To sing the fourth part, that his purse shall sweat; For I see craftly the song can set. Though thy master be hoarse, his purse shall sing clear, And taught to solf,[52] that woman's flesh is dear. How say'st to this, thou praty[53] Parmeno? Thou knowest not the world nor no delights therein: Dost understand me? in faith, I trow no, Thou art young enough the game to begin; Thy master hath waded himself so far in, And to bring him out lieth not in me, old poor-- PAR. Thou shouldst say it lieth not in me, old whore. CEL. Ah, whoreson, a shame take such a knave! How darest thou with me, thou boy, be so bold? PAR. Because such knowledge of thee I have. CEL. Why, who art? PAR. Parmeno, son to Albert the old; I dwelt with thee by the river, where wine was sold, And thy mother, I trow, hight Claudena. That a wild-fire bren thee, Celestina! CEL. But thy mother was as old a whore as I. Come hither, thou little fool, let me see thee: Ah, it is even he, by our blessed lady! What, little urchin, hast forgotten me? When thou layest at my bed's-feet, how merry were we! PAR. Ah, thou old matron,[54] it were alms thou were dead! How wouldest thou pluck me up to thy bed's head, And embrace me hard unto thy belly! And for thou smelled'st oldly, I ran from thee. CEL. A shameful whoreson! fie upon thee, fie, fie! Come hither, and now shortly I charge thee, That all this foolish speaking thou let be. Leave wantonness of youth; then shalt thou do well; Follow the doctrine of thy elders and counsel. To whom thy parents (on whose souls God have mercy!) In pain of cursing bade thee be obedient. In pain whereof, I command thee straitly, Too much in mastership put not thine intent: No trust is in them, if thine own be spent. Masters nowadays covet to bring about All for themselves, and let their servants go without. Thy master, men say, and as I think he be, But light care ich[55] not--who come to his service; Fair words shall not lack, but small rewards, trust me. Make Sempronio thy friend in any wise; For he can handle him in the best guise. Keep this, and for thy profit: tell it to none; But look that Sempronio and thou be one. PAR. Mother Celestine, I wot not what ye mean; Calisto is my master, and so I will take him, And as for riches I defy it clean; For whosoever with wrong rich doth make him, Sooner than he gat it, it will forsake him. I love to live in joyful poverty, And to serve my master with truth and honesty. CEL. Truth and honesty be riches of the name; But surety of wealth[56] is to have riches, And after that for to get him good fame. By report of friends, this is truth, doubtless; Then no such manner friend can I express As Sempronio, for both your profits to speed;