The Spanish Bawd (Calisto and Meliboea) (Celestina) · chunk 92 of 205
Mabbe, James / Rojas, Fernando de · published 1631 · first performed or written 1631 (Annals) tragicomedy; literary play T49 Wooing a mistress: suitors, go-betweens typicality 0.83 · 410 words
Marked words are the most distinguishing words of T49: mistress, gentleman, love, lady, woman, pray, gentlewoman, hear, honest, way.
I was quite out of hope ever to have her; for I could never come to any conclusion with her, no, not to find so much favour, as but to speak with her, or to have but a word with her. And as it is in the proverb: In love it is an ill sign, to see his Mistress fly, and turn the face. And this did much dishearten me in my suit. I marvel not much at thy discouragement, considering I was then a stranger unto thee; at least, not so well acquainted with thee as now I am: and that thyself did not then know, (as now thou dost) that thou may'st command her, who is the Doctress of this Art; but now thou shalt see, what favour thou shalt find for my sake; what power I have over these wenches; how much I can prevail with them; and what wonders I can work in matters of Ioue: but hush, tread softly; Lo, here's the door, let us enter in with still and quiet steps, that the neighbours may not hear us. Stay, and attend me here at the stair's foot, whilst I go up and see what I shall be able to do with her, concerning the business we talked of; and it may be, we shall work more with her, than either thou or I did ever dream of. Who's there? Who is that, that at this time of night comes up into my chamber? One, I assure you, that means you no ill; one that never treads step, but she thinks on thy profit; one that is more mindful of thee, then of herself; one that loves thee as her life, though I am now grown old. Now the Devil take this old Trot! what news with you, that you come thus stealing like a Ghost, and at so late an hour? How think you (Gentlewoman) is this a fair hour to come to ones chamber? I was even putting off my clothes to go to bed. What? To bed with the Hen, daughter? So soon to roost? Fie for shame; Is this the way to thrive? Think you ever to be rich, if you go to bed so timely? Come, walk a turn or two, and talk with me a little; let others bewail their wants, not thou. Herbs feed them that gather them. Who but would, if he could, lead such a life?
seed 43: T5 · seed 44: unassigned — topic numbers are assigned independently in each run; equal or different numbers say nothing by themselves
Original spelling (EEBO-TCP, unregularized)
I was quite out of hope euer to haue her; for I could neuer come to any conclusion with her, no, not to finde so much fauour, as but to speake with her, or to haue but a word with her. And as it is in the prouerbe: In loue it is an ill signe, to see his Mistresse flye, and turne the face. And this did much dis-hearten mee in my suite. I maruaile not much at thy discouragement, considering I was then a stranger vnto thee; at least, not so well acquainted with thee as now I am: and that thy selfe did not then know, (as now thou dost) that thou mai'st command her, who is the Doctresse of this Arte; but now thou shalt see, what fauour thou shalt finde for my sake; what power I haue ouer these wenches; how much I can preuaile with them; and what wonders I can worke in matters of Ioue: but hush, tread softly; Loe, heeres the doore, let vs enter in with still and quiet steps, that the neighbours may not heare vs. Stay, and attend mee heere at the staires foote, whil'st I goe vp and see what I shall be able to doe with her, concerning the businesse wee talkt of; and it may be, wee shall worke more with her, then either thou or I did euer dreame of. Who's there? Who is that, that at this time of night comes vp into my chamber? One, I assure you, that meanes you no ill; one that neuer treads step, but shee thinkes on thy profit; one that is more mindfull of thee, then of her selfe; one that loues thee as her life, though I am now growne old. Now the Diuell take this old Trot! what newes with you, that you come thus stealing like a Ghost, and at so late an houre? How thinke you (Gentlewoman) is this a faire houre to come to ones chamber? I was euen putting off my clothes to goe to bed. What? To bed with the Hen, daughter? So soone to roost? ye for shame; Is this the way to thriue? Thinke you euer to be rich, if you goe to bed so timely? Come, walke a turne or two, and talke with mee a little; let others bewaile their wants, not thou. Herbs feed them that gather them. Who but would, if hee could, leade such a life?