we are agreed. You have consented to go the wrong we shall be both losers in the dishalves in Macheath? pute-for you know, we have it in our power to Peach. We shall never fall out about an exe-hang each other. You should not be so pascution.—But as to that article, pray how standssionate. our last year's account? Lock. If you will run your eye over it, you'll find 'tis fair and clearly stated." Peach. This long arrear of the government, is very hard upon us. Can it be expected that we should 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. Lock. 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. Peach. In one respect indeed, our employment may be reckoned dishonest, because, like great statesmen, we encourage those who betray their friends. Lock. Such language, brother, any where else, might turn to your prejudice. Learn to be more guarded, I beg you. AIR.-How happy are we, &c. Each cries-That was levell'd at me. Peach. Here's poor Ned Clincher's name, I see: sure, brother Lockit, there was a little unfair proceeding in Ned's case; for he told me, in the condemned hold, that, for value received, you had promised him a session or two longer without molestation. Lock. Mr. Peachum-this is the first time my honour was ever called in question. Lock. Nor you so provoking. Peach. '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. Lock. Brother Peachum-I can forgive, as well as resent-Give me your hand: suspicion does not become a friend. Peach. 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 nimmed two nights ago in the Park. I appointed him at this hour. [Exit. Enter Lucy. Lock. Whence come you, hussy? Lucy. My tears might answer that question. Lock. You have been whimpering and fondling like a spaniel, over the fellow that hath abused you. Lucy. One can't help love; one can't cure it. 'Tis not in my power to obey you, and hate him. Lock. Learn to bear your husband's death like a reasonable woman: 'tis not the fashion now-a-days 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.-Of a noble race was Shenkin. Lucy. Is, then, his fate decreed, sir? my Lock. Look ye, Lucy-there's no saving him-so I think you must even do like other Peach. Business is at an end-if once we act widows-buy yourself weeds, and be cheerful. dishonourably. Lock. Who accuses me? Peach. You are warm, brother. Lock. He that attacks my honour, attacks my livelihood-And this usage-Sir-is not to be borne. Peach, Since you provoke me to speak,—I must tell you too, that Mrs. Coaxer charges you AIR. 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! with defrauding her of her information-money, Like a good wife, go moan over your dying husfor the apprehending of Curl-pated Hugh. In- band: that, child, is your duty.-Consider, deed, indeed, brother, we must punctually pay girl, you can't have the man and the money our spies, or we shall have no information. too-so make yourself as easy as you can by Lock. Is this language to me, sirrah!-who getting all you can from him. [Exit. have sav'd you from the gallows, sirrah? [Collaring each other. Peach. If I am hanged, it shall be for ridding the world of an arrant rascal. Lock. This hand shall do the office of the halter you deserve, and throttle you-you dog! Peach. Brother, brother!-we are both in Enter MACHEATH. Lucy. Though the ordinary was out of the way to-day, I hope, my dear, you will, upon the first opportunity, quiet my scruples. Oh, sir, my father's hard heart is not to be softened, and I am in the utmost despair! Mac. But if I could raise a small sum-would not twenty guineas, think you, move him?-Of all the arguments, in the way of business, the perquisite is the most prevailing.-Your father's perquisites, for the escape of prisoners, must amount to a considerable sum in the year. Money, well timed, and properly applied, will do any thing. AIR.-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, 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! Oh, 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! Mac. Was ever such an unfortunate rascal as I am! Lucy. Was there ever such another villain! Polly. Oh, Macheath! was it for this we parted? Taken! imprisoned! tried! hanged! Cruel reflection! I'll stay with thee till deathno 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! Mac. I must disown her [Aside.] The wench is distracted! Lucy. Am I then bilked of my virtue? Can I have no reparation? Sure men were born to lie, and women to believe them; Oh, villain, villain! Polly. Am I not thy wife?-Thy neglect of me, thy aversion to me, too severely proves it.-Look on me-Tell me, am I not thy wife? Lucy. Perfidious wretch! Polly. Barbarous husband! Lucy. Hadst thou been hanged five months ago, I had been happy! Polly. And I, too. If you had been kind to me till death, it would not have vexed me--and that's no very unreasonable request (though from a wife), to a man who hath not above seven or eight days to live. Lucy. Art thou, then, married to another? Hast thou two wives, monster? Mac. If womens' tongues can cease for an answer-hear me. Lucy. I won't.-Flesh and blood cannot bear my_usage. Polly. Shall I not claim my own?-Justice bids me speak? AIR.-Have you heard of a frolicsome ditty? But tol de rol, &c. 