Acto XI

Sumario: Despedida CELESTINA de MELIBEA, va por la calle sola hablando. Vee a SEMPRONIO y PARMENO que van a la Madalena por su sentilde;or. SEMPRONIO habla con CALISTO. Sobreviene CELESTINA. Van a casa de CALISTO. Declarale CELESTINA su mensaje y negocio recaudado con MELIBEA. Mientra ellos en essas razones estan, PARMENO y SEMPRONIO entre si hablan. Despidese CELESTINA de CALISTO, va para su casa, llama a la puerta. ELICIA le viene a abrir. Cenan y vanse a dormir.

Act XI

Argument: After leaving Melibea, Celestina goes off on her own, mumbling and talking to herself as she walks down the street. She spies Sempronio and Parmeno, going into Saint Mary Magdalene's to look for their master. Sempronio talks with Calisto; in the meantime Celestina comes in. They all go to Calisto's house. Celestina delivers her message and the details about his meeting with Melibea. While Celestina and Calisto are talking, Sempronio and Parmeno also begin to talk amongst themselves. Celestina leaves Calisto and goes back to her home. She knocks on the door and Elicia opens it for her. The have dinner and go to bed.

CEL. __ ¡Ay Dios, si llegasse a mi casa con mi mucha alegría a cuestas! A Pármeno y a Sempronio veo yr a la Magdalena. Tras ellos me voy y, si ay no estouiere Calisto, passaremos a su casa a pedirle las albricias de su gran gozo.

Cel.__Oh God, I am so burdened with happiness I may not be able to get home! I see Parmeno and Sempronio going to the Magdalene. I will go after them and if Calisto is not there, we will go to his house and ask him to give the reward for his great delight.

SEMP. __ Señor, mira que tu estada es dar a todo el mundo que dezir. Por Dios, que huygas de ser traydo en lenguas, que al muy deuoto llaman ypócrita. ?Qué dirán sino que andas royendo los sanctos? Si passión tienes, súfrela en tu casa; no te sienta la tierra. No descubras tu pena a los estraños, pues está en manos el pandero que lo sabrá bien tañer.

Sem.__Sir, look at how your presence here is giving everyone something to gossip about. By God, you should not want people to talk about you because they will say that the devoted one is a hypocrite. What else could they say other than that you cannot leave the saints alone? If you feel passion, suffer it in your own home; do not let the world know. Do not show your pain to strangers, for it is already in the hands of an expert tambourine player.

CAL. __ ¿En qué manos?

Cal.__In whose hands?

SEMP. __ De Celestina.

Sem.__In Celestina's.

CEL. __ ¿Qué nombrays a Celestina? ¿Qué dezís desta esclaua de Calisto? toda la calle del Arcidiano vengo a más andar tras vosotros por alcançaros y jamás he podido con mis luengas haldas.

Cel.__Why do you say the name Celestina? What are you saying about Calisto's slave? I have been following you all along the street of Arcediano but because of my long skirts I have not been able to catch up to you.

CAL. __ ¡O joya del mundo, acorro de mis passiones, espejo de mi vista! El coraçón se me alegra en ver essa honrrada presencia, essa noble senetud. Dime, ¿Con qué vienes? ¿Qué nueuas traes, que te veo alegre y no sé en qué está mi vida?

Cal.__Oh joy of the world, alleviator of my passions, and mirror for my eyes! My heart is delighted to see your honored presence and your noble virtue. Tell me, what have you come with? What news do you bring? For I see that you are happy and I have no idea where my life stands.

CEL. __ En mi lengua.

Cel.__In my tongue.

CAL. __ ¿Qué dizes, gloria y descanso mio? Declárame más lo dicho.

Cal.__What do you mean, glory and comfort of mine? Explain what you have said.

CEL. __ Salgamos, señor, de la yglesia y de aquí a casa te contaré algo con que te alegres de verdad.

Cel.__Let us leave the church, sir, and on our way to your house I will tell you something that will really make you happy.

PARM. __ Buena viene la vieja, hermano: recabdado deue hauer.

