The Spanish Bawd (Calisto and Meliboea) (Celestina) · chunk 96 of 205
Mabbe, James / Rojas, Fernando de · published 1631 · first performed or written 1631 (Annals) tragicomedy; literary play unassigned nearest T49 Wooing a mistress: suitors, go-betweens · 499 words
Marked words are the most distinguishing words of the nearest topic T49: mistress, gentleman, love, lady, woman, pray, gentlewoman, hear, honest, way.
You know already what I have said unto you concerning Parmeno; who complains himself unto me, that you refuse to see him; that you will not vouchsafe him so much as a look: what should be the reason, I know not, unless because you know, that I wish him well, and make account of him, as of my son. I have a better care of your matters, and regard your friends in a kinder fashion. Not a neighbour that dwells near you, but she is welcome unto me, and my heart rejoiceth as often as I see them, and all because they converse with thee, and keep thee company. It is true (Aunt) that you say; and I acknowledge my beholdingness. I know not whether you do or no: Dost thou hear me (girl?) I must believe works; for words are wind, and are sold everywhere for nothing; but love is never paid, but with pure love: and works with works. Thou know'st the alliance between thee and Elicia, whom Sempronio keeps in my house. Parmeno and he are fellows and companions, they both serve the Gentleman you wot of; and by whom you may gain great good, and grace unto yourself. Do not therefore deny him that, the granting whereof will cost thee so little; you are kinswomen, and they companions: see, how pat all things fall! farlie better than we ourselves could have wished; and to tell you truly, I have brought him along with me: how say you? Shall I call him up? Now, heavens forbid. Fie; What did you mean? Ay me; I fear me, he hath heard every word. No: for he stays beneath; I will call to him to come up; for my sake show him good countenance; take notice of him; speak kindly unto him; entertain him friendly; and if you think fit, let him enjoy you, and you him; and both one another; for though he gain much, I am sure, you shall lose nothing by the bargain. Mother, I am not ignorant, that as well these, as all other your former speeches unto me, have ever been directed to my good and benefit: but how is it possible, that I should do this, that you would now have me? For you know to whom I am bound to give an account, as already you have heard; and if he know I play false, he will kill me. My neighbours, they are envious and malicious, and they will straightway acquaint him therewith. And say, that no great ill should befall me, save only the losing of his love; it will be more than I shall gain, by giving contentment to him, for whom you entreat, or rather command me. For this fear of yours, myself have already provided: for we entered in very softly. Nay, I do not speak for this night, but for many other that are to come. Tush, were it but for one night, I would not care.
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)
You know already what I haue said vnto you concerning Parmeno; who complaines himselfe vnto me, that you refuse to see him; that you will not vouchsafe him so much as a looke: what should be the reason, I know not, vnlesse because you know, that I wish him well, and make account of him, as of my sonne. I haue a better care of your matters, and regard your friends in a kinder fashion. Not a neighbour that dwels neere you, but she is welcome vnto me, and my heart reioyceth as often as I see them, and all because they conuerse with thee, and keepe thee company. It is true (Ant) that you say; and I acknowledge my beholdingnesse. I know not whether you doe or no: Dost thou heare me (girle?) I ust beleeue workes; for words are winde, and are sold euery where for nothing; but loue is neuer pay'd, but with pure loue: and works with works. Thou know'st the alliance between thee and Elicia, whom Sempronio keepes in my house. Parmeno and hee are fellowes and companions, they both serue the Gentleman you wot of; and by whom you may gaine great good, and grace vnto your selfe. Doe not therefore deny him that, the granting whereof will cost thee so little; you are kinse-women, and they companions: see, how pat all things fall! farie better then we our selues could haue wished; and to tell you truly, I haue brought him along with mee: how say you? Shall I call him vp? Now, heauens forbid. Fye; What did you meane? Ay me; I feare mee, hee hath heard euery word. No: for hee stayes beneath; I will call to him to come vp; for my sake shew him good countenance; take notice of him; speake kindly vnto him; entertaine him friendly; and if you thinke fit, let him inioy you, and you him; and both one another; for though he gayne much, I am sure, you shall lose nothing by the bargaine. Mother, I am not ignorant, that as well these, as all other your former speeches vnto me, haue euer beene directed to my good and benefit: but how is it possible, that I should doe this, that you would now haue mee? For you know to whom I am bound to giue an account, as already you haue heard; and if hee know I play false, he will kill me. My neighbours, they are enuious and malicious, and they will straight-way acquaint him therewith. And say, that no great ill should befall me, saue only the losing of his loue; it will be more then I shall gaine, by giuing contentment to him, for whom you intreate, or rather command mee. For this feare of yours, my selfe haue already prouided: for wee entred in very softly. Nay, I doe not speake for this night, but for many other that are to come. Tush, were it but for one night, I would not care.