withdraw my protection from the ordinary think of dining in your chamber alone, when part of the family. I had company below. You shall sit at the head of the table, as you ought, to be sure, as you say, and make my friends welcome.

[Exit. Rus. Zounds, what impudence! that's worse than all the rest.

Mrs. O. Excellent raillery! Lookye, Mr. Oakly, I see the meaning of all this affected coolness and indifference.

Oak. My dear, consider where you are Mrs. O. You would be glad, I find, to get me out of your house, and have all your flirts

Oak. Before all this company! fy!

Lord T. Fine presence of mind, faith!The true French nonchalance- -But, good folks, why such a deal of rout and tapage about nothing at all? -If Mademoiselle Harriet had rather be Mrs. Oakly than Lady Trinket Why, I wish her joy-that's all.Mr. Russet, I wish you joy of your son-in-about you. Jaw-Mr. Oakly, I wish you joy of the lady and you, Madam, [To HARRIET.] of the gentleman- -And, in short, I wish you all joy of one another, 'pon honour. [Exit. Rus. There's a fine fellow of a lord now! The devil's in your London folks of the first fashion, as you call them. They will rob you of your estate, debauch your daughter, or lie with your wife-and all as if they were doing you a favour-'pon honour!Maj. O. Hey! what now?

[Bell rings violently.

Re-enter OAKLY.

Oak. D'ye hear, major, d'ye hear? Maj. O. Zounds! what a clatter!-She'll pull down all the bells in the house.

Ouk. My observations since I left you, have confirmed my resolution. I see plainly that her good humour, and her ill humour, her smiles, her tears, and her fits, are all calculated to play upon me.

Maj. O. Did not I always tell you so? It's the way with them all-they will be rough and smooth, and hot and cold, and all in a breath. Any thing to get the better of us.

Oak. She is in all moods at present, I promise you-There has she been in her chamber, fuming and fretting, and dispatching a messenger to me every two minutes-servant after servant-now she insists on my coming to her -now again she writes a note to entreat-then Toilet is sent to let me know that she is ill, absolutely dying-then the very next minute, she'll never see my face again-she'll go out of the house directly. [Bell rings.] Again! now the storm rises!

Maj. O. It will soon drive this way thennow, brother, prove yourself a man-You have gone too far to retreat.

Oak. Retreat!-Retreat!-No, no!-I'll preserve the advantage I have gained, I am determined.

Maj. O. Ay, ay!-keep your ground!-fear nothing-up with your noble heart! Good discipline makes good soldiers; stick close to my advice, and you may stand buff to a tigress

Mrs. O. But I'll disappoint you, for I shall remain in it, to support my due authority-as for you, Major Oakly

Mag. O. Hey-dey! what have I done? Mrs. O. I think you might find better employment, than to create divisions between married people—and you, Sir!— Oak. Nay but, my dear!

Mrs O. Might have more sense, as well as tenderness, than to give ear to such idle stuff. Oak. Lord, Lord!

I

me

Mrs. O. You and your wise counsellor there, suppose, think to carry all your points with

Oak, Was ever any thing

Mrs. O. But it wont do, Sir. You shall find that I will have my own way, and that I will govern my own family.

Oak. You had better learn to govern yourself, by half. Your passion makes you ridiculous. Did ever any body see so much fury and violence; affronting your best friends, breaking my peace, and disconcerting your own temper. And all for what? for nothing. 'Sdeath, Madam! at these years you ought to know better.

Mrs. O. At these years!-Very fine!—— Am I to be talked to in this manner?

You have

Oak. Talked to!-Why not?talked to me long enough-almost talked me to death-and I have taken it all, in hopes of making you quiet-but all in vain. Patience, I find, is all thrown away upon you; and henceforward, come what may, I am resolved to be master of my own house.

Mrs. O. So, so!-Master, indeed!—Yes, Sir; and you'll take care to have mistresses enough too, I warrant you.

Oak. Perhaps I may; but they shall be quiet ones, I can assure you.

Mrs. O. Indeed! And do you think I am such a tame fool, as to sit quietly and bear all this behaviour—You shall find that I have a spirit

Oak. Of the devil.

Mrs. O. Intolerable!-You shall find then that I will exert that spirit. I am sure I have need of it. As soon as the house is once

Oak. Here she is, by Heavens! now, bro-cleared again, I'll shut my doors against all ther!

Mrs. O. I think, Mr. Oakly, you might have had humanity enough to have come to see how 1 did. You have taken your leave, I suppose, of all tenderness and affection-but I'll be calm-I'll not throw myself into a passion-you want to drive me out of your house- -I see what you aim at, and will be aforehand with you-let me keep my temper! I'll send for a chair, and leave the house this instant.

