rob, so it is ours to take robbers; every man in his business: so that there is no malice in the case. Mrs. Peach. Ay, husband, now you have nicked the matter! To have him peached is the only thing could ever make me forgive her. AIR.-Now, ponder well, ye parents dear. To save a wretched wife; For, on the rope, that hangs my dear, Mrs. Peach. 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.-Le printemps rapelle aux armes. The turtle thus, with plaintive crying, Down she drops, quite spent with sighing, Thus, sir, it will happen to your poor Polly. Mrs. Peuch. What! is the fool in love in carnest, then? I hate thee for being particular. Why, wench, thou art a shame to thy very sex. Polly. But hear me, mother-if you loved ever Mrs. Peach. Those cursed play-books she reads have been her ruin! One word more, hussy, and I shall knock your brains out, if you have any. Peach. Keep out of the way, Polly, for fear of mischief, and consider of what is proposed to you. Mrs. Peach. Away, hussy! Hang your husband, and be dutiful. [POLLY listening.] The thing, busband, must and shall be done. If she will not know her duty, we know ours. Peach. But really, my dear, it grieves one's heart to take off a great man. When I consider his personal bravery, his fine stratagems, how much we have already got by him, and how much more we may get, methinks I cannot find in my heart to have a hand in his death: I wish you could have made Polly undertake it. Mrs. Peach. But in a case of necessityour own lives are in danger. Peach. Then, indeed, we must comply with the customs of the world, and make gratitude give way to interest. He shall be taken off. Mrs. Peach. I'll undertake to manage Polly. Peach. And I'll prepare matters for the Öld Bailey. [Exeunt PEACHUM and MRS. PEACHUM. Polly. Now, I am 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! I sce him at the tree! the whole circle are in tears! even butchers weep! Jack Ketch himself hesitates to perform his duty, and would be glad to lose his fee by a reprieve! What, then, will become of Polly? As yet I may inform him of their design, and aid him in his escape. It shall be so. But then he flies; absents himself, and I bar myself from his dear, dear conversation! that, too, will distract me.If he keeps out of the way, my papa and mamma may in time relent, and we may be happy.If he stays, he is hanged, and then he is lost for ever! He intended to lie concealed in my room I'll this instant let him out, lest some accident till the dusk of the evening. If they are abroad, should prevent him. [Exit, and returns with MACHEATH. AIR.-Pretty parrot say, &c. Mac. Pretty Polly, say When I was away, Did your fancy never stray Polly. Without disguise, Doting eyes, My constant heart discover, Mac. O, pretty, pretty Poll! Polly. And are you as fond of me as ever, my dear? Mac. Suspect my honour, my courage; suspect any thing, but my love. May my pistols miss fire, may my mare slip her shoulder while I am pursued, if I ever forsake thee? Polly. Nay, my dear! I have no reason to doubt you; for I find in the romance you lent me, none of the great heroes were ever false in love. AIR.-Pray, fair one, be kind. Mac. My heart was so free, It roved like the bee, Till Polly my passion requited; I changed every hour, But here every flower is united. Polly. Were you scntenced to transportation, sure, my dear, you could not leave me behind you could you? Mac. 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 looktear me from thee, is impossible! ing-glass, or any woman from quadrille-But to AIR.-Over the hills and far away. Soon as the burning day was closed, Mac. And I would love you all the day, Polly. Yes, I would go with thee, But oh! how shall I speak it? I must be torn from thee! We must part! Mac. How! part! Polly. We must, we must. My papa and mamma 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.-Gin thou wert my ain thing. Can I leave thee, can I leave thee? Can thy Polly ever leave thee? But lest death my love should thwart, Thus I tear thee from my bleeding heart; One kiss and then-one kiss-Begone- Mac. My hand, my heart, my dear are so riveted to thine, that I cannot loose my hold. Polly. But my papa inay 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? Mac. Must I, then, go? Polly. And will not absence change your love? Mac. If you doubt it let me stay--and be hanged. 