The Spanish Bawd (Calisto and Meliboea) (Celestina) · chunk 56 of 205
Mabbe, James / Rojas, Fernando de · published 1631 · first performed or written 1631 (Annals) tragicomedy; literary play unassigned nearest T44 Drinking: wine, ale and taverns · 483 words
Marked words are the most distinguishing words of the nearest topic T44: drink, wine, numps, ale, butler, pot, sing, moy, drunk, win.
My wants, madam? My necessities do you mean? Nay, others (as I told you) not mine. For mine own, I pass at home with myself in mine own house, without letting the whole Country to know them: Eating when I may, and drinking when I can get it. For, for all my poverty, I never wanted a penny to buy me bread, nor a Quart, that is, the eighth part of six pence to send for wine, no, not in all this time of my widowhood. For before, I never took thought for any, but had always a good Vessel still in my house. And when one was empty, another was full. I never went to bed, but I did first eat a toast well steeped in wine, and two dozen of draughts, sipping still the wine after every sop, for fear of the Mother, wherewith I was then wont to be troubled. But now, that I husband all things myself, and am at mine own finding, I am fain to fetch my wife in a little poor jar, which will scarce hold a pottle. And sometimes in punishment of my sins (which Cross I am willing to bear) I am forced to go six times a day with these my silver hairs about my shoulders, to fill and fetch my wine myself at the Tavern. Nor would I by my good will die, till I see myself have a good Roundlet or Terse of mine own within mine own dootes. For (on my life) there is no provision in the world like unto it. For as the saying is; It is bread and wine, not the young man that is spruce and fine, that makes us rid the way, and travel with mettle; yet let me tell you, that where the good man is missing, all other good is wanting. For ill does the spindle move, when the beard does not wag above. And this I thought good to tell you by the way, upon those speeches which I used concerning others, and not mine own necessities. Ask what thou wilt, be it either for thyself, or anybody else, whom it pleaseth thee. My most gracious and courteous Lady, descended of high and noble parentage; your sweet words, and cheerful gesture, accompanied with that kind and free proffer, which you are pleased to make to this poor old woman, gives boldness to my tongue, to speak what my heart even longeth to utter. I come lately from one, whom I left sick to the death, who only with one word, which should come from your noble mouth, & entrusted in this my bosom to carry it hence with me, I verily assure myself, it will save his life, so great is the devotion which he bears to your gentle disposition, and the comfort he would receive by this so great a kindness.
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)
My wants, Madame? My necessities doe you meane? Nay, others (as I told you) not mine. For mine owne, I passe at home with my selfe in mine owne house, without letting the whole Country to know them: Eating when I may, and drinking when I can get it. For, for all my pouerty, I neuer wanted a penny to buy me bread, nor a Quarte, that is, the eighth part of sixe pence to send for wine, no, not in all this time of my widdow-hood. For before, I neuer tooke thought for any, but had alwaies a good Vessell still in my house. And when one was empty, another was full. I neuer went to bed, but I did first eat a toast well steept in wine, and two dozen of draughts, sipping still the wine after euery sop, for feare of the Mother, wherwith I was then wont to be troubled. But now, that I husband all things my self, and am at mine own finding, I am faine to fetch my wie in a little poore Iarre, which will scarce hold a potle. And sometimes in punishment of my sinnes (which Crosse I am willing to beare) I am forced to goe sixe times a day with these my siluer hayres about my shoulders, to fill and fetch my wine my selfe at the Tauerne. Nor would I by my good will dye, till I see my selfe haue a good Rundlet or Terse of mine owne within mine owne dootes. For (on my life) there is no prouision in the world like vnto it. For as the saying is; It is bread and wine, not the young man that is spruce and fine, that makes vs rid the way, and trauell with mettle; yet let me tell you, that where the good man is missing, all other good is wanting. For ill does the spindle mooue, when the beard does not wagge aboue. And this I thought good to tell you by the way, vpon those speeches which I vsed concerning others, and not mine owne necessities. Aske what thou wilt, be it either for thy selfe, or any body else, whom it pleaseth thee. My most gracious and courteous Lady, descended of high and noble parentage; your sweet words, and cheerefull gesture, accompanyed with that kinde and free proffer, which you are pleased to make to this poore old woman, giues boldnesse to my tongue, to speak what my heart euen longeth to vtter. I come lately from one, whom I left sicke to the death, who onely with one word, which should come from your noble mouth, & intrusted in this my bosome to carry it hence with me, I verily assure my selfe, it will saue his life, so great is the deuotion which he beares to your gentle disposition, and the comfort he would receiue by this so great a kindenesse.