night with you in this house.
AREU. __ Por mi vida, madre, que tal no se haga;   ¡Jesú! No me lo mandes. Are.__ By my life, mother, do not let such a thing happen. Jesus! Do not make me to do this.
PARM. __ Madre mia, por amor de Dios,   que no salga yo de aquí sin buen concierto. Que me ha muerto de amores su vista. Ofréscele quanto   mi padre te dejó para mí. Dile que le daré quanto tengo. !Ea! Díselo, que me parece que no me quiere mirar. Par.__ Mother mine, by the love of God, do not let me leave here without an agreement. For seeing her has made me die of love. Offer her what my father left you for me. Tell her that I will give her whatever I have. Go on! Tell her, for it seems that she does not want to look at me.
AREU. __ ¿Qué te dize esse señor a la oreja?   ¿Piensa que tengo de fazer nada de lo que pides?   Are.__ What is that man whispering in your ear? Does he think that I have to do everything that you tell me to do?
CEL. __ No dize, hija, sino que se huelga mucho con tu amistad,   porque eres persona tan honrrada   y en quien qualquier beneficio cabrá bien. Y assimismo que, pues que esto por mi intercessión se hace,   que él me promete de aquí adelante ser muy amigo de Sempronio   y venir en todo lo que quisiere contra su amo   en un negocio, que traemos entre manos. ¿Es verdad, Pármeno?   ¿Prométeslo assí como digo?   Cel.__ He does not say anything, daughter, except that he is delighted with your friendship, because you are such an honorable person and because of that, you deserve every benefit. In such a like manner, since this is happening because of my intercession, he promised me that from here on out he will be a good friend to Sempronio and that he will comply with whatever I want him to do against his master in a business that we are in. Is that true, Parmeno? Do you promise to do what I have said?
PARM. __ Sí prometo, sin dubda. Par.__ Yes, I promise without a doubt.
CEL. __ ¡Ha, don ruyn, palabra te tengo,   a buen tiempo te así!   Llégate acá, negligente, vergonçoso,   que quiero ver para quánto eres, ante que me vaya. Retóçala en esta cama. Cel.__ Ha, despicable sir, I have your word! I got you at a good time. Come here, neglectful and bashful boy, for I want to know what you are worth before I leave. Play with her in the bed.
AREU. __ No será él tan descortés,   que entre en lo vedado sin licencia. Are.__ He will not be so rude so as to enter into what is forbidden and without my license.
CEL. __ ¿En cortesías y licencias estás?   No espero más aquí yo,   fiadora que tú amanezcas sin dolor y él sin color. Mas como es vn putillo, gallillo, barbiponiente, entiendo que en tres noches   no se le demude la cresta. Destos me mandauan a mí comer en mi tiempo los médicos de mi tierra,   quando tenía mejores dientes. Cel.__ So you are about politeness and licenses? I will not wait here any longer; I guarantee that you will wake up without pain and him without color. Especially since he is a little whore, a little cockerel with a sprouting beard. I understand that in three nights your crest will still not be altered. The doctors of my land used to order me to eat of his kind when my teeth were stronger.
AREU. __ Ay, señor mio, no me trates de tal manera;   ten mesura por cortesía;   mira las canas de aquella vieja honrrada, que están presentes;   quítate allá que no soy de aquéllas que piensas;   no soy de las que públicamente están a vender sus cuerpos por dinero.  Assí goze de mí, de casa me salga,   si fasta que Celestina mi tía sea yda   a mi ropa tocas. Are.__ Oh, my sir, do not treat me in such a way; have modesty for the sake of courtesy. Look at the gray hairs that are on that honorable old woman; go away, for I am not one of those girls that you think I am. I am not one of those who publicly sells her body for money. I promise that I will leave my house, as soon as my aunt Celestina leaves, if you as so much touch my clothing.
