Polly. But I love him, sir: how then could the customs of the world, and make gratitude I have thoughts of parting with him? give way to interest-He shall be taken off. Peach. Parting with him! why that 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 [Exeunt Peachum and Mrs. Peachum spirits. Where is the woman who would Polly. Now I'm a wretch indeed!-Methi scruple to be a wife, if she had it in her I see him already in the cart, sweeter a power to be a widow whenever she pleased? more lovely than the nosegay in his band! If you have any views of this sort, Polly, II hear the crowd extolling his resolution shall think the match not so very unreason- intrepidity! I see him at the tree!') able, whole circle are in tears!-What then Polly. How I dread to hear your advice! become of Polly?-As yet I may inform yet I must beg you to explain yourself. of their design, and aid him in his escape Peach. Secure what he hath got, have him It shall be so.-But then he flies, absents his peach'd the next sessions, and then at once self, and I bar myself from his dear, de you are made a rich widow. conversation! that too will distract me.-l Polly. What! murder the man I love! the keeps out of the way, my papa and man blood runs cold at my heart with the very may in time relent, and we may be hap thought of it! If he stays, he is hanged, and then he is Peach. Fie, Polly! what hath murder to do for ever! He intended to lie concealed in in the affair? Since the thing sooner or later room till the dusk of the evening. If they must happen, I dare say that the captain him- abroad, I'll this instant let him out, lest se self would like that we should get the reward accident should prevent him. 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. P. To have him peached is the only thing could ever make me forgive her. Mac. Polly. Mac. Enter MACHEATH. DUETT. Pretty Polly, say, To some newer lover? Heaving sighs, Doting eyes, My constant heart discover. O pretty, pretty Poll! Polly. And are you as fond of me as hussy, obliges you to hang him. What would my dear? many a wife give for such an opportunity! Mac. Suspect my honour, my cours Polly. What is a jointure, what is widow-suspect any thing but my love.-May hood, to me? I know my heart; I cannot pistols miss fire, and my mare slip her shou survive him. Thus, sir, it will happen to your while I am pursued, if ever I forsake the poor Polly. Polly. Nay, my dear! I have no reaso Mrs. P. What is the fool in love in doubt you, for I find, in the romance earnest then? I hate thee for being particu-lent me, none of the great heroes were Jar. Why! wench, thou art a shame to thy in love. very sex! Polly. But hear me, mother-if you ever loved Mrs. P. Those cursed play books she reads have been her ruin! One word more, hussy, and I shall knock your brains out, if you have any. Peach, Keep out of the way, Polly, for fear of mischief, and consider of what is proposed to you. AIR. MACHEATH. My heart was so free, Mrs. P. Away, hussy. Hang your husband, and be dutiful. [Polly listens] The thing, Mac. Is there any power, any force, husband, must and shall be done. If she will could tear me from thee? You might soc not know her duty, we know ours. lear a pension out of the hands of a cour Peoch. But really, my dear, it grieves one's a fee from a lawyer, a pretty woman fro heart to take off a great man. When I con-looking-glass, or any woman from qua sider his personal bravery, his fine stratagems, -But to tear me from thee is impossible, how much we have already got by him, and DUETT. my how much more we may get, methinks I Mac. Were I laid on Greenland's coast, can't find in my heart to have a hand in his death: I wish you could have made Polly undertake it. Mrs. P. But in case of necessity-our own lives are in danger. And in my arms embraced Soon as the burning day was close Peach. Then indeed we must comply with 1) The Gallows. poor man, he is among the otamies 1), at I could mock the sultry toil Mac. How! part! Ben. So, it seems, his time was come. Jemmy. But the present time is ours, and nobody alive bath 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. Jack. Where shall we find such another Polly. We must, we must!-My papa and set of practical philosophers, who, to a man, mamma are set against thy life: they now, are above the fear of death? even now, are in search after thee; they are Wat. Sound men and true! preparing evidence against thee; thy life depends upon a moment! AIR.-POLLY. O, what a pain it is to part! Can I leave thee, can I leave thee? 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? Mat. Show me a gang of courtiers that can say as much. Ben. We are for a just partition of the world; for every man has a right to enjoy life. Mat. We retrench the superfluities of mankind. The world is avaricious, and I hate ne kiss, and then!