Acto IX                                                            

Sumario: SEMPRONIO y PARMENO van a casa de CELESTINA entre si hablando. Llegados alla, hallan a ELICIA Y AREUSA. Ponense a comer; entre comer riñe ELICIA con SEMPRONIO. Levantase de la mesa. Tornanla apaziguar. Estando ellos todos entre si razonando, viene LUCRECIA, criada de MELIBEA, llamar a CELESTINA que vaya a estar con MELIBEA.

Act IX

Argument: Sempronio and Parmeno converse as they walk to Celestina's house. When they get there they find Elicia and Areusa. While eating Elicia quarrels angry with Sempronio. She gets up from the table. They all calm her down. While they are all conversing Lucrecia, Melibea's servant, calls upon Celestina so that she will go and be with Melibea.

SEM. __ Baxa, Pármeno, nuestras capas y espadas, si te parece   que es hora que vamos a comer.

Sem.__ Bring down, Parmeno, our cloaks and swords, if you please, for it is time for us to go eat.

PAR. __ Vamos presto. Ya creo que se quexarán de nuestra tardança. No por essa calle, sino por estotra,   porque nos entremos por la yglesia   y veremos si ouiere acabado Celestina sus deuociones:   lleuarla hemos de camino.

Par.__ Let us go at once. I think that they will already be complaining about our tardiness. Not through that street, but through this other one because we can go into the church and see if Celestina has finished her prayers so that we can take her with us.

SEM. __ A donosa hora ha de estar rezando.

Sem.__What a fine time it is for her to be praying.

PAR. __ No se puede dezir sin tiempo fecho   lo que en todo tiempo se puede fazer.

Par.__You can never say it is the wrong time to do something which can be done at all times.

SEM. __ Verdad es; pero mal conoces a Celestina;  quando ella tiene que hazer, no se acuerda de Dios   ni cura de santidades; quando ay que roer en casa, sanos están los santos;   quando va a la yglesia con sus cuentas en la mano,   no sobra el comer en casa.

Sem.__That is true; but you do not know Celestina very well. When she has a job to do she forgets God and does not cre abou worchiping. When there is food to eat at home, the saints are left alone. It is when there is nothing to eat that she goes to the church with her beads in her hand.

Avnque ella te crió, mejor conozco yo sus propriedades que tú. Lo que en sus cuentas reza   es los virgos que tiene a cargo   y quántos enamorados ay en la cibdad   y quántas moças tiene encomendadas   y qué despenseros le dan ración   y quál lo mejor y cómo les llaman por nombre,   porque quando los encontrare no hable como estraña   y qué canónigo es más moço y franco. Quando menea los labios es fengir mentiras,   ordenar cautelas para hauer dinero:   por aquí le entraré, esto me responderá, estotro replicaré. Assí viue ésta, que nosotros mucho honrramos.

And although she raised you, I know her better. What she prays for with her beads is is hymens that she is responsible for and for how many lovers there are in the city, and for how many young girls she has in her books, and what stewards supply her with rations, and which ones give her the best and what are their names, so that when she meets them she will not speak like a stranger, and which canon is the youngest and most generous. When she moves her lips it is to lie and fabricate schemes to make money. This is where I will enter, this is what he will respond to me and this is what I will retort. This is how she, whom we honor so highly, lives.

PARM. __ Más que esso sé yo; sino, porque te enojaste estotro día, no quiero hablar; quando lo dixe a Calisto.

Par.__I know more than that; but, since you got so angry when I told it to Calisto, I do not want to speak about it anymore.

SEMP. __ Avnque lo sepamos para nuestro   prouecho,  no lo publiquemos para nuestro daño. Saberlo nuestro amo es echalla por quien es y no curar della. Dexándola, verná forçado otra,   de cuyo trabajo no esperemos parte, como desta,   que de grado o por fuerça nos dará de lo que le diere.

Sem.__While we may know about it for our own good, we should not publish it to all for our own detriment. If your master knew he would throw her out for what she is and will not care for her. And in leaving her, he would find another, whose work we would not benefit from as we do of this one, who by her own will or by force will give us part of what he gives her.

PARM. __ Bien has dicho. Calla, que está abierta la puerta. En casa está. Llama antes que entres,   que por ventura están embueltas   y no querrán ser assí vistas.

Par.__You have spoken well. Quiet, because the door is open. She is in the house. Call before you go in, just in case they are ungroomed and do not wish to be seen.

SEMP. __ Entra, no cures, que todos somos de casa. Ya ponen la mesa.

Sem.__ Enter, do not worry, for we are all a part of this house. They are already setting the table.

CEL. __ ¡O mis enamorados, mis perlas de oro!   ¡Tal me venga el año, qual me parece vuestra venida!  

Cel.__ Oh my lovers, my golden pearls! May the year be just as joyous as your visit!

PARM. __ ¡Qué palabras tiene la noble!   Bien ves, hermano, estos halagos fengidos.

Par.__What words the old one uses! You can clearly see, brother, her false flatteries.

SEMP. __ Déxala, que deso viue. Que no sé quién diablos le mostró tanta ruyndad.

Sem.__Leave her alone, for she lives off that. But I do not know what devil taught her so much trickery.

PARM. __ La necessidad y pobreza, la hambre. Que no ay mejor maestra en el mundo,   no ay mejor despertadora y aviuadora de ingenios. ?Quién mostró a las picaças y papagayos   ymitar nuestra propia habla con sus harpadas lenguas,   nuestro órgano y boz, sino ésta?  

Par.__Necessity and poverty and hunger. For there is no better teacher in the world; there is no better awakener and invigorator of of the mind. What else could have taught the magpies and parrots to imitate with their sharp tongues our own speech, pitch and voice but hunger?  