Oak. True, my love: I knew you would not

company. You sha'n't see a single soul for this month.

Oak. 'Sdeath, Madam, but I will!—I'll keep open house for a year.- -I'll send cards to the whole town-Mr. Oakly's rout!-All the world will come and I'll go among the world too-I'll be mewed up no longer.

Mrs. O. Provoking insolence! this is not to be endured-Lookye, Mr. Oakly

Oak. And lookye, Mrs. Oakly, I will have my own way.

Mrs. O. Nay, then, let me tell you, Sir
Oak. And let me tell you, Madam, I will
not be crossed-I wont be made a fool.
Mrs. O. Why, you wont let me speak.
Oak. Because you don't speak as you ought,

Har. Let me beseech you, Madam. Maj. O. Courage, brother! you have done wonders. [Apart. Oak. Forgive you! This change transports me!-Brother! Mr. Russet! Charles! Har[Apart.riet! give me joy! I am the happiest man in the world!

THE BEGGAR'S OPERA:

AN OPERA,

IN THREE ACTS.

BY JOHN GAY, Esq.

REMARKS.

THIS piece is said to have arisen from a remark of Dean Swift to Mr. Gay, " that a Newgate Pastoral might make a pretty sort of thing:" it had a run of 63 nights, in its first season, (1727) and spread rapidly, with equal success, throughout Wales, Scotland, and Ireland. The card-table and the drawing-room echoed with its praise; the ladies had the songs engraven on their fans; even screens and other pieces of furniture were decorated with them. The profits were so considerable, both to the Author, (who was called the Orpheus of Highwaymen,) and to Mr. Rich, the Manager, as to produce the saying, that it had "made Rich gay, and Gay rich." Miss Fenton, who acted Polly, became the idol of the town and of the Duke of Bolton, by marriage with whom she attained the highest rank a female subject can acquire.

This fortunate opera has been generally thought to give vice additional attraction, by exhibiting it in a pleasing form; in this respect, the example of the hero and its general influence have probably been much over-rated; but the scruples of the present refined age may well hesitate to admit the moral pretensions of this work. Instead of approbation merely as a powerful attack on the absurdities of the Italian opera, it now charms by the native beauty of the old airs, and the professional abilities of the performers.

This effeminacy had been recently imported from Italy, and infected the fashionable world; to oppose this, Mr. Gay, in his Beggar's Opera," drew up the nervous old ballad of Britain, against the soft, unnatural, Italian stanza, and took his airs from our most popular songs. "An Italian, (says Mr. Ireland, in his, Hogarth illustrated,") concluded an harangue calculated to throw Gay's talents and taste into contempt, with- Saire, this simple signor did tri to pelt mi countrymen out of England with lumps of pudding;' one of Gay's tunes."

air upon his trial, and makes him risk another, without fear or scruple. But I'll away, for 'tis a pleasure to be a messenger of comfort to [Exit.

ACT I.
SCENE 1-PEACHUM'S House.
PEACHUM sitting at a table, with a large book of friends in affliction.

accounts before him.

Peach. Through all the employments of life,
Each neighbour abuses his brother:
Whore and rogue, they call husband and
wife:

All professions be-rogue one another.
The priest calls the lawyer a cheat;
The lawyer be-knaves the divine;
And the statesman, because he's so great,
Thinks his trade is as honest as mine.

A lawyer is an honest employment, so is mine.
Like me too, he acts in a double capacity,
both against rogues, and for them; for it is
but fitting, that we should protect and encour-
age cheats, since we live by them.

Peach. But it is now high time to look about me, for a decent execution against next sessions. I hate a lazy rogue, by whom one can get nothing till he is hanged. A register of the gang: [Reading.] Crook-fingered Jack-a year and a half in the service- -let me see, how much the stock owes to his industry;-One, two, three, four, five gold watches, and seven silver ones. A mighty clean-handed fellow! sixteen snuff-boxes, five of them of true gold, six dozen of handkerchiefs, four silver-hilted swords, half a dozen of shirts, three tie-perriwigs, and a piece of broadcloth. Considering these are only the fruits of his leisure hours, don't know a prettier fellow; for no man alive hath a more engaging presence of mind upon the road. Wat Dreary, alias Brown Will-an irregular dog; who hath an underhand way of disposing of his goods; I'll try him only for a session or two longer, upon his good behaviour-Harry Paddington-a poor petty-larceny rascal, without the least genius! that fellow, though he were to live these six months, will never come to the gallows with any credit.— Slippery Sam-he goes off the next sessions; Filch. Tom Gagg, Sir, is found guilty. for the villain hath the impudence to have Peach. A lazy dog! When I took him, the views of following his trade as a tailor, which time before, I told him what he would come Mint-listed not above a month ago; a promishe calls an honest employment.-Mat-o'theto, if he did not mend his hand. This is death, ing, sturdy fellow, and diligent in his way; without reprieve. I may venture to book him; [Writes] for Tom Gagg, forty pounds. Let somewhat too bold and hasty, and may raise Betty Sly know, that I'll save her from trans-good contributions on the public, if he does portation, for I can get more by her staying in England.

