Title: The Beggar's Opera
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Author: John Gay
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The Beggar's Opera
John Gay
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Table of Contents
The Beggar's Opera............................................................................................................................................1
John Gay..................................................................................................................................................1
INTRODUCTION...................................................................................................................................1
ACT I. SCENE I.....................................................................................................................................2
ACT II. SCENE I. .................................................................................................................................17
ACT III. SCENE I. ................................................................................................................................34
The Beggar's Opera
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The Beggar's Opera
John Gay
Introduction
Act I
Act II
Act III
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 Dulness. 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, Besides, I have a PrisonScene, 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.
The Beggar's Opera 1
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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 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,
Through all the Employments of Life
Each Neighbour abuses his Brother;
Whore and Rogue they call Husband and Wife:
All Professions berogue one another:
The Priest calls the Lawyer a Cheat,
The Lawyer beknaves 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.
The Beggar's Opera
ACT I. SCENE I. 2
Page No 5
FILCH. Betty hath brought more Goods into our Lock toyear 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
Womenexcept 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 grayey'd Morn,
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 hang'd. A Register of the Gang,
[Reading.] Crookfinger'd 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 silverhilted Swords, half a Dozen of
Shirts, three TyePeriwigs, 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,
The Beggar's Opera
ACT I. SCENE I. 3
Page No 6
who hath an underhand way of disposing of his Goods. I'll try him
only for a Sessions or two longer upon his Goodbehaviour. Harry
Paddington, a poor pettylarceny 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.
Mat 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,
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 hardhearted, 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 whimpring about Murder
for? No Gentleman is ever look'd 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?
The Beggar's Opera
ACT I. SCENE I. 4
Page No 7
MRS. PEACHUM. If I am in the wrong, my Dear, you must excuse me, for
no body can help the Frailty of an overscrupulous 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 stopt Payment,
he was so chearful 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 promis'd 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 Chocolatehouses are his Undoing. The Man that
proposes to get Money by play should have the Education of a fine
Gentleman, and be train'd 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 disdain'd?
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 sing'd, and then for Life,
She'swhat I dare not name.
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ACT I. SCENE I. 5
Page No 8
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 any thing, 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 CourtLady, 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 CourtLady 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,
A Maid is like the Golden Ore,
Which hath Guineas intrinsical in't,
Whose Worth is never known before
It is try'd and imprest 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 nimblefinger'd as a Juggler.
If an unlucky Session does not cut the Rope of thy Life, I pronounce,
The Beggar's Opera
ACT I. SCENE I. 6
Page No 9
Boy, thou wilt be a great Man in History. Where was your Post last
Night, my Boy?
FILCH. I ply'd 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. Colour'd 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 forc'd 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
Baily! For the first Fact I'll insure thee from being hang'd; 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
Lye; for you know I hate a Liar. Do you know of anything that hath
pass'd between Captain Macheath and our Polly?
FILCH. I beg you, Madam, don't ask me; for I must either tell a Lye
to you or to Miss Polly; for I promis'd her I would not tell.
MRS. PEACHUM. But when the Honour of our Family is concern'd
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 any body.
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.]
The Beggar's Opera
ACT I. SCENE I. 7
Page No 10
[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
shew 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 shew how much I love her,
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 frolick around.
But, when once pluck'd, 'tis no longer alluring,
To CoventGarden '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 play'd 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 drest 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!
You Baggage! you Hussy! you inconsiderate Jade! had you been hang'd,
it would not have vex'd 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 any thing
for Money; to be sure he believes her a Fortune. Do you think your
Mother and I should have liv'd 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 play'd the Fool and Married, because forsooth she would do like
the Gentry. Can you support the Expence of a Husband, Hussy, in
The Beggar's Opera
ACT I. SCENE I. 8
Page No 11
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 handsom way. If you must be married, could you
introduce no body into our Family but a Highwayman? Why, thou
foolish Jade, thou wilt be as illus'd, 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 ruin'd 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 handsom
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,
POLLY. Can Love be control'd by Advice?