Par.__The old woman looks pleased, brother: there must be good news.

SEMP. __ Escúchala.

Sem.__Listen to what she is saying.

CEL. __ Todo este día, señor, he trabajado en tu negocio y he dexado perder otros en que harto me yua. Muchos tengo quexosos por tenerte a ti contento. Más he dexado de ganar que piensas. Pero todo vaya en buena hora, pues tan buen recabdo traygo, que te traygo muchas buenas palabras de Melibea y la dexo a tu servicio.

Cel.__All day, sir, I have been working on your business and because of that I have lost other jobs that were going well for me. Many are complaining while I keep you happy. I have lost more money that you think. But everything is going well, for I have brought a good message; I bring you many pleasing words from Melibea and I leave her at your service.

CAL. __ ¿Qué es esto que oygo?

Cal.__What is this I hear?

CEL. __ Que es más tuya que de si misma;  más está a tu mandato y querer que de su padre Pleberio.

Cel.__That she is more yours than her own; she is more at your command and service than of her own father Pleberio.

CAL. __ Habla cortés, madre, no digas tal cosa, que dirán estos moços que estás loca. Melibea es mi señora, Melibea es mi Dios, Melibea es mi vida; yo su catiuo, yo su sieruo.

Cal.__Speak in a courtly manner, mother, do not say such a thing, those boys will say that you are crazy. Melibea is my lady, Melibea is my God, Melibea is my life; I am her captive, I am her slave.

SEMP. __ Con tu desconfiança, señor, con tu poco preciarte, con tenerte en poco, hablas essas cosas con que atajas su razón. A todo el mundo turbas diziendo desconciertos. ?De qué te santiguas? Dale algo por su trabajo: harás mejor, que esso esperan essas palabras.

Sem.__You are interrupting her words, sir, by speaking of the distrust and the little value you have for yourself, you  are saying things  that disrupt her reasoning . You worry everyone by saying such disconcerting things. Why are crossing yourself? You will be better off if you give her something for her work, for that is what her words merit.

CAL. __ Bien has dicho. Madre mia, yo sé cierto que jamás ygualará tu trabajo y mi liuiano galardón. En lugar de manto y saya, porque no se dé parte a oficiales, toma esta cadenilla, ponla al cuello y procede en tu razón y mi alegría.

Cal.__You are right. My mother, I am certain that my small reward will never equal your efforts. Instead of a cloak and skirt, so that none of your profit will be shared with the tailor, take this little chain, put it around your neck and proceed with your discourse and with my happiness.

PARM. __ ¿Cadenilla la llama? ¿No lo oyes, Sempronio? No estima el gasto. Pues yo te certifico no diesse mi parte por medio marco de oro, por mal que la vieja lo reparta.

Par.__He calls that a little chain? Do you not hear him Sempronio? He does not know how much that is worth. I can assure you that I would not give away my share of it for less than a half a mark of gold, however poorly the old woman divides it.

SEMP. __ Oyrte ha nuestro amo, ternemos en él que amansar y en ti que sanar, según está inchado de tu mucho murmurar. Por mi amor, hermano, que oygas y calles, que por esso te dio Dios dos oydos y vna lengua sola.

Sem.__If our master hears you, we will have to pacify him and recover you; he is already very annoyed by your constant mumblings. By my love, brother, listen and be quiet, because that is why God gave you two ears and only one tongue.

PARM. __ ¡Oyrá el Diablo!Está colgado de la boca de la vieja,  gordo y mudo y ciego, hecho personaje sin son, que, avnque le diésemos higas, diría que alçáuamos las manos a Dios, rogando por buen fin de sus amores.

Par.__As if the devil could hear me! He is hanging from the mouth of the old woman, deaf and dumb and blind, completely absorbed, for even if we were to give him the finger he would say that we were praying for his love's happy ending.

SEMP. __ Calla, oye, escucha bien a Celestina. En mi alma, todo lo merece y más que le diese. Mucho dize.

Sem.__Be quiet, listen, listen closely to Celestina. By my soul, she deserves everything and more than she could be given. She is saying much.

