Volume I Part 9 (1/2)

CAL. Christ make thee strong! [_Exit Sem_.

The mighty and perdurable G.o.d be his guide, As he guided the three kings into Bedlam[40]

From the east by the star, and again did provide As their conduct to return to their own realm; So speed my Semp.r.o.nio to quench the leme[41]

Of this fire, which my heart doth waste and spend; And that I may come to my desired end!

To pa.s.s the time now will I walk Up and down within mine orchard, And to myself go commune and talk; And pray that fortune to me be not hard; Longing to hear, whether made or marred, My message shall return by my servant Semp.r.o.nio.

Thus farewell, my lords; for a while I will go.

_Enter_ CELESTINA, _the bawd_.

CEL. Now the blessing that our lady gave her son, That same blessing I give now to you all!

That I come thus homely, I pray you of pardon; I am sought and send for as a woman universal.

Celestina, of truth, my name is to call; Semp.r.o.nio for me about doth inquire, And it was told me I should have found him here.

I am sure he will come hither anon; But the whilst I shall tell you a pretty game: I have a wench of Semp.r.o.nio's, a pretty one, That sojourneth with me: Elicaea is her name.

But the last day we were both nigh a stark shame, For Semp.r.o.nio would have her to himself several; And she loveth one Crito better or as well.

This Crito and Elicaea sat drinking In my house, and I also making merry; And as the devil would, far from our thinking, Semp.r.o.nio almost came on us suddenly.

But then wrought I my craft of bawdry; I bade Crito go up, and make himself room To hide him in my chamber among the broom.[42]

Then made I Elicaea sit down a-sewing, And I with my rock[43] began for to spin; As who saith of Semp.r.o.nio we had no knowing.

He knocked at the door, and I let him in; And for a countenance I did begin To catch him in mine arms, and said, see, see!

Who kisseth me, Elicaea, and will not kiss thee?

Elicaea for a countenance made her grieved, And would not speak, but still did sew.

Why speak ye not? quoth Semp.r.o.nio, be ye moved?

Have I not a cause, quoth she? no, quoth he, I trow.

Ah! traitor, quoth she, full well dost thou know!

Where hast thou been these three days from me, That the imposthumes and evil death take thee!

Peace, mine Elicaea, quoth he, why say ye thus?

Alas! why put you yourself in this woe?

The hot fire of love so brenneth between us, That my heart is with yours, wherever I go; And for three days' absence to say to me so, In faith, methinketh, ye be to blame.

But now hark well, for here beginneth the game!

Crito, in my chamber above that was hidden, I think lay not easily, and began to rumble; Semp.r.o.nio heard that, and asked who was within, Above in the chamber that so did tumble.

Who? quoth she; a lover of mine! may-hap, ye stumble, Quoth he, on the truth, as many one doth.

So up, quoth she, and look, whether it be sooth.

Well, quoth he, I go. Nay, thought I, not so, I said, come, Semp.r.o.nio, let this fool alone; For of thy long absence she is in such woe, And half beside herself, and her wit nigh gone.

Well, quoth he, above yet there is one.

Wilt thou know, quoth I? yea, quoth he, I thee require; It is a wench, quoth I, sent me by a friar.

What friar? quoth he. Wilt thou needs know? quoth I; then It is the friar[44] ...

Oh, quoth he, what a load hath that woman To bear him! Yea, quoth I; though women per case Bear heavy full oft, yet they gall in no place.

Then he laughed; yea, quoth I, no more words of this For this time; too long we spend here amiss.

_Intrat_ SEMp.r.o.nIO.

SEM. O mother Celestine, I pray G.o.d prosper thee.

CEL. My son Semp.r.o.nio, I am glad of our meeting.

And, as I hear say, ye go about to seek me?

SEM. Of truth, to seek you was mine hither coming.

Mother, lay apart now all other thing, And alonely tend to me, and imagine In that that I purpose now to begin.

Calisto in the love of fair Melibaea Burneth; wherefore of thee he hath great need.

CEL. Thou say'st well, knowest not me Celestina?

I have the end of the matter, and for more speed Thou shalt wade no farther; for of this deed I am as glad, as ever was the surgeon For salves for broke heads to make provision.

And so intend I to do to Calisto: To give him hope and a.s.sure him remedy; For long hope to the heart much trouble will do.

Wherefore to the effect thereof I will hie.

SEM. Peace, for methinketh Calisto is nigh.

_Intrat_ CALISTO _et_ PARMENO.