Cel.__ ¡Mochachas! ¡mochachas! ¡Bobas! Andad acá baxo, presto,   que están aquí dos hombres, que me quieren forçar.

Cel.__ Girls! Girls! Fools! Come down, quickly, for there are two men here who want to ravish me.

ELIC. __ ¡Más nunca acá vinieran! ¡Y mucho combidar con tiempo! Que ha tres horas que está aquí mi prima. Este perezoso de Sempronio haurá sido causa de la tardança,   que no ha ojos por do verme.

Eli.__I wish they never arrived! And it was too much to invite them with plenty of time! My cousin has already been here for three hours. This lazy Sempronio must have been the cause for their tardiness; he does not even want to look at me.

SEMP. __ Calla, mi señora, mi vida, mis amores. Que quien a otro sirue, no es libre;   assí que sujeción me relieua de culpa. No ayamos enojo, assentémonos a comer.

Sem.__ Quiet, my lady, my life, my love. For he who serves another is never his own man. Mobligations relieve me of any fault. Let us not be angry, let us all sit down to eat.

ELIC. __ ¡Assí! ¡Para assentar a comer, muy diligente!   ¡A mesa puesta con tus manos lauadas y poca vergüenza! 

Eli.__ Very well! You are very diligent when it is time to sit down and eat! You sit yourself at a set table with clean hands and little shame!

SEMP. __ Después reñiremos; comamos agora. Assiéntate, madre Celestina, tú primero.

Sem.__ Let us leave the quarrels for later and eat now. Sit down, mother Celestina, you first.

CEL. __ Assentaos vosotros, mis hijos,   que harto lugar ay para todos, a Dios gracias:   tanto nos diessen del parayso, quando allá vamos. Poneos en orden, cada vno cabe la suya;   yo, que estoy sola, porné cabo mí este jarro y taça,  

Cel.__Let us all sit, my children, because there is a place for everyone, thanks be to God: may we have just as much in paradise when we get there. Get in order, everyone sit near his girl; me, since I am alone, will sit down by this jar and cup.

  que no es más mi vida de quanto con ello hablo. Después que me fuy faziendo vieja,   no sé mejor oficio a la mesa, que escanciar. Porque quien la miel trata, siempre se le pega dello. Pues de noche en inuierno no ay tal escallentador de cama.   Que con dos jarrillos destos, que beua, quando me quiero acostar,   no siento frío en toda la noche. Desto aforro todos mis vestidos,   quando viene la nauidad; esto me callenta la sangre;  

For by life is but my use of them. As got older I learned there was no better job at the table than to pour the wine. Because he who handles the honey always has it stuck to him. On a winter night there is no better bed warmer. Because when I drink two little jars like this before I go to bed I will not feel cold for the rest of the night. This is how I line all my dresses when Christmas comes; this is what warms my blood;

  esto me sostiene continuo en vn ser;   esto me faze andar siempre alegre;   esto me para fresca;   desto vea yo sobrado en casa,   que nunca temeré el mal año. Que vn cortezón de pan ratonado me basta para tres días. Esto quita la   tristeza del coraçón, más que el oro ni el coral;   esto da esfuerço al moço y al viejo fuerça,   pone color al descolorido, coraje al couarde, al floxo diligencia,   conforta los celebros, saca el frío del estómago,   quita el hedor del anélito, haze potentes los fríos,   haze suffrir los afanes de las labranças,   a los cansados segadores haze sudar toda agua mala,   sana el romadizo y las muelas,  

this is what keeps me together; this is what always makes me happy; this is what keeps me fresh; as long as I keep enough of this in my house I will never fear a bad year. With it, one crust of mouse nibbled bread is enough for three days. This takes the sadness out of my heart, more than gold or coral; this invigorates the young man and it gives the old man strength; it gives the coward courage, the weak diligence; it comforts the brain, it takes away stomach chills and bad breath; it makes the impotent virile, it helps the tired to endure their work; it helps the weak harvesters sweat off their sickness, it cures colds the toothache;

  sostiénese sin heder en la mar, lo qual no haze el agua. Más propriedades te diría dello, que todos teneys cabellos. Assí que no sé quién no se goze en mentarlo. No tiene sino una tacha,   que lo bueno vale caro y lo malo haze daño. Assí que con lo que sana el hígado enferma la bolsa. Pero todavía con mi fatiga busco lo mejor,   para esso poco que beuo. Vna sola dozena de vezes a cada comida. No me harán passar de allí,   saluo si no soy combidada como agora.  

it sustains itself out at sea without spoiling, which is something water cannot do. I can give you more of its qualities than you have hairs on your head. There is nobody that does not delight in hearing it mentioned. I have but one complain: that the very good one is expensive while the bad one makes one sick. So then, what cures the liver harms the wallet. I always look for the best even though I am old and drink very little. Just a dozen cups at every meal. I never drink more than that unless I am feasting as I am now.

Parm.__ Madre, pues tres vezes dizen que es bueno y honesto todos los que escriuieron.

Par.__Mother, all that have written on the subject say that three cups is a good and honest amount.

 Cel.__ Hijos, estará corrupta la letra, por treze tres.

Cel.__Sons, the letter has been corrupted, for they put three instead of thirteen.

SEMP. __ Tía señora, a todos nos sabe bien. !Comiendo y hablando! Porque después no haurá tiempo para entender en los amores deste perdido   de nuestro amo y de aquella graciosa y gentil Melibea.

Sem.__Aunt, it is fine with all of us. Eat and talk! Because later we will not have enough time to discuss the loves of our lost master and of that gracious and elegant Melibea.

