Mac. Have you no tenderness, my dear Lucy! to see a husband in these circumstan ces? Lucy. A husband! 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. It is the pleasure of all you fine men to insult the women you have ruined. Mac. The very first opportunity, my dear (but have patience,) you shall be my wife in whatever manner you please. Lucy. Insinuating monster! And so you think I know nothing of the affair of Miss Polly Peachum ?-1 could tear thy eyes out. Mac. Sure, Lucy, you can't 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! those violent passions may be of ill consequence to a woman in your condition. 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? 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. The first time at the looking glass Each time she looks, she, fonder grown, When women consider their own beauties, they are all alike unreasonable in their demands; for they expect their lovers should like them as long as they like themselves. Lucy. Yonder is my father-Perhaps this way we may light upon the ordinary, who shall try if you will be as good as your word -for I long to be made an honest woman. [Exeunt. we are agreed. You have consented to go halves in Macheath. Peach. We shall never fall out about an execution. But as to that article, pray how stands your last year's account? Lockit. 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 save theirs without being paid for it? Unless the people in employment pay better, I promise them for the future I shall let other rogues live besides their own. Lockit. Perhaps, brother, they are afraid those matters may be carried too far. We are treated too by them with contempt, as if our profession were not reputable. Peach. In one respect indeed our employment may be reckoned dishonest, because, like great statesmen, we encourage those who betray their friends. Lockit. Such language, brother, any where else might turn to your prejudice. Learn to be more guarded, I beg you. When you censure the age, Lest the courtiers offended should be; Each cries-That was levell'd at me. Peach. Here's poor Ned Clincher's name, I see: sure, brother Lockit, there was a little unfair proceeding in Ned's case; for he told me in the condemned hold, that, for value received, you had promised him a session or two longer without molestation. Lockit. Mr. Peachum-this is the first time my honour was ever called in question. Peach. Business is at an end-if once we act dishonourably. Lockit. Who accuses me? Peach. You are warm, brother. Lockit. He that attacks my honour, attacks my livelihood—and this usage-Sir-is not to be borne. Peach. Since you provoke me to speak-I must tell you too, that Mrs. Coaxer charges you with defrauding her of her information money for the apprehending of Cuil-pated Hugh. Indeed, indeed, brother, we must punctually pay our spies, or we shall have no information. Lockit. Is this language to me, sirrah-who have saved you from the gallows, sirrah! [They collar each other. Peach. If I am hanged it shall be for ridding the world of an arraut rascal. Lockit. This hand shall do the office of the halter you deserve, and throttle you--you dog! Peach. Brother, brother-we are both in the wrong-we shall be both losers in the dispute -for you know we have it in our power to hang each other. You should not be so passionate. Lockit. Nor you so provoking. Peach. "Tis our mutual interest, 'tis for the interest of the world, we should agree. If I said any thing, brother, to the prejudice of your character, I ask pardon. Lockit. Brother Peachum-I can forgive as Enter PEACHUM, and LoсKIT, with an account-well as resent -Give me your hand; suspi book. Lockit. In this last affair, brother Peachum, cion does not become a friend. Peach. I only meant to give you occasion to justify yourself. But I must now step home, for I expect the gentleman about his snuff-box that Filch nimmed two nights ago in the Park. I appointed him at this hour. [Exit. Enter LUCY. Lockit. Whence come you, hussy? Lucy. My tears might answer that question. Lockit. You have been whimpering and fondling like a spaniel, over the fellow that hath abused you. Lucy. One can't help love; one can't cure it. "l'is not in my power to obey you and hate him. Polly. Oh, Macheath! was it for this we parted?-Taken! imprisoned! tried! hanged! Cruel reflection! 