Will Cupid our Mothers obey?
Though my Heart were as frozen as Ice,
At his Flame 'twould have melted away.
When he kist me so closely he prest,
'Twas so sweet that I must have comply'd:
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 for ever and
ever!
PEACHUM. And Macheath may hang his Father and Motherinlaw, 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.
The Beggar's Opera
ACT I. SCENE I. 9
Page No 12
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 myselfOh! [Faints.]
PEACHUM. See, Wench, to what a Condition you have reduc'd 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 shews 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.
POLLY. O Polly, you might have toy'd and kist.
By keeping Men off, you keep them on.
But he so teaz'd me,
And he so pleas'd 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!
The Beggar's Opera
ACT I. SCENE I. 10
Page No 13
AIR X. Thomas, I cannot,
POLLY. I, like a Ship in Storms, was tost;
Yet afraid to put in to Land:
For seiz'd in the Port the Vessel's lost,
Whose Treasure is contreband.
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 DruryLane. If t'other Gentleman
calls for the Silverhilted Sword; you know Beetlebrow'd 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 excus'd 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 consider'd.
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,
The Beggar's Opera
ACT I. SCENE I. 11
Page No 14
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 any body should get a clandestine Livelihood but themselves.
[Enter Polly.]
POLLY. 'Twas only Nimming Ned. He brought in a Damask Window
Curtain, a HoopPetticoat, a pair of Silver Candlesticks, a Periwig,
and one Silk Stocking, from the Fire that happen'd 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 turn'd 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 MarriageArticles. The comfortable Estate of Widow
hood, 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 pleas'd? 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.
The Beggar's Opera
ACT I. SCENE I. 12
Page No 15
PEACHUM. Secure what he hath got, have him peach'd 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 nick'd the Matter. To have
him peach'd 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.
Pair'd in Death, as pair'd 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 lov'd
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
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ACT I. SCENE I. 13
Page No 16
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 Necessityour 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 OldBaily.
[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 soBut 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 hang'd, and then he is lost for ever!He intended to
lie conceal'd 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.]
Macheath.
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ACT I. SCENE I. 14
Page No 17
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 any thing but my
Love.May my Pistols miss Fire, and my Mare slip her Shoulder while
I am pursu'd, 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 rov'd like the Bee,
'Till Polly my Passion requited;
I sipt each Flower,
I chang'd every Hour,
But here every Flower is united.
POLLY. Were you sentenc'd to Transportation, sure, my Dear, you
could not leave me behind youcould 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 Lookingglass,
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 embrac'd 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 clos'd,
I could mock the sultry Toil
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ACT I. SCENE I. 15
Page No 18
When on my Charmer's Breast repos'd.
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 thenone Kissbe gonefarewel.
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 stayand be hang'd.
POLLY. O how I fear! how I tremble!Gobut 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,
MACHEATH. The Miser thus a Shilling sees,
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ACT I. SCENE I. 16
Page No 19
Which he's oblig'd 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, Crookfinger'd 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 no body alive hath more.
Why are the Laws levell'd 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 try'd 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?
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ACT II. SCENE I. 17
Page No 20
MATT. Shew 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 fixt. Good luck attend
us all. Fill the Glasses.
AIR XIX. Fill every Glass,
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,
[To them enter Macheath.]
MACHEATH. Gentlemen, well met. My Heart hath been with you this
Hour; but an unexpected Affair hath detain'd 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 Partybut
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 shewn the least
Marks of Avarice or Injustice?
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ACT II. SCENE I. 18
Page No 21
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 oblig'd 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
ruin'd.
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 observ'd. 'Tis now high time for
us to repair to our several Duties; so 'till the Evening at our
Quarters in MoorFields we bid you farewel.