CEL. __ Señor Calisto, para tan flaca vieja como yo, de mucha franqueza vsaste. Pero, como todo don o dádiua se juzgue grande o chica respecto del que lo da, no quiero traer a consequencia mi poca merecer; ante quien sobra en qualidad y en quantidad. Mas medirse ha con tu magnificencia, ante quien no es nada. En pago de la qual te restituyo tu salud, que yua perdida; tu coraçón, que te faltaua; tu seso, que se alteraua. Melibea pena por ti más que tú por ella, Melibea te ama y dessea ver, Melibea piensa más horas en tu persona que en la suya,  Melibea se llama tuya y esto tiene por título de libertad y con esto amansa el fuego, que más que a ti la quema.

Cel.__Sir Calisto, you have been much too generous to such an old weak woman like me. But, since every gift and reward is judged to be great or small in respect to he who gives it, I do not want to discuss how I little I deserve something before one who surpasses me in both quality and quantity. I would rather measure it by your magnificence, before which nobody can compare. As a repayment I will restitute your health, which was lost; your heart, which was missing; your brain, which was in an altered state. Melibea pains for you more than you for her, Melibea loves you and wants to see you. Melibea thinks about you for more hours than you think of her, Melibea calls herself yours and she calls this freedom. And because of that title she is able to calm the flames that burn her more than they burn you.

CAL. __ ¿Moços, estó yo aquí? ¿moços, oygo yo esto? ¿moços, mirá si estoy despierto.? ¿Es de día o de noche? ¡O señor Dios, padre celestial! ¡Ruégote que esto no sea sueño! ¡Despierto, pues, estoy! Si burlas, señora, de mí por me pagar en palabras, no temas, di verdad, que para lo que tú de mí has recebido, más merecen tus passos.

Cal.__Servants, am I here? Servants, do I hear this? Servants, see if I am awake? Is it day or night? Oh God, celestial father! I beg to you that this may not be a dream! I am awake then! If you are playing a joke on me, mistress, by paying me with words, do not be scared; tell me the truth, for your efforts are worth more than what you have received from me.

CEL. __ Nunca el coraçón lastimado de deseo toma la buena nueua por cierta ni la mala por dudosa; pero, si burlo o si no, verlo has yendo esta noche, según el concierto dexo con ella, a su casa, en dando el relox doze, a la hablar por entre las puertas. De cuya boca sabrás más por entero mi solicitud y su desseo y el amor que te tiene y quién lo ha causado.

Cel.__The heart that is damaged with  desire never thinks that good news is certain or that bad news is doubtful; but, whether I am joking or not, you will see for yourself tonight, according to the agreement I made with her, at her house when the clock strikes twelve you will speak to her at her door. From her own mouth you will better know my efforts, her desire, and the love that she has for you and who caused it.

CAL. __ Ya, ya, ¿Tal cosa espero?  ¿Tal cosa es possible hauer de passar por mí? Muerto soy de aquí allá, no soy capaz de tanta gloria, no merecedor de tan gran merced, no digno de fablar con tal señora de su voluntad y grado.

Cal.__I see, I see. I await such a thing? Is it possible for such a thing to happen to me? I will be dead before then, I am not capable of so much glory, I do not deserve such great mercy, I am not worthy enough to speak to a lady who wants to speak to me of her own free will and request.

CEL. __ Siempre lo oy dezir, que es más difícile de sofrir la próspera fortuna que la aduersa: que la vna no tiene sosiego y la otra tiene consuelo. ?Cómo, señor Calisto, y no mirarías quién tú eres? ¿No mirarías el tiempo que has gastado en su seruicio? ¿No mirarías a quién has puesto entremedias? ¿Y asimismo que hasta agora siempre as estado dudoso de la alcançar y tenías sofrimiento? agora que te certifico el fin de tu penar ¿Quieres poner fin a tu vida? mira, mira que está Celestina de tu parte y que, avnque todo te faltasse lo que en vn enamorado se requiere, te vendería por el más acabado galán del mundo, que te haría llanas las peñas para andar, que te faría las más crescidas aguas corrientes pasar sin mojarte. Mal conoces a quien das tu dinero.