-one kiss!-Be gone!-avarice. A covetous fellow, like a jackdaw, Farewell! steals what he was never made to enjoy, for Mac. My hand, my heart, my dear, is so the sake of hiding it. These are the robbers ivetted to thine, that I cannot unloose my of mankind; for money was made for the old! free-hearted and generous: and where is the injury of taking from another what he hath not the heart to make use of? Polly. But my papa may intercept thee, nd then I should lose the very glimmering f hope. A few weeks, perhaps, may reconile us all. Shall thy Polly hear from thee? Mac. Must I then go? Polly. And will not absence change your re? Jemmy. Our several stations for the day are fixed. Good luck attend us all! Fill the glasses! And fires us, AIR.-MAT. Mac. If you doubt it, let me stay-and be Fill ev'ry glass, for wine inspires us, DUETT. Mac. The miser thus a shilling sees, Which he's obliged to pay; ACT II. SCENE I-A Tavern near Newgate. EMMY TWITCHER, CROOK-FINGER'D JACK, WAT DREARY, ROBIN OF BAGSHOT, NIMMING NED, HARRY Paddington, Mat-o’theMINT, BEN BUDGE, and the rest of the Gang, at the Table, with Wine, Brandy, and Tobacco. Ben. But pr'ythee, Mat, what is become of thy brother Tom? I have not seen him since my return from transportation, Women and wine should life employ; Enter MACHeath. Mac. Gentlemen, well met; my heart hath been with you this hour, but an unexpected affair hath detained me. No ceremony, I beg you! Mat. 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. Mac. I was to have been of that party-but- Mac. Is there any one that suspects my courage? Mat. We have all been witnesses of it. Mac. In the division of our booty, have I ever shown the least marks of avarice or injustice? Mat, Poor brother Tom had an accident 1), this time twelvemonth, and so clever made a Mat. By these questions, something seems fellow as he was, I could not save him from to have ruffled you. Are any of us suspected? these stealing rascals, the surgeons; and now, Mac. I have a fixed confidence, gentlemen, in you all, as men of honour, and as such Í 1) Only hanged 1) Anatomies, skeletons. value and respect you. Peachum is a man that is useful to us. Enter DRAWER. Is the porter gone for all the ladies, according Mat. Is he about to play us any foul play? to my directions? I'll shoot him through the head. resort. [Eu VIXEN, BETTY DOXY, JENNY DIVER, MRS Drawer. I expect him back every minute Mac. I beg you, gentlemen, act with con- but you know, sir, you sent him as far as duct and discretion. A pistol is your last Hockley-in-the-hole for three of the ladies. for one in Vinegar-yard, and for the rest of Mat. He knows nothing of this meeting. them, somewhere about Lewkner's-lane. Sur Mac. Business cannot go on without him: some of them are below, for I hear the br he is a man who knows the world, and is a bell. As they come, I will show them up necessary agent to us. We have had a slight Coming! coming. difference, and, till it is accommodated, I shall be obliged to keep out of his way. Any pri-Enter MRS. COAXER, DOLLY TRULL, MR vate 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. Mac. Dear Mrs. Coaxer, you are welcom Mat. He is, to us, of great convenience. you look charmingly to-day: I hope you de Mac. Make him believe I have quitted the want the repairs of quality, and lay on paintgang, which I can never do but with life. Dolly Trull! kiss me, you slut! are you At our private quarters I will continue to amorous as ever, hussy? you are always meet you. A week, or so, will probably re-taken up with stealing hearts, that you des. concile us. allow yourself time to steal any thing elseMat. Your instructions shall be observed. Ah, Dolly! thou wilt ever be a coquette'Tis now high time for us to repair to our Mrs. Vixen, I'm yours! I always loved several duties; so, till the evening, at our woman of wit and spirit; they make charm quarters in Moorfields, we bid you farewell. mistresses, but plaguy wives. Betty Don Mac. I shall wish myself with you. Suc- come hither, hussy: do you drink as hard cess attend you. [Sits down melancholy at the Table. AIR AND CHORUS.-MAT-O'THE-MINT AND GANG. Hark! I hear the sound of coaches, ever? you had better stick to good wholes beer; for, in troth, Betty, strong waters w in time, ruin your constitution: you sho leave those to your betters. What, and pretty Jenny Diver too! as prim and dem as ever! there is not any prude, though e so high bred, hath a more sanctified look, a more mischievous heart: ab, thou art a dea artful hypocrite!