The Spanish Bawd (Calisto and Meliboea) (Celestina) · chunk 44 of 205
Mabbe, James / Rojas, Fernando de · published 1631 · first performed or written 1631 (Annals) tragicomedy; literary play unassigned nearest T33 Fathers, daughters and marriage negotiat · 437 words
Marked words are the most distinguishing words of the nearest topic T33: daughter, marriage, father, love, davus, matter, son, chremes, wife, mother.
Mother, I understand not these terms. Marry, I say, that a woman either loveth, or hateth him much, of whom she is beloved, so that, if she entertain not his love, she cannot dissemble her hate; there are no reins strong enough to bridle their dislike. And because I know this to be true, it makes me go more merrily and cheerfully to Melibea's house, than if I had her fast in my fist already. For I know, that though at the first I must be forced to woo her, yet in the end, she will be glad to sue to me. And though at present perhaps she threaten me, and flatly fall out with me; yet at last will she be well pleased, and fall as much a flattering, as she did a reviling me. Here in this pocket of mine, I carry a little parcel of yarn, and other such like trinkets, which I always bear about me; that I may have some pretence at first to make my easier entrance and free access, where I am not throughly known: As Gorgets, Coifs, Fringes, Rolls, Fillets, Hair-laces, Nippers, Antimony, Ceruse, and sublimated Mercury, Needles and Pins; they shall not ask that thing, which I shall not have for them. To the end, that look whatsoever they shall call for, I may be ready provided for them. And this bait upon the first sight thereof shall work my acceptance, and hold fast the fish which I mind to take. Mother, look well about you. Take heed what you do. For a bad beginning can never make a good ending. Think on her father, who is noble & of great power and courage; her mother jealous and furious, and thou, suspicion itself. No sooner seen, but mistrusted: Melibea is the only child to them both, and she miscarrying, miscarrieth with her all their happiness; the very thought whereof, makes me quake and tremble. Go not to fetch wool, and come home shorn yourself; seek not to pluck her wings, and yourself without your plumes. Without my plumes, my son? Or rather implumed, mother, which is worse. Now by my say, in an ill hour had I need of thee to be my companion. As though thou couldst instruct Celestina in her own Trade? As if I knew not better what to do, than thou canst teach me? Before ever thou wast borne, I did eat bread with crust. O! you are a proper man to make a Commander, and to marshal other men's affairs, when thyself art so dejected with sinister divinations, and fear of ensuing harms.
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)
Mother, I vnderstand not these termes. Marry, I say, that a woman either loueth, or hateth him much, of whom she is beloued, so that, if she entertaine not his loue, she cannot dissemble her hate; there are no reynes strong inough to bridle their dislike. And because I know this to be true, it makes mee goe more merrily and cheerefully to Melibea's house, then if I had her fast in my fist already. For I know, that though at the first I must be forced to woo her, yet in the end, she will be glad to sue to me. And though at present perhaps she threaten me, and flatly fall out with mee; yet at last will shee be well pleased, and fall as much a flattering, as she did a reuiling me. Here in this pocket of mine, I carry a little parcel of yarne, and other such like trinkets, which I alwaies beare about mee; that I may haue some pretence at first to make my easier entrance and free accesse, where I am not throughly knowne: As Gorgets, Coyfes, Fringes, Rowles, Fillets, Hayre-laces, Nippers, Antimony, Ceruse, and sublimated Mercury, Needles and Pinnes; they shall not aske that thing, which I shall not haue for them. To the end, that looke whatsoeuer they shall call for, I may be ready prouided for them. And this baite vpon the first sight thereof shall worke my acceptance, and hold fast the fish which I minde to take. Mother, looke well about you. Take heed what you doe. For a bad beginning can neuer make a good ending. Thinke on her father, who is noble & of great power and courage; her mother iealous and furious, and thou, suspition it selfe. No sooner seene, but mistrusted: Melibea is the only child to them both, and she miscarrying, miscarrieth with her all their happinesse; the very thought whereof, makes me quake and tremble. Goe not to fetch wooll, and come home shorne your selfe; seeke not to plucke her wings, and your selfe without your plumes. Without my plumes, my sonne? Or rather implumed, mother, which is worse. Now by my say, in an ill houre had I need of thee to be my companion. As though thou couldst instruct Celestina in her own Trade? As if I knew not better what to doe, then thou canst teach me? Before euer thou wast borne, I did eate bread with crust. O! you are a proper man to make a Commander, and to marshall other mens affaires, when thy selfe art so deiected with sinister diuinations, and feare of insuing harmes.