Lucy. Since things are thus, I'm glad the wench hath efeap'd for by this event, 'tis plain, fhe was not happy enough to deferve to be poifon'd.

:

[Afide.

Enter Lockit, Macheath, and Peachum. Lockit. Set your heart to reft, Captain.---You have neither the chance of love or money for another escape; for you are ordered to be call'd down upon your trial immediately.

Peach. Away, huffies!-This is not a time for a manto be hampered with his wives.-You fee, the gentleman is in chains already.

Lucy. O hufband, hufband, my heart long'd to fee thee; but to fee thee thus diftracts 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 LII. The last time I came o'er the moor.
Polly. Hither, dear husband, turn your eyes,
Lucy. Beftow one glance to cheer me.
Polly. Think with that look, thy Polly dies.
Lucy. O fhun me not, but hear me.
Polly. 'Tis Polly fues.

Lucy.

- 'Tis Lucy fpeaks.

Polly. Is thus true love requited?

My heart is bursting.

Lucy.

Polly.

Lucy.

Polly.

Mine too breaks.

Mac. What would you have me fay, ladies ?-You fee, this affair will foon be at an end, without my difobliging. either of you.

Peach. But the fettling this point, Captain, might prevent a law-fuit between your two widows.

AIR LIII. Tom Tinker's my true love, &c.

Mac. Which way fhall 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

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 infenfible to mine-a father fure will be more compaffionate-Dear, dear Sir, fink the material evidence, and bring him off at his trial---Polly upon her knees begs it of you.

AIR LIV. I am a poor Shepherd undone.
When my hero in court appears,
And ftands arraign'd for his life,
Then think of your Polly's tears;
For, ah! poor Polly's his wife.
Like the failor he holds up his hand,
Diftreft on the dafhing wave;
To die a dry death at land,

Is as bad as a watery grave:

And, alas, poor Polly!
Alack, and well-day!
Before I was in love,

Oh! every month was May..

Lucy. If Peachum's heart is hardened; fure you, Sir, will have more compaffion on a daughter-I know the evidence is in your power.- -How then can you be a [Kneeling.

tyrant to me?

AIR LV. Ianthe the lovely, &c.

When he holds up his hand arraign'd for his life
O think of your daughter, and think I'm his wife!
What are cannons or bombs, or clashing of fwords!
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.

Lock. Macheath's time is come, Lucy.We know our own affairs, therefore let us have no more whimpering or whining.

AIR CVI. A cobler there was, &c.

Ourfelves, like the great, to fecure 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 rafcals, might hang, hang;
Like poor petty rafcals, might hang.'

Peach. Set your heart at reft, Polly.Your hufband 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 flut.

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

AIR LVII. Bonny Dundee.

Mac. The charge is prepar'd, the lawyers are met;
The judges all rang'd (a terrible show!)
I go undifmay'd,-for death is a debt,

A debt on demand,-so take what I owe.
Then farewel, my love,---dear charmers, adieu.
Contented I die,---'tis the better for you.
Here ends all difpute the reft 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. 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 happened.--You'll find me here with Mifs Lucy. [Exit Filch.] But why. is all this mufic?

Lucy. The prifoners, whofe trials are put off till next feffion, are diverting themfelves.

Polly. Sure there is nothing fo charming as mufic! I'm fond of it to distraction- But alas- now all mirth feems an infult upon my affliction.-let us retire, my

dear

dear Lucy, and indulge our forrows.The noify crew, you fee, are coming upon us.

A dance of prifoners in chains, &c.

SCENE, The condemn'd hold.
Macheath, in a melancholy pofture.
AIR LVIII. Happy Groves.

O cruel, cruel, cruel cafe!
Muft I fuffer this disgrace?

[Exeunt.

AIR LIX. Of all the girls that are fo fmart.
Of all the friends in time of grief,
When threat'ning death looks grimmer,
Not one fo fure can bring relief,

As this best friend a brimmer.

AIR LX. Britons frike home.

[Drinks.

Since I must fwing,---I fcorn, I scorn to wince or whine.

AIR LXI. Chery Chafe.

But now again my fpirits fink;

I'll raise them high with wine.

[Rifes.

[Drinks a glass of wine

AIR LXII. To old Sir Simon the king.

But valour the stronger grows,

The ftronger liquor we're drinking.

And how can we feel our woes,

When we've lost the trouble of thinking? [Drinks.

AIR LXIII. Joy to great Cæfar.

If thus---a man can die

Much bolder with brandy.

[Pours out a bumper of brandy.

AIR LXIV. There was an old woman, &c.

So I drink off this bumper---And now I can stand the test, my comrades fhall fee, that I die as brave as the best.

And

[Drinks.

AIR LXV. Did you ever hear of a gallant failor.
But can I leave my pretty huffies,
Without one tear or tender figh?

AIR LXVI. Why are mine eyes ftill flowing.
Their eyes, their lips, their buffes,
Recall my love---ah, must I die!

AIR LXVII. Green fleeves.

Since laws were made for ev'ry degree,
To curb vice in others, as well as in me,
I wonder we han't better company
Upon Tyburn tree!

But gold from law, can take out the fting;
And if rich men like us were to swing,
"Twould thin the land, fuch numbers to firing
Upon Tyburn tree.

Failor. Some friends of yours, Captain, defire to be adınitted.. -I leave you together.

Enter Ben Budge, and Mat of the Mint.

The theriffs

That Jem

Mac. For my having broke prifon, you fee, gentlemen, I am ordered immediate execution.. officers, I believe, are now at the door. my Twitcher should peach me, I own furprized 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 fome months longer.

Mat. We are heartily forry, Captain, for your miffortune---But 'tis what we must all come to.

Mac.