The Beggar's Opera Part 13

SCENE II. _A Gaming-House._

_Macheath_ in a fine tarnish'd Coat, _Ben Budge_, _Matt of the Mint_.

_Macheath._ I am sorry, Gentlemen, the Road was so barren of Money. When my Friends are in Difficulties, I am always glad that my Fortune can be serviceable to them. [Gives them Money.] You see, Gentlemen, I am not a mere Court Friend, who professes every thing and will do nothing.

AIR XLIII. Lillibullero.

[Music]

The Modes of the Court so common are grown, That a true Friend can hardly be met; Friends.h.i.+p for Interest is but a Loan, Which they let out for what they can get.

'Tis true, you find Some Friends so kind, Who will give you good Counsel themselves to defend.

In sorrowful Ditty, They promise, they pity, But s.h.i.+ft for your Money, from Friend to Friend.

But we, Gentlemen, have still Honour enough to break through the Corruptions of the World. --And while I can serve you, you may command me.

_Ben._ It grieves my Heart that so generous a Man should be involv'd in such Difficulties, as oblige him to live with such ill Company, and herd with Gamesters.

_Matt._ See the Partiality of Mankind! --One Man may steal a Horse, better than another look over a Hedge. --Of all Mechanics, of all servile Handicrafts-men, a Gamester is the vilest. But yet, as many of the Quality are of the Profession, he is admitted amongst the politest Company. I wonder we are not more respected.

_Macheath._ There will be deep Play to-night at _Mary-bone_, and consequently Money may be pick'd up upon the Road. Meet me there, and I'll give you the Hint who is worth Setting.

_Matt._ The Fellow with a brown Coat with a narrow Gold Binding, I am told, is never without Money.

_Macheath._ What do you mean, _Matt_? --Sure you will not think of meddling with him! --He's a good honest kind of a Fellow, and one of us.

_Ben._ To be sure, Sir, we will put ourselves under your Direction.

_Macheath._ Have an Eye upon the Money-Lenders. --A _Rouleau_, or two, would prove a pretty sort of an Expedition. I hate Extortion.

_Matt._ Those Rouleaus are very pretty Things. --I hate your Bank Bills.

--There is such a Hazard in putting them off.

_Macheath._ There is a certain Man of Distinction, who in his Time hath nick'd me out of a great deal of the Ready. He is in my Cash, Ben; --I'll point him out to you this Evening, and you shall draw upon him for the Debt. --The Company are met; I hear the Dice-Box in the other Room. So, Gentlemen, your Servant. You'll meet me at _Mary-bone_.

[Ill.u.s.tration]

[Ill.u.s.tration]

SCENE III. _Peachum's_ Lock.

_A Table with Wine, Brandy, Pipes and Tobacco._

_Peachum_, _Lockit_.

_Lockit._ The Coronation Account, Brother _Peachum_, is of so intricate a nature, that I believe it will never be settled.

_Peachum._ It consists indeed of a great Variety of Articles. --It was worth to our People, in Fees of different kinds, above ten Instalments.

--This is part of the Account, Brother, that lies open before us.

_Lockit._ A Lady's Tail of rich Brocade. --that, I see, is dispos'd of.

_Peachum._ To Mrs. _Diana Trapes_, the Tally-Woman, and she will make a good Hand on't in Shoes and Slippers, to trick out young Ladies, upon their going into Keeping.--

_Lockit._ But I don't see any Article of the Jewels.

_Peachum._ Those are so well known that they must be sent abroad-- You'll find them enter'd under the Article of Exportation. --As for the Snuff-Boxes, Watches, Swords, &c. --I thought it best to enter them under their several Heads.

_Lockit._ Seven and twenty Women's Pockets complete; with the several things therein contain'd; all Seal'd, Number'd, and Enter'd.

_Peachum._ But, Brother, it is impossible for us now to enter upon this Affair, --We should have the whole Day before us. --Besides, the Account of the last Half Year's Plate is in a Book by itself, which lies at the other Office.

_Lockit._ Bring us then more Liquor-- To-day shall be for Pleasure-- To-morrow for Business-- Ah, Brother, those Daughters of ours are two slippery Hussies-- Keep a watchful Eye upon _Polly_, and _Macheath_ in a Day or two shall be our own again.

AIR XLIV. Down in the North Country, &c.

[Music]

_Lockit._ What Gudgeons are we Men!

Ev'ry Woman's easy Prey.

Though we have felt the Hook, agen We bite and they betray.

The Bird that hath been trapt, When he hears his calling Mate, To her he flies, again he's clapt Within the wiry Grate.

_Peachum._ But what signifies catching the Bird, if your Daughter _Lucy_ will set open the Door of the Cage?

_Lockit._ If men were answerable for the Follies and Frailties of their Wives and Daughters, no Friends could keep a good Correspondence together for two Days. --This in unkind of you, Brother; for among good Friends, what they say or do goes for nothing.

Enter _a Servant_.

_Servant._ Sir, here's Mrs. _Diana Trapes_ wants to speak with you.

_Peachum._ Shall we admit her, Brother _Lockit_?

_Lockit._ By all means, --She's a good Customer, and a fine-spoken Woman-- And a Woman who drinks and talks so freely, will enliven the Conversation.

_Peachum._ Desire her to walk in. [Exit Servant.

_Peachum_, _Lockit_, Mrs. _Trapes_.

_Peachum._ Dear Mrs. _Dye_, your Servant-- One may know by your Kiss, that your Ginn is excellent.

_Mrs. Trapes._ I was always very curious in my Liquors.

_Lockit._ There is no perfum'd Breath like it-- I have been long acquainted with the Flavour of those Lips-- Han't I, Mrs. _Dye_.