Sumario: Mientra andan CELESTINA y LUCRECIA por camino, sta hablando MELIBEA consigo misma. Llegan a la puerta; entra LUCRECIA primero. Haze entrar a CELESTINA. MELIBEA, despues de muchas razones, descubre a CELESTINA arder en amor de CALISTO. Veen venir a ALISA, madre de MELIBEA. Despidense de en uno. Pregunta ALISA a MELIBEA de los negocios de CELESTINA. Defendiole su mucha conversacion.

Argument :  While Celestina and Lucrecia go on their way, Melibea talks to herself. When they get to the door, Lucrecia enters first and Celestina comes in after her. Melibea, after some exchange of words, opens her mind to Celestina, telling her how fervently she has fallen in love with Calisto. They spy Alisa, Melibea's mother coming; they take their leave of each other. Alisa asks her daughter Melibea, what business she had with Celestina. She dissuades her from conversing with and keeping Celestina's company.

MELIB. __¡O lastimada de mí! ¡O malproueyda doncella! ¿Y no me fuera mejor conceder su petición y demanda ayer a Celestina,   quando de parte de aquel señor, cuya vista me catiuó,   me fue rogado, y contentarle a él y sanar a mí,   que no venir por fuerça a descobrir mi llaga,   quando no me sea agradecido,   quando ya, desconfiando de mi buena respuesta,   aya puesto sus ojos en amor de otra?  ¡Quánta más ventaja touiera mi prometimiento rogado, que mi ofrecimiento forzoso!   ¡O mi fiel criada Lucrecia!   ¿Qué dirás de mí? ¿Qué pensarás de mi   seso,  quando me veas publicar lo que a ti jamás he quesido descobrir?   ¡Cómo te espantarás del rompimiento de mi honestidad y vergüença ,   que siempre como encerrada donzella acostumbré tener! No sé si aurás barruntado de dónde proceda mi dolor. !O, si ya veniesses con aquella medianera de mi salud! ¡O soberano Dios! A ti, que todos los atribulados llaman,   los apassionados piden remedio, los llagados medicina;   a ti, que los cielos, mar y tierra con los infernales centros obedecen; a ti, el qual todas las cosas a los hombres sojuzgaste, humilmente suplico des a mi herido coraçón sofrimiento e paciencia, con que mi terrible passión pueda dissimular. No se desdore aquella hoja de castidad, que tengo assentada sobre este amoroso desseo, publicando ser otro mi dolor, que no el que me atormenta. Pero, ¿cómo lo podré hazer, lastimándome tan cruelmente el ponçoñoso bocado, que la vista de su presencia de aquel cauallero me dio? ¡O género femíneo, encogido e frágile! ¿Por qué no fue también a las hembras concedido poder descobrir su congoxoso e ardiente amor, como a los varones? Que ni Calisto biuiera quexoso ni yo penada.

Mel.__Oh woe is me! Oh unfortunate damsel! Would it not have been better for me to concede to Celestina's demand and petition yesterday, when it was begged of me on behalf of that gentleman, whose gaze captivated me; and to have contented him and cured myself, instead of being forced to discover my own pain when I am no longer wanted; when now, uncertain of any positive response from me, he may have put his eyes on another love? How much better would it have been to have offered a promise after being begged for it, than to now offer it forcefully? Oh my loyal servant Lucrecia! What must you say about me? What will you think about my sanity, when you see me publicizing that which I would never have wanted her to know? How you will be astonished by the rupture from my honest and modest self, since I have always been locked indoors like a lady should be? I do not know if you will have already guessed from where my pain comes from. Oh, if only you would come already with that mediator of my health! Oh sovereign God! All the afflicted call upon you, all the passionate ask for a remedy, the wounded for medicine; you, who subjugated all things to man, humbly I beg of you to give my wounded heart tolerance and patience, so that my terrible passion can be disguised. Do not let the leaf of my chastity be tarnished, for I have used it to cover up my amorous desire, and I have announced my pain to be something else, and not what it really is that torments me. But how will I be able to do it, having been injured by that poisonous morsel so cruelly, at the sight of that gentleman in front of me ? Oh feminine gender, weak and fragile! Why were women not allowed to uncover our harsh and fiery love, like men? For then Calisto would not be complaining and I would not be suffering.

 LUCR. __ Tía, detente vn poquito cabo esta puerta. Entraré a uer con quién está hablando mi señora. Entra, entra, que consigo lo ha.

Luc.__Aunt, wait a little bit behind this door. I will enter to see who my lady is talking to. Come in; come in, for she is talking to herself.