- Mrs. Slammekin! as a less and genteel as ever! all you fine lad who know your own beauty, affect an tdress. But see! here's Sukey Tawdry co [The Gang, ranged in the Front of the to contradict what I was saying.-Molly Brant Stage, load their Pistols, and stick them [She kisses him] That's well done! I love under their Girdles; then go off, sing-free-hearted wench: thou hast a most agre ing the first Part in Chorus. able assurance, girl, and art as willing t Let the chemists toil like asses, And turns all our lead to gold. AIR AND CHORUS.-MACHEATH AND LADIES. Mac. What a fool is a fond wench! Polly turtle. 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, hath 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, Drurylane 2) would be uninhabited. While we may, Beauty's a flower despised in decay. Let us drink and sport to-day, Time's on the wing, Mac. Now, pray, ladies, take your phos Here, drawer, bring us more wine. If y the ladies choose gin, I hope they will be free as to call for it. is strong enough for me. Indeed, sir, I ne Jenny. You look as if you meant me. Wa drink strong waters but when I have the chol Mac. Just the excuse of the fine ladies why, a lady of quality is never without the treat, I believe, Mrs. Sukey will join me-as cholic. I hope, Mrs. Coaxer, you have had for any thing else, ladies, you cannot, in congood success of late in your visits among the science, expect it. mercers 1). Mrs. C. We have so many interlopers; yet, with industry, one may still have a little picking. If any woman hath more art than another, to be sure 'tis Jenny Diver. Mac. Have done with your compliments, adies, and drink about. You are not so fond af me, Jenny, as you used to be. Jenny. 'Tis not convenient, sir, to show ay fondness among so many rivals. Tis your Mrs. S. Dear madam! [Offering the Pass to Mrs. Vixen. Mrs. V. I wouldn't for the world. Mrs. S. Nay-thus I must stay all night. Mrs. V. Since you command meMrs. S. [After having given way to Mrs. Vixen, pushes her from the Door] Let betters go before you. SCENE II-Newgate. your [Exeunt. wn choice, and not the warmth of my in- Enter LOCKIT, Turnkeys, MACHEATH, and Constables. lination, that will determine you.-But, to be ure, sir, with so much good fortune as you Lockit. Noble captain, you are welcome! ave had upon the road, you must be grown you have not been a lodger of mine this year mensely rich. and a half. You know the custom, sir; garMac. The road, indeed, hath done me jus-|nish 1), captain, garnish.-Hand me down those ce, but the gaming-table hath been my ruin. fetters there. Jenny. A man of courage should never put Mac. Those, Mr. Lockit, seem to be the ay thing to the risk but his life. These are heaviest of the whole set. With your leave, e tools of a man of honour: cards and dice I should like the further pair better. e only fit for cowardly cheats, who prey 300 their friends. [She takes up his Pistol; Sukey Tawdry takes up the other. 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. Sukey. This, sir, is filter for your hand. We have them of all prices, from one guinea sides your loss of money, 'tis a loss to the to ten; and 'tis fitting every gentleman should dies. How fond could I be of you! but, please himself. fore company, 'tis ill bred. Mac. Wanton hussies! Jenny. I must, and will, have a kiss, to give y wine a zest. Mac. I understand you, sir. [Gices Money] The fees here are so many, and so exorbitant, that few fortunes can bear the expense of getting off handsomely, or of dying like a gentleman 2). [They take him about the Neck, and make Signs to Peachum and Con- Lockit. Those, I see, will fit the captain stables, who rush in upon him. better.-Take down the further pair.-Do but Peach. I seize you, sir, as my prisoner. examine them, sir-Never was better workMac. Was this well done, Jenny?-Women How genteelly they are made!-They will sit e decoy ducks; who can trust them? beasts, as easy as a glove, and the nicest man in les, jilts, harpies, furies, whores! England might not be ashamed to wear them. Peach. Your case, Mr. Macheath, is not [He puts on the Chains] If I had the best rticular. The greatest heroes have been gentleman in the land in my custody, I could ined by women. -But, to do them justice, not equip him more handsomely. And so, sirmust own they are a pretty sort of crea-I now leave you to your private meditations. res, if we could trust them. You must now, [Exeunt Lockit, Turnkeys, and Constables. take your leave of the ladies; and, if they ve a mind to make you a visit, they will sure to find you at home. This gentlean, ladies, lodges in Newgate. Constables, it upon the captain to his lodgings. AIR. MACHEATH. At the tree I shall suffer with pleasure, I shall find no such furies as these are. AIR.