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him insensible to mine-a father, sure, will be more compassionate- -Dear, dear sir sink the material evidence, and bring him off at his trial-Polly, upon her knees, begs it of you.

AIR.-I am a poor shepherd undone.

When my hero in court appears,
And stands arraigned for his life,
Then think of your 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 watʼry grave;
And alas, poor Polly!
Alack, and well-a-day!
Before I was in love,
Oh! ev'ry month was May.

Peach. Set your heart at rest, Polly---your husband is to die to-day- therefore, if you are not already provided, 'tis high time to look about for another. There's comfort for you, you slut.

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

AIR.-Bonny Dundee.

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[Pours out a bumper of brandy. AIR.-There was an old woman, &c.

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.

AIR. Did you ever hear of a gallant sailor ?

But can I leave my pretty hussics,
Without one tear or tender sigh?

AIR.-Why are mine eyes still flowing?
Their eyes, their lips, their busses,
Recal my love-Ah! must I die!

AIR.-Green Sleeves.

Since laws were made for every degree,

Mac. The charge is prepared, the lawyers are To curb rice in others, as well as in me,

met,

The judges all ranged (a terrible show!)
I go undismayed-for death is a debt,
A debt on demand-so take what I owe.

adieu!

Then, farewell my love!—dear charmers,
Contented I die-'tis the better for you.
Here ends all dispute the rest of our lives,
For this way at once I please all my wives.
Now, gentlemen, I am ready to attend you.
[Exeunt PEACHUM, LOCKIT, and MACHEATH.

SCENE IV.-The condemned hold.

HEATH in a melancholy posture.

AIR.-Happy groves.

MAC

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I wonder we ha'n't better company

Upon Tyburn tree!

But gold from law can take out the sting,
'Twould thin the land such numbers to string
And if rich men like us were to swing,
Upon Tyburn tree!

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Enter BEN BUDGE and MAT of the MINT.

Mac. For my having broken prison, you see, gentlemen, I am ordered for immediate execution The sheriff's officers, I believe, are now at the door-That Jemmy Twitcher should peach me, I own surprised me-Tis a plain proof, that the world is all alike, and that even our gang can no inore 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.

Mat. We are heartily sorry captain, for your misfortunes-but 'tis what we must all

come to.

Mac. 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. Mat. We'll do't.

Re-enter Jailor.

Jail. Miss Polly and Miss Lucy entreat a word with you.

Mac. Gentlemen, adieu !

Re-enter MACHEATH, with rabble, &c. bawling. a Reprieve!

Mac. So, it seems, I am not left to my choice, but must have a wife at last-Look

[Exeunt BEN BUDGE and MAT of the MINT. ye, my dears, we will have no controversy now.

Enter Lucy and POLLY.

Mac. My dear Lucy! My dear Polly! whatsoever hath past between us, is now at an end.

AIR.-All you that must take a leap.

Lucy. Would I might be hanged!
Polly. And I would so too!

Lucy. To be hanged with you!
Polly. My dear, with you!

Mac. O leave me to thought! I fear! I
doubt! I tremble! I droop!—See, my courage
is out!
[Turns up the empty bottle.

Lucy. No token of love?

Polly. Adieu!

Lucy. Farewell!

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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 dance, a dance!

Mac. 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 married-As for the rest-But at present keep your own secret. [To Polly.

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The

Rov. 'Sdeath! to be prevented, when I had brought my design so near perfection! Hear. Were you less open and daring in your attempts, you might hope to succeed old gentleman, you know, is cautious to a degree; his daughter under a strict confinement: Fortune, perhaps, might throw an opportunity would you use more of the fox than the lion,

Rob. WELL, though pimping is the most honourable and profitable of all professions, it is certainly the most dangerous and fatiguing; but of all fatigues, there's none like following a virtuous mistress-There's not one letter I carry, but I run the risk of kicking, caning, or pump-in ing, nay, often hanging-Let me see; I have committed three burglaries to get one letter to her-Now, if my master should not get the gipsey at last, I have ventured my sweet person to a fair purpose-But, Basta! here comes my master and his friend Mr. Hearty- must hasten and get our disguises.

And if dame Fortune fails us now to win her.

Oh, all ye gods above! the devil's in her. [Exit.

Enter ROVEWELL and HEARty.