MELIB. __ Lucrecia, echa essa antepuerta. !O vieja sabía y honrrada, tú seas bienvenida!   ¿Qué te parece, cómo ha querido mi dicha   y la fortuna ha rodeado que yo tuuiesse de tu saber necessidad,   para que tan presto me houiesses de pagar en la misma moneda y beneficio   que por ti me fue demandado para esse gentilhombre,   que curauas con la virtud de mi cordón?  

Mel.__Lucrecia, pull the door covering. Oh wise and honored old woman, you are so welcome here! Can you believe that luck has wanted and my fortune has wheeled about so, that I would be in need of your knowledge; that you would so quickly have me paying in the same currency and benefits that you had demanded of me for that gentleman, whom you were curing with the virtue of my girdle?

CEL. __ ¿Qué es, señora, tu mal,   que assí muestra las señas de su tormento en las coloradas colores de tu gesto?  

Cel.__What is your sickness, my lady, which shows its signs of torment in the color of your rosy cheeks?

MELIB. __ Madre mia, que comen este coraçón serpientes dentro de mi cuerpo.

Mel.__Mother mine, snakes within my body are gnawing at my heart.

CEL. __ Bien está. Assí lo quería yo. Tú me pagarás, doña loca, la sobra de tu yra.

Cel.__Good. That is how I wanted it to be. You will pay, crazy lady, for the surpluses of your anger.

MELIB. __ ¿Qué dizes?   ¿Has sentido en verme alguna causa, donde mi mal proceda? 

Mel.__What did you say? Have you been able to tell by looking at me, where my sickness is coming from?

CEL. __ No me as, señora, declarado la calidad del mal. ?Quieres que adeuine la causa?   Lo que yo digo es que rescibo mucha pena   de ver triste tu graciosa presencia.

Cel.__You have not told me, mistress, the character of your sickness. Do you want me to divine the cause? I can say that I am very sorry to see your gracious presence in such sadness.

MELIB. __ Vieja honrrada, alégramela tú,   que grandes nueuas me han dado de tu saber.

Mel.__Honorable old woman, make me happy, for I have heard great things about your wisdom.

CEL. __ Señora, el sabidor solo es Dios;   pero, como para salud y remedio de las enfermedades   fueron repartidas las gracias en las gentes de hallar las melezinas,   dellas por esperiencia, dellas por arte, dellas por natural instinto,   alguna partezica alcançó a esta pobre vieja,   de la qual al presente podrás ser seruida.

Cel.__Mistress, the only one who knows everything is God; but, since the graces of health and the remedy of sickness were distributed among the people who make medicines, some by experience, others for the art and others by natural instinct, a little bit is grasped by this poor old woman, who at the present may be able to serve you.

MELIB. __ ¡O qué gracioso y agradable me es oyrte!   Saludable es al enfermo la alegre cara del que le visita. Parésceme que veo mi coraçón entre tus manos fecho pedaços. El qual, si tú quisiesses, con muy poco trabajo   juntarías con la virtud de tu lengua:   no de otra manera que, quando vio en sueños aquel grande Alexandre, rey de Macedonia,   en la boca del dragón la saludable rayz   con que sanó a su criado Tolomeo del bocado de la bíuora. Pues, por amor de Dios, te despojes para muy diligente entender en mi mal   y me des algún remedio.

Mel.__Oh how gracious and agreeable it is to hear that! It is good for the sick person to see the happy face of the visitor. It appears to me that I see my heart broken into pieces in your hands, which, if you want, with very little effort you could put back together with the virtue of your tongue: in the same manner of Alexander, King of Macedon, who, in his dreams,  in the mouth of the dragon,  the root that could cure his servant Ptolemy from the bite of a viper. So, by the love of God, take of your cloak so that you can diligently understand my sickness and give me a remedy for it.

CEL. __ Gran parte de la salud es dessearla,   por lo qual creo menos peligroso ser tu dolor. Pero para yo dar, mediante Dios, congrua y saludable melezina, es necessario saber de ti tres   cosas. La primera, a qué parte de tu cuerpo más declina y aquexa el sentimiento. Otra, si es nueuamente por ti sentido,   porque más presto se curan las tiernas enfermedades en sus principios,   que quando han hecho curso en la perseueración de su oficio;   mejor se doman los animales en su primera edad,   que quando ya es su cuero endurecido,   para venir mansos a la melena;   mejor crescen las plantas, que tiernas y nueuas se trasponen,   que las que frutificando ya se mudan;   muy mejor se despide el nueuo pecado,   que aquel que por costumbre antigua cometemos cada día. La tercera, si procede de algún cruel pensamiento, que asentó en aquel lugar. Y esto sabido, verás obrar mi cura. Por ende cumple que al médico como al confessor se hable toda verdad abiertamente.

