The Beggar’s Opera

By John Gay.

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Nos hœc novimus esse nihil.
Mart.

Note

The text here given is taken from the edition of 1765. The scenes have been re-numbered in the modern method denoting actual changes of place or intervals of time.

Dramatis Personæ

Men

Mr. Peachum
Lockit
Macheath
Filch
Macheath’s Gang
- Jemmy Twitcher
- Crook-fingered Jack
- Wat Dreary
- Robin of Bagshot
- Nimming Ned
- Harry Paddington
- Matt of the Mint
- Ben Budge
Beggar
Player

Women

Mrs. Peachum
Polly Peachum
Lucy Lockit
Diana Trapes
Women of the Town
- Mrs. Coaxer
- Dolly Trull
- Mrs. Vixen
- Betty Doxy
- Jenny Diver
- Mrs. Slammekin
- Suky Tawdry
- Molly Brazen

Constables, Drawers, Turnkey, etc.

The Beggar’s Opera

Introduction

Beggar, Player.

Beggar	If poverty be a title to poetry, I am sure nobody can dispute mine. I own myself of the Company of Beggars; and I make one at their weekly festivals at St. Giles’s. I have a small yearly salary for my catches, and am welcome to a dinner there whenever I please, which is more than most poets can say.
Player	As we live by the muses, it is but gratitude in us to encourage poetical merit wherever we find it. The muses, contrary to all other ladies, pay no distinction to dress, and never partially mistake the pertness of embroidery for wit, nor the modesty of want for dullness. Be the author who he will, we push his play as far as it will go. So (though you are in want) I wish you success heartily.
Beggar	This piece I own was originally writ for the celebrating the marriage of James Chaunter and Moll Lay, two most excellent ballad-singers. I have introduced the similes that are in all your celebrated operas: The swallow, the moth, the bee, the ship, the flower, etc. Besides, I have a prison-scene, which the ladies always reckon charmingly pathetic. As to the parts, I have observed such a nice impartiality to our two ladies, that it is impossible for either of them to take offence. I hope I may be forgiven, that I have not made my opera throughout unnatural, like those in vogue; for I have no recitative; excepting this, as I have consented to have neither prologue nor epilogue, it must be allowed an opera in all its forms. The piece indeed hath been heretofore frequently represented by ourselves in our great room at St. Giles’s, so that I cannot too often acknowledge your charity in bringing it now on the stage.
Player	But I see it is time for us to withdraw; the actors are preparing to begin. Play away the overture.
	Exeunt. Overture.

Act I

Scene, Peachum’s house.

Peachum sitting at a table with a large book of accounts before him.

