The Spanish Bawd (Calisto and Meliboea) (Celestina) · chunk 55 of 205
Mabbe, James / Rojas, Fernando de · published 1631 · first performed or written 1631 (Annals) tragicomedy; literary play unassigned nearest T51 Parents and children: blessing, birthrig · 355 words
Marked words are the most distinguishing words of the nearest topic T51: esau, iacob, father, son, isaac, god, love, birthright, parents, thing.
What sayst thou fool? Speak, what is't thou-saist? What laugh'st thou at? As though I did not know Mother Celestina? madam, Take you hold on time, that it slip not from you. As for my complexion, that will never change: have you not read what they say? The day will come, when thou shalt not know thyself in a glass? Though I am now grown grey before my time, and seem double the years I am of; of four daughters which my mother had, myself was the youngest. And therefore, I am sure, I am not so old as you take me to be. Friend Celestina, I am very glad both to see and know thee; and I have taken great pleasure in thy discourse. Here, take your money and farewell; for thou lookest (poor soul) as if thou hadst eaten nothing all this day. O more than mortal image! O precious pearl! How truly have you guessed? O! with what a grace do thy words come from thee? I am ravished hearing thee speak. But yet it is not only eating, that maintaineth a man or woman; especially me, who use to be fasting a whole, nay, two days together, in soliciting other folks' businesses. For, I intend no other thing, my whole life is nothing else; but to do good offices for the good, and (if occasion serve) to die for them. And it was evermore my fashion, rather to seek trouble to myself by serving of others, than to please and content myself. Wherefore, if you will give me leave, I will tell you the necessitated cause of my coming, which is another manner of matter then any you have yet heard; and such as we were all undone, if I should return in vain, and you not know it. Acquaint me (mother) with all your necessities and wants, and if I can help you in them, or do you any good, I shall willingly do it, as well out of our old acquaintance, as out of neighbourhood, which in good and honest minds, is a sufficient bond to tie them thereunto.
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)
What saist thou foole? Speake, what is't thou-saist? What laugh'st thou at? As though I did not know Mother Celestina? Madame, Take you hold on time, that it slip not from you. As for my complexion, that will neuer change: haue you not read what they say? The day will come, when thou shalt not know thy selfe in a glasse? Though I am now growne gray before my time, and seeme double the yeeres I am of; of foure daughters which my mother had, my selfe was the youngest. And therefore, I am sure, I am not so old as you take me to be. Friend Celestina, I am very glad both to see and know thee; and I haue taken great pleasure in thy discourse. Heere, take your money and fare-well; for thou lookest (poore soule) as if thou hadst eaten nothing all this day. O more then mortall image! O precious pearle! How truely haue you guest? O! with what a grace doe thy words come from thee? I am rauisht hearing thee speake. But yet it is not only eating, that maintaineth a man or woman; especially me, who vse to be fasting a whole, nay, two dayes together, in soliciting other folkes businesses. For, I intend no other thing, my whole life is nothing else; but to doe good offices for the good, and (if occasion serue) to dye for them. And it was euermore my fashion, rather to seeke trouble to my selfe by seruing of others, then to please and content my selfe. Wherefore, if you will giue me leaue, I will tell you the necessitated cause of my comming, which is another manner of matter then any you haue yet heard; and such as we were all vndone, if I should returne in vaine, and you not know it. Acquaint mee (mother) with all your necessities and wants, and if I can helpe you in them, or doe you any good, I shall willingly doe it, as well out of our old acqaintance, as out of neighbour-hood, which in good and honest mindes, is a sufficient bond to tye them thereunto.