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 suffers to see thee in this condition! Mac. I must disown her. [Aside.] The wench is distracted! Lucy. Am I then bilked of my virtue? Can I have no reparation? Sure men were born to lie, and woman to believe them! Oh villain! villain! Polly. Am I not thy wife?-Thy neglect of Lockit. Learn to bear your husband's death me, thy aversion to me, too severely proves it. like a reasonable woman; 'tis not the fashion-Look on me-tell me, am I not thy wife? now-a-days so much as to affect sorrow upon these occasions. No woman would ever marry if she had not the chance of mortality for a re lease. Act like a woman of spirit, hussy, and thank your father for what he is doing. Lucy. Is then his fate decreed, Sir, Such a man can I think of quitting? When first we met, so moves me yet, O see how my heart is splitting! Lockit. Look ye, Lucy, there is no saving him-so I think you must even do like other widows-buy yourself weeds, and be cheerful. You'll think, ere many days ensue, I hang your husband, child, 'tis true, Like a good wife, go moan over your dying Enter MACHEATH. Lucy. Though the ordinary was out of the way to-day, 1 hope, my dear, you will, upon the first opportunity, quiet my scruples.-Oh, Sir! my father's hard heart is not to be softened, and I am in the utmost despair. Mac. But if I could raise a small sumwould not twenty guineas, think you, move him? Of all the arguments in the way of business, the perquisite is the most prevailing. -Money, well-timed, and properly applied, will do any thing. If you at an office expect your due, And wouldn't have matters neglected, You must quicken the clerk with perquisite too, To do what his duty directed: Or would you the frowns of a lady prevent, She too has that palpable failing; The perquisite softens her into consent, That reason with all is prevailing. Lucy. What love or money can do shall be done; for all my comfort depends upon your safety. 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 such an unfortunate rascal as I am? Lucy. Was there ever such another villain? Lucy. Perfidious wretch! Polly. Barbarous husband! Lucy. Hadst thou been hanged five months ago, I had been happy. Polly. 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 seven or eight days to live. Lucy. Art thou, then, married to another? Hast thou two wives, monster? Mac. If woman's tongue can cease for an answer-hear me. Lucy. I wont.-Flesh and blood can't bear my usage: Polly. Shall not I claim my own? Justice bids me speak. Mac. How happy could I be with either But toll de roll, &c. Polly. Sure, my dear, there ought to be some preference shown to a wife-at least she may claim the appearance of it. He must be distracted with misfortunes, or he could not use me thus. Lucy. Oh villain! villain! thou hast 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 satisfaction, and they should all out. Polly. I'm bubbled. Lucy. I'm bubbled. Polly. Oh, how I'm troubled! These fingers, with pleasure, could fasten the noose. Polly. I'm bubbled, &c. Muc. Be pacified, my dear Lucy-this is all a fetch of Polly's, to make me desperate with you, in case I get off. If I am hanged, she would fain have the credit of being thought my widow. Really, Polly, this is no time for a dispute of this sort; for whenever you are talk. ing of marriage, I am thinking of hanging. Polly. And hast thou the heart to persist in disowning me? Mac. And hast thou the heart to persist in persuading me that I am married? Why, Polly, dost thou seek to aggravate my misfor tunes? Lucy. Really, Miss Peachum, you do but expose yourself; besides, 'tis barbarous in you, sooner bear to see thee hanged, than in the to worry a gentleman in his circumstances. arms of another. Polly. Give me leave to tell you, Madam, these forward airs don't become you in the least, Madam; and my duty, Madam, obliges me to stay with my husband, Madam. Lucy. Why, how now, Madam Flirt? If you thus must chatter, And are for flinging dirt, Polly. Why, how now, saucy jade? Enter PEACHUM. Peach. Where's my wench? Ab, hussy, hussy! Come home, you slut! and when your fellow is hanged, hang yourself, to make your family some amends. Polly. Dear, dear father! do not tear me from him. I must speak-I have more to say to him.-Oh, twist thy fetters about me, that he may not haul me from thee! [To MACHEATH. Peach. Sure, all women are alike! if ever they commit one folly, they are sure to commit another, by exposing themselves.