Air I. An old woman clothed in gray, etc.
Peachum	Through all the employments of life Each neighbour abuses his brother; Whore and rogue they call husband and wife: All professions be-rogue one another: The priest calls the lawyer a cheat, The lawyer be-knaves the divine: And the statesman, because he’s so great, Thinks his trade as honest as mine. A lawyer is an honest employment, so is mine. Like me too he acts in a double capacity, both against rogues and for ’em; for ’tis but fitting that we should protect and encourage cheats, since we live by them.
	Enter Filch.
Filch	Sir, Black Moll hath sent word her trial comes on in the afternoon, and she hopes you will order matters so as to bring her off.
Peachum	As the wench is very active and industrious, you may satisfy her that I’ll soften the evidence.
Filch	Tom Gagg, sir, is found guilty.
Peachum	A lazy dog! When I took him the time before, I told him what he would come to if he did not mend his hand. This is death without reprieve. I may venture to book him writes. For Tom Gagg, forty pounds. Let Betty Sly know that I’ll save her from transportation, for I can get more by her staying in England.
Filch	Betty hath brought more goods into our lock to-year than any five of the gang; and in truth, ’tis a pity to lose so good a customer.
Peachum	If none of the gang take her off, she may, in the common course of business, live a twelvemonth longer. I love to let women scape. A good sportsman always lets the hen partridges fly, because the breed of the game depends upon them. Besides, here the law allows us no reward; there is nothing to be got by the death of women⁠—except our wives.
Filch	Without dispute, she is a fine woman! ’Twas to her I was obliged for my education, and (to say a bold word) she hath trained up more young fellows to the business than the gaming table.
Peachum	Truly, Filch, thy observation is right. We and the surgeons are more beholden to women than all the professions besides.
Air II. The bonny gray-eyed morn, etc.
Filch	’Tis woman that seduces all mankind, By her we first were taught the wheedling arts: Her very eyes can cheat; when most she’s kind, She tricks us of our money with our hearts. For her, like wolves by night we roam for prey, And practise ev’ry fraud to bribe her charms; For suits of love, like law, are won by pay, And beauty must be fee’d into our arms.
Peachum	But make haste to Newgate, boy, and let my friends know what I intend; for I love to make them easy one way or other.
Filch	When a gentleman is long kept in suspence, penitence may break his spirit ever after. Besides, certainty gives a man a good air upon his trial, and makes him risk another without fear or scruple. But I’ll away, for ’tis a pleasure to be the messenger of comfort to friends in affliction.
	Exit Filch.
Peachum	But ’tis now high time to look about me for a decent execution against next sessions. I hate a lazy rogue, by whom one can get nothing ’till he is hanged. A register of the gang, reading. Crook-fingered Jack. A year and a half in the service; let me see how much the stock owes to his industry; one, two, three, four, five gold watches, and seven silver ones. A mighty clean-handed fellow! Sixteen snuffboxes, five of them of true gold. Six dozen of handkerchiefs, four silver-hilted swords, half a dozen of shirts, three tye-periwigs, and a piece of broadcloth. Considering these are only the fruits of his leisure hours, I don’t know a prettier fellow, for no man alive hath a more engaging presence of mind upon the road. Wat Dreary, alias Brown Will, an irregular dog, who hath an underhand way of disposing of his goods. I’ll try him only for a sessions or two longer upon his good-behaviour. Harry Paddington, a poor petty-larceny rascal, without the least genius; that fellow, though he were to live these six months, will never come to the gallows with any credit. Slippery Sam; he goes off the next sessions, for the villain hath the impudence to have views of following his trade as a tailor, which he calls an honest employment. Matt of the Mint; listed not above a month ago, a promising sturdy fellow, and diligent in his way; somewhat too bold and hasty, and may raise good contributions on the public, if he does not cut himself short by murder. Tom Tipple, a guzzling soaking sot, who is always too drunk to stand himself, or to make others stand. A cart is absolutely necessary for him. Robin of Bagshot, alias Gorgon, alias Bluff Bob, alias Carbuncle, alias Bob Booty.
	Enter Mrs. Peachum.
Mrs. Peachum	What of Bob Booty, husband? I hope nothing bad hath betided him. You know, my dear, he’s a favourite customer of mine. ’Twas he made me a present of this ring.
Peachum	I have set his name down in the black list, that’s all, my dear; he spends his life among women, and as soon as his money is gone, one or other of the ladies will hang him for the reward, and there’s forty pound lost to us forever.
Mrs. Peachum	You know, my dear, I never meddle in matters of death; I always leave those affairs to you. Women indeed are bitter bad judges in these cases, for they are so partial to the brave that they think every man handsome who is going to the camp or the gallows.
Air III. Cold and raw, etc.
	If any wench Venus’s girdle wear, Though she be never so ugly; Lilies and roses will quickly appear, And her face look wond’rous smugly. Beneath the left ear so fit but a cord, (A rope so charming a zone is!) The youth in his cart hath the air of a lord, And we cry, there dies an Adonis! But really, husband, you should not be too hard-hearted, for you never had a finer, braver set of men than at present. We have not had a murder among them all, these seven months. And truly, my dear, that is a great blessing.
Peachum	What a dickens is the woman always a whimpering about murder for? No gentleman is ever looked upon the worse for killing a man in his own defence; and if business cannot be carried on without it, what would you have a gentleman do?
Mrs. Peachum	If I am in the wrong, my dear, you must excuse me, for nobody can help the frailty of an over-scrupulous conscience.
Peachum	Murder is as fashionable a crime as a man can be guilty of. How many fine gentlemen have we in Newgate every year, purely upon that article! If they have wherewithal to persuade the jury to bring it in manslaughter, what are they the worse for it? So, my dear, have done upon this subject. Was Captain Macheath here this morning, for the banknotes he left with you last week?
Mrs. Peachum	Yes, my dear; and though the bank hath stopped payment, he was so cheerful and so agreeable! Sure there is not a finer gentleman upon the road than the Captain! if he comes from Bagshot at any reasonable hour, he hath promised to make one this evening with Polly and me, and Bob Booty at a party of quadrille. Pray, my dear, is the Captain rich?
Peachum	The Captain keeps too good company ever to grow rich. Marybone and the chocolate-houses are his undoing. The man that proposes to get money by play should have the education of a fine gentleman, and be trained up to it from his youth.
Mrs. Peachum	Really, I am sorry upon Polly’s account the Captain hath not more discretion. What business hath he to keep company with lords and gentlemen? he should leave them to prey upon one another.
Peachum	Upon Polly’s account! What, a plague, does the woman mean?⁠—Upon Polly’s account!
Mrs. Peachum	Captain Macheath is very fond of the girl.
Peachum	And what then?
Mrs. Peachum	If I have any skill in the ways of women, I am sure Polly thinks him a very pretty man.
Peachum	And what then? You would not be so mad to have the wench marry him! Gamesters and highwaymen are generally very good to their whores, but they are very devils to their wives.
Mrs. Peachum	But if Polly should be in love, how should we help her, or how can she help herself? Poor girl, I am in the utmost concern about her.
Air IV. Why is your faithful slave disdained? etc.
	If love the virgin’s heart invade, How, like a moth, the simple maid Still plays about the flame! If soon she be not made a wife, Her honour’s singed, and then for life, She’s⁠—what I dare not name.
Peachum	Look ye, wife. A handsome wench in our way of business is as profitable as at the bar of a Temple coffeehouse, who looks upon it as her livelihood to grant every liberty but one. You see I would indulge the girl as far as prudently we can. In anything, but marriage! After that, my dear, how shall we be safe? Are we not then in her husband’s power? For a husband hath the absolute power over all a wife’s secrets but her own. If the girl had the discretion of a court-lady, who can have a dozen young fellows at her ear without complying with one, I should not matter it; but Polly is tinder, and a spark will at once set her on a flame. Married! If the wench does not know her own profit, sure she knows her own pleasure better than to make herself a property! My daughter to me should be, like a court-lady to a minister of state, a key to the whole gang. Married! If the affair is not already done, I’ll terrify her from it, by the example of our neighbours.
Mrs. Peachum	Mayhap, my dear, you may injure the girl. She loves to imitate the fine ladies, and she may only allow the Captain liberties in the view of interest.
Peachum	But ’tis your duty, my dear, to warn the girl against her ruin, and to instruct her how to make the most of her beauty. I’ll go to her this moment, and sift her. In the meantime, wife, rip out the coronets and marks of these dozen of cambric handkerchiefs, for I can dispose of them this afternoon to a chap in the city. Exit Peachum.
Mrs. Peachum	Never was a man more out of the way in an argument than my husband! Why must our Polly, forsooth, differ from her sex, and love only her husband? And why must Polly’s marriage, contrary to all observations, make her the less followed by other men? All men are thieves in love, and like a woman the better for being another’s property.
Air V. Of all the simple things we do, etc.
	A maid is like the golden ore, Which hath guineas intrinsical in’t, Whose worth is never known before It is tried and impressed in the mint. A wife’s like a guinea in gold, Stampt with the name of her spouse; Now here, now there; is bought, or is sold; And is current in every house.
	Enter Filch.
Mrs. Peachum	Come hither, Filch. I am as fond of this child, as though my mind misgave me he were my own. He hath as fine a hand at picking a pocket as a woman, and is as nimble-fingered as a juggler. If an unlucky session does not cut the rope of thy life, I pronounce, boy, thou wilt be a great man in history. Where was your post last night, my boy?
Filch	I plied at the opera, madam; and considering ’twas neither dark nor rainy, so that there was no great hurry in getting chairs and coaches, made a tolerable hand on’t. These seven handkerchiefs, madam.
Mrs. Peachum	Coloured ones, I see. They are of sure sale from our warehouse at Redriff among the seamen.
Filch	And this snuffbox.
Mrs. Peachum	Set in gold! A pretty encouragement this to a young beginner.
Filch	I had a fair tug at a charming gold watch. Pox take the tailors for making the fobs so deep and narrow! It stuck by the way, and I was forced to make my escape under a coach. Really, madam, I fear I shall be cut off in the flower of my youth, so that every now and then (since I was pumpt) I have thoughts of taking up and going to sea.
Mrs. Peachum	You should go to Hockley in the Hole, and to Marybone, child, to learn valour. These are the schools that have bred so many brave men. I thought, boy, by this time, thou hadst lost fear as well as shame. Poor lad! how little does he know as yet of the Old Bailey! For the first fact I’ll insure thee from being hanged; and going to sea, Filch, will come time enough upon a sentence of transportation. But now, since you have nothing better to do, ev’n go to your book, and learn your catechism; for really a man makes but an ill figure in the ordinary’s paper, who cannot give a satisfactory answer to his questions. But, hark you, my lad. Don’t tell me a lie; for you know I hate a liar. Do you know of anything that hath passed between Captain Macheath and our Polly?
Filch	I beg you, madam, don’t ask me; for I must either tell a lie to you or to Miss Polly; for I promised her I would not tell.
Mrs. Peachum	But when the honour of our family is concerned⁠—
Filch	I shall lead a sad life with Miss Polly, if ever she comes to know that I told you. Besides, I would not willingly forfeit my own honour by betraying anybody.
Mrs. Peachum	Yonder comes my husband and Polly. Come, Filch, you shall go with me into my own room, and tell me the whole story. I’ll give thee a glass of a most delicious cordial that I keep for my own drinking.
	Exeunt. Enter Peachum, Polly.
Polly	I know as well as any of the fine ladies how to make the most of myself and of my man too. A woman knows how to be mercenary, though she hath never been in a court or at an assembly. We have it in our natures, papa. If I allow Captain Macheath some trifling liberties, I have this watch and other visible marks of his favour to show for it. A girl who cannot grant some things, and refuse what is most material, will make but a poor hand of her beauty, and soon be thrown upon the common.
Air VI. What shall I do to show how much I love her, etc.
	Virgins are like the fair flower in its lustre, Which in the garden enamels the ground; Near it the bees in play flutter and cluster, And gaudy butterflies frolic around. But, when once plucked, ’tis no longer alluring, To Covent-Garden ’tis sent (as yet sweet), There fades, and shrinks, and grows past all enduring, Rots, stinks, and dies, and is trod under feet.
Peachum	You know, Polly, I am not against your toying and trifling with a customer in the way of business, or to get out a secret, or so. But if I find out that you have played the fool and are married, you jade you, I’ll cut your throat, hussy. Now you know my mind.
	Enter Mrs. Peachum, in a very great passion.
Air VII. Oh London is a fine town.
	Our Polly is a sad slut! nor heeds what we have taught her. I wonder any man alive will ever rear a daughter! For she must have both hoods and gowns, and hoops to swell her pride, With scarfs and stays, and gloves and lace; and she will have men beside; And when she’s dressed with care and cost, all tempting, fine and gay, As men should serve a cucumber, she flings herself away. Our Polly is a sad slut! etc. You baggage! you hussy! you inconsiderate jade! had you been hanged, it would not have vexed me, for that might have been your misfortune; but to do such a mad thing by choice; the wench is married, husband.
Peachum	Married! the Captain is a bold man, and will risk anything for money; to be sure he believes her a fortune. Do you think your mother and I should have lived comfortably so long together, if ever we had been married? Baggage!
