Slam. Dear Madam Trull. I would not for the world Slam. 'Tis impossible for me Trull. As I hope to be saved, Madam- 319 [Exeunt, with great ceremony. SCENE, Newgate. Enter LOCKIT, Turnkeys, MACHEATH, and Constables. 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 civi lity, 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. 332 Mac. I understand you, sir. [Gives money.] The fees here are so many and so exorbitant, that few fortunes can bear the expence of getting off handomely, or of dying like a gentleman. Lock. Those I see will fit the Captain better.-Take down the further pair.Do but examine them, sir. Never was better work-how genteelly they are made!-They will sit as easy as a glove, and the nicest man in England might 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. 345 [Exeunt LOCKIT, Turnkeys, and Constables. AIR. Courtiers, courtiers think it no harm. Mac. Man may escape from rope. and Nay, some have outliv'd the doƐlor's pill ; That basilisk is sure to kill. gun, The fly that sips treacle is lost in the sweets, 350 To what a woful plight have I brought myself! Here must I (all day long till I am hanged) 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 on't betwixt this and my execution.- But I promised the wench marriage.What signifies a promise to a woman? does not man in marriage itself 54 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 would I were deaf. I cannot get from her Enter Lucy. 365 Lucy. You base man you !—how can you look me in the face after what hath past between us?-See here, perfidious wretch! how I am forced to bear about the load of infamy you have laid upon me.— 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. Thus when a good huswife sees a rat Mac. Have you no bowels, no tenderness, my dear Lucy! to see a husband in these circumstances? Lucy. Á husband ! 381 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. AIR. 'Twas when the sea was roaring. How cruel are the traitors Who lie and swear in jest, With boasts the theft reveals. 39° Mac. The very first opportunity my dear! (have but patience) you shall be my wife in whatever manner you please. 399 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! 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, my dear Lucy! these violent passions may be of ill consequence to a woman in your condition. 414 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 promised me. Mac. A jealous woman believes every thing her passion suggests. To convince you of my sincerity, if we can find the Ordinary I shall have no scruples of making you my wife; and I know the consequence of having two at a time. Lucy. That you are only to be hanged, and so get rid of them both. Mac. I am ready, my dear Lucy! to give you satisfaction-if you think there is any in marriage.-What can a man of honour say more? Lucy. So then it seems you are not married to Miss Polly. 429 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 The mother sets her daughter, The image strikes the smiling lass |