Cel.__An important step to getting healthy is to desire it, and because of that I do not think that your sickness is very dangerous. But in order for me to give you, with God's help, a congruous ad wholesome medicine, it is necessary for me to know three things about you. The first is which part of your body pains you and is the most weak. Second, is this a new feeling, because illness is cured more quickly when it has just begun, than when it has already taken its course and preserved itself; animals are tamed and yoked more easily when they are young, than when their skin has hardened; plants grow better when they are transplanted tender and new, than when they have already given the world fruit; it is easier to forgive a newly committed sin, than the one that is committed every day out of habit. The third is, does it proceeds from some cruel thought which has taken control of that area. And by knowing this, you will see me work on your cure. It will benefit you if you speak to the doctor as you do your confessor and say the honest truth.

MELIB. __ Amiga Celestina, muger bien sabia y maestra grande,   mucho has abierto el camino por donde mi mal te pueda especificar. Por cierto, tú lo pides como muger bien esperta en curar tales enfermedades. Mi mal es de coraçón,   la ysquierda teta es su aposentamiento,   tiende sus rayos a todas partes. Lo segundo, es nueuamente nacido en mi cuerpo. Que no pensé jamás que podía dolor priuar el seso,   como este haze. Túrbame la cara, quítame el comer, no   puedo dormir, ningún género de risa querría ver. La causa o pensamiento, que es la final cosa por tí preguntada de mi mal, ésta no sabré dezir. Porque ni muerte de debdo ni pérdida de temporales bienes   ni sobresalto de visión ni sueño desuariado ni otra cosa puedo sentir,   que fuesse, saluo la alteración, que tú me causaste   con la demanda, que sospeché de parte de aquel cauallero Calisto,   quando me pediste la oración.

Mel.__My friend Celestina, wise women and great teacher, you have greatly instructed me on how to tell you about my sickness. Certainly you ask me like a woman who is an expert in curing such illnesses. My pain comes from my heart, it is on my left breast and it shoots out to all my parts. The second, it is newly born in my body. For I have never known that such a pain could take away my sanity like this one has done. It disturbs my face, takes away my appetite, I cannot sleep, and I do not want to smile at anything. The cause or thought, which is the last thing you asked about my sickness, I do not know how to say it. Because neither death nor debt nor the loss of temporal goods, nor the passion of a vision nor a delirious dream nor anything else can I think it to be, except an alteration which you caused me with your request, which I suspected to be on the behalf of that gentleman Calisto, when you asked me for a prayer.

 CEL. __ ¿Cómo, señora, tan mal hombre es aquél?   ¿Tan mal nombre es el suyo,   que en sólo ser nombrado trae consigo ponçoña su sonido?   No creas que sea essa la causa de tu sentimiento,   antes otra que yo barrunto. Y pues que assí es, si tú licencia me das,   yo, señora, te la diré.

Cel.__What, mistress, is he such a bad man? Does he have such a bad name, that you could be poisoned by the sound of his name? Do not think that this is the cause of your grief, bur rather another one I suspect. And being the way it is, if you would allow me, my lady, I will explain it to you.

MELIB. __ ¿Cómo, Celestina? ¿Qué es esse nueuo salario, que pides?   ¿De licencia tienes tú necessidad para me dar la salud?   ¿Qual físico jamás pidió tal seguro para curar al paciente?   Di, di, que siempre la tienes de mí,   tal que mi honrra no dañes con tus palabras.

Mel.__What Celestina? What is this new salary which you request? Do you need my permission to give me my health?  What physician ever asked for such a security to cure the patient? Tell me; tell me, for you always have my permission, as long as you do not damage my honor with your words.

 CEL. __ Véote, señora, por vna parte quexar el dolor,   por otra temer la melezina. Tu temor me pone miedo, el miedo silencio,   el silencio tregua entre tu llaga y mi melezina. Assí que será causa, que ni tu dolor cesse ni mi venida aproueche.

Cel.__I see in you, mistress, that on the one hand you complain of the pain and on the other you fear the medicine. Your fear scares me, my fear causes silence. Silence creates a check between your wound and my medicine. Thus, the cause will be that your pain will not end and my visit will not do any good.