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. Oh, villain, villain! thou hast deceived me! I could even inform against thee with pleasure. Not a prude wishes more heartily to than I now wish to have facts against thee. I have facts against her intimate acquaintance, would have her satisfaction, and they should all out. Mac. Be pacified, my dear Lucy! this is all a fetch of Polly's, to make me desperate with you in case I get off. If I am hanged, she would fain have the credit of being thought my dispute of this sort; for whenever you are talkwidow. Really, Polly, this is no time for a ing of marriage, I am thinking of hanging. Polly. And hast thou the heart to persist in disowning me? Mac. 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. Polly. Cease your funning, Force or cunning, Never shall my heart trepan : All these sallies Are but malice, To seduce my constant man. 'Tis most certain, By their flirting, Women oft have envy shewn : Never happy in their own! Decency, madam, methinks, might teach you to behave yourself with some reserve with the husband, while his wife is present. Mac. But seriously, Polly, this is carrying the joke a little too far. Lucy. If you are determined, madam, to raise a disturbance in the prison, I shall be obliged to send for the turnkey to shew you the door. I am sorry, madam, you force me to be so ill-bred. Polly. Give me leave to tell you, madam, these forward airs don't become you in the least, madam; and my duty, madam, obliges me to stay with my husband, madam. AIR.-Good-morrow, gossip Joan. Polly. Why, how now, saucy jade! How can you see me made Enter PEACHUM. [To him. [To her. Peach. Where's my wench? Ah, hussy, hussy? Come you home, you slut? and, when your fellow is hanged, hang yourself, to make your family some amends. Polly. Dear, dear father! do not tear me from him. I must speak; I have more to say to him. Oh, twist thy fetters about me, that he may not haul me from thee! Peach. Sure all women are alike! if ever they commit one folly, they are sure to commit another, by exposing themselves.-Away! not a word more! You are my prisoner now, hussy! AIR.-Irish howl. Polly. No power on earth can e'er divide [Holding MACHEATH, PEACHUM pulling Lucy. Oh, Macheath! I can never live to see that day. Mac. You see, Lucy, in the account of love, you are in my debt; and you must now be convinced, that I rather choose to die, than be another's. Make me, if possible, love thee more, and let me owe my life to thee. If you refuse to assist me, Peachum and your father will immediately put me beyond all means of escape. Lucy. My father, I know, hath been drinking hard with the prisoners; and, I fancy, he is now taking his nap in his own room. If I can procure the keys, shall I go off with thee, my dear? Mac. If we are together, 'twill be impossible to lie concealed. As soon as the search begins to be a little cool, I will send to thee-till then, my heart is thy prisoner. Lucy. Come, then, my dear husband! owe thy life to me--and, though you love me not-be gratefulBut that Polly runs in my head strangely. Mac. A moment of time may make us unhappy for ever. SCENE L.-Newgate. Enter LOCKIг and Lucy. ACT III. Lock. To be sure, wench, you must have been aiding and abetting to help him to his 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? Lock. Lucy, Lucy! I will have none of these shuffling answers. C Lucy. Well, then-If I know any thing of him, I wish I may be burnt! Lock. Keep your temper, Lucy, or I shali pronounce you guilty. Lucy. Keep your's, sir-I do wish I may be burnt, I do-And what can I say more to convince you? Lock. Did he tip handsomely?- -how much did he come down with? Come, hussy, don't cheat your father, and I shall not be angry with you-Perhaps you have made a better bargain with him, than I could have done-How much, my good girl? Lucy. You know, sir, I am fond of him, and would have given money to have kept him with me. Lock. Ah, Lucy! thy education might have put thee more upon thy guard; for a girl, in the bar of an alehouse, is always besieged. Lucy. 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. Lock. and so you have let him escape, hussy! Have you? Lucy. When a woman loves, a kind look, a tender word, can persuade her to any thing -and I could ask no other bribe.-Notwithstanding all he swore, I am now fully convinced that Polly Peachum is actually his wife.Did I let him escape (fool that I was!) to go to her?-Polly will wheedle herself into his money, and then Peachum will hang him, and cheat us both. Lock. So I am to be ruined, because, forsooth, you must be in love?-A very pretty excuse! Lucy. I could murder that impudent, happy strumpet-I gave him his life, and that creature enjoys the sweets of it-Ungrateful Macheath! AIR.-South Sea ballad. My love is all madness and folly; Toss, tumble, and cry, 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 ! Lock. And so, after all this mischief, I must stay here to be entertained with your caterwauling, Mistress Puss!- -Out of my sight, wanton strumpet! you shall fast and mortify yourself into reason, with now and then a little handsome discipline_to_bring you to your senses. -Go! [Exit Lucy.] Peachum then intends to outwit me in this affair; but I'll be even with him.