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 Chymists toil like Asses,
Our Fire their Fire surpasses,
And turns all our Lead to Gold.
[The Gang, rang'd in the Front of the Stage, load their Pistols, and
The Beggar's Opera
ACT II. SCENE I. 19
Page No 22
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 freehearted
Ladies, as to any Recruiting Officer in the Army. If it were not for
us, and the other Gentlemen of the Sword, DruryLane would be
uninhabited.
AIR XXI. Would you have a young Virgin,
If the Heart of a Man is deprest with Cares,
The Mist is dispell'd 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
VinegarYard, and for the rest of them somewhere about Lewkner's
Lane. Sure some of them are below, for I hear the BarBell. As they
come I will shew 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 any thing else.Ah Dolly, thou
wilt ever be a Coquette! Mrs. Vixen, I'm yours, I always lov'd a
Woman of Wit and Spirit; they make charming Mistresses, but plaguy
WivesBetty Doxy! Come hither, Hussy. Do you drink as hard as
ever? You had better stick to good wholesom Beer; for in troth,
Betty, StrongWaters 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 sanctify'd Look, with a more mischievous
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ACT II. SCENE I. 20
Page No 23
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. Every thing 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 freehearted 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 a 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, despis'd in Decay.
Youth's the Season,
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,
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 Ginn, 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 StrongWaters, 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 InterlopersYet with Industry, one may
still have a little Picking. I carried a silverflowered 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.
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ACT II. SCENE I. 21
Page No 24
She rivetted a LinenDraper's Eye so fast upon her, that he was
nick'd 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 shew 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,
Before the BarnDoor 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 any thing 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!
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ACT II. SCENE I. 22
Page No 25
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 ruin'd 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,
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 any thing else, Ladies, you cannot in
Conscience expect it.
MRS. SLAMMEKIN. Dear Madam
TRULL. I would not for the World
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ACT II. SCENE I. 23
Page No 26
MRS. SLAMMEKIN. 'Tis impossible for me
TRULL. As I hope to be sav'd, 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 Expence of
getting off handsomly, or of dying like a Gentleman.
LOCKIT. Those, I see, will fit the Captain betterTake 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 asham'd 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, SirI now leave you to
your private Meditations.
[Exeunt leaving Macheath solus.]
MACHEATH.
AIR XXV. Courtiers, Courtiers, think it no Harm,
Man may escape from Rope and Gun;
Nay, some have out liv'd the Doctor's Pill;
Who takes a Woman must be undone,
That Basilisk is sure to kill.
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ACT II. SCENE I. 24
Page No 27
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 woful Plight have I brought myself! Here must I (all Day
long, 'till I am hang'd) be confin'd to hear the Reproaches of a
Wench who lays her Ruin at my DoorI 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 promis'd the
Wench MarriageWhat 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 forc'd
to bear about the Load of Infamy you have laid upon meO Macheath!
thou hast robb'd me of my Quietto see thee tortur'd would give me
Pleasure.
AIR XXVI. A lovely Lass to a Friar came,
Thus when a good Housewife sees a Rat
In her Trap in the Morning taken,
With Pleasure her Heart goes pitapat,
In Revenge for her Loss of Bacon.
Then she throws him
To the Dog or Cat,
To be worried, crush'd 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 ruin'd.
AIR XXVII. 'Twas when the Sea was roaring,
How cruel are the Traitors,
Who lye and swear in jest,
To cheat unguarded Creatures
Of Virtue, Fame, and Rest!
Whoever steals a Shilling,
Through Shame the Guilt conceals:
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ACT II. SCENE I. 25
Page No 28
In Love the perjur'd 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
promis'd me.
MACHEATH. 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 hang'd, and so get rid of them both.
MACHEATH. I am ready, my dear Lucy, to give you Satisfactionif 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 for ever and ever.
