The Spanish Bawd (Calisto and Meliboea) (Celestina) · chunk 20 of 205
Mabbe, James / Rojas, Fernando de · published 1631 · first performed or written 1631 (Annals) tragicomedy; literary play unassigned nearest T41 Household service: masters, doors and po · 389 words
Marked words are the most distinguishing words of the nearest topic T41: master, house, door, iohn, old, mistress, basket, lord, gentleman, ick.
Sir, it grieves me not a little, that you should seem doubtful of my fidelity, and faithful service, which these your fair promises and demonstrations of your good affection, cannot but call into question and jealousy. When (Sir) did you ever see my envy prove hurtful unto you? Or when for any interest of mine own, or dislike, did I ever show myself cross, to cross your good, or to hinder what might make for your profit? Take it not offensively, not misconster my meaning▪ for assure thyself, thy good behaviour towards me, and thy fair carriage, and gentle disposition, makes thee more gracious in mine eyes, than any, nay, than all the rest of my servants. But because in a case so difficult and hard as this, not only all my good, but even my life and wholly dependeth; it is needful that I should in all that I am able, provide for myself; and therefore seek to arm myself in this sort as thou seest, against all such casualties, as may endanger my desire; howsoever, persuade thyself, that thy good qualities, as far excel every natural good, as every natural good excelleth the artificial, from whom it hath its beginning. But of this, for this time no more; but let us now go and see her, who must work out well fare. Soft: methinks I hear somebody on the stairs; they are now coming down: Sempronio, make as though you did not hear them: stand close, and listen what they say; and let me alone to speak for us both. And thou shalt see how handsomely I will handle the matter, both for thee and me. Due so then. Speak thou. Trouble me no more, I say, leave importuning me; for to overcharge one, who is heavy enough already laden with pain, and anguish, were to spur a sick beast. Alas, poor soul, methinks 〈◊〉 so possessed with thy Master's pain, and so affected with his affliction, that Sempronio seems to be Calisto; and Calisto, to be Sempronio; and that both your torments are both but in one and the same subject. Besides, I would have you think, that I came not hither to leave this controversy undecided, but will die rather in the demand and pursuit of this my purpose, than not see his desire accomplished.
seed 43: unassigned · seed 44: unassigned — topic numbers are assigned independently in each run; equal or different numbers say nothing by themselves
Original spelling (EEBO-TCP, unregularized)
Sir, it grieues mee not a little, that you should seeme doubtfull of my fidelity, and faithfull seruice, which these your faire promises and demonstrations of your good affection, cannot but call into question and iealousie. When (Sir) did you euer see my enuy prooue hurtfull vnto you? Or when for any interest of mine own, or dislike, did I euer shew myselfe crosse, to crosse your good, or to hinder what might make for your profit? Take it not offensiuely, not mis-conster my meaning▪ for assure thy selfe, thy good behauiour towards mee, and thy faire carriage, and gentle disposition, makes thee more gracious in mine eies, then any, nay, then all the rest of my seruants. But because in a case so difficult and hard as this, not only all my good, but euen my life and wholly dependeth; it is needfull that I should in all that I am abe, prouide for my selfe; and therefore seeke to arme my selfe in this sort as thou see'st, against all such casualties, as may indanger my desire; howsoever, perswade thy selfe, that thy good qualities, as farre excell euery naturall good, as euery naturall good excelleth the artificiall, from whom it hath it's beginning. But of this, for this time no more; but let vs now goe and see her, who must work out well fare. Soft: me thinkes I heare some body on the stayres; they are now comming downe: Sempronio, make as though you did not heare them: stand close, and litten what they say; and let me alone to speake for vs both. And thou shalt see how I and somely I will handle the matter, both for thee and mee. Due so then. Speake thou. Trouble mee no more, I say, leaue importuning me; for to ouercharge one, who is heauy enough already laden with paine, and uish, were to spurre a sicke beast. Alas, poore soule, mee thinkes so possessed with thy Masters paine, and so affected with his affliction, that Sempronio seemes to be Calisto; and Calisto, to be Semponio; and that both your torments are both but in one and the same subiect. Besides, I would haue you thinke, that I came not hither to leaue this controuersie vndecided, but will dye rather in the demand and pursuite of this my purpose, then not see his desire accomplished.