Mrs. Peachum	I knew she was always a proud slut; and now the wench hath played the fool and married, because forsooth she would do like the gentry. Can you support the expense of a husband, hussy, in gaming, drinking and whoring? Have you money enough to carry on the daily quarrels of man and wife about who shall squander most? There are not many husbands and wives, who can bear the charges of plaguing one another in a handsome way. If you must be married, could you introduce nobody into our family but a highwayman? Why, thou foolish jade, thou wilt be as ill-used, and as much neglected, as if thou hadst married a lord!
Peachum	Let not your anger, my dear, break through the rules of decency, for the Captain looks upon himself in the military capacity, as a gentleman by his profession. Besides what he hath already, I know he is in a fair way of getting, or of dying; and both these ways, let me tell you, are most excellent chances for a wife. Tell me, hussy, are you ruined or no?
Mrs. Peachum	With Polly’s fortune, she might very well have gone off to a person of distinction. Yes, that you might, you pouting slut!
Peachum	What is the wench dumb? Speak, or I’ll make you plead by squeezing out an answer from you. Are you really bound wife to him, or are you only upon liking? Pinches her.
Polly	Oh! Screaming.
Mrs. Peachum	How the mother is to be pitied who hath handsome daughters! Locks, bolts, bars, and lectures of morality are nothing to them: They break through them all. They have as much pleasure in cheating a father and mother, as in cheating at cards.
Peachum	Why, Polly, I shall soon know if you are married, by Macheath’s keeping from our house.
Air VIII. Grim king of the ghosts, etc.
Polly	Can love be controlled by advice? Will Cupid our mothers obey? Though my heart were as frozen as ice, At his flame ’twould have melted away. When he kissed me so closely he pressed, ’Twas so sweet that I must have complied: So I thought it both safest and best To marry, for fear you should chide.
Mrs. Peachum	Then all the hopes of our family are gone forever and ever!
Peachum	And Macheath may hang his father and mother-in-law, in hope to get into their daughter’s fortune.
Polly	I did not marry him (as ’tis the fashion) coolly and deliberately for honour or money. But, I love him.
Mrs. Peachum	Love him! worse and worse! I thought the girl had been better bred. Oh husband, husband! her folly makes me mad! my head swims! I’m distracted! I can’t support myself⁠—Oh! Faints.
Peachum	See, wench, to what a condition you have reduced your poor mother! a glass of cordial, this instant. How the poor woman takes it to heart! Polly goes out, and returns with it. Ah, hussy, now this is the only comfort your mother has left!
Polly	Give her another glass, sir! my mama drinks double the quantity whenever she is out of order. This, you see, fetches her.
Mrs. Peachum	The girl shows such a readiness, and so much concern, that I could almost find in my heart to forgive her.
Air IX. O Jenny, O Jenny, where hast thou been.
	O Polly, you might have toyed and kissed. By keeping men off, you keep them on.
Polly	But he so teased me, And he so pleased me, What I did, you must have done.
Mrs. Peachum	Not with a highwayman.⁠—You sorry slut!
Peachum	A word with you, wife. ’Tis no new thing for a wench to take man without consent of parents. You know ’tis the frailty of women, my dear.
Mrs. Peachum	Yes, indeed, the sex is frail. But the first time a woman is frail, she should be somewhat nice methinks, for then or never is the time to make her fortune. After that, she hath nothing to do but to guard herself from being found out, and she may do what she pleases.
Peachum	Make yourself a little easy; I have a thought shall soon set all matters again to rights. Why so melancholy, Polly? since what is done cannot be undone, we must all endeavour to make the best of it.
Mrs. Peachum	Well, Polly; as far as one woman can forgive another, I forgive thee.⁠—Your father is too fond of you, hussy.
Polly	Then all my sorrows are at an end.
Mrs. Peachum	A mighty likely speech in troth, for a wench who is just married!
Air X. Thomas, I cannot, etc.
Polly	I, like a ship in storms, was tossed; Yet afraid to put in to land: For seized in the port the vessel’s lost, Whose treasure is contraband. The waves are laid, My duty’s paid. O joy beyond expression! Thus, safe ashore, I ask no more, My all is in my possession.
Peachum	I hear customers in t’other room: Go, talk with ’em, Polly; but come to us again, as soon as they are gone.⁠—But, hark ye, child, if ’tis the gentleman who was here yesterday about the repeating watch; say, you believe we can’t get intelligence of it ’till tomorrow. For I lent it to Suky Straddle, to make a figure with it tonight at a tavern in Drury Lane. If t’other gentleman calls for the silver-hilted sword; you know Beetle-browed Jemmy hath it on, and he doth not come from Tunbridge ’till tuesday night; so that it cannot be had ’till then. Exit Polly.
Peachum	Dear wife, be a little pacified, don’t let your passion run away with your senses. Polly, I grant you, hath done a rash thing.
Mrs. Peachum	If she had only an intrigue with the fellow, why the very best families have excused and huddled up a frailty of that sort. ’Tis marriage, husband, that makes it a blemish.
Peachum	But money, wife, is the true fuller’s earth for reputations, there is not a spot or a stain but what it can take out. A rich rogue nowadays is fit company for any gentleman; and the world, my dear, hath not such a contempt for roguery as you imagine. I tell you, wife, I can make this match turn to our advantage.
Mrs. Peachum	I am very sensible, husband, that Captain Macheath is worth money, but I am in doubt whether he hath not two or three wives already, and then if he should die in a session or two, Polly’s dower would come into dispute.
Peachum	That, indeed, is a point which ought to be considered.
Air XI. A soldier and a sailor.
	A fox may steal your hens, sir, A whore your health and pence, sir, Your daughter rob your chest, sir, Your wife may steal your rest, sir. A thief your goods and plate. But this is all but picking, With rest, pence, chest and chicken; It ever was decreed, sir, If lawyer’s hand is fee’d, sir, He steals your whole estate. The lawyers are bitter enemies to those in our way. They don’t care that anybody should get a clandestine livelihood but themselves.
	Enter Polly.
Polly	’Twas only Nimming Ned. He brought in a damask window-curtain, a hoop-petticoat, a pair of silver candlesticks, a periwig, and one silk stocking, from the fire that happened last night.
Peachum	There is not a fellow that is cleverer in his way, and saves more goods out of the fire than Ned. But now, Polly, to your affair; for matters must not be left as they are. You are married then, it seems?
Polly	Yes, sir.
Peachum	And how do you propose to live, child?
Polly	Like other women, sir, upon the industry of my husband.
Mrs. Peachum	What, is the wench turned fool? A highwayman’s wife, like a soldier’s, hath as little of his pay, as of his company.
Peachum	And had not you the common views of a gentlewoman in your marriage, Polly?
Polly	I don’t know what you mean, sir.
Peachum	Of a jointure, and of being a widow.
Polly	But I love him, sir; how then could I have thoughts of parting with him?
Peachum	Parting with him! Why, this is the whole scheme and intention of all marriage-articles. The comfortable estate of widowhood, is the only hope that keeps up a wife’s spirits. Where is the woman who would scruple to be a wife, if she had it in her power to be a widow, whenever she pleased? If you have any views of this sort, Polly, I shall think the match not so very unreasonable.
Polly	How I dread to hear your advice! Yet I must beg you to explain yourself.
Peachum	Secure what he hath got, have him peached the next sessions, and then at once you are made a rich widow.
Polly	What, murder the man I love! The blood runs cold at my heart with the very thought of it.
Peachum	Fie, Polly! What hath murder to do in the affair? Since the thing sooner or later must happen, I dare say, the Captain himself would like that we should get the reward for his death sooner than a stranger. Why, Polly, the Captain knows, that as ’tis his employment to rob, so ’tis ours to take robbers; every man in his business. So that there is no malice in the case.
Mrs. Peachum	Ay, husband, now you have nicked the matter. To have him peached is the only thing could ever make me forgive her.
Air XII. Now ponder well, ye parents dear.
Polly	O ponder well! be not severe; So save a wretched wife! For on the rope that hangs my dear Depends poor Polly’s life.
Mrs. Peachum	But your duty to your parents, hussy, obliges you to hang him. What would many a wife give for such an opportunity!
Polly	What is a jointure, what is widowhood to me? I know my heart. I cannot survive him.
Air XIII. Le printems rapelle aux armes.
	The turtle thus with plaintive crying, Her lover dying, The turtle thus with plaintive crying, Laments her dove. Down she drops quite spent with sighing. Paired in death, as paired in love. Thus, sir, it will happen to your poor Polly.
Mrs. Peachum	What, is the fool in love in earnest then? I hate thee for being particular: Why, wench, thou art a shame to thy very sex.
Polly	But hear me, mother.⁠—If you ever loved⁠—
Mrs. Peachum	Those cursed playbooks she reads have been her ruin. One word more, hussy, and I shall knock your brains out, if you have any.
Peachum	Keep out of the way, Polly, for fear of mischief, and consider of what is proposed to you.
Mrs. Peachum	Away, hussy. Hang your husband, and be dutiful. Exit Polly.
	Reenter Polly, and listens behind column.
Mrs. Peachum	The thing, husband, must and shall be done. For the sake of intelligence we must take other measures, and have him peached the next session without her consent. If she will not know her duty, we know ours.
Peachum	But really, my dear, it grieves one’s heart to take off a great man. When I consider his personal bravery, his fine stratagem, how much we have already got by him, and how much more we may get, methinks I can’t find in my heart to have a hand in his death. I wish you could have made Polly undertake it.
Mrs. Peachum	But in a case of necessity⁠—our own lives are in danger.
Peachum	Then, indeed, we must comply with the customs of the world, and make gratitude give way to interest.⁠—He shall be taken off.
Mrs. Peachum	I’ll undertake to manage Polly.
Peachum	And I’ll prepare matters for the Old Bailey.
	Exeunt severally.
Polly	Now I’m a wretch, indeed.⁠—Methinks I see him already in the cart, sweeter and more lovely than the nosegay in his hand!⁠—I hear the crowd extolling his resolution and intrepidity!⁠—What vollies of sighs are sent from the windows of Holborn, that so comely a youth should be brought to disgrace!⁠—I see him at the Tree! The whole circle are in tears!⁠—even butchers weep!⁠—Jack Ketch himself hesitates to perform his duty, and would be glad to lose his fee, by a reprieve. What then will become of Polly!⁠—As yet I may inform him of their design, and aid him in his escape.⁠—It shall be so⁠—But then he flies, absents himself, and I bar myself from his dear dear conversation! That too will distract me.⁠—If he keep out of the way, my papa and mama may in time relent, and we may be happy.⁠—If he stays, he is hanged, and then he is lost forever!⁠—He intended to lie concealed in my room, ’till the dusk of the evening: If they are abroad I’ll this instant let him out, lest some accident should prevent him. Exit, and returns with Macheath.
Air XIV. Pretty parrot, say⁠—
Macheath	Pretty Polly, say, When I was away, Did your fancy never stray To some newer lover?
Polly	Without disguise, Heaving sighs, Doting eyes, My constant heart discover. Fondly let me loll!
Macheath	O pretty, pretty Poll.
Polly	And are you as fond as ever, my dear?
Macheath	Suspect my honour, my courage, suspect anything but my love.⁠—May my pistols misfire, and my mare slip her shoulder while I am pursued, if I ever forsake thee!
Polly	Nay, my dear, I have no reason to doubt you, for I find in the romance you lent me, none of the great heroes were ever false in love.
Air XV. Pray, fair one, be kind⁠—
Macheath	My heart was so free, It roved like the bee, ’Till Polly my passion requited; I sipped each flower, I changed every hour, But here every flower is united.
Polly	Were you sentenced to transportation, sure, my dear, you could not leave me behind you⁠—could you?
Macheath	Is there any power, any force that could tear me from thee? You might sooner tear a pension out of the hands of a courtier, a fee from a lawyer, a pretty woman from a looking-glass, or any woman from quadrille.⁠—But to tear me from thee is impossible!
Air XVI. Over the hills and far away.
	Were I laid on Greenland’s coast, And in my arms embraced my lass; Warm amidst eternal frost, Too soon the half year’s night would pass.
Polly	Were I sold on Indian soil, Soon as the burning day was closed, I could mock the sultry toil When on my charmer’s breast reposed.
Macheath	And I would love you all the day,
Polly	Every night would kiss and play,
Macheath	If with me you’d fondly stray
Polly	Over the hills and far away.
Polly	Yes, I would go with thee. But oh!⁠—how shall I speak it? I must be torn from thee. We must part.
Macheath	How! Part!
Polly	We must, we must.⁠—My papa and mama are set against thy life. They now, even now are in search after thee. They are preparing evidence against thee. Thy life depends upon a moment.
Air XVII. Gin thou wert mine awn thing⁠—
	Oh what pain it is to part! Can I leave thee, can I leave thee? O what pain it is to part! Can thy Polly ever leave thee? But lest death my love should thwart, And bring thee to the fatal cart, Thus I tear thee from my bleeding heart! Fly hence, and let me leave thee. One kiss and then⁠—one kiss⁠—be gone⁠—farewell.
Macheath	My hand, my heart, my dear, is so riveted to thine, that I cannot unloose my hold.
Polly	But my papa may intercept thee, and then I should lose the very glimmering of hope. A few weeks, perhaps, may reconcile us all. Shall thy Polly hear from thee?
Macheath	Must I then go?
Polly	And will not absence change your love?
Macheath	If you doubt it, let me stay⁠—and be hanged.
Polly	O how I fear! how I tremble!⁠—Go⁠—but when safety will give you leave, you will be sure to see me again; for ’till then Polly is wretched.
Air XVIII. O the broom, etc.
Macheath	The miser thus a shilling sees, Which he’s obliged to pay, With sighs resigns it by degrees, And fears ’tis gone for ay. Parting, and looking back at each other with fondness; he at one door, she at the other.
Polly	The boy, thus, when his sparrow’s flown, The bird in silence eyes; But soon as out of sight ’tis gone, Whines, whimpers, sobs and cries.