AIR XXVIII. The Sun had loos'd his weary Teams,
The first time at the Lookingglass
The Mother sets her Daughter,
The Image strikes the smiling Lass
With Selflove 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.
The Beggar's Opera
ACT II. SCENE I. 26
Page No 29
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 Fatherperhaps 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.]
[Enter Peachum and Lockit with an AccountBook.]
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 ExecutionBut 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 reckon'd
dishonest, because, like Great Statesmen, we encourage those who
betray their Friends.
LOCKIT. Such Language, Brother, any where else, might turn to your
Prejudice. Learn to be more guarded, I beg you.
AIR XXIX. How happy are we,
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 criesThat was levell'd 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 Condemn'd Hold, that for Value receiv'd, you had
promis'd him a Session or two longer without Molestation.
The Beggar's Opera
ACT II. SCENE I. 27
Page No 30
LOCKIT. Mr. Peachumthis is the first time my Honour was ever
call'd in Question.
PEACHUM. Business is at an endif once we act dishonourably.
LOCKIT. Who accuses me?
PEACHUM. You are warm, Brother.
LOCKIT. He that attacks my Honour, attacks my Livelihood.And this
UsageSiris not to be borne.
PEACHUM. Since you provoke me to speakI must tell you too, that
MRS. COAXER charges you with defrauding her of her InformationMoney,
for the apprehending of curlpated 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 sav'd you from the
Gallows, Sirrah!
[Collaring each other.]
PEACHUM. If I am hang'd, 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 youyou Dog!
PEACHUM. Brother, BrotherWe are both in the WrongWe shall be
both Losers in the Disputefor 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 any thing, Brother, to the
Prejudice of your Character, I ask pardon.
LOCKIT. Brother PeachumI 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 Snuff
box, that Filch nimm'd two Nights ago in the Park. I appointed him
at this Hour.
[Exit Peachum.]
[Enter Lucy.]
The Beggar's Opera
ACT II. SCENE I. 28
Page No 31
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 abus'd 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, LucyThere is no saving him.So, I think, you
must ev'n do like other Widowsbuy yourself Weeds, and be chearful.
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 DutyConsider, 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 ScruplesOh
Sir! my Father's hard heart is not to be soften'd, and I am in the
utmost Despair.
MACHEATH. But if I could raise a small SumWould not twenty
Guineas, think you, move him?Of all the Arguments in the way of
Business, the Perquisite is the most prevailingYour Father's
Perquisites for the Escape of Prisoners must amount to a considerable
The Beggar's Opera
ACT II. SCENE I. 29
Page No 32
Sum in the Year. Money well tim'd, and properly apply'd, will do any
thing.
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!
Try'd! Hang'dcruel 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,
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 bilk'd 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?
The Beggar's Opera
ACT II. SCENE I. 30
Page No 33
LUCY. Perfidious Wretch!
POLLY. Barbarous Husband!
LUCY. Hadst thou been hang'd five Months ago, I had been happy.
POLLY. And I tooIf you had been kind to me 'till Death, it would
not have vexed meAnd 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 Answerhear 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,
MACHEATH. How happy could I be with either,
Were t'other dear Charmer away!
But while you thus teaze me together,
To neither a Word will I say;
But tol de rol,
POLLY. Sure, my Dear, there ought to be some Preference shewn 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 deceiv'd meI 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,
MACHEATH. Be pacified, my dear LucyThis is all a Fetch of Polly's,
to make me desperate with you in case I get off. If I am hang'd, she
would fain have the Credit of being thought my WidowReally, Polly,
this is no time for a Dispute of this sort; for whenever you are
talking of Marriage, I am thinking of Hanging.
The Beggar's Opera
ACT II. SCENE I. 31
Page No 34
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.
Pleas'd, 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 determin'd, Madam, to raise a Disturbance in the
Prison, I shall be obliged to send for the Turnkey to shew you the
Door. I am sorry, Madam, you force me to be so illbred.
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. Goodmorrow, 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.]