Cel.__I have always heard it said that it is more difficult to endure good fortune than adverse fortune: for the first one gives no peace and the other gives consolation. How, sir Calisto, do you not see who you are? Do you not see the time you have spent in her service? Do you not see who you have made your intermediary? And likewise up until now have you not been suffering and doubtful of reaching her? Now that I certify the end to your pain, you want to end your life? Look, look for Celestina is on your side and although you may be lacking in everything that is required in a lover, I could still sell you as the most distinguished gentleman in the whole world, I would make the mountains flat so that you could walk over them, I could have you pass through the strongest waterfalls without getting wet. You do not know very well whom you give your money to.

CAL. __ ¡Cata, señora! ¿Qué me dizes? ¿Que verná de su grado?

Cal.__Wait, mistress! What did you tell me? That she is coming of her own free will?

CEL. __ Y avn de rodillas.

Cel.__Yes, and on her knees.

SEMP. __ No sea ruydo hechizo, que nos quieran tomar a manos a todos. Cata, madre, que assí se suelen dar las çaracas en pan embueltas, porque no las sienta el gusto.

Sem.__May it not be cruel witchcraft that wants to take all of our hands. Careful, mother, for that is how they usually give the rat poison, wrapped up in bread, so they cannot taste it.

PARM. __ Nunca te oy dezir mejor cosa. Mucha sospecha me pone el presto conceder de aquella señora y venir tan ayna en todo su querer de Celestina, engañando nuestra voluntad con sus palabras dulces y prestas por hurtar por otra parte, como hazen los de Egypto quando el signo nos catan en la mano. Pues alahé, madre, con dulces palabras están muchas injurias vengadas. El manso boyzuelo con su blando cencerrar trae las perdizes a la red; el canto de la serena engaña los simples marineros con su dulçor. Assí ésta con su mansedumbre y concessión presta querrá tomar vna manada de nosotros a su saluo; purgará su innocencia con la honrra de Calisto y con nuestra muerte. Assí como corderica mansa que mama su madre y la ajena, ella con su segurar tomará la vengança de Calisto en todos nosotros, de manera que con la mucha gente que tiene, podrá caçar a padres y hijos en vna nidada y tú estarte rascando a tu fuego, diziendo: a saluo está el que repica.

Par.__I have never heard you say anything better. I am very suspicious of how quickly that lady conceded to come and do everything that Celestina wished. She may be tricking us with her sweet and speedy words in order to get somewhere else, like the gypsies do when they read your palms. Besides it is an old saying, mother, that treachery is often masked with sweet words. The cunning decoy brings the partridges to his net with gentle rustlings; the siren's songs trick the simple sailors with its sweetness. That is how she is with her kindness and quick concessions. She may want to trap us all and save herself; purge her innocence with Calisto's honor and with our death. Just like a gentle little lamb who sucks from his mother and the others; with her own safety assured she will take her vengeance out on Calisto and on all of us, in such a manner that with all of the people she has, at her disposal she will be able to catch all,  parents and chicks in one nest while you were scratching yourself in front of the fire, saying: the one that rings the bell is saved.

CAL. __ ¡Callad, locos, vellacos, sospechosos! Parece que days a entender que los ángeles sepan hazer mal. Sí, que Melibea ángel dissimulado es, que viue entre nosotros.

Cal.__Shut up, fools, and suspicious villains! It seems as if though you think the angels can cause harm. Yes, and Melibea is an angel in disguise that lives among us.

SEMP. __ ¿Todauía te buelues a tus eregías? Escúchale, Pármeno. No te pene nada, que, si fuere trato doble, él lo pagará, que nosotros buenos pies tenemos.

Sem.__You still continue your heresies? Listen to him Parmeno. Do not feel sorry for him at all, for, if there are any double dealings, he will pay for it and we will be safe.

