Acto VI                                                                            

-6, 0>Sumario           Entrada CELESTINA en casa de CALISTO con grande aficion y desseo, CALISTO le pregunta de lo que le ha acontescido con MELIBEA. Mientras ellos estan hablando, PARMENO, oyendo fablar a CELESTINA de su parte contra SEMPRONIO, a cada razon le pone un mote reprendiendolo SEMPRONIO. En fin la vieja CELESTINA le descubre todo lo negociado y un cordon de MELIBEA. Y despedida de CALISTO, vase para su casa y con ella PARMENO.

Act VI                                                                      

Argument    CELESTINA enters Calisto's house. Calisto, with great affection and earnestness, demands her to tell him what happened between her and Melibea. While they  continue talking together, Parmeno, hearing Celestina  speak aside towards Sempronio, at every word he makes a crack, for which he is  reprehended by Sempronio. In the end, old Celestina tells Calisto the whole business, and shows him the girdle she brought from Melibea. And so, taking her leave of Calisto, she goes to her own house, taking Parmeno along with her.

CAL. __ ¿Qué dizes, señora y madre mia?  

Cal.__ What do you say, mistress and mother of mine?

CEL. __ ¡O mi señor Calisto! ¿Y aquí estás?   ¡O mi nueuo amador de la muy hermosa Melibea y con mucha razón!   ¿Con qué pagarás a la vieja, que oy ha puesto su vida al tablero por tu seruicio?   ¿Quál muger jamás se vido en tan estrecha afrenta como yo,   que en tornallo a pensar se me menguan y vazían todas las venas de mi cuerpo, de sangre? Mi vida diera   por menor precio,   que agora daría este manto raydo y viejo.

Cel.__ Oh my master Calisto! You are here? Oh my new lover of the very beautiful Melibea, and with much reason! With what will you pay the old woman, who today has put her life on the line in order to serve you? What woman has ever seen herself in such an opressing disdain as I did? When I think of it all, the veins in my body shrink and run out of blood. I would have given my life for less than the price that I would now give for this old and tattered mantle.

PARM. __ Tú dirás lo tuyo: entre col y col lechuga. Sobido has vn escalón;   más adelante te espero a la saya. Todo para ti y no nada de que puedas dar parte. Pelechar quiere la vieja. Tú me sacarás a mí verdadero y a mi amo loco. No le pierdas palabra, Sempronio,   y verás cómo no quiere pedir dinero, porque es diuisible.

Par.__ You will say what you want for yourself: between cabbage and cabbage, a lettuce. You have climbed one step; further up I will be waiting for your requesting a skirt. Everything is for you and none of it can be shared. The old woman wants new feathers. You will prove me right and my master mad. Do not miss her words, Sempronio, and you will see how she does not want to ask for money because it can be divided.

SEMP. __ Calla, hombre desesperado, que te matará Calisto si te oye.

Sem.__ Quiet, desperate man, because Calisto will kill you if he hears you.

CAL. __ Madre mia, abreuia tu razón o toma esta espada y mátame.

Cal.__ Mother, abbreviate your discourse or take this sword and kill me.

PARM. __ Temblando está el diablo como azogado:   no se puede tener en sus pies,   su lengua le querría prestar para que fablasse presto,   no es mucha su vida, luto hauremos de medrar destos amores.

Par.__ This devil is quivering as poisoned with mercury.: He cannot stand on his own legs and he would give her his tongue if it would make her speak quicker. His life will not last much longer. All we will get out of this affair is mourning.

CEL. __ ¿Espada, señor, o qué?  ¡Espada mala mate a tus enemigos y a quien mal te quiere¡   que yo la vida te quiero dar con buena esperança, que traygo de aquella, que tú más amas.

Cel.__ Sword, master, or what? Let the bad sword kill your enemies and those who wish you harm. For I want to give you back your life, with the good hope that I bring to you from she whom you love best.

CAL. __ ¿Buena esperança, señora?  

Cal.__ Good hope, mother?

CEL. __ Buena se puede dezir,   pues queda abierta puerta para mi tornada   y antes me recibirá a mí con esta saya rota,   que a otro con seda y brocado.

Cel.__ It can be called good, for the door is open for my return and she will receive me, with this torn skirt, before she receives another wearing silk and brocade.

PARM. __ Sempronio, cóseme esta boca, que no lo puedo sofrir. ¡Encaxado ha la saya!  

Par.__ Sempronio, sew my mouth up, for I cannot bear this. She has brought up the skirt again!

SEMP. __ ¿Callarás, por Dios, o te echaré dende con el diablo?   Que si anda rodeando su vestido, haze bien, pues tiene dello necessidad. Que el abad de do canta de allí viste.

Sem.__ Will you be quiet, by God, or I will send you off wih the devil? For if she continues to talk about about her clothes, she does well, because she has need of it. For the abbot clothes himself by singing.

 PARM. __ Y avn viste como canta. Y esta puta vieja querría en vn día por tres pasos desechar todo el pelo malo,   quanto en cincuenta años no ha podido medrar.

Par.__ And he dresses like he sings. And in just one day this old whore wants, in three steps, to cast off all her bad hair when she has not been able to make a profit  in fifty years.

SEMP. __ ¿Todo esso es lo que te castigó   y el conoscimiento que os teníades y lo que te crió? 

Sem.__ Is this how you repay her for all she has taught you and for the acquaintance that you have with her and for how she raised you?

PARM. __ Bien sofriré más que pida y pele;   pero no todo para su prouecho.

Par.__ I can tolerate the fact that she can pick and pluck; but not when everything is for her own benefit.

SEMP. __ No tiene otra tacha sino ser cobdiciosa;   pero déxala, varde sus paredes,   que después vardará las nuestras o en mal punto nos conoció.

Sem.__ She does not have any other flaw except for being covetous. But leave her alone and let her thatch her walls because later she will thatch ours or she will be sorry that she ever met us.

CAL. __ Dime, por Dios, señora, ¿Qué fazía?   ¿Cómo entraste? ¿Qué tenía vestido?   ¿A qué parte de casa estaua?   ¿Qué cara te mostró al principio?  

Cal.__ Tell me mother, by God, what was she doing? How did you get in? What was she wearing? What part of the house was she in? What look did she give you at the beginning?