- -The dog is leaky in his Why, boy, thou lookest as if thou wert halfstarved, like a shotten herring. But, boy, can'st thou tell me where thy master is to be found? Filch. At his lock, sir, at the Crooked Billet. Lock. Very well--I have nothing more with you. [Exit FILCH.] I'll go to him there, for I have many important affairs to settle with him, and in the way of those transactions I'll artfully get into his secret-so that Macheath shall not remain a day longer out of my clutches. Enter Lucy. [Exit. Lucy. Jealousy, rage, love, and fear, are at once tearing me to pieces. How I am weatherbeaten and shattered with distresses! AIR.-One evening having lost my way. I'm like a skiff on the ocean tost, Now high, now low, with euch billow borne, With her rudder broke, and her anchor lost, Deserted and all forlorn: While thus I lie rolling and tossing all night, That Polly lies sporting on seas of delight! Revenge, revenge, revenge, Shall appease my restless sprite! I have the ratsbane ready- I run no risk, for I can lay her death upon the gin, and so many die of that naturally, that I shall never be called in question- -But say I were to be banged- -I never could be hanged for any thing that would give me greater comfort than the poisoning that slut. The good husband, as meek as a lamb, 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. pump some secrets out of me-I'll be upon my guard, and won't taste a drop of her liquor, I'm resolved. Enter Lucy, with strong waters. Lucy. Come, Miss Polly. Polly. Indeed, child, you have given yourself trouble to no purpose, you must, my dear, ex cuse me. Polly. I have no excuse for my own behaviour, madam, but my misfortunes-and Lucy. Really, Miss Polly, you are as squeamreally, madam, I suffer too upon your ac-ishly affected about taking a cup of strong waters, as a lady before company. Polly, I shall take it monstrously ill, if you refuse me. count. Lucy. But, Miss Polly-in the way of friendship, will you give me leave to propose a glass of cordial to you? Polly. Strong waters are apt to give me the head-ache. I hope, madam, you will excuse me. Lucy. Not the greatest lady in the land could have better in her closet for her own private drinking-You seem mighty low in spirits, my dear! Polly. I am sorry, madam, my health will not allow me to accept of your offer-I should not have left you in the rude manner I did, when we met last, madam, had not my papa hauled me away so unexpectedly-I was, indeed, somewhat provoked, and perhaps might use some expressions that were disrespectful-but really, madam, the captain treated me with so much contempt and cruelty, that I deserved your pity rather than your resentment. Lucy. But since his escape, no doubt all matters are made up again—Ah, Polly! Polly! 'tis I am the unhappy wife, and he loves you, as if you were only his mistress. Polly. Sure, madam, you cannot think me so happy as to be the object of your jealousy?—A man is always afraid of a woman, who loves him too well-so that I must expect to be neglected and avoided. Lucy. Then our cases, my dear Polly, are exactly alike: both of us, indeed, have been too fond. Indeed, my dear Polly, we are both of us a cup too low: let me prevail upon you to accept of my offer. AIR.-Come, sweet lass. Come, sweet lass! Let's banish sorrow Till to-morrow; Let's take a chirping glass. The vapours of despair, 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- -I shall now soon be even with the hypocritical strumpet. [Aside.] [Exit. Polly. All this wheedling of Lucy can't be for nothing-at this time too, when I know she bates me!-The dissembling of a woman is always the forerunner of mischief-By pouring strong waters down my throat, she thinks to I vow, Polly. I protest, Madam, it goes against me Macheath again in custody!-now every glimmering of happiness is lost! [Drops the glass of liquor on the ground. Enter LOCKIT, MACHEATH, and PEACHUM. Lock. Set your heart at rest, captain--You have neither the chance of love or money for another escape, for you are ordered to be called down upon your trial immediately. Peach. Away, hussies! this is not a time for a man to be hampered with his wives-you see the gentleman is in chains already. Lucy. O husband, husband! my heart longed to see thee, but to see thee thus, distracts me! Polly. Will not my dear husband look upon his Polly? Why hadst thou not flown to me for protection? with me thou hadst been safe. AIR, The last time I came o'er the moor. Polly. Hither, dear husband! turn your eyes. Lucy. Bestow one glance to cheer me. Polly. Think with that look thy Polly dies. Lucy. O shun me not, but hear me. Polly. 'Tis Polly sues. Lucy. 'Tis Lucy speaks. Polly. Is thus true love requited? Polly. Must I be slighted? Mac. What would you have me say, ladies? -You see this affair will soon be at an end, without my disobliging either of you. Peach. But the settling this point, captain, might prevent a law-suit between your two widows. AIR.-Tom Tinker's my true love, &c. Mac. Which way shall I turn me ?—how can I decide? Wives, the day of our death, are as fond as a bride. One wife is too much for most husbands to hear, But two at a time there's no mortal can bear, This way, and that way, and which way I will, What would comfort the one, t' other wife would take ill. Polly. But if his own misfortunes have made |