ELIC. __ ¡Apártateme allá, dessabrido, enojoso!   ¡Mal prouecho te haga lo que comes!,  

Eli.__Get out of here, you dummy, irritating boy! May your food make you as sick as you have just made me!

  tal comida me has dado. Por mi alma, reuesar quiero quanto tengo en el cuerpo,   de asco de oyrte llamar aquella gentil. !Mirad quién gentil! ¡Jesú, Jesú!   ¡Y qué hastio y enojo es ver tu poca vergüenza!  ¿A quién, gentil?   ¡Mal me haga Dios, si ella lo es ni tiene parte dello!;   sino que ay ojos, que de lagaña se agradan. Santiguarme quiero de tu necedad y poco conocimiento. !O quién estouiesse de gana para disputar contigo su hermosura y gentileza!   ¿Gentil es Melibea?  

I swear, I want to throw up everything I have in my body because of the disgust I have from hearing you call her elegant. Look at how elegant! Jesus, Jesus! And how vexing and angering it is to see you behave so shamelessly! So, she is gracious, you say? May God damn me, if she is or is even partly gracious! Some people haqve their eyes full of sleep. I want to cross myself because of your nonsense and lack of intelligence. Oh who would have the desire to argue with you about her beauty and graciousness! Is Melibea gracious, gracious?

Entonce lo es, entonce acertarán,   quando andan a pares los diez mandamientos, aquella hermosura por vna moneda se compra de la   tienda. Por cierto, que conozco yo en la calle donde ella viue quatro donzellas,   en quien Dios mas repartió su gracia que no en Melibea.

If she is, it will be ascertained when the Ten Commandments walk down the street in pairs and when her beauty can be bought at any store for a penny. I know for certain that on the street where she lives, there are four maidens who God gave more grace that He gave to Melibea.

  Que si algo tiene de hermosura, es por buenos atauíos, que trae. Poneldos a vn palo, también direys que es gentil. Por mi vida, que no lo digo por alabarme;   mas creo que soy tan hermosa como vuestra Melibea.

And if she has any trace of beauty it is because of the fine clothes she wears. If you were to put them on a stick you would also say that it was elegant. By my life, and I do not say it in my own praises; but I think that I am as pretty than your Melibea.

AREU. __ Pues no la has tu visto como yo, hermana mia. Dios me lo demande, si en ayunas la topasses,   si aquel día pudieses comer de asco.

Are.__And you have not seen her as I have, my sister. May God be my witness, but if you were to meet her on an empty stomach, you would not be able to eat for the rest of the day because of your disgust.

  Todo el año se está encerrada con mudas de mill suziedades. Por vna vez que aya de salir donde pueda ser vista,   enuiste su cara con hiel y miel,   con vnas tostadas y higos passados y con otras cosas, que por reuerencia de la mesa dexo de   dezir. Las riquezas las hazen a estas hermosas y ser alabadas; que no las gracias de su cuerpo.

 All year she is inside her house with a change of filthy clothes. The one day that she goes out where she can be seen, she dresses her face with bile and honey, with some toast and rotten figs and other things, that out of reverence of the dinner table I will not speak of. Richness is what makes these women beautiful and adored; and not the grace of their bodies

  Que assí goze de mí, vnas tetas tiene, para ser donzella, como si tres vezes houiesse parido:   no parecen sino dos grandes calabaças. El vientre no se le he visto;   pero juzgando por lo otro, creo que le tiene tan floxo, como vieja de cincuenta años. No sé qué se ha visto Calisto,   porque dexa de amar otras, que más ligeramente podría hauer   y con quién más él holgasse   sino que el gusto dañado muchas vezes juzga por dulce lo amargo.

And while she may delight of me, she has these breasts, for being a virgin, that look as if though she had given birth three times: they look like two big gourds. I have not seen her belly but I believe that it as loose as a fifty year old woman. I do not know what Calisto has seen in her that would make him forsake the love of so many others that he could have obtained much more easily and who he would have enjoyed more. Unless he is like a damaged tongue that repeatedly mistakes what is sweet to be sour.

SEMP. __ Hermana, paréceme aquí que cada bohonero alaba sus agujas,   que el contrario desso se suena por la cibdad.

Sem.__Sister, it seems to me that each peddler praises his own wares, for quite the contrary is being said throughout the city.

26. AREU. __ Ninguna cosa es más lexos de verdad que la vulgar opinión. Nunca alegre viuirás   si por voluntad de muchos te riges. Porque éstas son conclusiones verdaderas,   que qualquier cosa que el vulgo piensa, es vanidad;   lo que fabla, falsedad; lo que reprueua es bondad; lo que aprueua, maldad.

Are.__There is nothing further from the truth than the common opinion. You will never live happily if you govern yourself by the will of others. These are the truthful conclusions, and whatever the common person thinks is worthless, whatever they say is a lie, whatever they disapprove of is good and whatever they approve of is bad.

  y pues este es su más cierto vso y costumbre,   no juzgues la bondad y hermosura de Melibea por esso ser la que afirmas.

And since this is how common opinion works, do not judge the goodness and beauty of Melibea to be what have heard.

SEMP. __ Señora, el vulgo parlero no perdona las tachas de sus señores   y así yo creo que, si alguna touiesse Melibea,   ya sería descubierta de los que con ella más que con nosotros tratan. Y avnque lo que dizes concediesse, Calisto es cauallero, Melibea fijadalgo:  

Sem.__Mistress, common chatter does not forgive the faults of its masters and so I think that if Melibea did have any, it would have already been discovered by those with whom she interacts with more than us. And while what you say may be true, Calisto is a gentleman and Melibea is the daughter of noble parents:

  assí que los nacidos por linaje escogido búscanse vnos a otros. Por ende no es de marauillar que ame antes a ésta que a otra.

those that are born into the chosen lineage find one another. Because of that it is no wonder that he loves her before anyone else.