CEL. __ Aquella cara, señor, que suelen los brauos toros mostrar   contra los que lançan las agudas frechas en el coso,   la que los monteses puercos contra los sabuesos, que mucho los aquexan.

Cel.__ That look, master, which the angry bulls tend to show toward those who cast sharp darts at them in the bullring. Like the ones that the wild boars show to the hounds who much bear down on them.

CAL. __ ¿Y a essas llamas señales de salud?  Pues ¿Quáles serán mortales?   No por cierto la misma muerte:   que aquélla aliuio sería en tal caso deste mi tormento, que es mayor y duele más.

Cal.__ And are those what you call signs of good hope? Then what would be the fatal ones? It is certain that death could not be so deadly: for in such a case it would alleviate my torment, which is great and more hurtful.

SEMP. __ ¿Estos son los fuegos pasados de mi   amo?  ¿Qué es esto? ¿No ternía este hombre sofrimiento para oyr lo que siempre ha deseado?  

Sem.__ Are these the former flames of my master? What is this? Did this man not have the patience to hear what he has desired for so long?

PARM. __ ¡Y que calle yo, Sempronio! Pues, si nuestro amo te oye, tan bien te castigará a ti como a mí.

Par.__ And I was supposed to be quiet, Sempronio! Well, if our master were to hear you he would punish you just as well as me.

SEMP. __ ¡O mal fuego te abrase!   Que tú fablas en daño de todos y yo a ninguno ofendo. !O! ¡Intolerable pestilencia y mortal te consuma, rixoso, embidioso, maldito!   ¿Toda ésta es la amistad, que con Celestina y comigo hauías concertado?   ¡Vete de aquí a la mala ventura!  

Sem.__ Oh may you be consumed by an evil fire! For you speak to injure everybody and I do not offend anyone. Oh may an inolerable and fatal pestilence consume you, you beligerent and damned fool! Is this the friendship that you concerted to me and Celsetina? Get out of here and may you go with bad fortune!

  CAL. __ Si no quieres, reyna y señora mia, que desespere   y vaya mi ánima condenada a perpetua pena,   oyendo essas cosas, certifícame breuemente   si houo buen fin tu demanda gloriosa   y la cruda y rigurosa muestra   de aquel gesto angélico y matador;   pues todo esso más es señal de odio, que de amor.

Cal.__ If you do not want, queen and mistress of mine, for me to despair and for my soul to be condemened to perpetual pain from hearing these things, briefly certify to me if their was a happy ending to your glorious demand and if the cruel and harsh look of that angelic and killing face changed; for the things you have said have been more signs of hatred than of love.

CEL. __ La mayor gloria, que al secreto oficio de la abeja se da,   a la qual los discretos deuen imitar,   es que todas las cosas por ella tocadas   conuierte en mejor de lo que son. Desta manera me he hauido con las çahareñas razones y esquiuas de Melibea. Todo su rigor traygo conuertido en miel, su yra en mansedumbre, su aceleramiento   en sosiego. ?Pues, a qué piensas que yua allá la vieja Celestina,   a quien tú, demás de su merecimiento, magníficamente galardonaste,   sino ablandar su saña, sofrir su acidente,   a ser escudo de tu absencia,   a recebir en mi manto los golpes,   los desuíos, los menosprecios,   en viendo que de alguno eran amadas?     Las quales, avnque están abrasadas   y encendidas de viuos fuegos de amor,   por su honestidad muestran vn frío esterior   vn sosegado vulto,   vn aplazible desuío, vn constante ánimo   y casto propósito, vnas palabras agras,   que la propia lengua se marauilla del gran sofrimiento suyo,   que la fazen forçosamente confessar el contrario de lo que sienten. Assí que para   que tú descanses y tengas reposo, mientra te contare por estenso el processo de mi habla e la causa que tuue para entrar, sabe que el fin de su razón e habla fue muy bueno.

Cel.__ The greatest glory, which should be imitated by the discrete, is given to the secret occupation of the bee. It is that everything that he touches he converts into something better than it originally was. In this same manner I have done with Melibea's coy and evasive words. I have converted all of her harshness into honey, her ire into mildness and her fury into peace. Well, why do you think old Celestina (to whom you gave a maginificent reward which was more than she deserved) went over there? It was to soothe her fury, to suffer her bad temper, to be a shield in your absence, to receive her blows in my mantle, the degradations and the scorn, which come from knowing that they are loved. These women are such, that even if they are  burned and lit by the lively flames of love, because of their honor they portray an icy exterior, a calm expression, a placid unconcern , a constant spirit, a chaste intent, and sour words which make their own tongues marvel. They forcefully confess the contrary of what they feel. Now, so that you can rest and have repose while I extensively relate the process of my conversation and the excuse I gave, know that at the end her discourse and words were very good.

CAL. __ Agora, señora, que me has dado seguro,   para que ose esperar todos los rigores de la respuesta,   di quanto mandares y como quisieres;   que yo estaré atento. Ya me reposa el coraçón,   ya descansa mi pensamiento,   ya reciben las venas y recobran su perdida sangre,   ya he perdido temor,   ya tengo alegría. Subamos, si mandas, arriba. En mi cámara me dirás por estenso   lo que aquí he sabido en suma.

Cal.__ Now, mother, since you have assured me, so that I can boldly await all the severities of her response, tell me however much you want and however you would like to. I will be attentive. My heart is already in repose, my thoughts are already resting and my veins are already receiving and recuperating the blood they had lost. I have already lost my fear and I am already happy. Let us, if it is alright with you, go upstairs. In my room you can tell me exstensively of what right here I know the summary.

CEL. __ Subamos, señor.

Cel.__ Let us go up, sir.

PARM. __ ¡O sancta María! ¡Y qué rodeos busca este loco   por huyr de nosotros,   para poder llorar a su plazer con Celestina de gozo   y por descubrirle mill secretos de su liuiano y desuariado apetito,   por preguntar y responder seys vezes cada cosa,   sin que esté presente quien le pueda dezir que es prolixo!   Pues mándote yo, desatinado, que tras ti vamos.  

