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 fave theirs without being paid for it. Unless the people in employment pay better, I promife them for the future, I fhall let other rogues live befides their

own.

Lock. Perhaps, brother, they are afraid thefe matters may be carried too far. We are treated too by them with contempt, as if our profeffion were not reputable.

Peach. In one refpect indeed, our employment may be reckoned difhoneft; becaufe, like great ftatefmen, we encourage those who betray their friends.

Lock. Such language, brother, any where elfe, might turn to your prejudice. Learn to be more guarded, I beg you.

AIR XXX. How happy are we, &c.

When cenfure the age

you

Be cautious and fage,

Left the courtiers offended fliould be:

If you mention vice or bribe,

'Tis fo pat to all the tribe;

Each cries- -That was levell'd at me,

Peach. Here's poor Ned Clincher's name, I fee. Sure, brother Lockit, there was a little unfair proceeding in Ned's cafe: for he told me in the condemned hold, that, for value received, you had promifed him a feffion or two longer without moleftation.

Lock. Mr. Peachum,-this is the first time my honour was ever called in question.

Peach. Bufinefs is at an end-if once we act dishonourably.

Lock. Who accuses me?

Peach. You are warm, brother,

Lock. He that attacks my honour, attacks my liveli. hood.-And this ufage-Sir-is not to be borne.

Peach. Since you provoke me to fpeak-1 muft tell

you

you too, that Mrs. Coaxer charges you with defrauding her of her information-money, for the apprehending of Curl-pated Hugh. Indeed, indeed, brother, we must punctually pay our fpies, or we fhall have no informa

tion.

Lock. Is this language to me, firrah

-who have

faved you from the gallows, firrah! [Collaring each other. Peach. If I am hanged, it fhall be for ridding the world of an errant rafcal.

Lock. This hand fhall do the office of the halter deserve, and throttle you-you dog!—

you

Peach. Brother, brother, -we are both in the wrong -we fhall be both lofers in the dispute-for you know we have it in our power to hang each other. You fhould not be fo paflionate.

Lock. Nor you so provoking.

Peach. 'Tis our mutual intereft; 'tis for the intereft of the world we fhould agree. If I faid any thing, brother, to the prejudice of your character, I ask pardon.

Lock. Brother Peachum-I can forgive as well as refent. Give me your hand. Sufpicion does not become a friend.

Peach. I only meant to give you occafion to justify yourself but I must now flep home, for I expect the gentleman about this fnuff-box, that Filch nimmed two nights ago in the park. I appointed him at this hour.

Enter Lucy.

Lock. Whence come you, hufly?

Lucy. My tears might anfwer that question.

[Exit.

Lock. You have then been whimpering and fondling, like a spaniel, over the fellow that hath abufed you. Lucy. One can't help love; one can't cure i. 'Tis not in my power to obey you, and hate him.

Lock. Learn to bear your husband's death like a reafonable woman. 'Tis not the fashion, now-a-days, fo much as to affect forrow upon thefe occafions. No woman would ever marry, if he had not the chance of mortality for a releafe. Act like a woman of fpirit, huffy, and thank your father for what he is doing.

AIR XXXI. 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, fo moves me yet,
Oh, fee how my heart is fplitting!

Lock. Look ye, Lucy-there is no faving him-So, I think, you must even do like other widows-buy yourfelf weeds, and be chearful.

AIR XXXII.

You'll think, e'er many days enfue,
This fentence 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 hufband. That, child, is your duty-confider, girl, you can't have the man and the money too-fo make yourself as eafy as you can by getting all you can from him. [Exit. Enter Macheath.

Lucy. Though the ordinary was out out of the way to day, I hope, my dear, you will, upon the first opportunity, quiet my fcruples- -Oh, Sir!-my father's hard heart is not to be foftened, and I am in the utmost defpair.

Mac. But if I could raife a fmall fum-would not twenty guineas, think you, move him?-Of all the arguments in the way of bufinefs, the perquifite is the most prevailing.Your father's perquifites for the escape of prifoners must amount to a confiderable fum in the year. Money well timed, and properly applied, will do any thing.

AIR XXXIII. London Ladies.

If you at an office folicit your due,

And would not have matters neglected;

You must quicken the clerk with the perquifite too,
To do what his duty directed.

D

Or

Or would you the frowns of a lady prevent,
She too has this palpable failing,

The perquifite foftens her into confent;
That reafon with all is prevailing.

Lucy. What love or money can do, fhall be done: for all my comfort depends upon your fafety.

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 fuch an unfortunate rafcal as I am! Lucy. Was there ever fuch another villain!

Polly. Oh, Macheath! was it for this we parted? Taken Imprifoned! Tried! Hanged!-cruel reflec tion! 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 fuffers to fee thee in this condition.

AIR XXXIV. All in the Downs, &c.`

Thus when the swallow, feeking prey,
Within the fafh is closely pent,
His confort with bemoaning lay,

Without, fits pining for th' event.
Her chatt'ring lovers all around her skim ;

She heeds them not (poorbird) her foul's with hitt.

Mac. I must difown her. [Afide.] The wench is dif tracted.

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 averfion to me, too feverely proves it.Look on me.→ Tell me, am I not thy wife?

Lucy. Perfidious wretch!

Polly. Barbarous hufband!

Lucy. Hadit thou been hanged five months ago, I had been happy.

Polly

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 feven or eight days to live, Lucy. Art thou then married to another? two wives, monster?

Haft thou

Mac. If women's tongues can ceafe for an anfwer

hear me.

Lucy. I won't.-Flesh and blood can't bear my ufage. Polly. Shall I not claim my own?-Juftice bids me speak.

AIR XXXV. Have you heard of a frolickfome ditty.
Mac. 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 fay;
But tol de rol, &c.

may

Polly. Sure, my dear, there ought to be fome preference fhewn to a wife! At least the claim the appearance of it. He must be diftracted with his misfortunes, or he could not use me thus !

Lucy. Oh, villain, villain! thou haft deceived me-I 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 fatisfaction, and they should all

Lucy. When you come to the tree, fhould the hangman refufe,

Thefe fingers, with pleafure, could fasten the

noose.