AREU. __ Ruin sea quien por ruin se tiene. Las obras hazen linaje, que al fin todos somos   hijos de Adán y Eua. Procure de ser cada vno bueno por sí   y no vaya buscar en la nobleza de sus passados la virtud.

Are.__ Is ignoble who considers himself to be. Actions make lineage, for in the end we are all children of Adam and Eve. Everyone should try to be good on their own and they should not search for their virtue in the nobility of their ancestors.

CEL. __ Hijos, por mi vida que cessen essas razones de enojo. Y tú, Elicia, que te tornes a la mesa y dexes essos enojos.

Cel.__Children, by my love stop these arguments. And you, Elicia, come back to the table and do not be angry anymore.

ELIC. __ Con tal que mala pro me hiziesse,   con tal que rebentasse en comiéndolo. ?Hauía yo de comer con esse maluado,   que en mi cara me ha porfiado   que es más gentil su andrajo de Melibea, que yo?  

Eli.__Doing so would harm me, since I would throw up whatever I ate. Why should I have to eat with that villain, who has insisted to my face that this trashy Melibea is prettier than I am? 

SEMP. __ Calla, mi vida, que tú la comparaste. Toda comparación es odiosa: tú tienes la culpa y no yo.

Sem.__Quiet, my love, for you are the one who compared her to yourself. All comparison is hateful; it is your fault and not mine.

AREU. __ Ven, hermana, a comer. No hagas agora esse plazer a estos locos porfiados;   si no, leuantarme he yo de la mesa.

Are.__Come, sister, to eat. Do not let these persistent fools amuse themselves at your expense; if not, I will get up myself.

ELIC. __ Necessidad de complazerte me haze contentar a esse enemigo mio y vsar de virtud con todos.

Eli.__The need to pleae you compels me to keep my enemy content and be good-natured to all.

SEMP. __ ¡He! ¡he! ¡he!   

Sem.__Ha! Ha! Ha!

ELIC. __ ¿De qué te ríes?   ¡De mal cancre sea comida essa boca desgraciada, enojosa!  

Eli.__What are you laughing at? May a canhcer eat away at that disgraceful mouth, you wretch!

CEL. __ No le respondas, hijo;   si no, nunca acabaremos. Entendamos en lo que faze a nuestro caso. Dezidme, ¿Como quedó Calisto? ¿Cómo   lo dexastes?   ¿Cómo os pudistes entramos descabullir dél?  

Cel.__Do not respond to her, son; if you do we will never finish. Let us decide on what to do next in our business. Tell me, how was Calisto? How did you leave him? How were both of you able to slip away from him?

PARM. __ Allá fue a la maldición, echando fuego, desesperado,   perdido, medio loco, a missa a la Magdalena,   a rogar a Dios que te dé gracia,   que puedas bien roer los huessos destos pollos   y protestando no boluer a casa   hasta oyr que eres venida con Melibea en tu arremango. Tu saya y manto y avn mi sayo, cierto está;   lo otro vaya y venga. El quándo lo dará no lo sé.

Par.__He left like a damned one to the mass of the Magdalene; he was spitting fire, in despair, lost and half crazy. He went to pray to God to give you the strength to gnaw on the bones of these chickens. He protested that he would not return home until he heard that you had arrived with Melibea rolled up in your sleeve. Your skirt and cloak and even my cloak are certain; the rest I am not so sure about. I do not know when he will give it to us.

CEL. __ Sea quando fuere. Buenas son mangas passada la pasqua. Todo aquello alegra que con poco trabajo se gana,   mayormente viniendo de parte donde tan poca mella haze,   de hombre tan rico, que con los saluados de su casa podría yo salir de lazeria,   según lo mucho le sobra. No les duele a los tales lo que gastan   y según la causa por que lo dan;   no sienten con el embeuecimiento del amor,   no les pena, no veen, no oyen.

Cel.__Be it when it may. Be long sleeves welcome even after Easter. Everything is pleasing when it is earned by little work, especially when it comes from where it hardly makes a dent; from a man so rich that just with the scraps of his home I would never have to beg again because of how much would still be left over. It does not hurt those like him to spend and especially when they want to; they do not feel because of the passion of their love, it does not pain them, they do not see and they do not hear.

  Lo qual yo juzgo por otros, que he conocido menos apassionados y metidos en este fuego de   amor, que a Calisto veo. Que ni comen ni beuen, ni ríen ni lloran,   ni duermen ni velan, ni hablan ni callan,   ni penan ni descansan, ni están contentos   ni se quexan, según la perplexidad de aquella dulce y fiera llaga de sus coraçones; y si alguna cosa destas la natural necessidad les fuerça a hazer   están en el acto tan oluidados,   que comiendo se oluida la mano de lleuar la vianda a la boca.

 I make this judgment based others I have known less passionate than Calisto, cosumed by this fire of love. They do not eat nor drink, neither laugh nor cry, neither sleep nor wake, neither talk nor be  quiet, neither pain nor rest, neither happy nor complaining, because of the perplexity of that sweet and fiery wound in their hearts. And if natural necessity forces them to do one of those things they are so forgetful that when they eat they do not remember to bring the meat to their mouth with their hand.

  Pues si con ellos hablan, jamás conueniente respuesta bueluen. Allí tienen los cuerpos; con sus amigas los coraçones y sentidos. Mucha fuerça tiene el amor: no sólo la tierra, mas avn las mares traspassa, según su   poder;  ygual mando tiene en todo género de hombres. Todas las dificultades quiebra. Ansiosa cosa es, temerosa y solicita. Todas las cosas mira en derredor. Assí que, si vosotros buenos enamorados haués sido, juzgarés yo dezir verdad.