MELIB. __ Quanto más dilatas la cura, tanto más me acrecientas   y multiplicas la pena y passión. O tus melezinas son de poluos de infamia y licor de corrupción,   conficionados con otro más crudo dolor,   que el que de parte del paciente se siente,   o no es ninguno tu saber. Porque si lo vno o lo otro no abastasse,   qualquiera remedio otro darías sin temor,   pues te pido le muestres, quedando libre mi honrra.

Mel.__The more you delay the cure, the more you increase and multiply my pain and passion. Either your medicines are powders of infamy and liquor of corruption, confected with another pain more cruel that will be felt by the patient, or you know nothing about what you do. For if it was not one of those reasons, you would have already given me some remedy since I have asked you to show it to me while preserving my honor.

CEL. __ Señora, no tengas por nueuo ser más fuerte de sofrir al herido   la ardiente trementina y los ásperos puntos,   que lastiman lo llagado y doblan la passión,   que no la primera lisión, que dio sobre sano. Pues si tú quieres ser sana   y que te descubra la punta de mi sotil aguja sin temor,   haz para tus manos y pies vna ligadura de sosiego,   para tus ojos vna cobertura de piedad,   para tu lengua vn freno de silencio,   para tus oydos vnos algodones de sofrimiento y paciencia,   y verás obrar a la antigua maestra destas llagas.

Cel.__Mistress, do not think it is strange that it is harder for the wounded to suffer the stinging turpentine and the sharp stitches, which hurt the wound and double the passion, than it is to feel the wound when first inflicted upon the healthy body. For if you want to be cured and if you want to discover the point of my subtle needle without fear, you must bind your hands and feet with peace, cover your eyes with piety, put a brake of silence on your tongue, and put a cotton of endurance and patience in your ears. Then you will see the old teacher work on these wounds.

MELIB. __ ¡O cómo me muero con tu dilatar!   Di, por Dios, lo que quisieres, haz lo que supieres,   que no podrá ser tu remedio tan áspero que yguale con mi pena y tormento. Agora toque en mi honrra, agora dañe mi fama, agora lastime mi cuerpo,   avnque sea romper mis carnes para sacar mi dolorido coraçón,   te doy mi fe ser segura   y, si siento aliuio, bien galardonada.

Mel.__Oh how I am dying because of your delays! Tell me, by God, what you want, do what you need to do, for your remedy can not be so bitter that it equals the pain and torment I already have. Though it may touch my honor, damage my reputation, though it may hurt my body, although it may have to break through my flesh in order to remove my pained heart, I give you my faith most certainly and if I feel relief, I will give you a great reward.

LUCR. __ El seso tiene perdido mi señora. Gran mal es este. Catiuádola ha esta hechizera.

Luc.__My lady has lost her mind. This is a great evil. This sorceress is captivating her.

CEL. __ Nunca me ha de faltar vn diablo acá y acullá:   escapóme Dios de Pármeno, tópome con Lucrecia.

Cel.__I am never lacking one devil or another: God has let me escape Parmeno, and replaced him with Lucrecia.

MELIB. __ ¿Qué dizes, amada maestra?  ¿Qué te fablaua esa moça? 

Mel.__What did you say, loving teacher? What was my servant telling you?

CEL. __ No le oy nada. Pero diga lo que dixere,   sabe que no ay cosa más contraria en las grandes curas delante los animosos çirujanos,   que los flacos coraçones, los quales con su gran lástima,   con sus dolorosas hablas, con sus sentibles meneos, ponen temor a enfermo,   fazen que desconfíe de la salud y al médico enojan y turban   y la turbación altera la mano, rige sin orden la aguja. Por donde se puede conocer claro,   que es muy necessario para tu salud   que no esté persona delante y assí que la deues mandar salir. Y tú, hija Lucrecia, perdona.

Cel.__I did not hear anything. But say what she will, know what there is nothing more contrary to great cures before the strong surgeons, than the weak of heart, the ones that with their great pity, their grieving words, with their sensitive trembling; for they scare the sick and they make them suspicious of a their cure and they annoy and bother the doctor. And being bothered alters the hand and does allow it to give order to the needle. You should know very well that it is very necessary for your health that there be nobody else present and because of that you should tell her to leave. And you, daughter, Lucrecia, pardon me.

MELIB. __ Salte fuera presto.

Mel.__Get out of here quickly.

LUCR. __ ¡Ya! ¡ya! ¡todo es perdido¡ Ya me salgo, señora.

Luc.__Now! Now! Everything is lost! I am leaving now, mistress.

CEL. __ También me da osadía tu gran pena,   como ver que con tu sospecha has ya tragado alguna parte de mi cura;   pero todavía es necessario traer más clara melezina y más saludable   descanso de casa de aquel cauallero Calisto.

