Marcela You go around so shamelessly
and so immodestly Cristina,
and in trying to be discreet885
commit a thousand foolish indiscretions.
One thing you must know, madam:
amongst honourable qualities
modesty is valued more than beauty.

Cristina [aside] She is calling me madam—a bad sign! 890
I know from experience
that there is a thin dividing line
between such courtesies and a beating

Marcela What are you mumbling about,
you brazen, loose and spiteful girl?895

Cristina I have never mumbled in my life

Marcela What did you say?

Cristina I did not say anything,
I swear on my old mother’s soul!

Marcela Desist from such oaths.900

Cristina I say them as a good christian.
If she were alive
you would change your tune,
and no one would dare
to scold me, no by my faith!905
Sad are the young maidens
that fate consigned to other houses
to serve mistresses of whom
scarcely one in every thousand
turns out to be any good.910
The majority are dull-witted
and wear ugly spectacles.
Is it any great surprise
if the poor girl arouses jealousy
in the mistress, who thinks915
she is being played false?
She has her hair pulled
when others are to blame.
She is insulted constantly.
and the house becomes a bewildering hell.920
Jealousy always raises the roof!
The impressionable kitchen-maid
endures her misfortune in silence and fear,
rebuffing the master’s sweet-nothings
so that his ship’s malicious cargo925
never arrives safely in port.
But while this assault on her honour fails,
she suffers countless more from her mistress:
‘Come here you dirty slut.
Where is my handkerchief?930
They steal your brooms and plates.
You earn a good salary—
I’ll repay myself from that,
to keep you on your toes.
You go out and never come back,935
amusing yourself in the street
with every Sancho, Mingo and Pedro
You are, when all is said and done, a whore!'
(I say it quietly, as a good Christian).
I repeat, falteringly, weeping sadly940
and with heartfelt sighs:
Sad are the young maidens
that fate consigned to other houses!

Dorotea Ladies, what’s all this?
Dear Cristinica, tell me:945
why are you kicking up such a row?

Marcela Immodesty is like a north wind
that makes shame and fear
flee from one’s face.
But if she does not mend her ways I'll…950
well I prefer to keep quiet
about what I will do!