Then, if you talk to them, they will never respond to you appropriately. They have their bodies there; but their hearts and senses are with their lady friends. Love has much force; because of its power it does not only reach over the earth, but also over the seas. It holds the same control over all men. It surpasses every difficulty. It is anxious, fearful and cautious. It sees everything around it. So, if you have ever truly been in love, you would judge what I say to be true.

SEMP. __ Señora, en todo concedo con tu razón,   que aquí está quien me causó algún tiempo andar fecho otro Calisto,   perdido el sentido, cansado el cuerpo, la cabeça vana,   los días mal dormiendo, las noches todas velando,   dando alboradas, haziendo momos, saltando paredes,   poniendo cada día la vida al tablero,   esperando toros, corriendo cauallos, tirando barra,   echando lança, cansando amigos, quebrando espadas,  

Sem.__Mother, I concede all reason to you, for here before us is she who caused me to be once like another Calisto; senseless, my body tired, my mind idle, sleeping poorly during the day, spending the nights awake, playing the fool, making faces, climbing walls, putting every day his life in the line, facing bulls, running horses, throwing the bar , tossing the javelin, tiring my friends, breaking swords,

haziendo escalas, vistiendo armas y otros mill actos de enamorado, haziendo coplas, pintando motes, sacando inuenciones. Pero todo lo doy por bienempleado, pues tal joya gané.

making ladders, putting on armor and another thousand things lovers do, like making poetry, painting and inventing things. But everything was worth it because I won a jewel.

ELIC. __ ¡Mucho piensas que me tienes ganada! Pues hágote cierto que no has tú buelto la cabeça, quando está en casa otro que más quiero, más gracioso que tú y avn que no anda buscando   cómo me dar enojo. A cabo de vn año, que me vienes a uer, tarde y con mal.

Eli.__You may think you have won me! Make yourself certain that the second you turn your head, there is someone else in the house whom I love more, who is more gracious than you and who does not go searching for ways to annoy me. It has been a year, since you last came to see me. You come to see me a year late and with a bad actitude.

CEL. __ Hijo, déxala dezir, que deuanea. Mientra más desso la oyeres, más se confirma en su amor;   todo es porque haués aquí alabado a Melibea. No sabe en otra cosa, que os lo pagar,   sino en dezir esso y creo que no vee la hora de hauer comido   para lo que yo me sé.

Cel.__Son, let her continue, for she is talking nonsense. The more she speaks that way, the more she confirms her love. All this because right here you praised Melibea. She does not know any other way with which to repay you except in saying that and I think she cannot wait to finish eatingto do what I well know.

  Pues esotra su prima yo me la conozco. Gozá vuestras frescas mocedades,   que quien tiempo tiene y mejor le espera, tiempo viene que se arrepiente. Como yo hago agora por algunas horas que dexé perder,   quando moça, quando me preciauan, quando me querían. Que ya, ¡mal pecado!, caducado he,   nadie no me quiere. !Que sabe Dios mi buen desseo!  Besaos y abraçaos,   que a mí no me queda otra cosa sino gozarme de vello. Mientra a la mesa estays, de la cinta arriba todo se perdona.

And I know well this cousin of hers. Enjoy the freshness of your youth, for he who has time and waits for a better one, time will come tofeel sorry. That is what I do now for the hours that I allowed to be lost when I was young, when I was esteemed, when I was loved. And now, damm it, I have wilted, nobody loves me. God knows my desire! Hug and kiss yourselves, for the only thing I have left to do is watch you. From the waist up, everything is allowed at the table.

  quando seays aparte, no quiero poner tassa,   pues que el rey no la pone. Que yo sé por las mochachas, que nunca de importunos os acusen   y la vieja Celestina mascará de dentera con sus botas enzías las migajas de los manteles. Bendígaos Dios, ¡cómo lo reys   y holgays, putillos, loquillos, trauiessos!   ¡En esto auía de parar   el nublado de las questioncillas, que aués tenido!   ¡Mirá no derribés la mesa!  

When you are away from me, I do not have any rules, because not even the king makes any. I know that you will never bother these girls and that the old Celestina will continue to chew the crumbs that are on the tablecloth with her toothless gums. May God bless you just as He does the kings and the lazy ones. You mischievous little perverts and fools! That is how your stormy little argument should end! Careful you do not knock over the table!

ELIC. __ Madre, a la puerta llaman. !El solaz es derramado!  

Eli.__Mother, someone is knocking at the door. The party is over!

CEL. __ Mira, hija, quién es:   por ventura será quien lo acreciente y allegue.

Cel.__See, daughter, who it is; if we are lucky it is someone who can increase our peace and bring us more.

ELIC. __ O la boz me engaña   o es mi prima Lucrecia.

Eli.__Either the voice deceives me or it is my cousin Lucrecia.

CEL. __ Abrela y entre ella y buenos años. Que avn a ella algo se le entiende desto que aquí hablamos;   avnque su mucho encerramiento le impide el gozo de su mocedad.

Cel.__Open the door for her and let her in with good tidings. For she also knows a thing about this of which we speak; although being locked up inside so much impedes her ability to delight of her youth.

AREU. __ Assí goze de mí, que es verdad,   que éstas, que siruen a señoras, ni gozan deleyte   ni conocen los dulces premios de amor. Nunca tratan con parientes, con yguales a quien pueden   hablar tú por tú,   con quien digan: ¿qué cenaste?  

Are.__I do delight, but you are right because these women who serve their ladies, neither enjoy delight nor know the sweet prizes of love. They never deal with their relatives or with equals who they can make small talk with and say: what did you have for dinner?