-Away-not a word more. You are my prisoner, now, hussy. Polly. No power on earth can e'er divide The knot that sacred love hath tied; When parents draw against our mind, The truelove's knot they faster bind. Oh, oh, ray, oh Amborah-Oh, oh, [Holding MACHEATH, PEACHUM pulling her; &c. exeunt PEACHUM and POLLY. Mac. I am naturally compassionate, wife, so that I could not use the wench as she deserved, which made you, at first, suspect there was something in what she said. Lucy. Indeed, my dear, I was strangely puzzled! Mac. If that had been the case, her father would never have brought me into this circumstance. No, Lucy, I had rather die than be false to thee! Lucy. How happy am I, if you say this from your heart! for I love thee so, that I could Mac. But couldst thou bear to see ine hanged? Lucy. Oh, Macheath! I could never live to see that day! Mac. You see, Lucy in the account of love, you are in my debt.- -Make me, if possible, love thee more, and let me owe my life to thee. -If you refuse to assist me, Peachum and your father will immediately put me beyond all means of escape. Lucy. My father, I know, hath been drinking hard with the prisoners, and I fancy he is now taking his nap in his own room.-If I can procure the keys, shall I go off with thee, my dear? Mac. If we are together, 'twill be impossible to lie concealed. As soon as the search begins to be a little cool, I will send to thee; till then, my heart is thy prisoner. Lucy. Come then, my dear husband, owe thy life to me; and, though you love me not, be grateful.-But that Polly runs in my head strangely. Mac. A moment of time may make us unhappy for ever. Lucy. I like the fox shall grieve, Whose mate hath left her side; Where cheat the weary pack? If love be not his guide, He never will come back. [Exeunt. ACT III. SCENE I.-Newgate. LOCKIT and LUCY. Lockit. To be sure, wench, you must have been aiding and abetting to help him to this escape? Lucy. Sir, here hath been Peachum, and his daughter Polly, and, to be sure, they know the ways of Newgate as well as if they had been born and bred in the place all their lives. Why must all your suspicion light upon me? Lockit. Lucy, Lucy, I will have none of these shuttling answers! Lucy. Well then, if I know any thing of him, I wish I may be burned! Lockit. Keep your temper, Lucy, or 1 shall pronounce you guilty. Lucy. Keep yours, Sir-I do wish I may be burned, I do; and what can I say more to convince you? did he come down with? Come, hussy, don't Lockit. Did he tip handsomely?-How much cheat your father, and I shall not be angry with you-Perhaps, you have made a better bargain with him than I could have done How much, my good girl? Lucy. You know, Sir, I am fond of him, and would have given money to have kept him with me. Lockit. Ah, Lucy! thy education might have put thee more upon thy guard: for a girl, in the bar of an alehouse, is always besieged. Lucy. If you can forgive me, Sir, I will make a fair confession; for, to be sure, he hath been a most barbarous villain to me! Lockit. And so you have let him escape, hussy-have you? Lucy. When a woman loves, a kind look, a tender word, can persuade her to any thing, and I could ask no other bribe. Notwith- Revenge, revenge, revenge, standing all he swore, I am now fully convinced, that Polly Peachum is actually his wife-Did I let him escape, fool that I was! to go to her? Polly will wheedle herself into his money; and then Peachum will hang him, and cheat us both. Lockit. So I am to be ruined because, forsooth, you must be in love!-A very pretty excuse! Lucy. I could murder that impudent, happy strumpet! I gave him his life, and that creature enjoys the sweets of it-Ungrateful Macheath! My love is all madness and folly; Toss, tumble, and cry, Of that jilt, that inveigling harlot ! Of that jilt, that inveigling harlot ! This, this my resentment alarms. Lockit. And so, after all this mischief, I must stay here to be entertained with your caterwauling, Mistress Puss!-Out of my sight, wanton strumpet!-You shall fast, and mortify yourself into reason, with now and then a little handsome discipline, to bring you to your senses.-Go!-[Exit LUCY.] Peachum, then, intends to outwit me in this affair, but I'll be even with him!