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. ACT II. SCENE I. A Tavern near Newgate. JEMMY TWITCHER, Crook-fingereD JACK, WAT DREARY, ROBIN OF BAGSHOT, NIMMING NED, HARRY PADDINGTON, MAT OF THE MINT, BEN BUDGE, and the rest of the gang, at the table, with wine, brundy and tobacco. Ben. But, prithee Mat, what is become of thy brother Tom? I have not seen him since my return from transportation. Mat. Poor brother Tom had an accident this time twelvemonth, and so clever made a fellow he was, that I could not save him from those flaying rascals the surgeons, and now poor man he is among the otamies at Surgeons'-hall Ben. So it seems his time was come. Jem. But the present time is ours, and nobody alive hath more. Why are the laws levelled at us? Are we more dishonest than the rest of mankind? What we win, gentlemen, is our own by the law of arms, and the right of conquest. Crook. Where shall we find such another set of practical philosophers, who, to a man, are above the fear of death? Wat. Sound men and true! Rob. Of tried courage, and indefatigable industry. Ned. Who is there, here, that would not die for his friend. Har. Who is there, here, that would betray him for his interest? Mat. Show me a gang of courtiers that can say as much. Ben. We are for a just partition of the world; for every man hath a right to enjoy life. Mat. We retrench the superfluities of mankind. The world is avaricious, 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? Jem. Our several stations for the day are fixed. Good luck attend us all! fill the glasses. air with you, sir, this evening upon the heath? I drink a dram now and then with the stage coachmen, in the way of friendship and intelligence; and I know, that about this time, there will be passengers upon the western road who are worth speaking with. Mac. I was to have been of that partybut Mat. But what, sir? Mac. Is there any man who suspects my courage? Mat. We have all been witnesses of it. Mac. in the division of our booty, have I ever shewn the least marks of avarice or injustice? Mat. By these questions something seems to have ruffled you. Are any of us suspected? Mac. 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. Mat. Is he about to shew us any foul play? I'll shoot him through the head. Mac. I beg you, gentlemen, act with conduct and discretion. A pistol is your last resort. Mat. He knows nothing of this meeting. is a man who knows the world, and is a necessary agent to us. We have had a slight difference, and till it is accommodated, I shall be obliged to keep out of his way. Any private dispute of mine shall be of no ill consequence to my friends. You must continue to act under his direction; for, the moment we break loose from him, our gang is ruined. Mat. He is, to us, of great convenience. Mac. 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. Mat. Your instructions shall be observed'Tis now high time for us to repair to our several duties; so, till the evening, at our quarters in Moorfields, we bid you farewell. Mac. I shall wish myself with you. Success attend you. [Sits down melancholy at the table. Mac. 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, hath been as much obliged to me for recruiting it with free-hearted ladies, as to any recruiting officer in the army. If it were not for us and the other gentlemen of the sword, Drury-lane would be uninhabited. I AIR-Would you have a young virgin, &c. But her ripe lips are more sweet than those; Dissolve us in pleasure and soft repose. must have women! There is nothing unbends the mind like them; money is not so strong a cordial for the time-Drawer! Enter MRS. COAXER, DOLLY TRULL, MRS. VIXEN, BETTY DOXY, JENNY DIVER, MRS. SLAMMEKIN, SUKY TAWDRY, and MOLLY BRAZEN. Mac. Dear Mrs. Coaxer! you are welcome; you look charmingly to-day: 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 your's; I always loved a woman of wit and spirit; they make charming mistresses, but plaguy wives.Betty Doxy! come hither, hussy! do you drink as hard as ever? you had better stick to good wholesome beer; for, in troth, Betty,strong waters will in time ruin your constitution: you should leave those to your betters.-What, and my pretty Jenny Diver, too! as prim and demure as ever! there is not any prude, though ever so high bred, hath a more sanctified look, with a more mischievous heart; ah, thou art a dear, artful hypocrite!Mrs. Slammekin! as careless and genteel as ever: all you fine ladies, who know your own beauty, affect an undress.-But see! here's Suky Tawdry come to contradict what I was saying;-Molly Brazen! [She kisses him.] that's well done! I love a free-hearted wench: thou hast a most agreeable assurance, girl, and art as willing as a turtle.But hark! I hear music: the harper is at the door. (If music be the food of love, play on Ere you seat your selves, ladies, what think you of a dance? Come in! Enter HARPER. Play the French tune that Mrs. Slammekin was so fond of. [A dance, then this song and choTus.] AIR.-Cotillon. Youth's the season made for joys, Love is then our duty, She alone, who that employs, Well deserves her beauty. Let's be gay While we may, Beauty's a flower despised in decay. CHORUS.-Youth's the season, &c. Let us drink and sport to-day, Time's on the wing, Life never knows the return of spring. CHORUS.-Let us drink, &c. Mac. 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 chuse gin, I hope they will be so free to call for it. Jen. You look as if you meant me. Wine is strong enough for me. Indeed, sir, I never drink strong waters, but when I have the cholic. Mac. 