  ¿Estás preñada? ¿quántas gallinas crías?   lléuame a merendar a tu casa;   muéstrame tu enamorado;   ¿quánto ha que no te vido?   ¿cómo te va con él?   ¿quién son tus vezinas?   y otras cosas de ygualdad semejantes.

Are you pregnant? How many chickens do you have? Take me to have lunch at your house; show me your lover; How long has it been since I last saw you? How is it going with him? Who are your neighbors? And other things of a similar nature.

  ¡O tía, y qué duro nombre   y que graue y soberuio es señora contino en la boca!   Por esto me viuo sobre mí, desde que me sé conocer. Que jamás me precié de llamarme de otrie, sino mía. Mayormente destas señoras que agora se vsan. Gástase con ellas lo mejor del tiempo,   y con una saya rota de las que ellas desechan   pagan seruicio de diez años. Denostadas, maltratadas las traen, contino sojuzgadas,   que hablar delante dellas no osan.

Oh aunt, and what a hard name and how troublesome and proud it is to have the word 'lady' continuously in your mouth! This is why I live on my own, since the day I have come to understand myself. For I could never endure to say I am anyone else's but my own. Especially with the ladies that we have nowadays. You waste with them the best part of your life, and they repay you after ten years with a torn skirt that they have cast aside. They insult and mistreat you so that you do not even dare to speak before them.

  y quando veen cerca el tiempo de la obligación de casallas,   leuántanles vn caramillo   que se echan con el moço o con el hijo   o pídenles celos del marido   o que meten hombres en casa   o que hurtó la taça o   perdió el anillo;   danles vn ciento de açotes   y échanlas la puerta fuera, las haldas en la cabeça,   diziendo: allá yrás, ladrona, puta, no destruyrás mi casa y honrra.

And when they see you are near the age to be married, they make up that you have been with the servant or their son or that you have had an affair with their husband or that you bring men into the house or that you stole the goblet or that you lost the ring; they give you a hundred lashings and then throw you out of the house with your skirts over your head, saying: get out thief, whore, you will not destroy my house or my honor.

Assí que esperan galardón, sacan baldón;   esperan salir casadas, salen amenguadas;   esperan vestidos y joyas de boda, salen desnudas y denostadas. Estos son sus premios, éstos son sus beneficios y pagos.

So, when ethey xpected a gift, they end up disgraced; they expect to end up married, but you leave belittled; they expect dresses and jewels, but instead they leave naked and insulted. These are their prizes; these are their benefits and payments.

  Oblíganseles a dar marido, quítanles el vestido. La mejor honrra que en sus casas tienen, es andar hechas callejeras,   de dueña en dueña, con sus mensajes a cuestas.

They are obligated to give their servants husbands, but instead they strip them of their clothes. The greatest honor these servants have in their homes is to go from street to street, from lady to lady, in charge of their messages.

  Nunca oyen su nombre propio de la boca dellas; sino puta acá, puta acullá. ?A dó vas, tiñosa? ¿Qué heziste, vellaca?   ¿Por qué comiste esto, golosa?   ¿Cómo fregaste la sartén, puerca?   ¿Por qué no limpiaste el manto, suzia?   ¿Cómo dixiste esto, necia? ¿Quién perdió el plato, desaliñada?   ¿Cómo faltó el paño de manos, ladrona?   A tu rufián lo aurás dado. Ven acá, mala muger, la gallina hauada no paresce: pues búscala presto;   si no, en la primera blanca de tu soldada la contaré. Y tras esto mill chapinazos y pellizcos, palos y açotes.

They never hear their own name from their ladies mouths; they only hear, whore come here, whore go there. Where are you going, filthy woman? What did you do, bad woman? Why did you eat that, you sweet-toothed onel? How did you wash the frying pan, you pig?  Why did you not clean the cloak, you dirty girl? Why did you say this, dummy? What fool lost the plate? Why is the hand towel missing, you thief? You must have given it to your ruffian. Come here, bad woman, the speckled hen cannot be found: so go look for her quickly; if not I will take it out of your pay. And after this a thousand kicks and pinching, beatings and whippings.

  No ay quien las sepa contentar, no quien pueda sofrillas. Su plazer es dar bozes, su gloria es reñir. De lo mejor fecho menos contentamiento muestran. Por esto, madre, he quesido más viuir en mi pequeña casa, esenta y señora,   que no en sus ricos palacios sojuzgada y catiua.

 There is nobody who knows how to please them, nobody can endure them. They enjoy shouting, and their glory is to scold. The better something is done the less contentment they show. Because of this, mother, I have decided to live in my small home, free and my own lady, instead of in their rich palaces subjugated and captive.

CEL. __ En tu seso has estado, bien sabes lo que hazes. Que los sabios dizen: que vale más vna migaja de pan con paz, que toda la casa llena de viandas con renzilla. Mas agora cesse esta razón, que entra Lucrecia.

Cel.__You are in your right mind, you know well what you do. For the wise say: a crumb of bread in peace is worth more than a whole house full of food with quarrels. Right now you should drop the subject, because Lucrecia is coming.

LUCR. __ Buena pro os haga, tía y la compañía. Dios bendiga tanta gente y tan honrrada.

Luc.__I hope you all enjoyed your meal. May God bless so many honorable people.

CEL. __ ¿Tánta, hija? ¿Por mucha has ésta?   Bien parece que no me conosciste en mi prosperidad,   oy ha veynte años. !Ay, quién me vido y quién me vee agora, no sé cómo no quiebra su coraçón de dolor! Yo vi, mi amor a esta mesa, donde agora están tus primas assentadas, nueue moças de tus días, que la mayor no passaua de deziocho años   y ninguna hauía menor de quatorze.