The Beggar's Opera
ACT II. SCENE I. 32
Page No 35
[Enter Peachum.]
PEACHUM. Where's my Wench? Ah Hussy! Hussy!Come you home, you
Slut; and when your Fellow is hang'd, hang yourself, to make your
Family some Amends.
POLLY. Dear, dear Father, do not tear me from himI must speak; I
have more to say to himOh! 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 themselvesAway Not a
Word moreYou are my Prisoner, now, Hussy.
AIR XXXVIII. Irish Howl.
POLLY. No Power on Earth can e'er divide
The Knot that sacred Love hath ty'd.
When Parents draw against our Mind,
The TrueLove's Knot they faster bind.
Oh, oh ray, oh Amborahoh, oh,
[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 deserv'd; 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 hang'd than in the Arms
of another.
MACHEATH. But could'st thou bear to see me hang'd?
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 convinc'd, that I rather choose to die than be
another's. Make me, if possible, love thee more, and let me owe my
The Beggar's Opera
ACT II. SCENE I. 33
Page No 36
Life to theeIf 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 RoomIf I can
procure the Keys, shall I go off with thee, my Dear?
MACHEATH. If we are together, 'twill be impossible to lie conceal'd.
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 Husbandowe thy Life to meand though you
love me notbe grateful,but that Polly runs in my Head strangely.
MACHEATH. A moment of Time may make us unhappy for ever.
AIR XXXIX. The Lass of Patie's Mill,
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 thenIf I know any thing of him I wish I may be burnt!
LOCKIT. Keep your Temper, Lucy, or I shall pronounce you guilty.
The Beggar's Opera
ACT III. SCENE I. 34
Page No 37
LUCY. Keep yours, Sir,I do wish I may be burnt. I doAnd 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
youPerhaps, you have made a better Bargain with him than I could
have doneHow 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 besieg'd.
LUCY. Dear Sir, mention not my Educationfor 'twas to that I owe my
Ruin.
AIR XL. If Love's a sweet Passion,
When young at the Bar you first taught me to score,
And bid me be free of my Lips, and no more;
I was kiss'd 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 prest,
That I languish'd and pin'd 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, HussyHave you?
LUCY. When a Woman loves; a kind Look, a tender Word can persuade
her to any thingAnd I could ask no other Bribe.
LOCKIT. Thou wilt always be a vulgar Slut, Lucy.If you would not
be look'd upon as a Fool, you should never do any thing 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 alikeNotwithstanding
all he swore, I am now fully convinc'd 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 ruin'd, 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!
The Beggar's Opera
ACT III. SCENE I. 35
Page No 38
AIR XLI. SouthSea 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
entertain'd 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 handsom 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 DiceBox'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.
The Beggar's Opera
ACT III. SCENE I. 36
Page No 39
SCENE II. A GamingHouse.
MACHEATH in a fine tarnish'd 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 every thing 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 involv'd
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 Handicraftsmen, 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 pick'd 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.
The Beggar's Opera
ACT III. SCENE I. 37
Page No 40
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 nick'd 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 DiceBox in the
other Room. So, Gentlemen, your Servant. You'll meet me at Mary
bone.
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 dispos'd
of.
PEACHUM. 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.
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 enter'd under the Article of Exportation.As for
the SnuffBoxes, Watches, Swords, thought it best to enter
them under their several Heads.
LOCKIT. Seven and twenty Women's Pockets complete; with the several
things therein contain'd; all Seal'd, Number'd, and Enter'd.
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
The Beggar's Opera
ACT III. SCENE I. 38
Page No 41
lies at the other Office.
LOCKIT. Bring us then more LiquorToday shall be for PleasureTo
morrow for BusinessAh, Brother, those Daughters of ours are two
slippery HussiesKeep a watchful Eye upon Polly, and Macheath in a
Day or two shall be our own again.