Cel.__Also, your great pain makes me daring, and I see because of your suspicion you have already swallowed a part of my cure; but it is necessary that we bring a clearer medicine and a more healthy relief from the house of that gentleman Calisto.

MELIB. __ Calla, por Dios, madre. No traygan de su casa cosa para mi prouecho ni le nombres aquí.

Mel.__Be quiet, by God, mother. Do not bring anything from his house for my benefit and do not say his name here.

CEL. __ Sufre, señora, con paciencia,   que es el primer punto y principal. No se quiebre; si no, todo nuestro trabajo es perdido. Tu llaga es grande, tiene necessidad de áspera cura. Y lo duro con duro se ablanda más eficacemente. Y dizen los sabios que la cura del lastimero médico dexa mayor señal   y que nunca peligro sin peligro se vence. Ten paciencia, que pocas vezes lo molesto sin molestia se cura.   y vn clavo con otro se espele y vn dolor con otro. No concibas odio ni desamor   ni consientas a tu lengua dezir mal de persona tan virtuosa como Calisto,   que si conocido fuesse. . .

Cel.__Patience, mistress, with patience, for that is the first rule and principal. Do not break it; if not, all of our work is lost. Your wound is great and it is in need of a strong cure. The best way to soften something hard is with something harder. The wise men say that the cure of the pusillanimous  doctor leaves the biggest scar and there is no danger that is not conquered by danger. Have patience, for it is a rare that pain is cured without pain. And one nail drives out another and one sorrow with another. Do not conceive hate nor dislike and do not allow your tongue to speak ill about a person as virtuous as Calisto, because if you only knew him…

MELIB. __ ¡O por Dios, que me matas! ¿Y no te tengo dicho que no me alabes esse hombre   ni me le nombres en bueno ni en malo? 

Mel.__Oh by God, you are killing me! Have I not told you not to praise that man nor say his name whether it be for good or bad?

CEL. __ Señora, este es otro y segundo punto,   el qual si tú con tu mal sofrimiento no consientes,   poco aprouechará mi venida,   y si, como prometiste, lo sufres,   tú quedarás sana y sin debda y Calisto sin quexa y pagado. Primero te auisé   de mi cura y desta inuisible aguja,   que sin llegar a ti, sientes en sólo mentarla en mi boca.

Cel.__Mistress, this is the other and second point, which is, if because of your lack of patience you do not consent, little good my visit will do;  and if you endure it as you promised, you will end up cured and without debt and Calisto paid and without a complaint. First I let you know about my cure and about the invisible needle, which without even touching you yet, you feel it solely by the mention of it by my mouth.

MELIB. __ Tantas vezes me nombrarás esse tu cauallero,   que ni mi promesa baste ni la fe,   que te di, a sofrir tus dichos. ?De qué ha de quedar pagado?   ¿Qué le deuo yo a él?   ¿Qué le soy a cargo?   ¿Qué ha hecho por mí?   ¿Qué necessario es él aquí para el propósito de mi mal?   Más agradable me sería que rasgases mis carnes y sacasses mi coraçón,   que no traer essas palabras aquí.

Mel.__You say the name of this gentleman so many times, that neither my promise nor the faith that I gave you, can endure your words. What is it that needs to be paid? What do I owe him? How am I in his debt? What has he done for me? Why is he necessary for the cure of my sickness? It would be more pleasing to me if you would tear my flesh and rip out my heart, than you bringing those words to me here.

CEL. __ Sin te romper las vestiduras   se lançó en tu pecho el amor:   no rasgaré yo tus carnes para le curar.

Cel.__Without tearing your garments love was launched into your chest: I will not have to tear your flesh in order to cure you.

MELIB. __ ¿Cómo dizes que llaman a este mi dolor, que assí se ha enseñoreado en lo mejor de mi cuerpo?  

Mel.__What did you it is called, the pain that has seized the best of my body?

CEL. __ Amor dulce.

Cel.__Sweet love.

MELIB. __ Esso me declara qué es,   que en solo oyrlo me alegro.

Mel.__It must be what you say, because I am happy from just hearing it.

CEL. __ Es vn fuego escondido, vna agradable llaga, vn sabroso veneno,   vna dulce amargura, vna delectable dolencia, vn alegre tormento,   vna dulce y fiera herida, vna blanda muerte.

Cel.__It is a hidden fire, a pleasing wound, a delicious poison, a sweet bitterness, a delectable ailment, a happy torment, a sweet and fiery wound, and a gentle death.