Act II

Scene I

A tavern near Newgate.

Jemmy Twitcher, Crook-fingered Jack, Wat Dreary, Robin of Bagshot, Nimming Ned, Henry Paddington, Matt of the Mint, Ben Budge, and the rest of the gang, at the table, with wine, brandy and tobacco.

Ben	But pr’ythee, Matt, what is become of thy brother Tom? I have not seen him since my return from transportation.
Matt	Poor brother Tom had an accident this time twelvemonth, and so clever a made fellow he was, that I could not save him from those fleaing rascals the surgeons; and now, poor man, he is among the Otamys at Surgeons Hall.
Ben	So it seems, his time was come.
Jemmy	But the present time is ours, and nobody alive hath more. Why are the laws levelled at us? are we more dishonest than the rest of mankind? What we win, gentlemen, is our own by the law of arms, and the right of conquest.
Crook	Where shall we find such another set of practical philosophers, who to a man are above the fear of death?
Wat	Sound men, and true!
Robin	Of tried courage, and indefatigable industry!
Ned	Who is there here that would not die for his friend?
Harry	Who is there here that would betray him for his interest?
Matt	Show me a gang of courtiers that can say as much.
Ben	We are for a just partition of the world, for every man hath a right to enjoy life.
Matt	We retrench the superfluities of mankind. The world is avaritious, and I hate avarice. A covetous fellow, like a jackdaw, steals what he was never made to enjoy, for the sake of hiding it. These are the robbers of mankind, for money was made for the free-hearted and generous, and where is the injury of taking from another, what he hath not the heart to make use of?
Jemmy	Our several stations for the day are fixed. Good luck attend us all. Fill the glasses.
Air XIX. Fill every glass, etc.
Matt	Fill every glass, for wine inspires us, And fires us With courage, love and joy. Women and wine should life employ. Is there ought else on earth desirous?
Chorus	Fill every glass, etc.
	To them enter Macheath.
Macheath	Gentlemen, well met. My heart hath been with you this hour; but an unexpected affair hath detained me. No ceremony, I beg you.
Matt	We were just breaking up to go upon duty. Am I to have the honour of taking the air with you, sir, this evening upon the heath? I drink a dram now and then with the stagecoachmen in the way of friendship and intelligence; and I know that about this time there will be passengers upon the western road, who are worth speaking with.
Macheath	I was to have been of that party⁠—but⁠—
Matt	But what, sir?
Macheath	Is there any man who suspects my courage?
Matt	We have all been witnesses of it.
Macheath	My honour and truth to the gang?
Matt	I’ll be answerable for it.
Macheath	In the division of our booty, have I ever shown the least marks of avarice or injustice?
Matt	By these questions something seems to have ruffled you. Are any of us suspected?
Macheath	I have a fixed confidence, gentlemen, in you all, as men of honour, and as such I value and respect you. Peachum is a man that is useful to us.
Matt	Is he about to play us any foul play? I’ll shoot him through the head.
Macheath	I beg you, gentlemen, act with conduct and discretion. A pistol is your last resort.
Matt	He knows nothing of this meeting.
Macheath	Business cannot go on without him. He is a man who knows the world, and is a necessary agent to us. We have had a slight difference, and ’till it is accommodated I shall be obliged to keep out of his way. Any private dispute of mine shall be of no ill consequence to my friends. You must continue to act under his direction, for the moment we break loose from him, our gang is ruined.
Matt	As a bawd to a whore, I grant you, he is to us of great convenience.
Macheath	Make him believe I have quitted the gang, which I can never do but with life. At our private quarters I will continue to meet you. A week or so will probably reconcile us.
Matt	Your instructions shall be observed. ’Tis now high time for us to repair to our several duties; so ’till the evening at our quarters in Moor-Fields we bid you farewell.
Macheath	I shall wish myself with you. Success attend you. Sits down melancholy at the table.
Air XX. March in Rinaldo, with drums and trumpets.
Matt	Let us take the road. Hark! I hear the sound of coaches! The hour of attack approaches, To your arms, brave boys, and load. See the ball I hold! Let the chemists toil like asses, Our fire their fire surpasses, And turns all our lead to gold. The gang, ranged in the front of the stage, load their pistols, and stick them under their girdles; then go off singing the first part in chorus.
Macheath	What a fool is a fond wench! Polly is most confoundedly bit.⁠—I love the sex. And a man who loves money, might as well be contented with one guinea, as I with one woman. The town perhaps have been as much obliged to me, for recruiting it with free-hearted ladies, as to any recruiting officer in the army. If it were not for us, and the other gentlemen of the sword, Drury Lane would be uninhabited.
Air XXI. Would you have a young virgin, etc.
	If the heart of a man is depressed with cares, The mist is dispelled when a woman appears; Like the notes of a fiddle, she sweetly, sweetly Raises the spirits, and charms our ears, Roses and lilies her cheeks disclose, But her ripe lips are more sweet than those. Press her, Caress her, With blisses, Her kisses Dissolve us in pleasure, and soft repose. I must have women. There is nothing unbends the mind like them. Money is not so strong a cordial for the time. Drawer⁠—Enter Drawer. Is the porter gone for all the ladies according to my directions?
Drawer	I expect him back every minute. But you know, sir, you sent him as far as Hockley in the Hole for three of the ladies, for one in Vinegar-Yard, and for the rest of them somewhere about Lewkner’s-Lane. Sure some of them are below, for I hear the bar-bell. As they come I will show them up. Coming, coming.
	Enter Mrs. Coaxer, Dolly Trull, Mrs. Vixen, Betty Doxy, Jenny Diver, Mrs. Slammekin, Suky Tawdry, and Molly Brazen.
Macheath	Dear Mrs. Coaxer, you are welcome. You look charmingly today. I hope you don’t want the repairs of quality, and lay on paint.⁠—Dolly Trull! kiss me, you slut; are you as amorous as ever, hussy? You are always so taken up with stealing hearts, that you don’t allow yourself time to steal anything else.⁠—Ah Dolly, thou wilt ever be a coquette! Mrs. Vixen, I’m yours, I always loved a woman of wit and spirit; they make charming mistresses, but plaguy wives⁠—Betty Doxy! Come hither, hussy. Do you drink as hard as ever? You had better stick to good wholesom beer; for in troth, Betty, strong-waters will in time ruin your constitution. You should leave those to your betters.⁠—What! and my pretty Jenny Diver too! As prim and demure as ever! There is not any prude, though ever so high bred, hath a more sanctified look, with a more mischievous heart. Ah! thou art a dear artful hypocrite.⁠—Mrs. Slammekin! as careless and genteel as ever! all you fine ladies, who know your own beauty, affect an undress.⁠—But see, here’s Suky Tawdry come to contradict what I was saying. Everything she gets one way she lays out upon her back. Why, Suky, you must keep at least a dozen tallymen. Molly Brazen! She kisses him. That’s well done. I love a free-hearted wench. Thou hast a most agreeable assurance, girl, and art as willing as a turtle.⁠—But hark! I hear music. The harper is at the door. If music be the food of love, play on. Ere you seat yourselves, ladies, what think you of a dance? Come in. Enter harper. Play the French tune, that Mrs. Slammekin was so fond of.
	A dance à la ronde* in the French manner; near the end of it this song and chorus.*
Air XXII. Cotillon.
	Youth’s the season made for joys, Love is then our duty, She alone who that employs, Well deserves her beauty. Let’s be gay, While we may, Beauty’s a flower, despised in decay. Youth’s the season, etc. Let us drink and sport today, Ours is not tomorrow. Love with youth flies swift away, Age is nought but sorrow. Dance and sing, Time’s on the wing. Life never knows the return of spring.
Chorus	Let us drink, etc.
Macheath	Now, pray ladies, take your places. Here fellow. Pays the harper. Bid the Drawer bring us more wine. Exit harper. If any of the ladies choose gin, I hope they will be so free to call for it.
Jenny	You look as if you meant me. Wine is strong enough for me. Indeed, sir, I never drink strong-waters, but when I have the cholic.
Macheath	Just the excuse of the fine ladies! Why, a lady of quality is never without the cholic. I hope, Mrs. Coaxer, you have had good success of late in your visits among the mercers.
Mrs. Coaxer	We have so many interlopers⁠—Yet with industry, one may still have a little picking. I carried a silver-flowered lutestring, and a piece of black padesoy to Mr. Peachum’s lock but last week.
Mrs. Vixen	There’s Molly Brazen hath the ogle of a rattlesnake. She rivetted a linen-draper’s eye so fast upon her, that he was nicked of three pieces of cambric before he could look off.
Brazen	Oh dear madam!⁠—But sure nothing can come up to your handling of laces! And then you have such a sweet deluding tongue! To cheat a man is nothing; but the woman must have fine parts indeed who cheats a woman.
Mrs. Vixen	Lace, madam, lies in a small compass, and is of easy conveyance. But you are apt, madam, to think too well of your friends.
Mrs. Coaxer	If any woman hath more art than another, to be sure, ’tis Jenny Diver. Though her fellow be never so agreeable, she can pick his pocket as coolly, as if money were her only pleasure. Now that is a command of the passions uncommon in a woman!
Jenny	I never go to the tavern with a man, but in the view of business. I have other hours, and other sort of men for my pleasure. But had I your address, madam⁠—
Macheath	Have done with your compliments, ladies; and drink about: You are not so fond of me, Jenny, as you use to be.
Jenny	’Tis not convenient, sir, to show my fondness among so many rivals. ’Tis your own choice, and not the warmth of my inclination that will determine you.
Air XXIII. All in a misty morning, etc.
	Before the barn-door crowing, The cock by hens attended, His eyes around him throwing, Stands for a while suspended. Then one he singles from the crew, And cheers the happy hen; With how do you do, and how do you do, And how do you do again.
Macheath	Ah Jenny! thou art a dear slut.
Jenny	A man of courage should never put anything to the risk but his life. These are the tools of a man of honour. Cards and dice are only fit for cowardly cheats, who prey upon their friends.
	She takes up his pistol. Tawdry* takes up the other.*
Tawdry	This, sir, is fitter for your hand. Besides your loss of money, ’tis a loss to the ladies. Gaming takes you off from women. How fond could I be of you! but before company ’tis ill bred.
Macheath	Wanton hussies!
Jenny	I must and will have a kiss to give my wine a zest.
	They take him about the neck and make signs to Peachum* and constables, who rush in upon him.*
Peachum	I seize you, sir, as my prisoner.
Macheath	Was this well done, Jenny?⁠—Women are decoy ducks; who can trust them! Beasts, jades, jilts, harpies, furies, whores!
Peachum	Your case, Mr. Macheath, is not particular. The greatest heroes have been ruined by women. But, to do them justice, I must own they are a pretty sort of creatures, if we could trust them. You must now, sir, take your leave of the ladies, and if they have a mind to make you a visit, they will be sure to find you at home. This gentleman, ladies, lodges in Newgate. Constables, wait upon the Captain to his lodgings.
Air XXIV. When first I laid siege to my chloris, etc.
Macheath	At the Tree I shall suffer with pleasure, At the Tree I shall suffer with pleasure, Let me go where I will, In all kinds of ill, I shall find no such furies as these are.
Peachum	Ladies, I’ll take care the reckoning shall be discharged.
	Exit Macheath, guarded with Peachum* and Constables.*
Mrs. Vixen	Look ye, Mrs. Jenny, though Mr. Peachum may have made a private bargain with you and Suky Tawdry for betraying the Captain, as we were all assisting, we ought all to share alike.
Mrs. Coaxer	I think Mr. Peachum, after so long an acquaintance, might have trusted me as well as Jenny Diver.
Mrs. Slammekin	I am sure at least three men of his hanging, and in a year’s time too (if he did me justice) should be set down to my account.
Trull	Mrs. Slammekin, that is not fair. For you know one of them was taken in bed with me.
Jenny	As far as a bowl of punch or a treat, I believe Mrs. Suky will join with me.⁠—As for anything else, ladies, you cannot in conscience expect it.
Mrs. Slammekin	Dear madam⁠—
Trull	I would not for the world⁠—
Mrs. Slammekin	’Tis impossible for me⁠—
Trull	As I hope to be saved, madam⁠—
Mrs. Slammekin	Nay, then I must stay here all night⁠—
Trull	Since you command me.
	Exeunt with great ceremony.

Scene II

Newgate

Lockit, turnkeys, Macheath, constables.