Enter FILCH.

Filch. Sir, Black Moll has sent word, her trial comes on in the afternoon, and she hopes you will order matters so as to bring her off. Peach. Why, as the wench is very active and industrious, you may satisfy her that I'll soften the evidence.

not cut himself short by murder.-Tom Tipple -a guzzling, soaking sot, who is always too stand: a cart is absolutely necessary for him. drunk to stand himself, or to make others Robin of Bagshot, alias Gorgon, alias Bluff Bob,

Filch. Betty hath brought more goods to our lock this year, than any five of the gang; and, in truth, 'tis pity to lose so good a cus-alias Carbuncle, alias Bob Booty

tomer.

Peach. If none of the gang takes her off, she may, in the common course of business, live a twelvemonth longer. I love to let women 'scape. A good sportsman always lets the hen-partridges fly, because the breed of the game depends upon them. Besides, here the law allows us no reward: there is nothing to be got by the death of women-except our

wives.

Filch. Without dispute, she is a fine woman! 'Twas to her I was obliged for my education. To say a bold word, she has trained up more young fellows to the business, than the gaming-table.

Peach. Truly, Filch, thy observation is right. We and the surgeons are more beholden to women, than all the professions besides.

Filch. "Tis woman that seduces all mankind; By her we first were taught the wheedling arts; [kind, Her very eyes can cheat; when most she's She tricks us of our money, with our hearts. For her, like wolves, by night, we roam for prey, [charms; And practise every fraud to bribe her For, suits of love, like law, are won by pay, And beauty must be fee'd into our arms. Peach. But make haste to Newgate, boy, and let my friends know what I intend; for love to make them easy, one way or another.

Filch. When a gentleman is long kept in suspense, penitence may break his spirit ever after. Besides, certainty gives a man a good

Enter MRS. PEACHUM.

hope nothing bad hath betided him.-You Mrs. P. What of Bob Booty, husband? [ know, my dear, he's a favourite customer of mine-'twas he made me a present of this ring.

list, that's all, my dear; he spends his life Peach. I have set his name down in the black among women, and, as soon as his money is gone, one or other of the ladies will hang him for the reward, and there's forty pounds lost to us for ever!

Mrs. P. You know, my dear, I never meddle fairs to you. Women, indeed, are bitter bad in matters of death; I always leave those afjudges in these cases; for they are so partial to the brave, that they think every man handsome, who is going to the camp or the gallows. But really, husband, you should not be too hard-hearted, for you never had a finer, braver set of men than at present. We have not had a murder among them all these seven months; and truly, my dear, this is a great blessing.

Peach. What a dickens is the woman always whimpering about murder for? No gentleman is ever looked upon the worse for killing a man in his own defence; and if business cannot be gentleman do? so, my dear, have done upon carried on without it, what would you have a this subject. Was Captain Macheath here, this last week? morning, for the bank-notes he left with you

hath stopped payment, he was so cheerful, and Mrs. P. Yes, my dear; and though the bank

see. They are of sure sale from our warehouse at Redriff, among the seamen. Filch. And this snuff-box.

so agreeable! Sure, there is not a finer gentle- | and coaches, made a tolerable hand on'tman upon the road than the captain? if he These seven handkerchiefs, Madam. Mrs. P. Coloured ones, comes from Bagshot, at any reasonable hour, he hath promised to make one this evening, with Polly, me, and Bob Booty, at a party at quadrille. Pray, my dear, is the captain rich? Peach. The captain keeps too good company ever to grow rich. Mary bone and the chocoThe man that late-houses are his undoing. proposes to get money by play, should have the education of a fine gentleman, and be trained up to it from his youth.

Mrs. P. Really, I am sorry, upon Polly's account, the captain hath not more discretion. What business hath he to keep company with lords and gentlemen? he should leave them to prey upon one another.