MELIB. __ ¡Ay mezquina de mí! Que si verdad es tu relación, dubdosa será mi salud. Porque, según la contrariedad que essos nombres entre sí muestran,   lo que al vno fuere prouechoso acarreará al otro más passión.

Mel.__Oh woe is me! For if your revelation is true, I am doubtful of my recovery. Because, according to the contrary nature of the words you said, what is profitable for one will bring the other more passion.

CEL. __ No desconfíe, señora, tu noble juuentud de salud. Que, quando el alto Dios da la llaga, tras ella embía el remedio. Mayormente que sé yo al mundo nascida vna flor que de todo esto te dé libre.

Cel.__Do not distrust, mistress, in the recovery of your noble youth. For, when God so high gives you a wound, behind it He sends a remedy. Especially since I know that there is a flower in this world that can free you from all this.

MELIB. __ ¿Cómo se llama?  

Mel.__What is it called?

CEL. __ No te lo oso dezir.

Cel.__I do not dare to tell you.

MELIB. __ Di, no temas.

Mel.__Tell me, do not be sacred.

CEL. __ ¡Calisto! ¡O por Dios, señora Melibea!  ¿Qué poco esfuerço es éste? ¿Qué descaescimiento?   ¡O mezquina yo! ¡Alça la cabeça! ¡O malauenturada vieja!   ¡En esto han de parar mis passos!   Si muere, matarme han; avnque biua, seré sentida,   que ya no podrá sofrirse de no publicar su mal y mi cura. Señora mia, Melibea, ángel mio, ¿Qué has sentido?   ¿Qué es de tu habla graciosa?   ¿Qué es de tu color alegre?   Abre tus claros ojos. !Lucrecia! ¡Lucrecia! ¡entra presto acá!,   verás amortescida a tu señora entre mis manos. Baxa presto por vn jarro de agua.

Cel.__Calisto! Oh by God mistress Melibea! What weakness is this? What fainting? Oh woe is me! Lift up your head! Oh unlucky old woman! Is this how my steps will end! If she dies, I will be killed; even if she lives, they will find me, for she will no longer be able to keep her sickness and my cure a secret. My lady, Melibea, my angel? What has happened? Where is your gracious speech? What happened to your happy color? Open up your clear eyes! Lucrecia! Lucrecia! Come quickly! You will see your mistress fainted in my arms. Quickly bring down a jar of water.

MELIB. __ Passo, passo, que yo me esforçaré. No escandalizes la casa.

Mel.__Softly, softly, let me try to get up. Do not alarm the house.

CEL. __ ¡O cuytada de mí! No te descaezcas,   señora, háblame como sueles.

Cel.__Oh my! Do not sink down anymore, my lady, speak as you usually do.

MELIB. __ Y muy mejor. Calla, no me fatigues.

Mel.__And much better, quiet,  do not tire me.

CEL. __ ¿Pues qué me mandas que faga, perla graciosa?   ¿Qué ha sido este tu sentimiento?   creo que se van quebrando mis puntos.

Cel.__Well what do you want me to do, my gracious pearl? What has caused such a sentiment? I think that my stitches are coming undone.

MELIB. __ Quebróse mi honestidad, quebróse mi empacho, afloxó mi mucha vergüença ,  y como muy naturales, como muy domésticos, no pudieron tan liuianamente despedirse de mi cara,   que no lleuassen consigo su color por algún poco de espacio,   mi fuerça, mi lengua y gran parte de mi sentido. !O! Pues ya, mi buena maestra, mi fiel secretaria,   lo que tú tan abiertamente conoces, en vano trabajo por te lo encubrir. Muchos y muchos días son passados que esse noble cauallero me habló en amor. Tanto me fue entonces su habla enojosa, quanto, después que tú me le tornaste a nombrar, alegre. Cerrado han tus puntos mi llaga, venida soy en tu querer. En mi cordón le lleuaste embuelta la posesión de mi libertad. Su dolor de muelas era mi mayor tormento,   su pena era la mayor mía. Alabo y loo tu buen sofrimiento, tu cuerda osadía,   tu liberal trabajo, tus solícitos y fieles passos,   tu agradable habla, tu buen saber, tu demasiada solicitud, tu prouechosa importunidad. Mucho te   deue esse señor y más yo,   que jamás pudieron mis reproches aflacar tu tu esfuerço e perseverar, confiando en tu mucha astucia. Antes, como fiel seruidora, quando más denostada, más diligente; quando más disfauor, más esfuerço; quando peor respuesta, mejor cara; quando yo más ayrada, tú más humilde. Pospuesto todo temor, has sacado de mi pecho lo que jamás a ti ni a otro pensé descobrir.