Par.__ Oh saint Mary! And what detours this fool seeks so that he can escape from us. So that at his pleasure he can weep for joy with Celestina and uncover to her the thousand secrets of his frivolous and delirious apetite. So that he can ask everything and be answered six times, without having anyone present to tell him how unduly tedious he is! Well, go fool, for we will be behind you.

CAL. __ Mira, señora, qué fablar trae Pármeno,   cómo se viene santiguando de oyr   lo que has hecho con tu gran diligencia. Espantado está por mi fe, señora Celestina. Otra vez se santigua. Sube, sube, sube   y asiéntate, señora,   que de rodillas quiero escuchar tu suaue respuesta. Dime luego la causa de tu entrada, qué fue.

Cal.__ Look, mother, how Parmeno is talking and how he has been crossing himself after hearing about what you have done by your great diligence. He is frightened, believe me, mother Celestina. He is crossing himself again. Come up, come up, come up and sit down, mother, for I want to hear your sweet response while I am on my knees. Tell me now the cause for your entering the house.

 CEL. __ Vender vn poco de hilado,   con que tengo caçadas más de treynta de su estado,   si a Dios ha plazido,   en este mundo y algunas mayores.

Cel.__ To sell a little bit of thread. I have used it over thirty times to hunt down women like her, and if it has pleased God, some that were greater.

CAL. __ Esso será de cuerpo, madre;   pero no de gentileza, no   de estado, no de gracia y discreción,   no de linaje, no de presunción con merecimiento,   no en virtud, no en habla.

Cal.__ That may be of their body, mother; but not of status, not of grace and discretion, not of lineage, not of deserving merit, not of virtue and not of speech.

PARM. __ Ya escurre eslauones el perdido. Ya se desconciertan sus badajadas. Nunca da menos de doze;   siempre está hecho relox de mediodía. Cuenta, cuenta, Sempronio, que estás desbauando   oyéndole a él locuras y a ella mentiras.

Par.__ Now the lost soul is pouring out gibberish. He sounds like disconcerting gongs. It never strikes less than twelve times; he is like a clock at noon. Tell, tell, Sempronio, what are you thinking about after hearing his madness and her lies? 

 SEMP. __ ¡Maldeziente venenoso! ¿Por qué cierras las orejas   a lo que todos los del mundo las aguzan,   hecho serpiente, que huye la boz del encantador? Que sólo por ser de amores estas razones,   avnque mentiras, las hauías de escuchar con gana.

Sem.__ Venomous villain! Why do you cover your ears when everyone else in the world sharpens them? You have become a snake who runs from the voice of the charmer. You should willingly listen to her, even if they are lies, if only because she speaks about love.

CEL. __ Oye, señor Calisto, y verás   tu dicha y mi solicitud qué obraron. Que en començando yo a vender   y poner en precio mi hilado,   fué su madre de Melibea llamada   para que fuesse a visitar vna hermana suya enferma. Y como le fuesse necessario absentarse,   dexó en su lugar a Melibea.

Cel.__ Listen, Sir Calisto, and you will see what came from your luck and my request. For when I had begun to sell and put a price on my thread, Melibea's mother was called to go and visit her sick sister. And because it was necessary for her to leave, in her place, she left Melibea.

CAL. __ ¡O gozo sin par! ¡O singular oportunidad! ¡O oportuno tiempo!   ¡O quién estuuiera allí debaxo de tu manto,   escuchando qué hablaría sola aquélla   en quien Dios tan estremadas gracias puso!  

Cal.__ Oh uncomparable delight! Oh singular opportunity! Oh opportune moment! Oh, if only I had been underneath your mantle, listening only to what she, whom God gave such plentiful graces, had to say.

CEL. __ ¿Debaxo de mi manto, dizes? ¡Ay mezquina! Que fueras visto por treynta agujeros que tiene, si Dios no le mejora.

Cel.__ Underneath my mantle, you say? Oh poor soul! You would have been seen through the thirty holes that it has, unless God fixes them.

PARM. __ Sálgome fuera, Sempronio. Ya no digo nada;   escúchatelo tú todo. Si este perdido de mi amo no midiesse con el pensamiento   quantos pasos ay de aquí a casa de Melibea   y contemplasse en su gesto   y considerasse cómo estaría haviniendo el hilado,   todo el sentido puesto y ocupado en ella, él vería que mis consejos   le eran más saludables,   que estos engaños de Celestina.

Par.__ I will leave, Sempronio. I will say nothing; you listen to everything. If only my lost master did not measure with his thoughts how many steps there could be between here and the house of Melibea. And if he was not cotemplating her gesture and considering how she was baragaining for the thread. If he did not have all his senses occupied with her, he would see that my counsel would be much better for him, than these tricks of Celestina.

CAL. __ ¿Qué es esto, moços?   Estó yo escuchando atento,   que me va la vida;   ¿Vosotros susurrays, como soleys,   por fazerme mala obra y enojo?   Por mi amor, que calleys:   morirés según su buena diligencia. Di, señora, ¿Qué fiziste, quando te viste sola?  

Cal.__ What is this, servants? I am listening attentively to that which is worth my life. Are you whispering like that in order to bother me in my business and provoke my anger? By my love, be quiet and die with delight according to her good diligence. Tell me, mother, what did you do when you saw her alone?

CEL. __ Recebí, señor, tanta alteración de plazer,   que qualquiera que me viera,   me lo conociera en el rostro.

Cel.__ I received, sir, such an alteration of pleasure that if someone had seen me, they would not have recognized my face.

 CAL. __ Agora la rescibo yo: quánto más quien ante sí contemplaua tal ymagen. Enmudecerías con la nouedad incogitada.

Cal.__ Now I am receiving it: and how much greater it must have been to contemplate such an image standing before you. Such an unexpected development must have made you unable to speak.