 CEL. __ Qué es eso, Areusa?   ¿Qué son estas estrañezas y esquiuedad,   estas nouedades y retraymiento?  Paresce, hija, que no sé yo qué cosa es esto,   que nunca vi estar vn hombre con vna muger juntos   y que jamás passé por ello   ni gozé de lo que gozas   y que no sé lo que passan   y lo que dizen y hazen. ! Guay de quien tal oye como yo!   Pues auísote, de tanto,   que fuy errada como tú   y tuue amigos;   pero nunca el viejo ni la vieja echaua de mi lado   ni su consejo en público ni en mis secretos. Para la muerte que a Dios deuo,   más quisiera vna gran bofetada en mitad de mi cara. Paresce que ayer nascí, según tu encubrimiento. Por hazer a ti honesta, me hazes a mí necia e vergonçosa e de poco secreto e sin esperiencia o me amenguas en mi officio por alçar a ti en el tuyo. Pues de cossario a cossario no se pierden sino los barriles. Más te alabo yo detrás, que tú te estimas delante. Cel.__ What is this, Areusa? What is this strangeness and coyness, these novelties and this politeness? It appears, daughter, that you think I do not know what this is, that I have never seen a man and a woman together and that I have never experienced it or that I have never enjoyed what you are enjoying and that I do not know what happens and what is said and what is done. Alas, no ones knows as much as me! Well, I will tell you this much, for while I made mistakes and had my friends, I never dismissed the old man or woman from my side nor did I dismiss their advice in public or in private. By the death which I owe to God, I would rather be smacked on the side of my face. According to your prudishness, anyone would have thought that I had been born yesterday. In order to make yourself look honest, you make me look foolish, shameful, of little secrecy and without experience. Either that or you are diminishing me in my business so that you can become better in yours. The only thing lost between pirates and pirates are the barrels. I praise you more behind your back than you even think of yourself.
AREU. __ Madre, si erré aya perdón   y llégate más acá y él haga lo que quisiere. Que más quiero tener a ti contenta, que no a mí;   antes me quebraré vn ojo que enojarte. Are.__ Mother, if I made a mistake forgive me and come closer and let him do what he wishes. For I would rather you be happy than myself; I would rather lose one eye before I upset you.
CEL. __ No tengo ya enojo;   pero dígotelo para adelante. Quedaos adios, que voyme solo   porque me hazés dentera con vuestro besar y retoçar. Que avn el sabor en las enzías me quedó:   no le perdí con las muelas. Cel.__ I am no longer upset; but from now on I will not tell you again. Goodnight, for I will leave you alone because you make me envious with all of your kissing and touching. For the taste of it is still in my gums for I did not lose it when I lost my teeth.
AREU. __ Dios vaya contigo. Are.__ May God be with you.
PARM. __ Madre, ¿Mandas que te acompañe?   Par.__ Mother, do you want me to accompany you?
CEL. __ Sería quitar a vn sancto para poner en otro. Acompáñeos Dios; que yo vieja soy, que no he temor que me fuercen en la calle. Cel.__ That would be like taking a saint down only to put another one up. God will accompany me, for I am an old woman and I do not fear being assaulted in the streets.
ELIC. __ El perro ladra. ?Si viene este diablo de vieja?   Eli.__The dog barks. Is that the devilish old woman?
 CEL. __ Tha, tha, tha   Cel.__ Tha, tha, tha.
ELIC. __ ¿Quién es? ¿Quién llama? Eli.__Who is it? Who is calling?
CEL. __ Báxame abrir, fija. Cel.__ Come down and open up, daughter.
ELIC. __ ¿Estas son tus venidas?   Andar de noche es tu plazer. ?Por qué lo hazes?   ¿Qué larga estada fue ésta, madre?   Nunca sales para boluer a casa.   Por costumbre lo tienes. Cumpliendo con vno, dexas ciento descontentos. Que has sido oy buscada del padre de la desposada,   que leuaste el día de pasqua al racionero;   que la quiere casar de aquí a tres días   y es menester que la remedies,   pues que se lo prometiste,   para que no sienta su marido la falta de la virginidad. Eli.__Is this a time to come in? You love being out at night. Why do you do it? Why have you been away from home for such a long time, mother? You never go out to return home. You do it out of habit. When you serve one, you leave another hundred discontented. Today the father of the engaged girl was looking for you; the one you took to the Prebendary on Easter Sunday. He wants her to marry within three days and he needs you to remedy her, so that her husband will not know that she is not a virgin.
CEL. __ No me acuerdo, hija, por quién dizes. Cel.__ I do not remember who you are talking about, daughter.