AIR XLIV. Down in the North Country,
LOCKIT. What Gudgeons are we Men!
Ev'ry Woman's easy Prey.
Though we have felt the Hook, agen
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.
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 finespoken
WomanAnd 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 ServantOne may know by your Kiss,
that your Ginn is excellent.
MRS. TRAPES. I was always very curious in my Liquors.
LOCKIT. There is no perfum'd Breath like itI have been long
acquainted with the Flavour of those LipsHan't I, Mrs. Dye.
The Beggar's Opera
ACT III. SCENE I. 39
Page No 42
MRS. TRAPES. Fill it upI take as large Draughts of Liquor, as I
did of Love.I hate a Flincher in either.
AIR XLV. A Shepherd kept Sheep,
In the Days of my Youth I could bill like a Dove, fa, la, la, Like a Sparrow at all times was ready for Love, fa,
la, la, The Life of all Mortals in Kissing should pass,
Lip to Lip while we're youngthen the Lip to the Glass, fa, la,
But now, Mr. Peachum, to our Business.If you have Blacks of any
kind, brought in of late; MantoesVelvet ScarfsPetticoatsLet it
be what it willI am your Chapfor all my Ladies are very fond of
Mourning.
PEACHUM. Why, look ye, Mrs. Dyeyou 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 stept out of the waywe knew where to have
herNo doubt you know Mrs. Coaxerthere'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 handsom
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 handsom 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 Scarfsthey are
a handsom Winterwear, 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
Handswhat with Fees and other Expenses, there are great Goingsout,
and no Comings in, and not a Farthing to pay for at least a Month's
Clothing.We run great Risquesgreat Risques indeed.
PEACHUM. As I remember, you said something just now of Mrs. Coaxer.
MRS. 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 call'd him up
The Beggar's Opera
ACT III. SCENE I. 40
Page No 43
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.
LOCKIT. What Captain?
MRS. TRAPES. He thought I did not know himAn intimate Acquaintance
of yours, Mr. PeachumOnly Captain Macheathas fine as a Lord.
PEACHUM. Tomorrow, dear Mrs. Dye, you shall set your own Price upon
any of the Goods you likeWe 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; no body knows him
better. I have taken a great deal of the Captain's Money in my Time
at secondhand, for he always lov'd to have his Ladies well drest.
PEACHUM. Mr. Lockit and I have a little Business with the Captain;
You understand meand we will satisfy you for Mrs. Coaxer's Debt.
LOCKIT. Depend upon itwe will deal like Men of Honour.
MRS. TRAPES. I don't enquire after your Affairsso whatever
happens, I wash my Hands on'tIt hath always been my Maxim, that one
Friend should assist anotherBut if you pleaseI'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 weatherbeaten and shatter'd with Distresses!
AIR XLVI. One Evening, having lost my Way,
I'm like a Skiff on the Ocean tost,
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 Risque; for I can lay her Death
upon the Ginn, and so many die of that naturally that I shall never
be call'd in question.But say, I were to be hang'd.I never could
be hang'd for any thing that would give me greater Comfort, than the
poisoning that Slut.
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ACT III. SCENE I. 41
Page No 44
[Enter Filch.]
FILCH. Madam, here's Miss Polly come to wait upon you.
LUCY. Show her in.
[Enter 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, every thing is to be excus'd 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 Pollyin the way of Friendship, will you give me
leave to propose a Glass of Cordial to you?
POLLY. StrongWaters are apt to give me the HeadacheI 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 haul'd me away so unexpectedlyI
was indeed somewhat provok'd, and perhaps might use some Expressions
that were disrespectful.But really, Madam, the Captain treated me
with so much Contempt and Cruelty, that I deserv'd 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.
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ACT III. SCENE I. 42
Page No 45
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 wellso 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.
LUCY. The Pertness of the billing Dove,
Like Tickling, is but teazing.
POLLY. What then in Love can Woman do:
LUCY. If we grow fond they shun us.