 CEL. __ Antes me dio más osadía a hablar   lo que quise verme sola con ella. Abrí mis entrañas. Díxele mi embaxada:   cómo penauas tanto por vna palabra,   de su boca salyda en fauor tuyo,   para sanar un gran dolor. Y como ella estuuiesse suspensa,   mirándome, espantada del nueuo mensaje,   escuchando fasta ver quién podía ser   el que assí por necessidad de su palabra penaua  o a quién pudiesse sanar su lengua,   en nombrando tu nombre, atajó mis palabras,   dióse en la frente vna grand palmada,   como quien cosa de grande espanto houiesse oydo, diziendo   que cessasse mi habla   y me quitasse delante,   si no quería hazer a sus seruidores verdugos de mi postremería,   agrauando mi osadía, llamándome hechizera,   alcahueta, vieja falsa, barbuda malhechora y otros muchos inominiosos nombres,   con cuyos títulos asombran a los niños , de cuna. E empós desto mill amortescimientos e desmayos, mill milagros e espantos, turbado el sentido, bulliendo fuertemente los miembros  todos a vna parte e a otra, herida de aquella dorada frecha, que del sonido de tu nombre le tocó, retorciendo el cuerpo, las manos enclauijadas, como quien se despereza, que parecía que las despedaçaua, mirando con los ojos a todas partes, acoceando con los pies el suelo duro. E yo a todo esto arrinconada, encogida, callando, muy gozosa con su ferocidad. Mientra más vasqueaua, más yo me alegraua, porque más cerca estaua el rendirse e su cayda. Pero entre tanto que gastaua aquel espumajoso almazén su yra, yo no dexaua mis pensamientos estar vagos ni ociosos, de manera que toue tiempo para saluar lo dicho.

Cel.__ Rather, I became more daring to speak what was on my mind when I saw myself alone with her. I opened up my entrails. I told her what my embassage was: how you were suffering so greatly for just one word from her mouth in your favor which would cure a great pain. And she was in suspense, looking at me, frightened by this new message, listening so that she could find out who it was that pained for her word or could be cured by her tongue. When I said your name, she interrupted my speech and gave herself a slap on the forehead as if she had heard something that was very appalling. She told me to cease speaking and to get out of her sight, unless I wanted her servants to be my executioners. She exaggerated my boldness; she called me a sorceress, a bawd, a false old woman, a bearded evil-doer and other very ignominious names which have been used to scare children from their cribs. After a thousand atrocities and swoonings, a thousand gestures and terrors, after disturbing her senses and intensely throwing her limbs around from one way to the other; wounded by that golden arrow which struck her when she heard the sound of your voice, after wringing her body, clenching her hands like someone who is stretching, rolling her eyes to every side and treading loudly on the hard floor. And during all this I was standing still in the corner, fearful and quiet yet delighting in her ferociousness. The more that she raged, the happier I became because the closer she was to her surrender and fall. But while she was foaming in rage, I did not let my thoughts become lazy and idle. Because of that I had the time to save the situation.

CAL. __ Esso me di, señora madre. Que yo he buelto en mi juyzio mientra te escucho   y no he fallado desculpa   que buena fuesse ni conuiniente,   con que lo dicho se cubriesse ni colorasse,   sin quedar terrible sospecha de tu demanda. Porque conozca tu mucho saber,   que en todo me pareces más que muger:   que como su respuesta tú pronosticaste,   proueyste con tiempo tu réplica. ?Qué más hazía aquella Tusca Adeleta,   cuya fama siendo tú viua, se perdiera?   La qual tres días ante de su fin prenunció   la muerte de su viejo marido y de dos fijos que tenía. Ya creo lo que dizes,   que el género flaco de las hembras es más apto para las prestas cautelas,   que el de los varones.

Cal.__ That is what you told me, dear mother. But I have searched my mind while I have been listening to you and I have not come up with any excuse that would either be good or convenient, which would cover or color what had been said, that would not make your demand seem incredibly suspect. Yet I know your great wisdom, for in everything you seem to be more than a woman: you predicted her response and were able to forsee, with time, your reply. What more could that Tuscan Adeleta have done, whose fame is lost because you are alive? The one who pronounced the death of her husband and three children three days before her own demise. I now believe what you say, because while women may be the weaker gender, they are more capable of quick cunning than men.

 CEL. __ ¿Qué, señor? Dixe que tu pena era mal de muelas   y que la palabra, que della quería, era vna oración,   que ella sabía, muy deuota, para ellas.

Cel.__ What, sir? I told her that your pain was a toothache and that the word that I wanted from her was a very devoted prayer for them which she knew.

 CAL. __ ¡O marauillosa astucia! ¡O singular muger en su oficio!  ¡O cautelosa hembra! ¡O melezina presta! ¡O discreta en mensajes¡   ¿Qual humano seso bastara a pensar tan alta manera de remedio? De cierto creo, si nuestra edad   alcançara aquellos passados Eneas y Dido,   no trabajara tanto Venus para atraer a su fijo el amor de Elisa,   haziendo tomar a Cupido Ascánica forma, para la engañar;   antes por euitar prolixidad,   pusiera a ti por medianera. Agora doy por bienempleada mi muerte,   puesta en tales manos, y creeré   que, si mi desseo no houiere efeto, qual querría,   que no se pudo obrar más, según natura, en mi salud. ¿Qué os parece, moços?   ¿Qué más se pudiera pensar?   ¿Ay tal muger nascida en el mundo?  

Cal.__ Oh marvelous astuteness! Oh singular woman of her business! Oh cunning female! Oh quick remedy! Oh woman of discreet messages! What human mind could have been able to reach such a high means of help? I certainly believe that if we lived during the days of Aeneas and Dido, Venus would not have worked so hard to attract the love of Elisa for her son by making Cupid take the form of Ascanius in order to trick her. In order to avoid uneccesary delay I would have made you the mediator. Now that I am in your hands I will die happy and if my desire does not take the effect that I wanted, I know that nothing more, according to nature, could have been done to cure me. What do you think, boys? What more could have been thought of? Is there such a woman that has ever been born in this world?

CEL. __ Señor, no atajes mis razones;   déxame dezir, que se va haziendo noche. Ya sabes que quien malhaze aborrece la claridad   y, yendo a mi casa, podré hauer algún malencuentro.

Cel.__ Sir, do not interrupt my speech; let me finish for it is almost night. You already know that he who does evil abhors the daylight and on the way to my house there may be some danger.

CAL. __ ¿Qué, qué? Sí, que hachas y pajes ay, que te acompañen.

Cal.__   What, what? Yes, for there are torches and pages that can accompany you.

PARM. __¡ Sí, sí, porque no fuercen a la niña!   Tú yrás con ella, Sempronio,   que ha temor de los grillos, que cantan con lo escuro.