Lockit	Noble Captain, you are welcome. You have not been a lodger of mine this year and half. You know the custom, sir. Garnish, Captain, garnish. Hand me down those fetters there.
Macheath	Those, Mr. Lockit, seem to be the heaviest of the whole set. With your leave, I should like the further pair better.
Lockit	Look ye, Captain, we know what is fittest for our prisoners. When a gentleman uses me with civility, I always do the best I can to please him.⁠—Hand them down I say.⁠—We have them of all prices, from one guinea to ten, and ’tis fitting every gentleman should please himself.
Macheath	I understand you, sir. Gives money. The fees here are so many, and so exorbitant, that few fortunes can bear the expense of getting off handsomly, or of dying like a gentleman.
Lockit	Those, I see, will fit the Captain better⁠—Take down the further pair. Do but examine them, sir.⁠—Never was better work.⁠—How genteely they are made!⁠—They will fit as easy as a glove, and the nicest man in England might not be ashamed to wear them. He puts on the chains. If I had the best gentleman in the land in my custody I could not equip him more handsomly. And so, sir⁠—I now leave you to your private meditations.
	Exeunt leaving Macheath* solus.*
Air XXV. Courtiers, courtiers, think it no harm, etc.
Macheath	Man may escape from rope and gun; Nay, some have outlived the doctor’s pill; Who takes a woman must be undone, That basilisk is sure to kill. The fly that sips treacle is lost in the sweets, So he that tastes woman, woman, woman, He that tastes woman, ruin meets. To what a woeful plight have I brought myself! Here must I (all day long, ’till I am hanged) be confined to hear the reproaches of a wench who lays her ruin at my door⁠—I am in the custody of her father, and to be sure, if he knows of the matter, I shall have a fine time on’t betwixt this and my execution.⁠—But I promised the wench marriage⁠—What signifies a promise to a woman? Does not man in marriage itself promise a hundred things that he never means to perform? Do all we can, women will believe us; for they look upon a promise as an excuse for following their own inclinations.⁠—But here comes Lucy, and I cannot get from her.⁠—Wou’d I were deaf!
	Enter Lucy.
Lucy	You base man you⁠—how can you look me in the face after what hath passed between us?⁠—See here, perfidious wretch, how I am forced to bear about the load of infamy you have laid upon me⁠—O Macheath! thou hast robbed me of my quiet⁠—to see thee tortured would give me pleasure.
Air XXVI. A lovely lass to a friar came, etc.
	Thus when a good housewife sees a rat In her trap in the morning taken, With pleasure her heart goes pit-a-pat, In revenge for her loss of bacon. Then she throws him To the dog or cat, To be worried, crushed and shaken.
Macheath	Have you no bowels, no tenderness, my dear Lucy, to see a husband in these circumstances?
Lucy	A husband!
Macheath	In ev’ry respect but the form, and that, my dear, may be said over us at any time.⁠—Friends should not insist upon ceremonies. From a man of honour, his word is as good as his bond.
Lucy	’Tis the pleasure of all you fine men to insult the women you have ruined.
Air XXVII. ’Twas when the sea was roaring, etc.
	How cruel are the traitors, Who lie and swear in jest, To cheat unguarded creatures Of virtue, fame, and rest! Whoever steals a shilling, Through shame the guilt conceals: In love the perjured villain With boasts the theft reveals.
Macheath	The very first opportunity, my dear, (have but patience) you shall be my wife in whatever manner you please.
Lucy	Insinuating monster! And so you think I know nothing of the affair of Miss Polly Peachum.⁠—I could tear thy eyes out!
Macheath	Sure, Lucy, you can’t be such a fool as to be jealous of Polly!
Lucy	Are you not married to her, you brute, you.
Macheath	Married! Very good. The wench gives it out only to vex thee, and to ruin me in thy good opinion. ’Tis true, I go to the house; I chat with the girl, I kiss her, I say a thousand things to her (as all gentlemen do) that mean nothing, to divert myself; and now the silly jade hath set it about that I am married to her, to let me know what she would be at. Indeed, my dear Lucy, these violent passions may be of ill consequence to a woman in your condition.
Lucy	Come, come, Captain, for all your assurance, you know that Miss Polly hath put it out of your power to do me the justice you promised me.
Macheath	A jealous woman believes everything her passion suggests. To convince you of my sincerity, if we can find the ordinary, I shall have no scruples of making you my wife; and I know the consequence of having two at a time.
Lucy	That you are only to be hanged, and so get rid of them both.
Macheath	I am ready, my dear Lucy, to give you satisfaction⁠—if you think there is any in marriage.⁠—What can a man of honour say more?
Lucy	So then, it seems, you are not married to Miss Polly.
Macheath	You know, Lucy, the girl is prodigiously conceited. No man can say a civil thing to her, but (like other fine ladies) her vanity makes her think he’s her own forever and ever.
Air XXVIII. The sun had loosed his weary teams, etc.
	The first time at the looking-glass The mother sets her daughter, The image strikes the smiling lass With self-love ever after, Each time she looks, she, fonder grown, Thinks ev’ry charm grows stronger. But alas, vain maid, all eyes but your own Can see you are not younger. When women consider their own beauties, they are all alike unreasonable in their demands; for they expect their lovers should like them as long as they like themselves.
Lucy	Yonder is my father⁠—perhaps this way we may light upon the ordinary, who shall try if you will be as good as your word.⁠—For I long to be made an honest woman. Exeunt.
	Peachum and Lockit with an account-book.
Lockit	In this last affair, brother Peachum, we are agreed. You have consented to go halves in Macheath.
Peachum	We shall never fall out about an execution⁠—But as to that article, pray how stands our last year’s account?
Lockit	If you will run your eye over it, you’ll find ’tis fair and clearly stated.
Peachum	This long arrear of the government is very hard upon us! Can it be expected that we would hang our acquaintance for nothing, when our betters will hardly save theirs without being paid for it. Unless the people in employment pay better, I promise them for the future, I shall let other rogues live besides their own.
Lockit	Perhaps, brother, they are afraid these matters may be carried too far. We are treated too by them with contempt, as if our profession were not reputable.
Peachum	In one respect indeed our employment may be reckoned dishonest, because, like great statesmen, we encourage those who betray their friends.
Lockit	Such language, brother, anywhere else, might turn to your prejudice. Learn to be more guarded, I beg you.
Air XXIX. How happy are we, etc.
	When you censure the age, Be cautious and sage, Lest the courtiers offended should be: If you mention vice or bribe, ’Tis so pat to all the tribe; Each cries⁠—That was levelled at me.
Peachum	Here’s poor Ned Clincher’s name, I see. Sure, brother Lockit, there was a little unfair proceeding in Ned’s case: for he told me in the condemned hold, that for value received, you had promised him a session or two longer without molestation.
Lockit	Mr. Peachum⁠—this is the first time my honour was ever called in question.
Peachum	Business is at an end⁠—if once we act dishonourably.
Lockit	Who accuses me?
Peachum	You are warm, brother.
Lockit	He that attacks my honour, attacks my livelihood.⁠—And this usage⁠—Sir⁠—is not to be borne.
Peachum	Since you provoke me to speak⁠—I must tell you too, that Mrs. Coaxer charges you with defrauding her of her information-money, for the apprehending of curl-pated Hugh. Indeed, indeed, brother, we must punctually pay our spies, or we shall have no information.
Lockit	Is this language to me, sirrah⁠—who have saved you from the gallows, sirrah! Collaring each other.
Peachum	If I am hanged, it shall be for ridding the world of an arrant rascal.
Lockit	This hand shall do the office of the halter you deserve, and throttle you⁠—you dog!⁠—
Peachum	Brother, brother⁠—We are both in the wrong⁠—We shall be both losers in the dispute⁠—for you know we have it in our power to hang each other. You should not be so passionate.
Lockit	Nor you so provoking.
Peachum	’Tis our mutual interest; ’tis for the interest of the world we should agree. If I said anything, brother, to the prejudice of your character, I ask pardon.
Lockit	Brother Peachum⁠—I can forgive as well as resent.⁠—Give me your hand. Suspicion does not become a friend.
Peachum	I only meant to give you occasion to justify yourself: But I must now step home, for I expect the gentleman about this snuffbox, that Filch nimmed two nights ago in the park. I appointed him at this hour. Exit Peachum.
	Enter Lucy.
Lockit	Whence come you, hussy?
Lucy	My tears might answer that question.
Lockit	You have then been whimpering and fondling, like a spaniel, over the fellow that hath abused you.
Lucy	One can’t help love; one can’t cure it. ’Tis not in my power to obey you, and hate him.
Lockit	Learn to bear your husband’s death like a reasonable woman. ’Tis not the fashion, nowadays, so much as to affect sorrow upon these occasions. No woman would ever marry, if she had not the chance of mortality for a release. Act like a woman of spirit, hussy, and thank your father for what he is doing.
Air XXX. Of a noble race was Shenkin.
Lucy	Is then his fate decreed, sir? Such a man can I think of quitting? When first we met, so moves me yet, O see how my heart is splitting!
Lockit	Look ye, Lucy⁠—There is no saving him.⁠—So, I think, you must ev’n do like other widows⁠—buy yourself weeds, and be cheerful.
Air XXXI.
	You’ll think ere many days ensue This sentence not severe; I hang your husband, child, ’tis true, But with him hang your care. Twang dang dillo dee. Like a good wife, go moan over your dying husband. That, child is your duty⁠—Consider, girl, you can’t have the man and the money too⁠—so make yourself as easy as you can, by getting all you can from him. Exit Lockit.
	Enter Macheath.
Lucy	Though the ordinary was out of the way today, I hope, my dear, you will, upon the first opportunity, quiet my scruples⁠—Oh sir!⁠—my father’s hard heart is not to be softened, and I am in the utmost despair.
Macheath	But if I could raise a small sum⁠—Would not twenty guineas, think you, move him?⁠—Of all the arguments in the way of business, the perquisite is the most prevailing⁠—Your father’s perquisites for the escape of prisoners must amount to a considerable sum in the year. Money well timed, and properly applied, will do anything.
Air XXXII. London ladies.
	If you at an office solicit your due, And would not have matters neglected; You must quicken the clerk with the perquisite too, To do what his duty directed. Or would you the frowns of a lady prevent, She too has this palpable failing, The perquisite softens her into consent; That reason with all is prevailing.
Lucy	What love or money can do shall be done: for all my comfort depends upon your safety.
	Enter Polly.
Polly	Where is my dear husband?⁠—Was a rope ever intended for this neck!⁠—O let me throw my arms about it, and throttle thee with love!⁠—Why dost thou turn away from me? ’Tis thy Polly⁠—’Tis thy wife.
Macheath	Was ever such an unfortunate rascal as I am!
Lucy	Was there ever such another villain!
Polly	O Macheath! was it for this we parted? Taken! Imprisoned! Tried! Hanged⁠—cruel reflection! I’ll stay with thee ’till death⁠—no force shall tear thy dear wife from thee now.⁠—What means my love?⁠—Not one kind word! not one kind look! think what thy Polly suffers to see thee in this condition.
Air XXXIII. All in the Downs, etc.
	Thus when the swallow seeking prey, Within the sash is closely pent, His consort, with bemoaning lay, Without sits pining for th’ event. Her chatt’ring lovers all around her skim; She heeds them not (poor bird!) her soul’s with him.
Macheath	Aside. I must disown her. Aloud. The wench is distracted.
Lucy	Am I then bilked of my virtue? Can I have no reparation? Sure men were born to lie, and women to believe them! O villain! Villain!
Polly	Am I not thy wife?⁠—Thy neglect of me, thy aversion to me too severely proves it.⁠—Look on me.⁠—Tell me, am I not thy wife?
Lucy	Perfidious wretch!
Polly	Barbarous husband!
Lucy	Hadst thou been hanged five months ago, I had been happy.
Polly	And I too⁠—If you had been kind to me ’till death, it would not have vexed me⁠—And that’s no very unreasonable request, (though from a wife) to a man who hath not above seven or eight days to live.
Lucy	Art thou then married to another? Hast thou two wives, monster?
Macheath	If women’s tongues can cease for an answer⁠—hear me.
Lucy	I won’t.⁠—Flesh and blood can’t bear my usage.
Polly	Shall I not claim my own? Justice bids me speak.
Air XXXIV. Have you heard of a frolicksome ditty, etc.
Macheath	How happy could I be with either, Were t’other dear charmer away! But while you thus tease me together, To neither a word will I say; But tol de rol, etc.
Polly	Sure, my dear, there ought to be some preference shown to a wife! At least she may claim the appearance of it. He must be distracted with his misfortunes, or he could not use me thus.
Lucy	O villain, villain! thou hast deceived me.⁠—I could even inform against thee with pleasure. Not a prude wishes more heartily to have facts against her intimate acquaintance, than I now wish to have facts against thee. I would have her satisfaction, and they should all out.
Air XXXV. Irish trot.
Polly	I am bubbled.
Lucy	I’m bubbled.
Polly	O how I am troubled!
Lucy	Bambouzled, and bit!
Polly	My distresses are doubled.
Lucy	When you come to the Tree, should the hangman refuse, These fingers, with pleasure, could fasten the noose.
Polly	I’m bubbled, etc.
Macheath	Be pacified, my dear Lucy⁠—This is all a fetch of Polly’s, to make me desperate with you in case I get off. If I am hanged, she would fain have the credit of being thought my widow⁠—Really, Polly, this is no time for a dispute of this sort; for whenever you are talking of marriage, I am thinking of hanging.
Polly	And hast thou the heart to persist in disowning me?
Macheath	And hast thou the heart to persist in persuading me that I am married? Why, Polly, dost thou seek to aggravate my misfortunes?
Lucy	Really, Miss Peachum, you but expose yourself. Besides, ’tis barbarous in you to worry a gentleman in his circumstances.
Air XXXVI.
Polly	Cease your funning; Force or cunning Never shall my heart trapan. All these sallies Are but malice To seduce my constant man. ’Tis most certain, By their flirting Women oft’ have envy shown. Pleased, to ruin Others wooing; Never happy in their own.
Polly	Decency, madam, methinks might teach you to behave yourself with some reserve with the husband, while his wife is present.
Macheath	But seriously, Polly, this is carrying the joke a little too far.
Lucy	If you are determined, madam, to raise a disturbance in the prison, I shall be obliged to send for the turnkey to show you the door. I am sorry, madam, you force me to be so ill-bred.
Polly	Give me leave to tell you, madam: These forward airs don’t become you in the least, madam. And my duty, madam, obliges me to stay with my husband, madam.
Air XXXVII. Good-morrow, gossip Joan.
Lucy	Why how now, madam Flirt? If you thus must chatter; And are for flinging dirt, Let’s try who best can spatter; Madam Flirt.
Polly	Why how now, saucy jade; Sure the wench is tipsy! How can you see me made To him. The scoff of such a gipsy? Saucy jade! To her.
	Enter Peachum.
Peachum	Where’s my wench? Ah hussy! Hussy!⁠—Come you home, you slut; and when your fellow is hanged, hang yourself, to make your family some amends.
Polly	Dear, dear father, do not tear me from him⁠—I must speak; I have more to say to him⁠—Oh! twist thy fetters about me, that he may not haul me from thee!
Peachum	Sure all women are alike! If ever they commit the folly, they are sure to commit another by exposing themselves⁠—Away⁠—Not a word more⁠—You are my prisoner, now, hussy.
Air XXXVIII. Irish howl.
Polly	No power on earth can e’er divide The knot that sacred love hath tied. When parents draw against our mind, The truelove’s knot they faster bind. Oh, oh ray, oh amborah⁠—oh, oh, etc. Holding Macheath, Peachum* pulling her.*

