Lock. Truly, if that great man should tip off, 'twould be an irreparable loss. The vigor and prowess of a knight-errant never saved half the ladies in distress that he hath done. But, boy, canst thou tell me where thy master is to be found?

Filch. At his lock, Sir, at the Crooked Billet.

Lock. Very well. I have nothing more with you. [Exit FILCH.] I'll go to him there, for I have many important affairs to settle with him; and in the way of those transactions, I'll artfully get into his secret. So that Macheath shall not remain a day longer out of my clutches.

SCENE IV

A GAMING-HOUSE.

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 narrow gold binding, I am told, is never without money.

Mach. 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.

Mach. Have an eye upon the moneylenders. A rouleau or two, would prove a pretty sort of an expedition. I hate extortion.

Matt. These rouleaus are very pretty things. I hate your bank bills. There is such a hazard in putting them off.

Mach. There is a certain man of dis

That a true friend can hardly be met; Friendship for interest is but a loan,

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 V PEACHUM'S LOCK.

A table with wine, brandy, pipes and tobacco. PEACHUM, LOCKIT.

Lock. The Coronation account, brother

Some friends so kind,

to defend.

In sorrowful ditty,

They promise, they pity,

But shift you, for money, from friend to friend..

But we, gentlemen, have still honor 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.

Mach. There will be deep play to-night at Marybone and consequently money may

our

people, in fees of different kinds, above ten instalments. This is part of the account, brother, that lies open before us.

Lock.

A lady's tail of rich brocade-that, I see, is disposed of

Peach. To Mrs. Diana Trapes, the tallywoman, and she will make a good hand on't in shoes and slippers, to trick out young ladies, upon their going into keeping.

Lock. But I don't see any article of the jewels.

Peach. Those are so well known that they must be sent abroad. You'll find them entered under the article of exportation. As for the snuff-boxes, watches, swords, etc., I thought it best to enter them under their several heads.

Lock. Seven and twenty women's pockets complete; with the several things therein contained; all sealed, numbered, and entered.

Peach. 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

Lock. Bring us then more liquor.-Today shall be for pleasure.-To-morrow 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 XLV-Down in the North Country, etc.
Lock.

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 trapt,

When he hears his calling mate,
To her he flies, again he's clapt
Within the wiry grate.

Peach. But what signifies catching the bird, if your daughter Lucy will set open the door of the cage?

Lock. 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 is unkind of you, brother; for among good friends, what they say or do goes for nothing.

Enter a Servant.

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 mourn

ing.

Peach. 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.

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 stept out of the way-we knew where to have her-No doubt you know Mrs. Coaxer-there's a wench now (till to-day) 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 con

light in cheating, when they can do it with

SCENE VI

PEACHUM, LOCKIT, MRS. TRAPES.

Peach. Dear Mrs. Dye, your servant

one may know by your kiss, that your gin

is excellent.

Trapes. I was always very curious in liquors.

my

Lock. There is no perfumed breath like it-I have been long acquainted with the flavor of those lips-han't I, Mrs. Dye? Trapes. Fill it up.-I take large draughts of liquor, as I did of love.-I hate a flincher in either.

as

AIR XLVI-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.

according to their dress, from half a crown nothing of bilking me. Then, too, allowing to two guineas; and yet those hussies make

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.

Peach. As I remember, you said something just now of Mrs. Coaxer.

Trapes. Yes, Sir. To be sure, I stript 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 up stairs, 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.

Lock. What captain?

Trapes. He thought I did not know himan intimate acquaintance of yours, Mr. Peachum-only Captain Macheath-as fine as a lord.

Peach. To-morrow, 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?

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 second-hand, for he always loved to have his ladies well drest.

Peach. Mr. Lockit and I have a little business with the captain. You understand me. And we will satisfy you for Mrs. Coaxer's debt.

Lock. Depend upon it-we will deal like men of honor.

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 VII NEWGATE. LUCY.

Jealousy, rage, love and fear, are at once tearing me to pieces. How I am weatherbeaten and shattered with distresses!

When a wife's in her pout,
(As she's sometimes, no doubt);
The good husband, as meek as a lamb,
Her vapors 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 behavior, 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

etc.

I'm like a skiff on the ocean tost,

Now high, now low, with each billow borne, 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 sprite.

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 any thing that would give me greater comfort, than the poisoning that slut. [Enter FILCH.

was

I did when we met last, madam, had not my papa hauled me away so unexpectedly. I haps might use some expressions that were indeed somewhat provoked, and perdisrespectful. But really, madam, the cap

tain 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

SCENE IX POLLY.

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.

SCENE X

LUCY, with strong waters. POLLY.

Lucy. Come, Miss Polly.

Polly. Indeed, child, you have given yourself trouble to no purpose. You must, my dear, excuse me.

are

as

Lucy. Really, Miss Polly, you 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 never 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 glimmering of happiness is lost.

[Drops the glass of liquor on the ground. Lucy. Since things are thus, I am glad the wench hath escaped: for by this event, 'tis plain, she was not happy enough to deserve to be poisoned. [Aside.

SCENE XI

that is a love no other whatever can dispossess. I fear, my dear Lucy, our husband is one of those.

Lock. 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.

Peach. 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 LII-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.

Oh 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?

Mach. What would you have me say, ladies? You see, this affair will soon be at an end, without my disobliging either of

you.

Peach. But the settling this point, captain, might prevent a law suit between your two widows.

AIR LIII-Tom Tinker's my true love. Mach.

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 compassonate. Dear, dear Sir, sink the material evidence, and bring him off at his trial-Polly upon her knees begs it of you.

AIR LIV-I am a poor shepherd undone.
When my hero in court appears,

And stands arraign'd 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,
Distrest on the dashing wave.

To die a dry death at land,
Is as bad as a wat❜ry grave.
And alas, poor Polly;

Alack, and well-a-day!

And each month of my life will hereafter be May.

Lock. Macheath's time is come, Lucy. We know our own affairs, therefore let us have no more whimpering or whining.

AIR LVI-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.

Peach. Set your heart at rest, Polly. Your husband is to die to-day. Therefore if you

are not already provided, 'tis high time to look about for another. There's comfort for you, you slut.

Lock. We are ready, Sir, to conduct you to the Old Bailey.

Mach.

AIR LVII-Bonny Dundee.

The charge is prepar'd; the lawyers are met,
The judges all rang'd (a terrible show!).
I go, undismay'd-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 dispute the rest of our lives,
For this way at once I please all my wives.

Now, gentlemen, I am ready to attend you.

SCENE XII

LUCY, POLLY, FILCH.

Polly. Follow them, Filch, to the court. And when the trial is over, bring me a par