Par.__ Yes, yes, so they do not ravish the young girl! You will go with her, Sempronio, for she is scared of the crickets who sing in the dark.

CAL. __ ¿Dizes algo, hijo Pármeno?  

Cal.__ Did you say something, son Parmeno?

PARM. __ Señor, que yo y Sempronio será bueno que la acompañemos hasta su casa,   que haze mucho escuro.

Par.__ Sir, that it would be good if Sempronio and I accompanied her to her house, for it is very dark.

CAL. __ Bien dicho es. Después será. Procede en tu habla y dime qué más passaste. ?Qué respondió a la demanda de la oración?  

Cal.__ That is well said. You will do it later. Continue with your discourse and tell me what else happened. How did she respond to your demand for the prayer?

CEL. __ Que la daría de su grado.

Cel.__ That she would give it willingly.

AL. __ ¿De su grado? ¡O Dios mio, qué alto don!   

Cal.__ Willingly? Oh God of mine, what a marvelous gift!

CEL. __ Pues más le pedí.

Cel.__ Well, I asked her for more.

CAL. __ ¿Qué, mi vieja honrrada?  

Cal.__ What, my honest old woman?

CEL. __ Vn cordón, que ella trae contino ceñido,   diziendo que era prouechoso para tu mal,   porque hauía tocado muchas reliquias.

Cel.__ A girdle, which she always wears, saying that it would be good for your pain because it had touched so many relics.

 CAL. __ ¿Pues qué dixo?  

Cal.__ What did she say?

CEL. __ ¡Dame albricias! Decírtelo he.

Cel.__ Give me rewards! And I will tell you.

CAL. __ ¡O¡Por Dios, toma toda esta casa y quanto en ella ay   y dímelo o pide lo que querrás.

Cal.__ Oh by God! Take this house and everything that is in it and tell me. Or ask me what it is that you want.

CEL. __ Por vn manto, que tú des a la vieja,   te dará en tus manos el mesmo,   que en su cuerpo ella traya.

Cel.__ For a mantle that you would give to this old woman I will give you in your hands the same thing that she wears on her body.

 CAL. __ ¿Qué dizes de manto?  Y saya y quanto yo tengo.

Cal.__ What are you saying about a mantle? And a skirt and whatever else I have.

CEL. __ Manto he menester y éste terné yo en harto. No te alargues más. No pongas sospechosa   duda en mi pedir. Que dicen que ofrescer mucho al que poco pide es especie de negar.

Cel.__ I am in need of a mantle and I have had enough of the one I have on now. Do not extend anymore. Do not be suspicious or doubtful of what I ask for. For they say that to offer too much to who has too little is a kind of denial

CAL. __ ¡Corre! Pármeno, llama a mi sastre   y corte luego vn manto y vna saya   de aquel contray, que se sacó para frisado.

Cal.__ Run! Parmeno, call my tailor and tell him to immediately cut a mantle and a skirt of that fine cloth which was taken out to be worked on for cottoning.

 PARM. __ ¡Assí, assí! A la vieja todo,   porque venga cargada de mentiras como abeja   y a mí que me arrastren. Tras esto anda ella oy todo el día con sus rodeos.

Par.__ Like so, like so! Everything for the old woman because she comes like the bee, full of lies. As for me, let them drag me along. This is what she has been after the whole day with her cirumlocutions.

CAL. __ ¡De qué gana va el diablo!   No ay cierto tan malseruido hombre como yo,   manteniendo moços adeuinos, reçongadores, enemigos de mi bien. ?Qué vas, vellaco, rezando? Embidioso,   ¿Qué dizes, que no te entiendo?   Ve donde te mando presto y no me enojes,   que harto basta mi pena para acabar:   que también haurá para ti sayo en aquella pieça.

Cal.__ Look how unwillingly the devil goes! There is certainly no other man whos is more poorly served than I. I maintain young men who are fortune tellers, complainers and enemies of my well- being. What are you whispering for, villain? Jealous fool, what are you saying, for I do not understand you? Go where I order you to go and do not anger me, for my pain suffices to kill me. Their will also be enough of that cloth so that you can have a jacket.

PARM. __ No digo, señor, otra cosa, sino que es tarde para que venga el sastre.

Par.__ I did not say anything else, Sir, except that it was too late for the tailor to come.

CAL. __ ¿No digo yo que adeuinas?   Pues quédese para mañana. Y tú, señora, por amor mio te sufras,   que no se pierde lo que se dilata. Y   mándame mostrar aquel sancto cordón,   que tales miembros fué digno de ceñir. !Gozarán mis ojos con todos los otros sentidos, pues juntos han sido apasionados! ¡Gozará mi lastimado coraçón,   aquél que nunca recibió momento de plazer,   después que aquella señora conoció!   todos los sentidos le llegaron,   todos acorrieron a él con sus esportillas de trabajo. Cada vno le lastimó quanto más pudo:   los ojos en vella, los oydos en oylla, las manos en tocalla.

Cal.__ Did I not tell you not to conjecture anymore? Well, leave it until tomorrow. And as for you, mother, you endure it for my love, for what is delayed is not lost. And let me see that saintly girdle which was lucky enough to be worn by such a body. My eyes will delight, together with the rest of my senses, because they have all been affected with passion!  My wounded heart will delight for it has not received a moment of pleasure since it first met that lady! All of my senses ran and hastened to my heart with their baskets of trouble. Every single one wounded it as much as it could: the eyes in seeing her, the ears in hearing her and the hands in touching her.

CEL. __ ¿Que la has tocado dizes? Mucho me espantas.

Cel.__ You say you have touched her? You shock me greatly.

CAL. __ Entre sueños, digo.

Cal.__ In dreams, I mean.

CEL. __ ¿En sueños?  

Cel.__ In dreams?

CAL. __ En sueños la veo tantas noches,   que temo me acontezca como a Alcibíades o a Sócrates,   que el uno soñó que se veya embuelto en el manto de su amiga   y otro día matáronle, y no houo quien le alçasse de la calle ni cubriesse, sino ella con su manto;   el otro vía que le llamavan por nombre   y murió dende a tres días;   pero en vida o en muerte, alegre me sería vestir su vestidura.

