The Spanish Bawd (Calisto and Meliboea) (Celestina) · chunk 32 of 205
Mabbe, James / Rojas, Fernando de · published 1631 · first performed or written 1631 (Annals) tragicomedy; literary play T51 Parents and children: blessing, birthrig typicality 0.85 · 450 words
Marked words are the most distinguishing words of T51: esau, iacob, father, son, isaac, god, love, birthright, parents, thing.
It is proper to a man to err; but to a beast, to persevere in an error. It doth much glad me, Parmeno, that thou hast cleared those thick clouds, which darkened thy eyesight, and hast answered me according to the wisdom, discretion, and sharp wit of thy father, whose person, now representing itself fresh to my remembrance, doth make my tender eyes to melt into tears, which thou seest in such abundance to trickle down my cheeks. He sometimes would maintain hard and strange propositions, but would presently (such was the goodness of his nature) see his error, and embrace the truth▪ I swear unto thee; that in thus seeing thee to thwart the truth, and then suddenly upon it, laying down all contradiction, and to be conformable to that which was reason; methinks, I do as lively now behold thy father: as if he now were living, and present here before me. O what a man he was, how proper in his person, how able in his actions, what a part did he bear, and what a veneral and reverend countenance did he carry! But hush, I hear Calisto coming, and thy new friend, Sempronio, whose reconcilement with him, I refer to some fitter opportunity. For, two living in one heart, are more powerful both for action, and understanding. Dear mother, I did much doubt, considering my misfortunes, to find you alive: but marvel more, considering my desire, that myself come alive unto you. Receive this poor gift of him, who with it offers thee his life. As in your finest gold, that is wrought by the hand of your cunningest and curiousest Artificer, the workmanship oftentimes doth far surpass the matter: So the fashion of your fair liberality doth much exceed the greatness of your gift. And questionless, a kindness that is quickly conferred, redoubles its effect; for he that slacketh that, which he promiseth, seemeth in a manner to deny it, and to repent himself of his promised favour. Sempronio, what hath he given her? A hundred crowns in good gold. Ha, ha, ha. Hath my mother talked with thee? Peace, she hath. How is it then with us? As thou wilt thyself. Yet for all this, methinks I am still afraid. No more. Be silent. I fear me, I shall make thee twice as much afraid, e'er I have done with thee. Now fie upon it. I perceive there can be no greater plague, nor no greater enemy to a man, than those of his own house. Now mother, go your ways get you home and cheer up your own house; and when you have done that, I pray hasten hither, and cheer up ours.
seed 43: T48 · seed 44: T49 — topic numbers are assigned independently in each run; equal or different numbers say nothing by themselves
Original spelling (EEBO-TCP, unregularized)
It is proper to a man to erre; but to a beast, to perseuere in an errour. It doth much glad me, Parmeno, that thou hast clear'd thosee thicke clouds, which darkened thy eye-sight, and hast answered mee according to the wisedome, discretion, and sharpe wit of thy father, whose person, now representing it selfe fresh to my remembrance, doth make my tender eyes to melt into teares, which thou feest in such abundance to trickle downe my cheeks. He sometimes would maintaine hard and strange propositions, but would presently (such was the goodnesse of his nature) see his errour, and imbrace the truth▪ I sweare vnto thee; that in thus seeing thee to thwart the truth, and then suddenly vpon it, laying down all contradiction, and to be conformable to that which was reason; me thinks, I doe as liuely now behold thy father: as if he now were liuing, and present heere before mee. O what a man he was, how proper in his person, how able in his actions, what a part did he beare, and what a venerall and reuerend countenance did hee carry! But hush, I heare Calisto comming, and thy new friend, Sempronio, whose reconcilement with him, I referre to some fitter opportuniy. For, two liuing in one heart, are more powerfull both for action, and vnderstanding. Deare mother, I did much doubt, considering my misfortunes, to finde you aliue: but maruaile more, considering my desire, that my selfe come aliue vnto you. Receiue this poore gift of him, who with it offers thee his life. As in your finest gold, that is wrought by the hand of your cunningest and curiosest Artificer, the workemanship oftentimes doth farre surpasse the matter: So the fashion of your faire liberality doth much exceed the greatnesse of your gift. And questionlesse, a kindnesse that is quickely conferr'd, redoubles it's effect; for hee that slacketh that, which he promiseth, seemeth in a manner to deny it, and to repent himselfe of his promised fauour. Sempronio, what hath hee giuen her? A hundred crownes in good gold. Ha, ha, ha. Hath my mother talk't with thee? Peace, shee hath. How is it then with vs? As thou wilt thy selfe. Yet for all this, mee thinkes I am still afraid. No more. Be silent. I feare mee, I shall make thee twice as much afraide, e'r I haue done with thee. Now fie vpon it. I perceiue there can be no greater plague, nor no greater enemy to a man, then those of his owne house. Now mother, goe your wayes get you home and cheere vp your owne house; and when you haue done that, I pray hasten hither, and cheere vp ours.