CEL. __ Señor, tú estás en lo cierto; vosotros cargados de sospechas vanas. Yo he hecho todo lo que a mí era a cargo. Alegre te dexo. Dios te libre y aderece. Pártome muy contenta. Si fuere menester para esto o para más, allí estoy muy aparejada a tu seruicio.

Cel.__Sir, your are right, they are full of unwarranted suspicions. I have done everything that I was in charge of. I leave you happy. May God free you and direct you. I leave very pleased. If you need me for this or something else, I will be there, very ready to be at your service.

PARM. __ ¡Hi!¡hi!¡hi!

Par.__Ha! Ha! Ha!

SEMP. __ ¿De qué te ríes, por tu vida, Pármeno?

Sem.__Why are you laughing Parmeno?

PARM. __ De la priessa que la vieja tiene por yrse. No vee la hora que hauer despegado la cadena de casa. No puede creer que la tenga en su poder ni que se la han dado de verdad. No se halla digna de tal don, tan poco como Calisto de Melibea.

Par.__Because of the haste that the old woman has to leave. She cannot wait until she has taken the chain out of this house. She cannot believe that she has it on her person or that it has really been given to her. She does not feel worthy of such gift, as little as Calisto feels worthy of Melibea.

SEMP. __ ¿Qué quieres que haga vna puta alcahueta, que sabe y entiende lo que nosotros nos callamos y suele hazer siete virgos por dos monedas, después de verse cargada de oro, sino ponerse en saluo con la possessión, con temor no se la tornen a tomar, después que ha complido de su parte aquello para que era menester? ¡Pues guárdese del diablo, que sobre el partir no le saquemos el alma!

Sem.__What else do you want a matchmaker whore to do, for she knows and understands what we keep secret, and she knows how to repair seven hymens and sell them for two pieces of silver, and after seeing herself draped in gold she cannot think of anything else but making her possession safe, because of the fear that she has that it will be taken away from her after she has already completed her part of the job? Well she should hide from the devil, for we might have to take her soul in order to get our share!

CAL. __ Dios vaya contigo, madre. Yo quiero dormir y reposar vn rato para satisfazer a las passadas noches y complir con la por venir.

Cal.__May God be with you, mother. I want to go sleep and rest for a while in order to satisfy the nights that have passed and the one that is to come.

CEL. __ Tha, tha.

Cel.__Knock, knock.

ELIC. __ ¿Quién llama?

Eli.__Who is there?

CEL. __ Abre, hija Elicia.

Cel.__Open up, daughter Elicia.

ELIC. __ ¿Cómo vienes tan tarde? No lo deues hazer, que eres vieja; tropeçarás donde caygas y mueras.

Eli.__Why have you come so late? You should not do that, for you are an old woman; you could trip and where you fall you could die.

CEL. __ No temo esso, que de día me auiso por donde venga de noche. Que jamás me subo por poyo ni calçada, sino por medio de la calle. Porque, como dizen: no da passo seguro quien corre por el muro y que aquél va más sano que anda por llano. Más quiero ensuziar mis zapatos con el lodo que ensangrentar las tocas y los cantos. Pero no te duele a ti en esse lugar.

Cel.__I do not fear that, for during the day I tell myself how I will return during the night. For I never go across a footway or bridge, and instead walk on the middle of the road. Because, as they say: there is no safe way for he who runs on the wall  and he is most sound who walks on the flat ground. I prefer to dirty my shoes with mud than to bloody the stones and my head. But that is not what is bothering you now.

ELIC. __ ¿Pues qué me ha de doler?

Eli.__Then what is it that is bothering me?

CEL. __ Que se fue la compaqía que te dexé, y quedaste sola.

Cel.__That the company I left you with departed and you stayed by yourself.

ELIC. __ Son passadas quatro horas después ¿Y hauíaseme de acordar desso?

Eli.__That was four hours ago. Do you think that I even remember that?

CEL. __ Quanto más presto te dexaron, más con razón lo sentiste. Pero dexemos su yda y mi tardança. Entendamos en cenar y dormir.

Cel.__The sooner they leave you, the more it bothers you, and with reason. But let us forget their departure and my tardiness. Let us have our dinner and go to bed.