Cel.__All these people, daughter? You think this is a lot? It appears you never knew me during the days of my prosperity, which was twenty years ago. Oh, who could have seen me and who could see me now, I do not know how their heart would not burst with sorrow! I would see, my love, in this very table, where your cousins are now sitting, nine young women about your age, for the oldest was no greater than eighteen and there was nobody younger than fourteen.

  Mundo es, passe, ande su rueda,   rodee sus alcaduzes, vnos llenos, otros vazíos. La ley es de fortuna que ninguna cosa en vn ser mucho tiempo permanesce:   su orden es mudanças. No puedo dezir sin lágrimas la mucha honrra que entonces tenía;   avnque por mis pecados y mala dicha poco a poco ha venido en diminución. Como declinauan mis días, assí se diminuya y menguaua mi prouecho.

But that is how the world goes, it spins on its own wheel, the buckets rise and fall, some full others empty. The law of fortune is that nothing will stay the same age for long: it is the order of change. I cannot speak without tears about much honor I used to have; because of my sins and bad luck, little by little it hs diminished. Justas my days decline, so my business.

  Prouerbio es antiguo, que quanto al mundo es o crece o descrece. Todo tiene sus límites,   todo tiene sus grados. Mi honrra llegó a la cumbre, según quien yo era:   de necessidad es que desmengües  y abaxe. Cerca ando de mi fin. En esto veo que me queda poca vida. Pero bien sé que sobí para decender,  

It is an old proverb that says; everything in the world either grows or diminishes. Everything has its limits, everything has its degrees. My honor reached its peak, according to what I was: and now it is necessary that it should decline and decrease. I am close to my end. I know that I have little life left. But I know that I went up to come down, 

  florescí para secarme, gozé para entristecerme,   nascí para biuir, biuí para crecer,   crecí para enuejecer, enuejecí para morirme. Y pues esto antes de agora me consta,   sofriré con menos pena mi mal; avnque del todo no pueda despedir   el sentimiento,   como sea de carne sentible formada.

I flourished only to wither, I delighted only to be sorrowful; I was born to live, I lived to grow, I grew to age, and I aged to die. And since I am aware of this, I will suffer my plight with less sorrow; although I cannot completely get rid of my sadness, since I am made of flesh and feelings.

LUCR. __ Trabajo tenías, madre, con tantas moças,   que es ganado muy trabajoso de guardar.

Luc.__You had a great business, mother, with so many young girls, a herd very hard to guard.

CEL. __ ¿Trabajo, mi amor? Antes descanso y aliuio. Todas me obedescían, todas me honrrauan,   de todas era acatada, ninguna salía de mi querer,   lo que yo dezía era lo bueno,   a cada qual daua su cobro. No escogían más de lo que yo les mandaua:   coxo o tuerto o manco,   aquél hauían por sano, que más dinero me daua.

Cel.__Hard, my love? It was more like a pleasure and a relief. All of them obeyed me; I was esteemed by them all and none of them ever angered me; whatever I said was good and to all I gave what they earned. They did not want more than what I gave them; wether lame, one-eyed or one-handed, to them he was healthy who gave me more money.

  Mío era el prouecho, suyo el afán. Pues seruidores, ¿No tenía por su causa dellas?   Caualleros viejos y moços,   abades de todas dignidades, desde obispos hasta sacristanes. En entrando por la yglesia, vía derrocar bonetes en mi honor,   como si yo fuera vna duquesa. El que menos auía que negociar comigo,   por más ruyn se tenía. De media legua que me viessen, dexauan las horas. Vno a vno, dos a dos, venían a donde yo estaua   a uer si mandaua algo, a preguntarme cada vno por la suya.   Que hombre havía, que estando diziendo missa,   en viéndome entrar, se turbaua,   que no fazía ni dezía cosa a derechas.

I was there for the profit; they were there for the work. As for servants, because of them, why did I need any? Gentleman, old men and young boys, church men of all dignities, from bishops to sextons. When I would enter the church, hats would come off in my honor, as if I was a duchess. He who had the least business with me, felt more miserable. When they would see me half-a- league away they would stop what they were doing. One by one, two by two, they would come to me to see if I needed something, or they would ask me about their mistress. What men they were, for when they were praying in mass and would see me enter, all of a sudden they would get so flustered that they could not do or say anything correctly.

  vnos me llamauan señora, otros tía,   otros enamorada, otros vieja honrrada. Allí se concertauan sus   venidas a mi casa,   allí las ydas a la suya,   allí se me ofrecían dineros,   allí promesas, allí otras dádiuas,   besando el cabo de mi manto y avn algunos en la cara,   por me tener más contenta. Agora hame traydo la fortuna a tal estado,   que me digas: buena pro hagan las çapatas.

Some would call me lady, others aunt, others lover, other honorable old woman. There in church they would arrange their visits to my house or when I should go to theirs. There they would offer me money and promises while others would give me gifts. Some would kiss the end of my cloak and others would even kiss my face, in order to please me more. But now fortune has brought me to such a place that people say to me: I hope your shoes do you good.

SEMP. __ Espantados nos tienes con tales cosas   como nos cuentas de essa religiosa gente y benditas coronas. !Sí, que no serían todos!  

Sem.__You are frightening us with such stories about those religious people and blessed nobility. Yes, as if all were like that!

CEL. __ No, hijo, ni Dios lo mande que yo tal cosa leuante. Que muchos viejos deuotos hauía con quien yo poco medraua   y avn que no me podían ver;   pero creo que de embidia de los otros que me hablauan. Como la clerezía era grande, hauía de todos:   vnos muy castos, otros que tenían cargo de mantener a las de mi oficio.

Cel.__No, son, not even God would want me to say such a thing. For there are many devoted old men with whom I have had but small interactions with and even some that could not stand me; but I think it was beacasue envy of the others who did talk to me. The clergy is very large, and there are all types of people; some very chaste and others who would help maintaining those in my business.