-MACHEATH. Man may escape from rope and gun, Who takes a woman must be undone, That basilisk is sure to kill. The fly, that sips treacle, is lost in the sweets, To what a woful plight have I brought_myself! Here must i (all day long till I am hanged) be confident to hear the reproaches [Exit Macheath, guarded with of a wench, who lays her ruin at my doorPeachum and Constables. I am in the custody of her father; and, to be Mrs. V. Look ye, Mrs. Jenny, though Mr. sure, if he knows of the matter, I shall have achum may have made a private bargain a fine time on't betwixt this and my exeith you and Sukey Tawdry, for betraying cution. But I promised the wench marriage. e captain, as we were all assisting we ought What signifies a promise to a woman? does to share alike. Jenny. As far as bowl of punch, or a This is called shop-lifting, where a woman goes to Tercer's, or other shop, under pretence of buying something: and they generally take with them double the quantity they have paid for; but they come under so many different shapes, and are so extremely clever at their business, that it is almost impossible to detect them, not man, in marriage itself, promise a hundred things that he never means to perform? Do look upon a promise as an excuse for followall we can, women will believe us; for they 1) Money. 2) In a suit of black, with black silk stockings, and white cravat. It is astonishing the vanity displayed on this occasion, when they spend to the very last farthing, that they may die genteelly. ing their own inclinations. But here comes Lucy, and I cannot get from her—'would I were deaf! Enter Lucy. Lucy. You base man, you!-how can you look me in the face, after what hath past between us?-Oh, Macheath! thou hast robbed me of my quiet-to see thee tortured would give me pleasure. AIR.-LUCY. Thus, when a good housewife sees a rat To the dog or cat, To be worried, crush'd, and shaken. Mac. Have you no tenderness, my dear Lucy! to see a husband in these circumstances? Lucy. A husband! Enter PEACHU, and LockIt will count-book. Mac. In every respect but the form, and that, my dear, may be said over us at any Lockit. In this last affair, brother time. - Friends should not insist upon cere- we are agreed. You have consent monies. From a man of honour is word is halves in Macheath. as good as his bond. Lucy. It is the pleasure of all you fine men to insult the women you have ruined. Mac. The very first opportunity, my dear (but have patience), you shall be my wife in whatever manner you please. Peach. We shall never fall out execution. But as to that article, stands your last year's account? Lockit. If you will run your eye you'll find 'tis fair and clearly stated Peach. This long arrear of the go Lucy. Insinuating monster! And so you is very hard upon us. Can it be think I know nothing of the affair of miss that we should hang our acquainta Polly Peachum?-I could tear thy eyes out. nothing, when our betters will ba Mac. Sure, Lucy, you can't be such a fool theirs without being paid for it? U as to be jealous of Polly. people in employment pay better, them for the future I shall let other live beside their own. Lucy. Are you not married to her, brute, you? you Lockit. Perhaps, brother, they are those matters may be carried too f are treated too by them with contemp our profession were not reputable. Mac. 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! those violent pas- Lockit. Such language, brother, asy sions may be of ill consequence to a woman else might turn to your prejudice, L in your condition. be more guarded, I beg you. 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. Mac. A jealous woman believes every thing 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. Mac. 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? Peach. In one respect indeed our e ment may be reckoned dishonest, becau great statesmen, we encourage those tray their friends. AIR.-LOCKIT. When you censure the age, Tis so pat to all the tribe, Peach. Here's poor Ned Clincher's r I see: sure, brother Lockit, there was unfair proceeding in Ned's case; for b me in the condemned hold, that, for received, you had promised him a sessi two longer without molestation. Lockit. Mr. Peachum-this is the first my bonour was ever called in question. Peach. Business is at an end-if out act dishonourably. Mac. You know, Lucy, the girl is prodi- Lockit. Who accuses me? giously conceited: no man can say a civil Peach. You are warm, brother. thing to her, but (like other fine ladies) her Lockit. He that attacks my honour, a vanity makes her think he's her own for ever my livelihood—and this usage-sir-is and ever. be borne. |