Cal.__ So many nights I see her in my dreams, that I fear the same thing will happen to me which happened to Alciabiades and Socrates. For the first one dreampt that he saw himself wrapped in the mantle of his mistress and the next day he was murdered. Then there was nobody to remove him from the street or cover him except for her, with her mantle. The other one had his name called out and three days later he died. But dead or alive, I would rejoice to wear any of her clothes.

CEL. __ Asaz tienes pena,   pues, quando los otros reposan en sus camas,   preparas tú el trabajo para sofrir otro día. Esfuérçate, señor, que no hizo Dios a quien desamparasse. Dá espacio a tu desseo. Toma este cordón,   que, si yo no me muero,   yo te daré a su ama.

Cel.__ You have suffered a lot, because when the others are resting in their beds, you are preparing for another day of suffering. Become courageous, sir, for God did not make anyone so that he could forsake him. Give your desire some time. Take this girdle, for unless I die, I will give you its owner.

CAL. __ ¡O nueuo huésped! ¡O bienauenturado cordón,   que tanto poder y merescimiento touiste de ceñir aquel cuerpo,   que yo no soy digno de seruir¡   ¡O ñudos de mi pasión, vosotros enlazastes mis desseos¡   ¡Dezíme si os hallastes presentes en la desconsolada respuesta   de aquélla a quien vosotros seruís y yo adoro   y, por más que trabajo noches y días, no me vale ni aprouecha!  

 Cal.__ Oh new guest! Oh fortunate girdle, which had so much power and merit in binding that body, which I am not worthy enough to serve! O knots of my passion, you       interlace my desires! Tell me if you were present during the grievous response of she whom you served and whom I adore and, no matter how much I labor day and night it is worthless ad unrewarding.

CEL. __ Refrán viejo es: quien menos procura,   alcança más bien. Pero yo te haré procurando   conseguir lo que siendo negligente no haurías. Consuélate, señor,   que en vna hora no se ganó çamora;   pero no por esso desconfiaron los combatientes.

Cel.__ It is an old proverb: he who seeks least, gets the most. But I will seek, by my trying hard, that you get what your neglicence could not achieve. Console yourself, sir, because the warriors did not despair when Zamora was not conquered in an hour.

 CAL. __ ¡O desdichado¡Que las cibdades están con piedras cercadas   y a piedras, piedras las vencen;   pero esta mi señora tiene el coraçón de azero. No ay metal, que con él pueda;   no ay tiro, que le melle. Pues poned escalas en su muro:   vnos ojos tiene con que echa saetas,   vna lengua de reproches y desuíos,   el asiento tiene en parte, que media legua no le pueden poner cerco.

Cal.__ Oh unhappy one! The cities are walled in with stone, and stones are conquered by stones. But my lady has a heart of steel. There is no metal that can prevail against it; there is no shot that can dent it. Place ladders on her wall: her eyes would throw darts, and her tongue would reproach and insult. She is sitting on a place that cannot be besieged with a half a league circle.

CEL. __ ¡Calla, señor! Que el buen atreuimiento de vn solo hombre ganó a Troya. No desconfíes, que vna muger puede ganar otra. Poco has tratado mi casa:   no sabes bien lo que yo puedo.

Cel.__ Quiet, sir! Because the boldness of one single man conquered Troy. Do not be distrustful, because one single woman can win another. You know little of my house: you have no idea what I am capable of.

CAL. __ Quanto dixeres, señora, te quiero creer,   pues tal joya como esta me truxiste. !O mi gloria y ceñidero de aquella angélica cintura!  Yo te veo y no lo creo. !O cordón, cordón! ¿Fuísteme tú enemigo?   Dilo cierto. Si lo fuiste, yo te perdono,   que de los buenos es propio las culpas perdonar. No lo creo: que, si fueras contrario,   no vinieras tan presto a mi poder,   saluo si vienes a desculparte. Conjúrote me respondas, por la virtud del gran poder,   que aquella señora sobre mí tiene.

Cal.__ Whatever you say, mother, I want to believe you especially since you brought me a jewel such as this. Oh my glory and binder of that angelic waist! I see you and I do not believe it. Oh girdle, girdle! Were you also my enemy? Tell me the truth. If you were, I forgive you, for it is proper of good people to forgive. I do not believe it: for, if you had been against me, you would not have come so quickly into my possession, unless you came to beg my forgiveness. I conjure you to respond to me, by the virtue of the great power which that lady has over me.

CEL. __ Cessa ya, señor, ese deuanear,   que a mí tienes cansada de escucharte   y al cordón, roto de tratarlo.

Cel.__ Please stop, sir, this nonsense, because I am exhausted from listening to you and the girdle is worn out from your handling it.

CAL. __ ¡O mezquino de mí¡   Que asaz bien me fuera del cielo otorgado,   que de mis braços fueras fecho y texido, no de seda como eres,   porque ellos gozaran cada día   de rodear y ceñir con deuida reuerencia aquellos miembros,   que tú, sin sentir ni gozar de la gloria, siempre tienes abraçados. !O qué secretos haurás visto de aquella excelente ymagen!  

Cal.__ Oh wretched is me! It would have been better if the heavens had granted that you had been made and woven out of my own arms and not out of the silk. Because they would have delighted each day from encircling and binding, with due reverence, those members which you, without ever having felt the delight or the glory, have always embraced. Oh what secrets you must have seen of that excellent image!

 CEL. __ Mas verás tú y con más sentido,   si no lo pierdes fablando lo que fablas.

Cel.__ You would see more and with better senses, if you did not waste so much time talking as you do.

CAL. __ Calla, señora, que él y yo nos entendemos. !O mis ojos! Acordaos   cómo fuistes causa y puerta, por donde fué mi coraçón llagado,   y que aquél es visto fazer daño, que da la causa. Acordaos que soys debdores de la  salud. Remirá la melezina, que os viene hasta casa.

Cal.__ Quiet, mother, for he and I understand each other. Oh my eyes! They remember how you were part of the cause and the door through which my heart was wounded, and that you have seen the hurt which was its cause. Remember that you are the debtor to my welfare. Look at the medicine that has come to our house.

SEMP. __ Señor, por holgar con el cordón, no querrás gozar de Melibea.

Sem.__ Sir, you are probably so happy with the girdle, you may not need to delight of Melibea.