Hear. Why so melancholy, captain? Come, come, a man of your gaiety and courage should never take a disappointment so much to heart.

your way-But you must have patience. Rov. Who can have patience when danger is 50 near? Read this letter, and then tell me what room there is for patience.

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[HEARTY reads.] 'To-morrow will prevent all 'our vain struggles to get to each other--I am 'then to be married to my eternal aversion! you know the fop; 'tis Cuckoo, who, having a

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large estate, is forced upon me-but my heart

can be none but Rovewell's. Immediately after the receipt of this, meet Betty at the old place; there is yet one invention left; if you pursue it closely, you may perhaps release 'her, who would be your'ARETHUSA.'

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Are. Genteel in personage,
Conduct, and equipage,
Noble by heritage,
Generous and free.
Brave, not romantic;
Learn'd, not pedantic;
Frolic, not frantic ;
This must be he.
Honour maintaining,
Meanness disdaining,
Still entertaining,
Engaging and new.
Neat, but not finical;
Sage, but not cynical;
Never tyrannical,

But ever true.

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Hear. Well, go thy way, and get her; for thou deserv❜st her, o' my conscience—How have I been deceived in this boy? I find him the very reverse of what his step-mother represented Arg. Why, is not Mr. Cuckoo all this? him; and am now sensible it was only her ill- Adod, he's a brisk young fellow, and a little usage that forced my child away-His not hav-feather-bed doctrine will soon put the captain ing seen me since he was five years old, renders out of your head; and, to put you out of his me a perfect stranger to him-Under that pre- power, you shall be given over to the squire totence I have got into his acquaintance, and find bim all I wish-If this plot of his fails, I believe my money must buy him the girl at last. [Exit.

SCENE II.-A chamber in ARGUS's house.

ARETHUSA Solus.
AIR.

Are. See the radiant queen of night
Sheds on all her kindly beams;
Gilds the plains with cheerful light,
And sparkles in the silver streams.
Smiles adorn the face of Nature,

Tasteless all things yet appear,
Unto me a hopeless creature,
In the absence of my dear.

Enter ARGUS.

morrow.

Are. Surely, sir, you will at least defer it one day.

Arg. No, nor one hour-To-morrow morning, at eight of the clock precisely-In the mean time, take notice, the squire's sister is hourly expected; so, pray do you be civil and sociable with her, and let me have none of your pouts and glouts, as you tender my displeasure. [Exit ARGUS. Are. To-morrow is short warning: but we may be too cunuing for you yet, old gentleman.

Enter BETTY.

O Betty! welcome a thousand times! what news? have you seen the captain?

Bet. Yes, madam; and if you were to see him in his new rigging, you'd split your sides with laughing-Such a hoyden, such a piece of country stuff, you never set your eyes on!

Arg. Pray, daughter, what lingo is that same But the petticoats are soon thrown off; and if you chant and sputter out at this rate?

Are. English, sir.

good luck attends us, you may easily conjure Miss Malkin, the squire's sister, into your own

Arg. English, quotha! adod I took it to be dear captain.

nonsense.

Are. 'Tis a hymn to the moon.

Arg. A hymn to the moon! I'll have none of your hymns in my house-Give me the book, housewife.

Are. I hope, sir, there is no crime in reading a harmless poem?

Arg. Give me the book, I say? poems, with a pox! what are they good for, but to blow up the fire of love, and make young wenches wanton?-But I have taken care of you, mistress! for to-morrow you shall have a husband to stay your stomach, and no less a person than 'squire Cuckoo.

Are. You will not, surely, be so cruel as to marry me to a man I cannot love!

Arg. Why, What sort of a man would you have, Mrs Minx?

Are. But when will they come?

Bet. Instantly, madam; he only stays to settle matters for our escape. He's in deep consultation with his privy-counsellor Robin, who is to attend him in the quality of a country put-They'll both be here in a moment; so let's in, and pack up the jewels, that we may be ready at once to leap into the saddle of liberty, and ride full speed to your desires.

Are. Dear Betty. let's make haste; I think every moment an age, till I'm free from this bondage.

AIR.

When parents obstinate and cruel prove,
And force us to a man we cannot love,
'Tis fit we disappoint the sordid etves,
And wisely get us husbands for ourselves.

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-in, in!
[A knocking without.
ARGUS from above.

Arg. You're woundy hasty, methinks, to
knock at that rate-This is certainly some
courtier come to borrow money; I know it by
the saucy rapping of the footman-Who's at
the door?