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? Coar. We have so many interlopers; yet, with industry, one may still have a little picking. If any woman hath more art than another, to be sure it is Jenny Diver. Mac. Have done with your compliments, ladies, and drink about. You are not so fond of me, Jenny, as you used to be. Jen. '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. But to be sure, sir, with so much good fortune as you have had upon the road, you must be grown immensely rich? Mac. The road, indeed, hath done me justice, but the gaming-table hath been my ruin. Jen. 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 one pistol, TAWDRY takes up the other. Tawd. This sir, is fitter for your hand. Besides your loss of money, 'tis a loss to the ladies. How fond could I be of you! but, before company, 'tis ill bred. Mac. Wanton hussies! Jen. 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. Peach. I seize you, sir, as my prisoner. Mac. Was this well done, Jenny ?-Women are decoy-ducks; who can trust them? beasts, jades, jilts, harpies, furies, whores! Peach. Your case, Mr. Macheath, is not particular. The greatest heroes have been ruined by women. But, to do them justice, I must own they are 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.-When first I laid siege to my Chloris. Mac. 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. [Erit MACHEATH, guarded, with PEACHUM and constables, the ladies after with great ceremony. SCENE II.-Newgate. Enter LocKIT, Turnkeys, MACHEATH and Lock. 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. Mac. Those, Mr. Lockit, seem to be the heaviest of the whole set. With your leave I should like the further pair better. Lock. 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. Mac. I understand you, sir. [Gives money.] The fees here are so inany and so exorbitant, that few fortunes cau bear the expence of getting off handsomely, or of dying like a gentleman. Lock. Those I see will fit the captain better. Lucy. Insinuating monster! And so you think I know nothing of the affair of Miss Polly Peachum?-I could tear thy eyes out! Mac. Sure, Lucy, you cannot be such a fool as to be jealous of Polly? Take down the further pair. Do but examine | (have but patience) you shall be my wife, in them, sir. Never was better work; how gen-whatever manner you please. teelly they are made! They will sit as easy as a glove, and the nicest man in England need not be ashamed to wear them.-He puts on the chains.]-If I had the best gentleman in the land in my custody, I could not equip him more handsomely. And so, sir-I now leave you to your private meditations. [Exeunt LOCKIT, Turnkeys, and Constables. AIR.-Courtiers, courtiers, think it no harm. Lucy. Are you not married to her, you brute you? Mac. Married! Very good! the wench gives it out only to vex thee, and to ruin me in thy good opinion. 'Tis true, I go to the house; I chat with the girl; I kiss her; I say a thousand things to her (as all gentlemen do that mean nothing) to divert myself; and now the silly jade hath set it about that I am married to her, to let me know what she would be at. Indeed, The fly that sips treacle is lost in the my dear Lucy, these violent passions may be of sweets, So he that tastes woman, woman, woman, He that tastes woman, ruin meets. To what a woeful plight have I brought myself! Here must I (all day long till I am langed) be confined to hear the reproaches of a wench, who lays her ruin at my door. I am in the custody of her father; and, to be sure, if he knows of the matter, I shall have a fine time of it betwixt this and iny execution But I promised the wench marriage. What signifies a promise to a woman? Does not man, in marriage itself, promise a hundred things that he never means to perform? Do all we can, women will believe us; for they look upon a promise as an excuse for following their own inclinations-But here comes Lucy-and I cannot get from her-would I were deaf! Enter Lucy. Lucy. You base man, you? How can you look me in the face after what hath passed between us? Oh, Macheath! Thou hast robbed me of my quiet-to see thee tortured, would give me pleasure. AIR.-A lovely lass to a friar came. cumstances? Lucy. A husband! Mac. In every respect but the form; and that, my dear, may be said over us at any time. Friends should not insist upon ceremonies. From a man of honour, his word is as good as his bond. Lucy. 'Tis the pleasure of all you fine men to insult the women you have ruined. Mac. The very first opportunity, my dear, 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 pro mised me. her passion suggests. To convince you of my Lucy. That you are only to be hanged, and so get rid of them both. satisfaction--if you think there is any in marMac. I am ready, my dear Lucy, to give you riage. What can a man of honour say more? Lucy. So, then, it seems you are not married to Miss Polly? Mac. 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.-The sun had loosed his weary teams. The first time at the looking glass Each time she looks, she, fonder grown, Can see you are not younger. own |