Mel.__My honesty and modesty have been broken and my bashfulness has diminished. They were so natural and so domestic to me that they were not able to easily leave my face without taking with them some of my color for a little bit of time, along with my strength, my tongue and a great part of my senses. Oh! Well now, my good teacher, my loyal secretary, what you so openly know would be in vain for me to try to cover up. Many and many days have passed since that noble gentleman spoke to me of love. Back then, his speech was as annoying as you saying his name is pleasing now. Your stitches have closed my wound; I have come into your love. You brought him my girdle and enclosed within it was the possession of my liberty. His toothache was my greatest torment; his pain was greater to me. I praise and commend your good patience, your sensible boldness, your liberal work, your solicitous and loyal steps, your agreeable speech, your great knowledge, your inexhaustible solicitude, your profitable importunity. That gentleman owes you much and I owe you more, for my reproaches could never weaken your efforts and I will continue to confide in your great astuteness. But, as a faithful servant, when I was most angry you were more diligent; when I was most disfavored, you had more effort; when I gave you the worst response, you put a better face; when I was most angry; you were more humble. Laying aside all my fear, you have taken from my heart what I never thought you or anyone else could ever discover.

CEL. __ Amiga y señora mia, no te marauilles,   porque estos fines con efecto me dan osadía   a sofrir los ásperos y escrupulosos desuíos de las encerradas donzellas como tú. Verdad es que ante que me determinasse,   así por el camino, como en tu casa,   estuue en grandes dubdas si te descobriría mi petición. Visto el gran poder de tu padre, temía;   mirando la gentileza de Calisto, osaua;   vista tu discreción, me recelaua;   mirando tu virtud y humanidad, me esforçaua. En lo vno fablaua el miedo y en lo otro la seguridad. Y pues assí, señora, has quesido descubrir la gran merced, que nos has hecho,   declara tu voluntad, echa tus secretos en mi regaço,   pon en mis manos el concierto deste concierto. Yo daré forma cómo tu desseo y el de Calisto sean tan breue complidos.

Cel.__Friend and lady of mine, do not wonder so much, because these things you say have the effect of making me bold enough to endure the sharp and dangerous scolding of ladies that have been locked up just like you. It is true that before I determined what to do, when I was on my way to your house, I was very doubtful if I should tell you my petition. Seeing the great power of your father, I was fearful; but when I saw the nobleness of Calisto, I was daring; and then upon seeing your virtue and politeness, I was motivated. On the one hand I was scared and on the other I was safe. And you, mistress, have decided to show me great mercy by declaring your will, lay your secrets in my lap, and put in my hands the power to direct this concert. I will find a way for both your wishes and those of Calisto to be shortly fulfilled.

MELIB. __ ¡O mi Calisto y mi señor! ¡Mi dulce y suaue alegría! Si tu coraçón siente lo que agora   el mio,   marauillada estoy cómo la absencia te consiente viuir. !O mi madre y mi señora!, haz de manera cómo luego le pueda ver, si mi vida quieres.

Mel.__Oh my Calisto and my lord! My sweet and gentle happiness! If your heart could only feel what I now feel in mine, I wonder how my absence allows you to live. Oh my mother and my lady! If you value my life make it so I can see him soon.

CEL. __ Ver y hablar.

Cel.__See and speak to him.

MELIB. __ ¿Hablar? Es impossible.

Mel.__Speak? It is impossible.

CEL. __ Ninguna cosa a los hombres, que quieren hazerla, es impossible.

Cel.__Nothing is impossible for man when they want to do it.

MELIB. __ Dime cómo.

Mel.__Tell me how.

CEL. __ Yo lo tengo pensado, yo te lo diré: por entre las puertas de tu casa.

Cel.__I have thought about it and I will tell you: inside the doors of your house.

MELIB. __ ¿Quándo? 

Mel.__When?

CEL. __ Esta noche.

Cel.__Tonight.

MELIB. __ Gloriosa me serás, si lo ordenas. Di a qué hora.

Mel.__You will be glorious for me if you do this. Tell me at what time?

CEL. __ A las doze.

Cel.__At twelve.

MELIB. __ Pues ve, mi señora, mi leal amiga,   y fabla con aquel señor y que venga muy paso   y de allí se dará concierto, según su voluntad,   a la hora que has ordenado.

Mel.__Then go, my mistress, my loyal friend, and speak with that gentleman and tell him to come quietly and you can conduct it according to your will at the hour you have ordered.

CEL. __ Adiós, que viene hazia acá tu madre.