CAL. __ ¡Qué loco, desuariado, atajasolazes!   ¿Cómo es esso?  

Cal.__ What fool, crazy, disturber of delight! How is it so?    

SEMP. __ Que mucho fablando matas a ti y a los que te oyen. Y assí que perderás la vida o el seso. Qualquiera que falte, basta para quedarte ascuras. Abreuia tus razones: darás lugar a las de Celestina.

Sem.__ For by talking so much you kill yourself and those who are listening to you. And so you either lose your life or your wits. Whichever one is missing suffices to be in the dark. Abbreviate your discourse and listen to those of Celestina.

CAL. __ ¿Enójote, madre, con mi luenga razón   o está borracho este moço?  

Cal.__ Are you annoyed, mother, by my lengthy reasoning or is this fellow drunk?

CEL. __ Avnque no lo esté, deues, señor, cessar tu razón,   dar fin a tus luengas querellas,   tratar al cordón como cordón,   porque sepas fazer diferencia de fabla,   quando con Melibea te veas:   no haga tu lengua yguales la persona y el vestido.

Cel.__ Although he is not, you should, sir, finish your discourse, put an end to your long complaints, and treat the girdle like a girdle. For you should learn how to make a difference with your words when you see Melibea: you should not speak the same to a piece of clothing as you would a person.

CAL. __ ¡O mi señora, mi madre, mi consoladora!   Déjame gozar con este mensajero de mi gloria. !O lengua mia! ¿Por qué te impides en otras razones,   dexando de adorar presente la excellencia   de quien por ventura jamás verás en tu poder?   ¡O mis manos! ¡Con qué atreuimiento, con quán poco acatamiento teneys y   tratays la triaca de mi llaga!   Ya no podrán empecer las yeruas,   que aquel crudo caxquillo traya embueltas en su aguda punta. Seguro soy, pues quien dio la herida la cura. !O tú, señora, alegría de las viejas mugeres,   gozo de las moças, descanso de los fatigados como yo!   No me fagas más penado con tu temor, que faze mi vergüença. Suelta la rienda a mi contemplación,   déxame salir por las calles con esta joya,   porque los que me vieren, sepan   que no ay más bienandante hombre que yo.

Cal.__ O my lady, my mother, my consoler! Let me delight with this messenger of my glory. Oh my tongue! Why are you prevented from other discourses, not letting me presently adore the excellence of whom, unless by chance, you will never see in your power? Oh my hands! With what boldness and little esteem you try to touch the cure for my wound?  Now the poisons that are within that cruel sharp arrow cannot harm me. I am sure that she who gave me my wound will also gave me my medicine. Oh you, Celestina, the pride of all the old women, the delight of all the young girls and the relief to all those who are fatigued, like me! Do not make me suffer more your fear, than does my shame. Loosen the reins that you have over my contemplation and let me go out on the streets with this jewel, so that those who see me will know that there is no other man as happy as myself.

SEMP. __ No afistoles tu llaga cargándola de más desseo. No es, señor, el solo cordón del que pende tu remedio.

Sem.__ Do not inflame your wound by weighing it down with more desire. It is not, sir, the girdle alone on which your remedy depends.

CAL. __ Bien lo conozco; pero no tengo sofrimiento   para me abstener de adorar tan alta empresa.

Cal.__ I know that; but I do not have the power to abstain from adoring so great a token.

 CEL. __ ¿Empresa? Aquélla es empresa, que de grado es dada;   pero ya sabes que lo hizo por amor de Dios,   para guarecer tus muelas, no por el tuyo,   para cerrar tus llagas. Pero si yo viuo, ella boluerá la hoja.

Cel.__ Gift? A token is given willingly; but you already know that she did it for the love of God, in order to ease your toothaches. Not for your love, but to close your wounds. But if I live, she will turn her leaf.

CAL. __ ¿Y la oración?  

Cal.__ And the prayer?    

CEL. __ No se me dio por agora.

Cel.__ She has not given it to me yet.

CAL. __ ¿Qué fué la causa?  

Cal.__ What was the reason for that?

CEL. __ La breuedad del tiempo;   pero quedó que si tu pena no afloxase,   que tornasse mañana por ella.

Cel.__ The lack of time. But she promised that if your pain did not diminish, that I could return for it tomrrow.

CAL. __ ¿Afloxar? Entonce afloxará mi pena, quando su crueldad.

Cal.__ Diminish? My pain will diminish when her cruelty does.

 CEL. __ Asaz, señor, basta lo dicho y fecho. Obligada queda, segund lo que mostró,   a todo lo que para esta enfermedad yo quisiere pedir, según su poder. Mirá, señor, si esto basta para la primera vista. Yo me voy. Cumple, señor, que si salieres mañana,   lleues reboçado vn paño, porque si della fueres visto,   no acuse de falsa mi petición.

Cel.__ Enough, sir, what has been said and done is sufficient. She obligated herself, according to her demonstration, to everything within her power that I would want to ask for your sickness. Let me know, sir, if this is not enough for the first visit. I am leaving. If you go out tomorrow, sir, remember to wear a bandage around your mouth. Then if she sees you, she will not be able to accuse me of a false petition.

CAL. __ Y avn cuatro por tu seruicio. Pero dime, pardiós, ¿Passó más?   Que muero por oyr palabras de aquella dulce boca. ?Cómo fueste tan osada,   que, sin la conocer, te mostraste tan familiar en tu entrada y demanda?  

Cal.__ And to serve you, I will use four. But tell me, by God, did anything else happen? For I die to hear the words that came from that sweet mouth. How is it that you were so daring, that, without even knowing her, you made yourself so familiar in your entrance and demand?

CEL. __ ¿Sin la conoscer? Quatro años fueron mis vezinas. Tractaua con ellas, hablaua y reya de día y de noche. Mejor me conosce su madre, que a sus mismas manos;   avnque Melibea se ha fecho grande, muger discreta, gentil.

Cel.__ Whithout knowing her? They were my neighbors for four years. I dealt with, talked with and laughed with them day and night. Her mother knows me better than she knows her own hands; although Melibea has since grown up, discreetly and graciously.

 PARM. __ Ea, mira, Sempronio, que te digo al oydo.

Par.__ Attention, Sempronio, I whisper in your ear.

SEMP. __ Dime, ¿Qué dizes?  