  Y avn todavía creo que no faltan;   y embiauan sus escuderos y moços a que me acompañassen,   y apenas era llegada a mi casa quando entrauan por mi puerta   muchos pollos y gallinas, ansarones, anadones, perdizes, tórtolas,   perniles de tocino, tortas de trigo, lechones. Cada qual, como lo recebía de aquellos diezmos de Dios,   assí lo venían luego a registrar,   para que comiese yo y aquellas sus deuotas. ¿Pues, vino? No   me sobraua!   De lo mejor que se beuía en la ciudad,   venido de diuersas partes, de Monuiedro,   de Luque, de Toro, de Madrigal,   de Sant Martin y de otros muchos lugares,  

And even now I believe that there are some of those. They used to send their squires and young men to accompany me, and I would hardly ever enter my house without seeing chickens and hens, geese, ducks, partridges, turtle-doves, legs of ham, wheat cakes and suckling pigs. Each one, as soon as they received their tithes from God, would come to register them for me, so that I and their devoted ones could eat. As for wine? Were we ever lacking! The best that there was to drink in the city, from all over: Monviedro, of Luque de Toro, from Madrigal, of San Martin and from many other places,

  y tantos que, avnque tengo la diferencia de los gustos y sabor en la boca,   no tengo la diuersidad de sus tierras en la memoria. Que harto es que vna vieja como yo,   en oliendo qualquiera vino, diga de dónde es. Pues otros curas sin renta, no era ofrecido el bodigo,   quando, en besando el filigrés la estola,   era del primer boleo en mi casa.   Espessos, como piedras a tablado,   entrauan mochachos cargados de prouisiones por mi puerta. No sé cómo puedo viuir, cayendo de tal estado.

And so many thateven though I still remember the difference in their tastes and the bouquets inmy mouth, I cannot remember from where they all came from. It is too much for an old woman like me to be able to tell you where a wine is from by just smelling it. As for the other priests who had no income, they would bring me offerings from the altar, because as soon as the parishioners had kissed their robes, they would come and bring them immediately to my home. In great bunbers, as stones thrown to the wooden target, their boys would carry provisions to my door. I do not know how live now, having fallen from such a state.

AREU. __ Por Dios, pues somos venidas a hauer plazer,   no llores, madre, ni te fatigues:   que Dios lo remediará todo.

Are.__By God, since we have come here to have fun, do not cry, mother, nor tire yourself, for God fixes everything.

CEL. __ Harto tengo, hija, que llorar,   acordándome de tan alegre tiempo y tal vida, como yo tenía,   y quán seruida era de todo el mundo. Que jamás houo fruta nueua, de que yo primero no gozasse,   que otros supiessen si era nascida. En mi casa se hauía de hallar,   si para alguna preñada se buscasse.

Cel.__I have enough reason, daughter, to cry, remembering such a happy time and such a life that I had, and how I was served by everyone in the world. There was never a fresh fruit that I did not njoy first when others would not even know it was ripe yet. My house was the place to find it if a pregnant woman was looking for such a fruit.

SEMP. __ Madre, ningun prouecho trae la memoria del buen tiempo,   si cobrar no se puede; antes tristeza. Como a ti agora, que nos has sacado el plazer de entre las manos. Alcese la mesa. Yrnos hemos a holgar   y tú darás respuesta a essa donzella, que aquí es venida.

Sem._Mother, memories of good times bring only sadness since they cannot be retrieved. We are sad like you now, for you have taken the pleasure right out of our hands. Let us clear the table. We will go and rest and you will deal with this young lady who has come here.

CEL. __ Hija Lucrecia, dexadas estas razones, querría que me dixiesses   a qué fue agora tu buena venida.

Cel.__Daughter Lucrecia, let us change the subject. I want you to tell me the reason for your good visit.

LUCR. __ Por cierto, ya se me hauía oluidado mi principal demanda y mensaje   con la memoria de esse tan alegre tiempo como has contado   y assí me estuuiera vn año sin comer,   escuchándote y pensando en aquella vida buena, que aquellas moças gozarían,   que me parece y semeja que estó yo agora en ella.

Luc.__Believe me, I have already forgotten my original demand and message because of the memories of good times that you were telling. Like this I could have gone a year without eating, listening to you and thinking about the good life that those young girls delighted in. I almost believe that I am there right now.

  Mi venida, señora, es lo que tú sabrás:   pedirte el ceñidero y, demás desto,   te ruega mi señora sea de ti visitada y muy presto,   porque se siente muy fatigada de desmayos y de dolor del coraçón.

But this, mistress, is the reason for my visit. I have come to ask you for the girdle and also, my lady begs you to visit her as quickly as you can, because she feels very fatigued from her fainting spells and the pain in her heart.

CEL. __ Hija, destos dolorcillos tales, más es el ruydo que las nuezes. Marauillada estoy sentirse del coraçón muger tan moça.

Cel.__Daughter, with such pains, the noise is greater than number of walnuts. It would be a wonder if such a young woman could feel pains in her heart.

LUCR. __ ¡Assí te arrastren, traydora!   ¿Tú no sabes qué es?   Haze la vieja falsa sus hechizos y vasse;   después házese de nueuas.

Luc.__May they drag you through the streets traitor! Do you not know what it is? The false old woman casts her spells and leaves; then she pretends she does not know what is going on.

CEL. __ ¿Qué dizes, hija?  

Cel.__What did you say, daughter?

LUCR. __ Madre, que vamos presto y me des el cordón.

Luc.__Mother, that we should go at once and that you should give me the girdle.

CEL. __ Vamos, que yo le lleuo.

Cel.__Let us go, and I will carry it with me.