ELIC. __ ¿Cómo no te acuerdas?   Desacordada eres, cierto. !O cómo caduca la memoria!   Pues, por cierto, tu me dixiste, quando la leuauas,   que la auías renouado siete vezes. Eli.__How can you not remember? You are forgetful, it is certain. Oh how memory diminishes with age! Well, I am sure of it because you told me when you took her that you had renovated her seven times before.
CEL. __ No te marauilles, hija,   que quien en muchas partes derrama su memoria,   en ninguna la puede tener. Pero, dime si tornará. Cel.__ Do not be surpried, daughter, because when you scatter your memory in various places, it is difficult to recover it in just one. But, tell me, is he going to return?
ELIC. __ ¡Mirá si tornará! Tiénete dada vna manilla de oro en prendas de tu trabajo. ?Y no hauía de venir?   Eli.__Will he return! He has given you a bracelet of gold as a payment for your work. How could he not?
CEL. __ ¿La de la manilla es?   Ya sé por quién dizes. ?Por qué tú no tomauas el aparejo   y començauas a hazer algo?   Pues en aquellas tales te hauías de abezar y prouar,   de quantas vezes me lo as visto fazer. Si no, ay te estarás toda   tu vida,   fecha bestia sin oficio ni renta. Y quando seas de mi edad,   llorarás la folgura de agora. Que la mocedad ociosa acarrea la vejez arrepentida y trabajosa. Hazíalo yo mejor,   quando tu abuela, que Dios aya, me mostraua este oficio:   que a cabo de vn año, sabía más que ella. Cel.__ The one with the bracelet? Now I know who you are talking about. Why did you not start preparing or begin to do something? You should begin to practice and try out the things you have seen me do so many times. If not you will be a beast all your life, without a business or income. And when you get to be my age you will mourn the laziness you have now. For the lazy youth turns into a repenant and troublesome old age. I was better than you because when your grandmother, may God save her, showed me this business, by the end of the year I knew more than she did.
ELIC. __ No me marauillo,   que muchas vezes, como dizen, al maestro sobrepuja el buen discípulo. Y no va esto, sino en la gana con que se aprende. Ninguna sciencia es bienempleada en el que no le tiene afición. Yo le tengo a este oficio odio;   tú mueres tras ello. Eli.__I do not wonder, for as they say, it is common for the good disciple to surpass his master. This happens because of the desire to learn. No science can be well employed if there is no fondness for it. I have hatred for this business; you would die for it.
CEL. __ Tú te lo dirás todo. Pobre vejez quieres. ?Piensas que nunca has de salir de mi lado?   Cel.__ You can tell yourself whatever you like. You want a poor old age. Do you think that you will never leave my side?
  ELIC. __ Por Dios, dexemos enojo y al tiempo el consejo. Ayamos mucho plazer. Mientra oy touiéremos de comer, no pensemos en mañana. También se muere el que mucho allega como el que pobremente veue   y el doctor como el pastor   y el papa como el sacristán   y el señor como el sieruo   y el de alto linaje como el baxo   y tú con tu oficio como yo sin ninguno. No hauemos de viuir para siempre. Gozemos y holguémonos,   que la vejez pocos la veen   y de los que la veen ninguno murió de hambre. Eli.__By God, let us leave anger and your counsel for the time being. Let us take pleasure. While we have food to eat today, let us not think of tommorrow. He who gathers much, dies just like the one who lives poorly, and so does the doctor and the pastor and the pope and the sexton and the master like the servant and he who is of high lineage like he who is lower and you with your business just as I without it. We will not live forever. Let us delight and please ourselves, because few get to see old age and none of those who do have ever died of hunger.
 No quiero en este mundo,   sino día   y victo y parte en parayso. Avnque los ricos tienen mejor aparejo para ganar la gloria,   que quien poco tiene. No ay ninguno contento,   no ay quien diga: harto tengo;   no ay ninguno, que no trocasse mi plazer por sus dineros. Dejemos cuidados ajenos y acostémonos, que es hora. Que más me engordará un buen sueñ sin temor, que canto tesoro hay en Venecia. I do not want anything in this world except for daily food and drink and a part in paradise. Although the rich may be better prepared to win the glory than those who have little. There is nobody who is content, there is nobody who says: I have enough; there is nobody who would exchange my pleasure for their riches. Let us leave far away cities and go to bed, for it is time. For I will be fatter from a good nights sleep, without fear, than with all the treasures of Venice.
     
ACTOS: 01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21