Sem.__ Tell me, what is it?    

PARM. __ Aquel atento escuchar de Celestina da materia   de alargar en su razón a nuestro amo. Llégate a ella, dale del pie,   hagámosle de señas que no espere más; sino que se vaya. Que no hay tan loco hombre nacido, que solo mucho habla.

Par.__ Look at how Celestina attentively listens and gives our master a reason to lengthen his discourse. Go to her, tap her on the foot and make some signs for her to wait no longer and leave. For there is no man alive who is as crazy as the one that talks to himself.

CAL. __ ¿Gentil dizes, señora, que es Melibea?   Paresce que lo dizes burlando. ?Ay nascida su par en el mundo?   ¿Crió Dios otro mejor cuerpo?   ¿Puédense pintar tales faciones, dechado de hermosura?   Si oy fuera viua Elena, por   quien tanta muerte houo de griegos y troyanos,   o la hermosa Pulicena,   todas obedescerían a esta señora por quien yo peno. Si ella se hallara presente   en aquel debate de la mançana con las tres diosas,   nunca sobrenombre de discordia le pusieran. Porque sin contrariar ninguna, todas concedieran   y vivieran conformes en que la lleuara Melibea. Assí que se llamara mançana de concordia. Pues quantas oy son nascidas,   que della tengan noticia,   se maldizen, querellan a Dios,   porque no se acordó dellas, quando a esta mi señora hizo. Consumen sus vidas, comen sus carnes con embidia,   danles siempre crudos martirios, pensando con artificio ygualar con la perfición, que sin trabajo dotó a ella natura. Dellas, pelan sus cejas con tenazicas e pegones e a cordelejos; dellas, buscan las doradas yeruas, rayzes, ramas e flores para hazer lexías, con que sus cabellos semejassen a los della, las caras martillando, enuistiéndolas en diuersos matizes con vngüentos e vnturas, aguas fuertes, posturas blancas e coloradas, que por evitar prolixidad no las cuento. Pues la que todo esto falló fecho, mirá si merece de vn triste hombre como yo ser seruida.

Cal.__ Did you say, mother, that Melibea was gracious? It appears that you say it mockingly. Is their anyone born that is her equal? Did God create a better body? Could her features even be painted, since she is such a paragon of beauty? If Helen, for whom so many Greeks and Trojans died, were alive today; or the beautiful Polixena, they would all be submissive to this lady for whom I suffer. If she had been present during the debate with the three goddesses over the apple, its nickname would never have been the apple of discord. Because without any contradiction, all of them would have conceded and agreed that Melibea should have had it. Then it would have been called the apple of concord. For how many women are born today that know her, who curse themselves and complain to God for not remembering them when he made my lady. Cruel torments consume their lives, eat their flesh with jealousy and constantly compel them to try to equal artificially the perfection which was so easily doted upon her by nature. Of these, some pluck their eyebrows with tweezers and waxes and creams; others  look for the golden herbs, roots, sprigs and flowers to bleach their hair so that it will resemble the color of hers, pounding their their faces, coating  them with different colors, ointments, acids, and black and white cosmetics and in order to avoid prolixity.I will not list them all. And after all this, how could she deserve to be served by a man as sad as me?

CEL. __ Bien te entiendo, Sempronio. Déxale, que él caerá de su asno. Ya acaba.

Cel.__ I understand you well, Sempronio. Leave him, for he will fall from his donkey. This will finish soon.

 CAL. __ En la que toda la natura se remiró   por la fazer perfeta. Que las gracias, que en todas repartió, las juntó en ella. Allí hizieron alarde quanto más acabadas pudieron allegarse,   porque conociessen los que la viessen, quánta era la grandeza de su pintor. Solo vn poco de agua clara con vn ebúrneo peyne   basta para exceder a las nacidas en gentileza. Estas son sus armas. Con estas mata y vence,   con estas me catiuó, con estas me tiene ligado   y puesto en dura cadena.

Cal.__ All of nature took the care to make her perfect. All of the graces that are usually distributed among all women, were put together for her. In her they put together in the most perfect way so that all who saw her would recognize the greatness of her painter. Just a little bit of fountain water and an ebony comb is all that she needs to exceed in beauty all the others. These are her weapons. With these she kills and conquers, with these she captivated me, with these she has me bound and held with strong chains.

CEL. __ Calla y no te fatigues. Que más aguda es la lima, que yo tengo,   que fuerte essa cadena, que te atormenta. Yo la cortaré con ella, porque tú quedes suelto. Por ende, dame licencia, que es muy tarde,   y déxame lleuar el cordón, porque tengo dél necessidad.

Cel.__ Be quiet and do not fatigue yourself. For the file that I have is sharper than the chain which torments you. I will cut through it so that you can be free. Therefore, give me the license to leave, for it is very late, and let me take the girdle because I have need of it.

 CAL. __ ¡O desconsolado de mí!  La fortuna aduersa me sigue junta. Que contigo o con el cordón o con entramos   quisiera yo estar acompañado esta noche luenga y escura. Pero, pues   no ay bien complido en esta penosa vida,   venga entera la soledad. !Moços¡, ¡Moços!  

Cal.__   Oh dejected am I! Adverse fortune follows me closely. For I would wish to be accompanied on this long and dark night by you or by the girdle or by both. But, since complete good never comes in this arduous life, let solitude come in its entirety. Boys! Boys!

PARM. __ Señor.

Par.__ Sir.

CAL. __ Acompaña a esta señora hasta su casa   y vaya con ella tanto plazer y alegría,   quanta comigo queda tristeza y soledad.

Cal.__ Accompany this woman to her house and let such happiness and pleasure go with her as I stay with sadness and solitude.

CEL. __ Quede, señor, Dios contigo. Mañana será mi buelta,   donde mi manto y la respuesta vernán a vn punto;   pues oy no huvo tiempo. Y súfrete, señor, y piensa en otras cosas.

Cel.__ May God be with you, sir. I will return tomorrow, where my mantle and her response will meet together; for today there was not enough time. Be patient, sir, and think of other things.

CAL. __ Esso no, que es eregía oluidar   aquella por quien la vida me aplaze.

Cal.__ I cannot do that, for it would be heresy to forget the one  who makes my life a joy.