Cel.__Goodbye for your mother is coming.

MELIB. __ Amiga Lucrecia y mi leal criada y, fiel secretaria,   ya has visto cómo no ha sido más en mi mano. Catiuóme el amor de aquel cauallero. Ruégote, por Dios, se cubra con secreto sello,   porque yo goze de tan suaue amor. Tú serás   de mí tenida en aquel lugar que merece tu fiel seruicio.

Mel.__Friend Lucrecia and my loyal servant and faithful secretary, you have already seen how it no longer lies in my hands. I have been captivated by the love of that gentleman. I beg you, by God, to seal this with a stamp of secrecy so that I may delight in such gentle love. I will put you in a place that is deserving of such loyal service.

  62. LUCR. __ Señora, mucho antes de agora tengo sentida tu llaga y calado tu desseo. Hame fuertemente dolido tu perdición. Quanto más tú me querías encobrir   y celar el fuego, que te quemaua,   tanto más sus llamas se manifestauan en la color de tu cara,   en el poco sossiego del coraçón,   en el meneo de tus miembros,   en comer sin gana, en el no dormir. Assí que contino te se cayan, como de entre las manos, señales muy claras de pena. Pero como en los tiempos que la voluntad reyna en los señores o desmedido apetito,   cumple a los seruidores obedecer con diligencia corporal y no con artificiales consejos de lengua,   sufría con pena, callaua con temor, encobría con fieldad;   de manera que fuera mejor el áspero consejo que la blanda lisonja. Pero, pues ya no tiene tu merced otro medio, sino morir o amar,   mucha razón es que se escoja por mejor aquello que en sí lo es.

Luc.__Mistress, long before now I have known of your wound and have kept it secret. I have been very hurt by your perdition. The more you tried to hide from me and cover the fire that was burning you, the more your flames would manifest themselves in the color of your face, in the restlessness of your heart, in the movements of your limbs, in your eating without desire and in your inability to sleep. So that, against your will, and as if by your own hands, you gave me signals that were clearly of pain. But when will and boundless appetite reigns within the mistress, the servants must obey with a bodily diligence and not with artificial advice from the tongue. They must suffer with pain, be silent with fear, and covered with fidelity; in such a manner that it is better to use bitter counsel than false flattery. But, since now your mercy has no other means, except to love or die, there is good reason to choose the one that is best.

ALI. __ ¿En qué andas acá, vezina, cada día?  

Ali.__Why are you here everyday, neighbor?

CEL. __ Señora, faltó ayer vn poco de hilado al peso y vínelo a cumplir,   porque di mi palabra y, traydo, voyme. Quede Dios contigo.

Cel.__Mistress, yesterday I was short of thread and I came back to bring it because I gave my word, and now that I have brought it I will go and may God be with you.

ALI. __ Y contigo vaya. Hija Melibea, ¿Qué quería la vieja?  

Ali.__And with you too. Daughter Melibea, what did the old woman want?

MELIB. __ Venderme vn poquito de solimán.

Mel.__To sell me a little bit of mercury.

ALI. __ Esso creo yo más que lo que la vieja ruyn dixo. Pensó que recibiría yo pena dello y mintióme. Guarte, hija, della, que es gran traydora. Que el sotil ladrón siempre rodea las ricas moradas. Sabe ésta con sus trayciones, con sus falsas mercadurías, mudar los propósitos castos. Daña la fama. A tres vezes que entra en vna casa, engendra sospecha.

Ali.__I believe what you say more than what the old woman said. She thought that I would be angry with her and she lied to me. Be careful with her, daughter, for she is a great traitor. For the cunning thief always hangs around the rich houses. She knows that she can change chaste intentions with her tricks and false merchandises. She brings harm to honor. After coming into a house three times, she creates suspicion.

LUCR. __ Tarde acuerda nuestra ama.

Luc.__The mistress remembers, but it is too late.

ALI. __ Por amor mio, hija, que si acá tornare sin verla yo,   que no ayas por bien su venida ni la recibas con plazer. Halle en ti onestidad en tu respuesta y jamás boluerá. Que la verdadera virtud más se teme que espada.

Ali.__By my love, daughter, if she returns without me seeing her, do not welcome her nor receive her with pleasure. Let her see in you honesty, and in your in your response and she will never come back. For the true virtue is more feared than the sword.

MELIB. __ ¿Dessas es? ¡Nunca más! Bien huelgo, señora, de ser auisada,   por saber de quién me tengo de guardar.

Mel.__Is that how she is? Never more! Thank you, mother, for warning me, for letting me know about whom I must guard myself from.