The Beggar's Opera Part 9

_Lucy._ Insinuating Monster! And so you think I know nothing of the Affair of Miss _Polly Peachum_. --I could tear thy Eyes out!

_Macheath._ 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.

_Macheath._ 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 Pa.s.sions may be of ill consequence to a Woman in your Condition.

_Lucy._ Come, come, Captain, for all your a.s.surance, you know that Miss _Polly_ hath put it out of your Power to do me the Justice you promis'd me.

_Macheath._ A jealous Woman believes every thing her Pa.s.sion 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 hang'd, and so get rid of them both.

_Macheath._ 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_.

_Macheath._ 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 XXVIII. The Sun had loos'd his weary Teams, &c.

[Music]

The first time at the Looking-gla.s.s The Mother sets her Daughter, The Image strikes the smiling La.s.s With Self-love ever after, Each time she looks, she, fonder grown, Thinks ev'ry Charm grows stronger.

But alas, vain Maid, all Eyes but your own Can see you are not younger.

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.

Enter _Peachum_ and _Lockit_ with an Account-Book.

_Lockit._ In this last Affair, Brother _Peachum_, we are agreed. You have consented to go halves in _Macheath_.

_Peachum._ We shall never fall out about an Execution-- But as to that Article, pray how stands our last Year's Account?

_Lockit._ If you will run your Eye over it, you'll find 'tis fair and clearly stated.

_Peachum._ This long Arrear of the Government is very hard upon us! Can it be expected that we would 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 these Matters may be carried too far. We are treated too by them with Contempt, as if our Profession were not reputable.

_Peachum._ In one respect indeed our Employment may be reckon'd 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.

AIR XXIX. How happy are we, &c.

[Music]

When you censure the Age, Be cautious and sage, Lest the Courtiers offended should be: If you mention Vice or Bribe, 'Tis so pat to all the Tribe; Each cries-- That was levell'd at me.

_Peachum._ 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 Condemn'd Hold, that for Value receiv'd, you had promis'd him a Session or two longer without Molestation.

_Lockit._ Mr. _Peachum_-- this is the first time my Honour was ever call'd in Question.

_Peachum._ Business is at an end-- if once we act dishonourably.

_Lockit._ Who accuses me?

_Peachum._ You are warm, Brother.

_Lockit._ He that attacks my Honour, attacks my Livelihood. --And this Usage-- Sir-- is not to be borne.

_Peachum._ 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 curl-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 sav'd you from the Gallows, Sirrah! [Collaring each other.

_Peachum._ If I am hang'd, it shall be for ridding the World of an arrant Rascal.

_Lockit._ This Hand shall do the Office of the Halter you deserve, and throttle you-- you Dog!--

_Peachum._ 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 pa.s.sionate.

_Lockit._ Nor you so provoking.

_Peachum._ '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 well as resent. --Give me your Hand. Suspicion does not become a Friend.

_Peachum._ I only meant to give you Occasion to justify yourself: But I must now step home, for I expect the Gentleman about this Snuff-box, that _Filch_ nimm'd two Nights ago in the Park. I appointed him at this Hour. [Exit _Peachum_.

Enter _Lucy_.

_Lockit._ Whence come you, Hussy?

_Lucy._ My Tears might answer that Question.

_Lockit._ You have then been whimpering and fondling, like a Spaniel, over the Fellow that hath abus'd you.

_Lucy._ One can't help Love; one can't cure it. 'Tis not in my Power to obey you, and hate him.

_Lockit._ Learn to bear your Husband's Death like a reasonable Woman.

'Tis not the fashion, 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 Release. Act like a Woman of Spirit, Hussy, and thank your Father for what he is doing.