Scene III

The Same

Lucy, Macheath.

Macheath	I am naturally compassionate, wife; so that I could not use the wench as she deserved; which made you at first suspect there was something in what she said.
Lucy	Indeed, my dear, I was strangely puzzled.
Macheath	If that had been the case, her father would never have brought me into this circumstance⁠—No, Lucy⁠—I had rather die than be false to thee.
Lucy	How happy am I, if you say this from your heart! For I love thee so, that I could sooner bear to see thee hanged than in the arms of another.
Macheath	But could’st thou bear to see me hanged?
Lucy	O Macheath, I can never live to see that day.
Macheath	You see, Lucy; in the account of love you are in my debt, and you must now be convinced, that I rather choose to die than be another’s.⁠—Make me, if possible, love thee more, and let me owe my life to thee⁠—If you refuse to assist me, Peachum and your father will immediately put me beyond all means of escape.
Lucy	My father, I know, hath been drinking hard with the prisoners: and I fancy he is now taking his nap in his own room⁠—If I can procure the keys, shall I go off with thee, my dear?
Macheath	If we are together, ’twill be impossible to lie concealed. As soon as the search begins to be a little cool, I will send to thee⁠—’Till then my heart is thy prisoner.
Lucy	Come then, my dear husband⁠—owe thy life to me⁠—and though you love me not⁠—be grateful⁠—but that Polly runs in my head strangely.
Macheath	A moment of time may make us unhappy forever.
Air XXXIX. The lass of Patie’s Mill, etc.
Lucy	I like the fox shall grieve, Whose mate hath left her side, Whom hounds from morn to eve, Chase o’er the country wide. Where can my lover hide? Where cheat the wary pack? If love be not his guide, He never will come back!
	Exeunt.

Act III

Scene I

Scene, Newgate.

Lockit, Lucy.

Lockit	To be sure, wench, you must have been aiding and abetting to help him to this escape.
Lucy	Sir, here hath been Peachum and his daughter Polly, and to be sure they know the ways of Newgate as well as if they had been born and bred in the place all their lives. Why must all your suspicion light upon me?
Lockit	Lucy, Lucy, I will have none of these shuffling answers.
Lucy	Well then⁠—If I know anything of him I wish I may be burnt!
Lockit	Keep your temper, Lucy, or I shall pronounce you guilty.
Lucy	Keep yours, sir⁠—I do wish I may be burnt. I do⁠—And what can I say more to convince you?
Lockit	Did he tip handsomly?⁠—How much did he come down with? Come, hussy, don’t cheat your father; and I shall not be angry with you⁠—Perhaps, you have made a better bargain with him than I could have done⁠—How much, my good girl?
Lucy	You know, sir, I am fond of him, and would have given money to have kept him with me.
Lockit	Ah Lucy! thy education might have put thee more upon thy guard; for a girl in the bar of an alehouse is always besieged.
Lucy	Dear sir, mention not my education⁠—for ’twas to that I owe my ruin.
Air XL. If love’s a sweet passion, etc.
	When young at the bar you first taught me to score, And bid me be free of my lips, and no more; I was kissed by the parson, the squire, and the sot, When the guest was departed, the kiss was forgot. But his kiss was so sweet, and so closely he pressed, That I languished and pined till I granted the rest. If you can forgive me, sir, I will make a fair confession, for to be sure he hath been a most barbarous villain to me.
Lockit	And so you have let him escape, hussy⁠—Have you?
Lucy	When a woman loves; a kind look, a tender word can persuade her to anything⁠—And I could ask no other bribe.
Lockit	Thou wilt always be a vulgar slut, Lucy.⁠—If you would not be looked upon as a fool, you should never do anything but upon the foot of interest. Those that act otherwise are their own bubbles.
Lucy	But love, sir, is a misfortune that may happen to the most discreet women, and in love we are all fools alike⁠—Notwithstanding all he swore, I am now fully convinced that Polly Peachum is actually his wife.⁠—Did I let him escape, (Fool that I was!) to go to her?⁠—Polly will wheedle herself into his money, and then Peachum will hang him, and cheat us both.
Lockit	So I am to be ruined, because, forsooth, you must be in love!⁠—a very pretty excuse!
Lucy	I could murder that impudent happy strumpet:⁠—I gave him his life, and that creature enjoys the sweets of it.⁠—Ungrateful Macheath!
Air XLI. South-Sea ballad.
	My love is all madness and folly, Alone I lie, Toss, tumble, and cry, What a happy creature is Polly! Was e’er such a wretch as I! With rage I redden like scarlet, That my dear inconstant varlet, Stark blind to my charms, Is lost in the arms Of that jilt, that inveigling harlot! Stark blind to my charms, Is lost in the arms Of that jilt, that inveigling harlot! This, this my resentment alarms.
Lockit	And so, after all this mischief, I must stay here to be entertained with your catterwauling, Mrs. Puss!⁠—Out of my sight, wanton strumpet! you shall fast and mortify yourself into reason, with now and then a little handsome discipline to bring you to your senses.⁠—Go. Exit Lucy. Peachum then intends to outwit me in this affair; but I’ll be even with him.⁠—The dog is leaky in his liquor, so I’ll ply him that way, get the secret from him, and turn this affair to my own advantage.⁠—Lions, wolves, and vultures don’t live together in herds, droves or flocks.⁠—Of all animals of prey, man is the only sociable one. Every one of us preys upon his neighbour, and yet we herd together.⁠—Peachum is my companion, my friend.⁠—According to the custom of the world, indeed, he may quote thousands of precedents for cheating me⁠—And shall not I make use of the privilege of friendship to make him a return.
Air XLII. Packington’s Pound.
	Thus gamesters united in friendship are found, Though they know that their industry all is a cheat; They flock to their prey at the dice-box’s sound, And join to promote one another’s deceit. But if by mishap They fail of a chap, To keep in their hands, they each other entrap. Like pikes, lank with hunger, who miss of their ends, They bite their companions, and prey on their friends. Now, Peachum, you and I, like honest tradesmen, are to have a fair trial which of us two can overreach the other.

Scene II

A Gaming-House

Macheath in a fine tarnished coat, Ben Budge, Matt of the Mint.

Macheath	I am sorry, gentlemen, the road was so barren of money. When my friends are in difficulties, I am always glad that my fortune can be serviceable to them. Gives them money. You see, gentlemen, I am not a mere court friend, who professes everything and will do nothing.
Air XLIII. Lillibullero.
	The modes of the court so common are grown, That a true friend can hardly be met; Friendship for interest is but a loan, Which they let out for what they can get. ’Tis true, you find Some friends so kind, Who will give you good counsel themselves to defend. In sorrowful ditty, They promise, they pity, But shift for your money, from friend to friend. But we, gentlemen, have still honour enough to break through the corruptions of the world.⁠—And while I can serve you, you may command me.
Ben	It grieves my heart that so generous a man should be involved in such difficulties, as oblige him to live with such ill company, and herd with gamesters.
Matt	See the partiality of mankind!⁠—One man may steal a horse, better than another look over a hedge.⁠—Of all mechanics, of all servile handicrafts-men, a gamester is the vilest. But yet, as many of the quality are of the profession, he is admitted amongst the politest company. I wonder we are not more respected.
Macheath	There will be deep play tonight at Marybone, and consequently money may be picked up upon the road. Meet me there, and I’ll give you the hint who is worth setting.
Matt	The fellow with a brown coat with a narrow gold binding, I am told, is never without money.
Macheath	What do you mean, Matt?⁠—Sure you will not think of meddling with him!⁠—He’s a good honest kind of a fellow, and one of us.
Ben	To be sure, sir, we will put ourselves under your direction.
Macheath	Have an eye upon the moneylenders.⁠—A rouleau, or two, would prove a pretty sort of an expedition. I hate extortion.
Matt	Those rouleaus are very pretty things.⁠—I hate your bank bills.⁠—There is such a hazard in putting them off.
Macheath	There is a certain man of distinction, who in his time hath nicked me out of a great deal of the ready. He is in my cash, Ben;⁠—I’ll point him out to you this evening, and you shall draw upon him for the debt.⁠—The company are met; I hear the dice-box in the other room. So, gentlemen, your servant. You’ll meet me at Marybone.

Scene III

Peachum’s Lock

A table with wine, brandy, pipes and tobacco.

Peachum, Lockit.

