The Beggar's Opera Part 14

_Mrs. Trapes._ Fill it up-- I take as large Draughts of Liquor, as I did of Love. --I hate a Flincher in either.

AIR XLV. A Shepherd kept Sheep, &c.

[Music]

In the Days of my Youth I could bill like a Dove, _fa, la, la, &c._ Like a Sparrow at all times was ready for Love, _fa, la, la, &c._ The Life of all Mortals in Kissing should pa.s.s, Lip to Lip while we're young-- then the Lip to the Gla.s.s, _fa, la, &c._

But now, Mr. _Peachum_, to our Business. --If you have Blacks of any kind, brought in of late; Mantoes-- Velvet Scarfs-- Petticoats-- Let it be what it will-- I am your Chap-- for all my Ladies are very fond of Mourning.

_Peachum._ Why, look ye, Mrs. _Dye_-- you deal so hard with us, that we can afford to give the Gentlemen, who venture their Lives for the Goods, little or nothing.

_Mrs. Trapes._ The hard Times oblige me to go very near in my Dealing.

--To be sure, of late Years I have been a great Sufferer by the Parliament. --Three thousand Pounds would hardly make me amends. --The Act for destroying the Mint, was a severe Cut upon our Business-- 'Till then, if a Customer stept out of the way-- we knew where to have her-- No doubt you know Mrs. _Coaxer_-- there's a Wench now ('till to-day) with a good Suit of Clothes of mine upon her Back, and I could never set Eyes upon her for three Months together. --Since the Act too against Imprisonment for small Sums, my Loss there too hath been very considerable, and it must be so, when a Lady can borrow a handsom Petticoat, or a clean Gown, and I not have the least Hank upon her!

And, o' my Conscience, now-a-days most Ladies take a Delight in cheating, when they can do it with Safety.

_Peachum._ Madam, you had a handsom Gold Watch of us 'tother Day for seven Guineas. --Considering we must have our Profit. --To a Gentleman upon the Road, a Gold Watch will be scarce worth the taking.

_Mrs. Trapes._ Consider, Mr. _Peachum_, that Watch was remarkable, and not of very safe Sale. --If you have any black Velvet Scarfs-- they are a handsom Winter-wear, and take with most Gentlemen who deal with my Customers. --'Tis I that put the Ladies upon a good Foot. 'Tis not Youth or Beauty that fixes their Price. The Gentlemen always pay according to their Dress, from half a Crown to two Guineas; and yet those Hussies make nothing of bilking of me. --Then too, allowing for Accidents.

--I have eleven fine Customers now down under the Surgeon's Hands-- what with Fees and other Expenses, there are great Goings-out, and no Comings in, and not a Farthing to pay for at least a Month's Clothing. --We run great Risques-- great Risques indeed.

_Peachum._ As I remember, you said something just now of Mrs. _Coaxer_.

_Mrs. Trapes._ Yes, Sir. --To be sure I stript her of a Suit of my own Clothes about two Hours ago; and have left her as she should be, in her Shift, with a Lover of hers at my House. She call'd him up Stairs, as he was going to _Mary-bone_ in a Hackney Coach. --And I hope, for her own sake and mine, she will persuade the Captain to redeem her, for the Captain is very generous to the Ladies.

_Lockit._ What Captain?

_Mrs. Trapes._ He thought I did not know him-- An intimate Acquaintance of yours, Mr. _Peachum_-- Only Captain _Macheath_-- as fine as a Lord.

_Peachum._ To-morrow, dear Mrs. _Dye_, you shall set your own Price upon any of the Goods you like-- We have at least half a Dozen Velvet Scarfs, and all at your Service. Will you give me leave to make you a Present of this Suit of Night-clothes for your own wearing? --But are you sure it is Captain _Macheath_.

_Mrs. Trapes._ Though he thinks I have forgot him; no body knows him better. I have taken a great deal of the Captain's Money in my Time at second-hand, for he always lov'd to have his Ladies well drest.

_Peachum._ Mr. _Lockit_ and I have a little Business with the Captain;-- You understand me-- and we will satisfy you for Mrs. _Coaxer's_ Debt.

_Lockit._ Depend upon it-- we will deal like Men of Honour.

_Mrs. Trapes._ I don't enquire after your Affairs-- so whatever happens, I wash my Hands on't-- It hath always been my Maxim, that one Friend should a.s.sist another-- But if you please-- I'll take one of the Scarfs home with me. 'Tis always good to have something in Hand.

[Ill.u.s.tration]

[Ill.u.s.tration]

SCENE IV. _Newgate._

_Lucy._ Jealousy, Rage, Love and Fear are at once tearing me to pieces, How I am weather-beaten and shatter'd with Distresses!

AIR XLVI. One Evening, having lost my Way, &c.

[Music]

I'm like a Skiff on the Ocean tost, Now high, now low, with each Billow born, With her Rudder broke, and her Anchor lost, Deserted and all forlorn.

While thus I lie rolling and tossing all Night, That _Polly_ lies sporting on Seas of Delight!

Revenge, Revenge, Revenge, Shall appease my restless Spirit.

I have the Rats-bane ready. --I run no Risque; for I can lay her Death upon the Ginn, and so many die of that naturally that I shall never be call'd in question. --But say, I were to be hang'd. --I never could be hang'd for any thing that would give me greater Comfort, than the poisoning that s.l.u.t.

Enter _Filch_.

_Filch._ Madam, here's Miss _Polly_ come to wait upon you.

_Lucy._ Show her in.

Enter _Polly_.

Dear Madam, your Servant. --I hope you will pardon my Pa.s.sion, when I was so happy to see you last. --I was so over-run with the Spleen, that I was perfectly out of myself. And really when one hath the Spleen, every thing is to be excus'd by a Friend.

AIR XLVII. Now _Roger_, I'll tell thee because thou 'rt my Son.

[Music]

When a Wife's in her Pout, (As she's sometimes, no doubt;) The good Husband as meek as a Lamb, Her Vapours to still, First grants her her Will, And the quieting Draught is a Dram. Poor Man!

And the quieting Draught is a Dram.

--I wish all our Quarrels might have so comfortable a Reconciliation.

_Polly._ I have no Excuse for my own Behaviour, Madam, but my Misfortunes. --And really, Madam, I suffer too upon your Account.

_Lucy._ But, Miss _Polly_-- in the way of Friendship, will you give me leave to propose a Gla.s.s of Cordial to you?

_Polly._ Strong-Waters are apt to give me the Head-ache-- I hope, Madam, you will excuse me.

_Lucy._ Not the greatest Lady in the Land could have better in her Closet, for her own private 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 haul'd me away so unexpectedly-- I was indeed somewhat provok'd, and perhaps might use some Expressions that were disrespectful. --But really, Madam, the Captain treated me with so much Contempt and Cruelty, that I deserv'd your Pity, rather than your Resentment.

_Lucy._ But since his Escape, no doubt all Matters are made up again.

--Ah _Polly_! _Polly_! 'tis I am the unhappy Wife; and he loves you as if you were only his Mistress.

_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.

_Lucy._ Then our Cases, my dear _Polly_, are exactly alike. Both of us indeed have been too fond.

AIR XLVIII. O _Bessy Bell_.