POLLY. And when we fly them, they pursue:
LUCY. 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 forc'd from him, he did not shew 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 desir'd,
When they are flatter'd, and admir'd.
The Coquettes of both Sexes are Selflovers, 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 lowLet 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;
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ACT III. SCENE I. 43
Page No 46
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 hypocrytical 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 StrongWaters 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 resolv'd.
[Reenter Lucy, with StrongWaters.]
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 StrongWaters 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 Reluctanceunless '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 escap'd: for
by this Event, 'tis plain, she was not happy enough to deserve to be
poison'd.
[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 order'd to
be call'd down upon your Trial immediately.
PEACHUM. Away, Hussies!This is not a Time for a Man to be hamper'd
with his Wives .You see, the Gentleman is in Chains already.
LUCY. O Husband, Husband, my Heart long'd 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.
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ACT III. SCENE I. 44
Page No 47
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 notbut 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 Law
Suit between your two Widows.
AIR LII. Tom Tinker's my true Love.
MACHEATH. Which way shall I turn meHow 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 compassionateDear, dear Sir, sink the
material Evidence, and bring him off at his TrialPolly upon her
Knees begs it of you.
AIR LIII. I am a poor Shepherd undone.
When my Heroe 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 watery Grave.
And alas, poor Polly!
A lack, and welladay!
Before I was in Love,
Oh! every Month was May.
LUCY. If Peachum's Heart is harden'd; 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.]
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ACT III. SCENE I. 45
Page No 48
AIR LIV. Ianthe the lovely,
When he holds up his Hand arraign'd for his Life,
O think of your Daughter, and think I'm his Wife!
What are Canons, 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 Cobler there was,
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 to
day.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 Baily.
AIR LVI. Bonny Dundee.
MACHEATH. 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 LoveDear 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 every
thing that happen'dYou'll find me here with Miss Lucy. [Exit
FILCH.] But why is all this Musick?
LUCY. The Prisoners, whose Trials are put off 'till next Session,
are diverting themselves.
The Beggar's Opera
ACT III. SCENE I. 46
Page No 49
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,
SCENE V. The Condemn'd 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 threatning 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 thusA 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.]
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ACT III. SCENE I. 47
Page No 50
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
order'd immediate Execution.The Sheriff's Officers, I believe, are
now at the Door.That Jemmy Twitcher should peach me, I own
surpris'd 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.]
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ACT III. SCENE I. 48
Page No 51
MACHEATH. My dear LucyMy dear PollyWhatsoever hath pass'd
between us is now at an endIf 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,
LUCY. Would I might be hang'd!
POLLY. And I would so too!
LUCY. To be hang'd 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,
JAILOR. Four Women more, Captain, with a Child apiece! See, here
they come.
[Enter Women and Children.]
MACHEATH. Whatfour Wives more!This is too muchHeretell 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 hang'd; and for the
other Personages of the Drama, the Audience must have suppos'd they
were all either hang'd 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 remov'd.
The Beggar's Opera
ACT III. SCENE I. 49
Page No 52
For you must allow, that in this kind of Drama, 'tis no matter how
absurdly things are brought aboutSoyou Rabble thererun 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 shewn that the
lower Sort of People have their Vices in a degree as well as the
Rich: And that they are punish'd for them.
[To them, Macheath with Rabble,
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 Dancea 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
marry'd.As for the rest.But at present keep your own Secret. [To
POLLY.]
[A DANCE.]
AIR LXVIII. Lumps of Pudding,
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,
The Beggar's Opera
ACT III. SCENE I. 50
Bookmarks
1. Table of Contents, page = 3
2. The Beggar's Opera, page = 4
3. John Gay, page = 4
4. INTRODUCTION, page = 4
5. ACT I. SCENE I., page = 5
6. ACT II. SCENE I., page = 20
7. ACT III. SCENE I., page = 37