Lockit	The coronation account, brother Peachum, is of so intricate a nature, that I believe it will never be settled.
Peachum	It consists indeed of a great variety of articles.⁠—It was worth to our people, in fees of different kinds, above ten instalments.⁠—This is part of the account, brother, that lies open before us.
Lockit	A lady’s tail of rich brocade.⁠—that, I see, is disposed of.
Peachum	To Mrs. Diana Trapes, the tally-woman, and she will make a good hand on’t in shoes and slippers, to trick out young ladies, upon their going into keeping.⁠—
Lockit	But I don’t see any article of the jewels.
Peachum	Those are so well known that they must be sent abroad⁠—You’ll find them entered under the article of exportation.⁠—As for the snuffboxes, watches, swords, etc.⁠—I thought it best to enter them under their several heads.
Lockit	Seven and twenty women’s pockets complete; with the several things therein contained; all sealed, numbered, and entered.
Peachum	But, brother, it is impossible for us now to enter upon this affair⁠—We should have the whole day before us.⁠—Besides, the account of the last half year’s plate is in a book by itself, which lies at the other office.
Lockit	Bring us then more liquor⁠—Today shall be for pleasure⁠—Tomorrow for business⁠—Ah, brother, those daughters of ours are two slippery hussies⁠—Keep a watchful eye upon Polly, and Macheath in a day or two shall be our own again.
Air XLIV. Down in the north country, etc.
Lockit	What gudgeons are we men! Ev’ry woman’s easy prey. Though we have felt the hook, again We bite and they betray. The bird that hath been trapped, When he hears his calling mate, To her he flies, again he’s clapped Within the wiry grate.
Peachum	But what signifies catching the bird, if your daughter Lucy will set open the door of the cage?
Lockit	If men were answerable for the follies and frailties of their wives and daughters, no friends could keep a good correspondence together for two days.⁠—This in unkind of you, brother; for among good friends, what they say or do goes for nothing.
	Enter a Servant.
Servant	Sir, here’s Mrs. Diana Trapes wants to speak with you.
Peachum	Shall we admit her, brother Lockit?
Lockit	By all means⁠—She’s a good customer, and a fine-spoken woman⁠—And a woman who drinks and talks so freely, will enliven the conversation.
Peachum	Desire her to walk in. Exit servant.
	Peachum, Lockit, Mrs. Trapes.
Peachum	Dear Mrs. Dye, your servant⁠—One may know by your kiss, that your gin is excellent.
Mrs. Trapes	I was always very curious in my liquors.
Lockit	There is no perfumed breath like it⁠—I have been long acquainted with the flavour of those lips⁠—Han’t I, Mrs. Dye.
Mrs. Trapes	Fill it up⁠—I take as large draughts of liquor, as I did of love.⁠—I hate a flincher in either.
Air XLV. A shepherd kept sheep, etc.
	In the days of my youth I could bill like a dove, fa, la, la, etc. Like a sparrow at all times was ready for love, fa, la, la, etc. The life of all mortals in kissing should pass, Lip to lip while we’re young⁠—then the lip to the glass, fa, la, etc. But now, Mr. Peachum, to our business.⁠—If you have blacks of any kind, brought in of late; mantoes⁠—Velvet scarfs⁠—Petticoats⁠—Let it be what it will⁠—I am your chap⁠—for all my ladies are very fond of mourning.
Peachum	Why, look ye, Mrs. Dye⁠—you deal so hard with us, that we can afford to give the gentlemen, who venture their lives for the goods, little or nothing.
Mrs. Trapes	The hard times oblige me to go very near in my dealing.⁠—To be sure, of late years I have been a great sufferer by the parliament.⁠—Three thousand pounds would hardly make me amends.⁠—The act for destroying the mint, was a severe cut upon our business⁠—’Till then, if a customer stepped out of the way⁠—we knew where to have her⁠—No doubt you know Mrs. Coaxer⁠—there’s a wench now (’till today) with a good suit of clothes of mine upon her back, and I could never set eyes upon her for three months together.⁠—Since the act too against imprisonment for small sums, my loss there too hath been very considerable, and it must be so, when a lady can borrow a handsome petticoat, or a clean gown, and I not have the least hank upon her! And, o’ my conscience, nowadays most ladies take a delight in cheating, when they can do it with safety.
Peachum	Madam, you had a handsome gold watch of us ’tother day for seven guineas.⁠—Considering we must have our profit.⁠—To a gentleman upon the road, a gold watch will be scarce worth the taking.
Mrs. Trapes	Consider, Mr. Peachum, that watch was remarkable, and not of very safe sale.⁠—If you have any black velvet scarfs⁠—they are a handsome winter-wear, and take with most gentlemen who deal with my customers.⁠—’Tis I that put the ladies upon a good foot. ’Tis not youth or beauty that fixes their price. The gentlemen always pay according to their dress, from half a crown to two guineas; and yet those hussies make nothing of bilking of me.⁠—Then too, allowing for accidents.⁠—I have eleven fine customers now down under the surgeon’s hands⁠—what with fees and other expenses, there are great goings-out, and no comings in, and not a farthing to pay for at least a month’s clothing.⁠—We run great risks⁠—great risks indeed.
Peachum	As I remember, you said something just now of Mrs. Coaxer.
Mrs. Trapes	Yes, sir.⁠—To be sure I stripped her of a suit of my own clothes about two hours ago; and have left her as she should be, in her shift, with a lover of hers at my house. She called him upstairs, as he was going to Marybone in a hackney coach.⁠—And I hope, for her own sake and mine, she will persuade the Captain to redeem her, for the Captain is very generous to the ladies.
Lockit	What captain?
Mrs. Trapes	He thought I did not know him⁠—An intimate acquaintance of yours, Mr. Peachum⁠—Only Captain Macheath⁠—as fine as a lord.
Peachum	Tomorrow, dear Mrs. Dye, you shall set your own price upon any of the goods you like⁠—We have at least half a dozen velvet scarfs, and all at your service. Will you give me leave to make you a present of this suit of nightclothes for your own wearing?⁠—But are you sure it is Captain Macheath.
Mrs. Trapes	Though he thinks I have forgot him; nobody knows him better. I have taken a great deal of the Captain’s money in my time at secondhand, for he always loved to have his ladies well dressed.
Peachum	Mr. Lockit and I have a little business with the Captain;⁠—You understand me⁠—and we will satisfy you for Mrs. Coaxer’s debt.
Lockit	Depend upon it⁠—we will deal like men of honour.
Mrs. Trapes	I don’t enquire after your affairs⁠—so whatever happens, I wash my hands on’t⁠—It hath always been my maxim, that one friend should assist another⁠—But if you please⁠—I’ll take one of the scarfs home with me. ’Tis always good to have something in hand.