Rob. [Without.] Tummos!

Arg. Tummos! Who's Tummos? Who would you speak with, friend?

Enter BETTY.

[CAREY.

Take this young lady to my daughter; 'tis
much of her, I charge you.
squire Cuckoo's sister; and, d'ye hear? make
Bet. Yes, sir-
-Please to follow me ma-

dam.

Rov. Now, you rogue, for a lie an hour and a half long, to keep the old fellow in suspence. [Aside to ROBIN. Exit with BETTY,

vather-derfully bemired in our country for her shapes.
Rob. Well, master! don't you think my
mistress a dainty young woman? She's won-
where's the squire, honest friend?
Arg. Oh, she's a fine creature, indeed! But,

Rob. [Without.] With young master's
in-law, that mun be, master Hardguts.
Arg. And what's your business with master
Hardguts?

Rob. [Without.] Why, young mistress is come
out of the country to see brother's wife, that
mun be, that's all.

Rob. Why, one cannot find a man out in taverns and chockling housen; you may as this same Londonshire, there are so many Arg. Odso, the squire's sister! I'm sorry I' the country. I was at squire's lodging yonder, made her wait so long. well syek a needle in a hay fardel, as they say'n

[Exit hastily.

SCENE III-A chamber.

ARGUS introducing ROVEWELL in woman's
clothes, followed by ROBIN as a clown.
Arg. Save you, fair lady! your welcome to
town. [ROVEWELL curtseys.] A very modest
maiden, truly! How long have you been
in town?

Rob. Why, an hour and a bit or so we just put up horses at King's Arms yonder, and staid a crum to zee poor things feed, for your London ostlers give little enough to poor beasts; an' you stond not by 'em yourzell, and sce 'em fed, as soon as your back's turned, adod, they'll cheat you afore your face.

Arg. Why, how now, Clodpate? are you to speak before your mistress, and with your hat on, too? Is that your country-brecding?

went to

and there was nobody but a prate-apace whoreson of a foot-boy, and he told me maister was at a chockling house, and all the while the gi'n him a good whirrit in the chops. So, I vixon did nothing but taunt and laugh at me: I'cod I could have found in my heart to have chockling-house, till I was quite weary; and I could see one chockling-house, and t'other hot suppings, and reading your gazing papers: nothing but a many people supping house; the vixen boys set us o' thick side, and that side, till we were almost quite lost; an' we had much ado to find out your worship's it were not for an honest fellow that knowed your worship, and set us in the right way.

but as to your young mistress, does she never Arg. Tis pity they should use strangers so ; speak?

wo'not speak to her own father, she's so main Rob. Adod, sir, never to a mon; why, she bashful.

Rob. Why, an' 'tis on, 'tis on, an' 'tis off, 'tis off what cares Tummos for your false- does my friend, sir Roger? he's well, I hope? hearted London compliments? Arg. That's strange, indeed! have an answer from young mistress, you six fox-hunters sin last Lammas! He holds his An' you'd But how mun look to Tummos; for she's so main bash-old course still; twenty pipes a-day, a cup of Rob. Hearty still, sir-He has drunk down ful, she never speaks one word but her prayers, and thos'n so softly that nobody can hear her.

Arg. I like her the better for that; silence is a heavenly virtue in a woman, but very rare to be found in this wicked place. Have you seen your brother, pretty lady, since you came to town? [ROVEWELL curtseys.] O, miraculous modesty! would all women were thus? Can't you speak, madam ?

Rob. An' you get a word from her, 'tis more [ROVEWELL curtseys again.] nor she has spoken to us these fourscore and seven long miles; but young mistress will prate fast enough, an' you set her among your women volk.

Arg. Say'st thou so, honest fellow? I'll send her to those that have tongue enough, I'll warrant you. Here, Betty!

mum in the morning, a tankard of ale at noon,
and three bottles of stingo at night. The same
squire Yedward is just come from varsity; lawd
he's mainly growd sin you saw him! he's a fine
mon now he was thirty years ago; and young
proper tall gentleman now; why he's near upon
drink, honest friend.
as tall as you or I, mun.
Arg. Good now, good now! But woulds't

to say truth, I'm mortal dry.
Rob. I don't care an' I do, a bit or so; for
Arg. Here, John!

Enter Servant.

welcome. When your mistress is ready to go, Take this honest fellow down, and make hims we'll call you.

Rob. Ah! pray, take care and make much

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