Peach. Upon Polly's account! what a plague doth the woman mean?-Upon Polly's account!

Mrs. P. Captain Macheath is very fond of the girl.

Peach. And what then? Mrs. P. If I have any skill in the ways of women, I am sure Polly thinks him a very pretty man.

Peach. And what then? you would not be so mad as to have the wench marry him! Gamesters and highwaymen are, generally, very good to their mistresses, but they are very devils to their wives.

Mrs. P. Set in gold! a pretty encouragement this to a young beginner!

Filch. I had a fair tug at a charming gold watch. Plague take the tailors, for making the fobs so deep and narrow !-it stuck by the way, and I was forced to make my escape under a coach. Really, Madam, I fear I shall be cut off in the flower of my youth, so that, every now and then, since I was pumped, i have thoughts of taking up, and going to sea.

Mrs. P. You should go to Hockley-in-thehole, and to Mary bone, child, to learn valour; these are the schools that have bred so many brave men. I thought, boy, by this time, thou hadst lost fear as well as shame. Poor lad! how little does he know yet of the Old Bailey! For the first fact, I'll insure thee from being hanged; and going to sea, Filch, will come time enough, upon a sentence of transportation. But, hark you, my lad, don't tell me a lie; for you know I hate a liar.-Do you know of any thing that hath passed between Captain Macheath and our Polly?

Filch. I beg you, Madam, don't ask me; for I must either tell a lie to you, or to Miss PolMrs. P. But if Polly should be in love, howly; for I promised her I would not tell. should we help her, or how can she help herself?-Poor girl, I'm in the utmost concern about her!

Peach. Look ye, wife, a handsome wench, in our way of business, is as profitable as at the bar of a Temple coffee-house, who looks upon it as her livelihood, to grant every liberty but one. My daughter to me should be like a court lady to a minister of state, a key to the whole gang. Married! if the affair is not already done, I'll terrify her from it, by the example of our neighbours.

Mrs. P. Mayhap, my dear, you may injure the poor girl: she loves to imitate the fine ladies, and she may only allow the captain liberties, in the view of interest.

Peach. But 'tis your duty, my dear, to warn the girl against her ruin, and to instruct her how to make the most of her beauty. I'll go to her this moment, and sift her. In the meantime, wife, rip out the coronets and marks of these dozen of cambric handkerchiefs, for I can dispose of them this afternoon to a chap in the city. [Exit. Mrs. P. Never was a man more out of the way in an argument than my husband. Why must our Polly, forsooth, differ from her sex, and love only her husband? and why must Polly's marriage, contrary to all observation, make her the less followed by other men? All men are thieves in love, and like a woman the better for being another's property.

Enter FILCH.

Come hither, Filch.-I am as fond of this child, as though my mind misgave me he were my own. He hath as fine a hand at picking a pocket as a woman, and is as nimble-fingered as a juggler. If an unlucky session does not cut the rope of thy life, I pronounce, boy, thou wilt be a great man in history. Where was your post last night, my boy?

Filch. I plied at the opera, Madam; and, considering 'twas neither dark nor rainy, so that there was no great hurry in getting chairs

Mrs. P. But when the honour of our family is concerned.

Fitch. I shall lead a sad life with Miss Polly, if ever she comes to know I told you. Besides, I would not willingly forfeit my own honour, by betraying any body.

Mrs. P. Yonder comes my husband and Polly. Come, Filch, you shall go with me into my own room, and tell me the whole story. I'll give thee a glass of a most delicious cordial that I keep for my own drinking.

Enter PEACHUM and POLLY.

[Exeunt.

Polly. I know as well as any of the fine ladies how to make the most of myself, and of my man too. A woman knows how to be mercenary, though she hath never been in a court or at an assembly. We have it in our nature, papa. If I allow Captain Macheath some trifling liberties, I have this watch and other visible marks of his favour to show for A girl who cannot grant some things, and it. refuse what is most material, will make but a poor hand of her beauty, and soon be thrown upon the common.

Virgins are like the fair flower in its lustre,

Which in the garden enamels the ground;
Near it the bees in play flutter and cluster,
And gaudy butterflies frolic around.

But when once pluck'd 'tis no longer alluring,
To Covent Garden 'tis sent (as yet sweet,)
There fades, and shrinks, and grows past all
enduring,

Rots, stinks, and dies, and is trod under feet.

7 Peach. You know, Polly, I am not against your toying and trifling with a customer, in the way of business, or to get out a secret or so; but if I find out that you have played the fool, and are married, you jade you, I'll cut your throat, hussy. Now, you know my mind.