-The dog is leaky in his liquor, so I'll ply him that way, get the secret from him, and turn this affair to my own advantage. Lucy! Shall appease my restless sprite. I have the ratsbane ready-But say I were to be hanged-I never could be hanged for any thing that would give me greater comfort than the poisoning that slut. Dear Madam! your servant.-I hope you will pardon my passion when I was so happy to see you last-I was so overrun with the spleen, that I was perfectly out of myself; and really when one hath the spleen, every thing is to be excused by a friend." When a wife's in the pout (As she's sometimes, no doubt,) First grants her her will, And the quieting draught is a dram; Pour man! and the quieting draught is a dram. have better in her closet for her own private Lucy. Not the greatest lady in the land could drinking. You seem mighty low in spirits, my dear! Polly. I am sorry, Madam, my health will not allow me to accept of your offer-I should not have left you in the rude manner I did when we met last, Madam, had not my papa hauled me away so unexpectedly.-f was indeed somewhat provoked, and perhaps might use some expressions that were disrespectful-but really, Madam, the captain treated me with so much contempt and cruelty, that I deserved your pity rather than your resentment. Lucy. But since his escape, no doubt, all matters are made up again.- Ah Polly, loves you as if you were only his mistress. Polly! 'tis I am the unhappy wife, and he Polly. Sure, Madam, you cannot think me so happy as to be the object of your jealousy. -A man is always afraid of a woman who loves him too well. So that I must expect to be neglected and avoided. exactly alike: both of us indeed have been too Lucy. Then our cases, my dear Polly, are fond. Indeed, my dear Polly, we are both of us a cup too low; let me prevail upon you to accept of my offer. Come, sweet lass, The vapours of despair, I can't bear, child, to see you in such low spirits and I must persuade you to what I know will do you good. [Exit. Polly. All this wheedling of Lucy can't be for nothing at this time too, when I know she hates me! The dissembling of a woman is always the forerunner of mischief. By pouring strong waters down my throat she thinks to pump some secrets out of me-I'll be upon my guard, and wont taste a drop of her liquor, I'm resolved. Re-enter LUCY, with strong waters. Lucy. Come, Miss Polly. Polly. Indeed, child, you have given yourself trouble to no purpose.-You must, my dear, excuse me. Lucy. Really, Miss Polly, you are as squeamishly affected about taking a cup of strong waters as a lady before company. Polly. What do I see? Macheath again in custody!-now every glimmering of happiness is lost! [Drops the glass of liquor on the ground. Enter LOCKIT, MACHEATH, and PEACHUM. Lockit. Set your heart at rest, captain.— You have neither the chance of love or money for another escape, for you are ordered to be called down upon your trial immediately. Peach. Away, hussies!This is not a time for a man to be hampered with bis wives- -you see the gentleman is in chains already. Lucy. O husband, husband! my heart longed to see thee, but to see thee thus dis tracts me! But two at a time, there's no mortal can What would comfort the one, t'other wife Polly. But, if his own misfortunes have made 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, When my hero in court appears, And stands arraign'd for his life, Then think of poor Polly's tears, For ah! poor Polly's his wife. Oh! every 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! Lockit. We are ready, Sir, to conduct you to the Old Bailey. met, Mac. The charge is prepar'd, the lawyers are Contented I die-'tis the better for you. For this way at once, I please all my Now, gentlemen, I am ready to attend you. [Exeunt PEACHUM, LOCKIT, MACHEATH, &C. SCENE II.-Another part of the Prison. Dance of Prisoners in fetters. SCENE III.-The condemned Cell. Oh, cruel, cruel, cruel case! But valour the stronger grows, If thus a man can die, Much bolder with brandy. [Pours out a bumper of Brandy. drink off this bumper-and now I can stand the test, So I And my comrades shall see that I die as brave as the best. [Drinks. But can I leave my pretty hussies Without one tear, or tender sigh? Their eyes, their lips, their busses, Recall my love-Ah! must I die? Since laws were made of every degree, To curb vice in others, as well as in me, I wonder we ha'n't better company Upon Tyburn tree. But gold from law can take out the sting; And if rich men, like us, were to swing, "Twould thin the land, such numbers to |