Scene IV

Newgate

Lucy	Jealousy, rage, love and fear are at once tearing me to pieces, how I am weather-beaten and shattered with distresses!
Air XLVI. One evening, having lost my way, etc.
	I’m like a skiff on the ocean tossed, Now high, now low, with each billow born, With her rudder broke, and her anchor lost, Deserted and all forlorn. While thus I lie rolling and tossing all night, That Polly lies sporting on seas of delight! Revenge, revenge, revenge, Shall appease my restless spirit. I have the ratsbane ready.⁠—I run no risk; for I can lay her death upon the gin, and so many die of that naturally that I shall never be called in question.⁠—But say, I were to be hanged.⁠—I never could be hanged for anything that would give me greater comfort, than the poisoning that slut.
	Enter Filch.
Filch	Madam, here’s Miss Polly come to wait upon you.
Lucy	Show her in.
	Enter Polly.
Polly	Dear madam, your servant.⁠—I hope you will pardon my passion, when I was so happy to see you last.⁠—I was so overrun with the spleen, that I was perfectly out of myself. And really when one hath the spleen, everything is to be excused by a friend.
Air XLVII. Now Roger, I’ll tell thee because thou ’rt my son.
	When a wife’s in her pout, (As she’s sometimes, no doubt;) The good husband as meek as a lamb, Her vapours to still, First grants her her will, And the quieting draught is a dram. Poor man! And the quieting draught is a dram. —I wish all our quarrels might have so comfortable a reconciliation.
Polly	I have no excuse for my own behaviour, madam, but my misfortunes.⁠—And really, madam, I suffer too upon your account.
Lucy	But, Miss Polly⁠—in the way of friendship, will you give me leave to propose a glass of cordial to you?
Polly	Strong-waters are apt to give me the headache⁠—I hope, madam, you will excuse me.
Lucy	Not the greatest lady in the land could have better in her closet, for her own private drinking.⁠—You seem mighty low in spirits, my dear.
Polly	I am sorry, madam, my health will not allow me to accept of your offer.⁠—I should not have left you in the rude manner I did when we met last, madam, had not my papa hauled me away so unexpectedly⁠—I was indeed somewhat provoked, and perhaps might use some expressions that were disrespectful.⁠—But really, madam, the Captain treated me with so much contempt and cruelty, that I deserved your pity, rather than your resentment.
Lucy	But since his escape, no doubt all matters are made up again.⁠—Ah Polly! Polly! ’tis I am the unhappy wife; and he loves you as if you were only his mistress.
Polly	Sure, madam, you cannot think me so happy as to be the object of your jealousy.⁠—A man is always afraid of a woman who loves him too well⁠—so that I must expect to be neglected and avoided.
Lucy	Then our cases, my dear Polly, are exactly alike. Both of us indeed have been too fond.
Air XLVIII. O Bessy Bell.
Polly	A curse attend that woman’s love, Who always would be pleasing.
Polly	The pertness of the billing dove, Like tickling, is but teazing.
Polly	What then in love can woman do:
Polly	If we grow fond they shun us.
Polly	And when we fly them, they pursue:
Polly	But leave us when they’ve won us.
Lucy	Love is so very whimsical in both sexes, that it is impossible to be lasting.⁠—But my heart is particular, and contradicts my own observation.
Polly	But really, Mistress Lucy, by his last behaviour, I think I ought to envy you.⁠—When I was forced from him, he did not show the least tenderness.⁠—But perhaps, he hath a heart not capable of it.
Air XLIX. Would fate to me Belinda give.
	Among the men, coquettes we find, Who court by turns all womankind; And we grant all their hearts desired, When they are flattered, and admired. The coquettes of both sexes are self-lovers, and that is a love no other whatever can dispossess. I hear, my dear Lucy, our husband is one of those.
Lucy	Away with these melancholy reflections⁠—indeed, my dear Polly, we are both of us a cup too low⁠—Let me prevail upon you to accept of my offer.
Air L. Come, sweet lass.
	Come, sweet lass, Let’s banish sorrow ’Till tomorrow; Come, sweet lass, Let’s take a chirping glass. Wine can clear The vapours of despair And make us light as air; Then drink, and banish care. I can’t bear, child, to see you in such low spirits.⁠—And I must persuade you to what I know will do you good. Aside. I shall now soon be even with the hypocritical strumpet. Exit.
Polly	All this wheedling of Lucy cannot be for nothing.⁠—At this time too! when I know she hates me!⁠—The dissembling of a woman is always the forerunner of mischief.⁠—By pouring strong-waters down my throat, she thinks to pump some secrets out of me⁠—I’ll be upon my guard, and won’t taste a drop of her liquor, I’m resolved.
	Reenter Lucy, with strong-waters.
Lucy	Come, Miss Polly.
Polly	Indeed, child, you have given yourself trouble to no purpose.⁠—You must, my dear, excuse me.
Lucy	Really, Miss Polly, you are as squeamishly affected about taking a cup of strong-waters as a lady before company. I vow, Polly, I shall take it monstrously ill if you refuse me.⁠—Brandy and men (though women love them ever so well) are always taken by us with some reluctance⁠—unless ’tis in private.
Polly	I protest, madam, it goes against me.⁠—What do I see! Macheath again in custody!⁠—Now every glimm’ring of happiness is lost.
	Drops the glass of liquor on the ground.
Lucy	Since things are thus, I’m glad the wench hath escaped: for by this event, ’tis plain, she was not happy enough to deserve to be poisoned.
	Enter Lockit, Macheath, Peachum.
Lockit	Set your heart to rest, Captain.⁠—You have neither the chance of love or money for another escape⁠—for you are ordered to be called down upon your trial immediately.
Peachum	Away, hussies!⁠—This is not a time for a man to be hampered with his wives.⁠—You see, the gentleman is in chains already.
Lucy	O husband, husband, my heart longed to see thee; but to see thee thus distracts me?
Polly	Will not my dear husband look upon his Polly? Why hadst thou not flown to me for protection? with me thou hadst been safe.
Air LI. The last time I went o’er the moor.
Polly	Hither, dear husband, turn your eyes.
Lucy	Bestow one glance to cheer me.
Polly	Think with that look, thy Polly dies.
Lucy	O shun me not⁠—but hear me.
Polly	’Tis Polly sues.
Lucy	’Tis Lucy speaks.
Polly	Is thus true love requited?
Lucy	My heart is bursting.
Polly	Mine too breaks.
Lucy	Must I
Polly	Must I be slighted?
Macheath	What would you have me say, ladies?⁠—You see this affair will soon be at an end, without my disobliging either of you.
Peachum	But the settling this point, Captain, might prevent a lawsuit between your two widows.
Air LII. Tom Tinker’s my true love.
Macheath	Which way shall I turn me⁠—How can I decide? Wives, the day of our death, are as fond as a bride. One wife is too much for most husbands to hear, But two at a time there’s no mortal can bear. This way, and that way, and which way I will, What would comfort the one, t’ other wife would take ill.
Polly	But if his own misfortunes have made him insensible to mine⁠—A father sure will be more compassionate⁠—Dear, dear sir, sink the material evidence, and bring him off at his trial⁠—Polly upon her knees begs it of you.
Air LIII. I am a poor shepherd undone.
	When my hero in court appears, And stands arraigned for his life; Then think of poor Polly’s tears; For ah! poor Polly’s his wife. Like the sailor he holds up his hand, Distressed on the dashing wave. To die a dry death at land, Is as bad as a watery grave. And alas, poor Polly! Alack, and well-a-day! Before I was in love, Oh! every month was May.
Lucy	If Peachum’s heart is hardened; sure you, sir, will have more compassion on a daughter.⁠—I know the evidence is in your power.⁠—How then can you be a tyrant to me? Kneeling.
Air LIV. Ianthe the lovely, etc.
	When he holds up his hand arraigned for his life, O think of your daughter, and think I’m his wife! What are cannons, or bombs, or clashing of swords? For death is more certain by witnesses words. Then nail up their lips; that dread thunder allay; And each month of my life will hereafter be May.
Lockit	Macheath’s time is come, Lucy.⁠—We know our own affairs, therefore let us have no more whimpering or whining.
Air LV. A cobbler there was, etc.
	Ourselves, like the great, to secure a retreat, When matters require it, must give up our gang: And good reason why, Or, instead of the fry, Ev’n Peachum and I. Like poor petty rascals, might hang, hang; Like poor petty rascals, might hang.
Peachum	Set your heart at rest, Polly.⁠—Your husband is to die today.⁠—Therefore if you are not already provided, ’tis high time to look about for another. There’s comfort for you, you slut.
Lockit	We are ready, sir, to conduct you to the Old Bailey.
Air LVI. Bonny Dundee.
Macheath	The charge is prepared; the lawyers are met, The judges all ranged (a terrible show!) I go, undismayed.⁠—For death is a debt, A debt on demand.⁠—So take what I owe. Then farewell, my love⁠—Dear charmers, adieu. Contented I die⁠—’Tis the better for you. Here ends all disputes the rest of our lives, For this way at once I please all my wives. Now, gentlemen, I am ready to attend you.
	Exeunt Macheath, Lockit, and Peachum. Enter Filch.
Polly	Follow them, Filch, to the court. And when the trial is over, bring me a particular account of his behaviour, and of everything that happened⁠—You’ll find me here with Miss Lucy. Exit Filch. But why is all this music?
Lucy	The prisoners, whose trials are put off ’till next session, are diverting themselves.
Polly	Sure there is nothing so charming as music! I’m fond of it to distraction!⁠—But alas!⁠—now, all mirth seems an insult upon my affliction.⁠—Let us retire, my dear Lucy, and indulge our sorrows.⁠—The noisy crew, you see, are coming upon us.
	Exeunt. A dance of prisoners in chains, etc.

Scene V

The Condemned Hold

Macheath	In a melancholy posture.
Air LVII. Happy groves.
	O cruel, cruel, cruel case! Must I suffer this disgrace?
Air LVIII. Of all the girls that are so smart.
	Of all the friends in time of grief, When threatening death looks grimmer, Not one so sure can bring relief, As this best friend, a brimmer. Drinks.
Air LIX. Britons strike home.
	Since I must swing⁠—I scorn, I scorn to wince or whine. Rises.
Air LX. Chevy Chase.
	But now again my spirits sink; I’ll raise them high with wine. Drinks a glass of wine.
Air LXI. To old Sir Simon the King.
	But valour the stronger grows, The stronger liquor we’er drinking; And how can we feel our woes, When we’ve lost the trouble of thinking? Drinks.
Air LXII. Joy to great Caesar.
	If thus⁠—A man can die Much bolder with brandy. Pours out a bumper of brandy.
Air LXIII. There was an old woman.
	So I drink off this bumper.⁠—And now I can stand the test, And my comrades shall see, that I die as brave as the best. Drinks.
Air LXIV. Did you ever hear of a gallant sailor.
	But can I leave my pretty hussies, Without one tear, or tender sigh?
Air LXV. Why are mine eyes still flowing.
	Their eyes, their lips, their busses Recall my love⁠—Ah must I die!
Air LXVI. Green sleeves.
	Since laws were made for ev’ry degree, To curb vice in others, as well as me, I wonder we han’t better company, Upon Tyburn Tree! But gold from law can take out the sting; And if rich men like us were to swing, ’Twou’d thin the land, such numbers to string Upon Tyburn Tree!
Jailor	Some friends of yours, Captain, desire to be admitted⁠—I leave you together.
	Enter Ben Budge, Matt of the Mint.
Macheath	For my having broke prison, you see, gentlemen, I am ordered immediate execution.⁠—The sheriff’s officers, I believe, are now at the door.⁠—That Jemmy Twitcher should peach me, I own surprised me!⁠—’Tis a plain proof that the world is all alike, and that even our gang can no more trust one another than other people. Therefore, I beg you, gentlemen, look well to yourselves, for in all probability you may live some months longer.
Matt	We are heartily sorry, Captain, for your misfortune.⁠—But ’tis what we must all come to.
Macheath	Peachum and Lockit, you know, are infamous scoundrels. Their lives are as much in your power, as yours are in theirs.⁠—Remember your dying friend!⁠—’Tis my last request.⁠—Bring those villains to the gallows before you, and I am satisfied.
Matt	We’ll do’t.
Jailor	Miss Polly and Miss Lucy intreat a word with you.
Macheath	Gentlemen, adieu.
	Exeunt Ben Budge* and Matt.* Enter Lucy* and Polly.*
Macheath	My dear Lucy⁠—My dear Polly⁠—Whatsoever hath passed between us is now at an end⁠—If you are fond of marrying again, the best advice I can give you, is to ship yourselves off for the West Indies, where you’ll have a fair chance of getting a husband apiece, or by good luck, two or three, as you like best.
Polly	How can I support this sight!
Lucy	There is nothing moves one so much as a great man in distress.
Air LXVII. All you that must take a leap, etc.
Lucy	Would I might be hanged!
Polly	And I would so too!
Lucy	To be hanged with you.
Polly	My dear, with you.
Macheath	O leave me to thought! I fear! I doubt! I tremble! I droop!⁠—See, my courage is out. Turns up the empty bottle.
Polly	No token of love?
Macheath	See, my courage is out. Turns up the empty pot.
Lucy	No token of love?
Polly	Adieu.
Lucy	Farewell.
Macheath	But hark! I hear the toll of the bell.
Chorus	Tol de rol lol, etc.
Jailor	Four women more, Captain, with a child apiece! See, here they come.
	Enter women and children.
Macheath	What⁠—four wives more!⁠—This is too much⁠—Here⁠—tell the sheriff’s officers I am ready. Exit Macheath* guarded.*
	To them, enter Player* and Beggar.*
Player	But, honest friend, I hope you don’t intend that Macheath shall be really executed.
Beggar	Most certainly, sir.⁠—To make the piece perfect, I was for doing strict poetical justice.⁠—Macheath is to be hanged; and for the other personages of the drama, the audience must have supposed they were all either hanged or transported.
Player	Why then, friend, this is a downright deep tragedy. The catastrophe is manifestly wrong, for an opera must end happily.
Beggar	Your objection, sir, is very just, and is easily removed. For you must allow, that in this kind of drama, ’tis no matter how absurdly things are brought about⁠—So⁠—you rabble there⁠—run and cry, A reprieve!⁠—let the prisoner be brought back to his wives in triumph.
Player	All this we must do, to comply with the taste of the town.
Beggar	Through the whole piece you may observe such a similitude of manners in high and low life, that it is difficult to determine whether (in the fashionable vices) the fine gentlemen imitate the gentlemen of the road, or the gentlemen of the road the fine gentlemen.⁠—Had the play remained, as I at first intended, it would have carried a most excellent moral. ’Twould have shown that the lower sort of people have their vices in a degree as well as the rich: And that they are punished for them.
	To them, Macheath* with Rabble, etc.*
Macheath	So, it seems, I am not left to my choice, but must have a wife at last.⁠—Look ye, my dears, we will have no controversy now. Let us give this day to mirth, and I am sure she who thinks herself my wife will testify her joy by a dance.
All	Come, a dance⁠—a dance.
Macheath	Ladies, I hope you will give me leave to present a partner to each of you. And (if I may without offence) for this time, I take Polly for mine.⁠—And for life, you slut⁠—for we were really married.⁠—As for the rest.⁠—But at present keep your own secret. To Polly.
A Dance Air LXVIII. Lumps of pudding, etc.
	Thus I stand like the Turk, with his doxies around; From all sides their glances his passion confound; For black, brown, and fair, his inconstancy burns, And the different beauties subdue him by turns: Each calls forth her charms to provoke his desires: Though willing to all, with but one he retires. But think of this maxim, and put off your sorrow, The wretch of today, may be happy tomorrow.
Chorus	But think of this maxim, etc.

Colophon

The Beggar’s Opera
was published in 1728 by
John Gay.

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