The Modes of the Court so common are grown,That a true Friend can hardly be met;Friendship for Interest is but a Loan,Which they let out for what they can get.’Tis true, you findSome Friends so kind,Who will give you good Counsel themselves to defend.In sorrowful Ditty,They promise, they pity,But shift for your Money, from Friend to Friend.
The Modes of the Court so common are grown,
That a true Friend can hardly be met;
Friendship 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 shift 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 atMary-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.—ARouleau, 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 atMary-bone.
line drawing
Lucy Lockit
line drawing
A Table with Wine, Brandy, Pipes and Tobacco.
Peachum,Lockit.
Lockit.The Coronation Account, BrotherPeachum, 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 wholeDay 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 uponPolly, andMacheathin a Day or two shall be our own again.
musical notation
MIDIPDF
Lockit.What Gudgeons are we Men!Ev’ry Woman’s easy Prey.Though we have felt the Hook, agenWe bite and they betray.
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 claptWithin the wiry Grate.
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 DaughterLucywill 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.
Entera Servant.
Servant.Sir, here’s Mrs.Diana Trapeswants to speak with you.
Peachum.Shall we admit her, BrotherLockit?
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.
Mrs. Trapes.Fill it up—I take as large Draughts of Liquor, as I did of Love.—I hate a Flincher in either.
musical notation
MIDIPDF
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 pass,Lip to Lip while we’re young—then the Lip to the Glass,fa, la, &c.
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 pass,
Lip to Lip while we’re young—then the Lip to the Glass,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’totherDay 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 toMary-bonein 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 CaptainMacheath—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 CaptainMacheath.
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.Lockitand I have a little Business withthe Captain;—You understand me—and we will satisfy you for Mrs.Coaxer’sDebt.
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 assist another—But if you please—I’ll take one of the Scarfs home with me. ’Tis always good to have something in Hand.
line drawing
Peachum
line drawing
Lucy.Jealousy, Rage, Love and Fear are at once tearing me to pieces, How I am weather-beaten and shatter’d with Distresses!
musical notation
MIDIPDF
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,ThatPollylies sporting on Seas of Delight!Revenge, Revenge, Revenge,Shall appease my restless Spirit.
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,
ThatPollylies 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 Slut.
EnterFilch.
Filch.Madam, here’s MissPollycome to wait upon you.
Lucy.Show her in.
EnterPolly.
Dear Madam, your Servant.—I hope you will pardon my Passion, 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.
musical notation
MIDIPDF
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.
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, MissPolly—in the way of Friendship, will you give me leave to propose a Glass 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.—AhPolly!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 dearPolly, are exactly alike. Both of us indeed have been too fond.
musical notation
MIDIPDF
Polly.A Curse attend that Woman’s Love,Who always would be pleasing.Lucy.The Pertness of the billing Dove,Like Tickling, is but teazing.Polly.What then in Love can Woman do:Lucy.If we grow fond they shun us.Polly.And when we fly them, they pursue:Lucy.But leave us when they’ve won us.
Polly.
A Curse attend that Woman’s Love,
Who always would be pleasing.
Lucy.
The Pertness of the billing Dove,
Like Tickling, is but teazing.
Polly.
What then in Love can Woman do:
Lucy.
If we grow fond they shun us.
Polly.
And when we fly them, they pursue:
Lucy.
But leave us when they’ve won us.
Lucy.Love is so very whimsical in both Sexes, that it is impossible to be lasting.—But my Heart is particular, and contradicts my own Observation.
Polly.But really, MistressLucy, by his last Behaviour, I think I ought to envy you.—When I was forc’d fromhim, he did not shew the least Tenderness.—But perhaps, he hath a Heart not capable of it.
musical notation
MIDIPDF
Among the Men, Coquettes we find,Who court by turns all Woman-kind;And we grant all their Hearts desir’d,When they are flatter’d, and admir’d.
Among the Men, Coquettes we find,
Who court by turns all Woman-kind;
And we grant all their Hearts desir’d,
When they are flatter’d, and admir’d.
The Coquettes of both Sexes are Self-lovers, and that is a Love no other whatever can dispossess. I hear, my dearLucy, our Husband is one of those.
Lucy.Away with these melancholy Reflections,—indeed, my dearPolly, we are both of us a Cup too low—Let me prevail upon you to accept of my Offer.
musical notation
MIDIPDF
Come, sweet Lass,Let’s banish Sorrow’Till To-morrow;Come, sweet Lass,Let’s take a chirping Glass.Wine can clearThe Vapours of DespairAnd make us light as Air;Then drink, and banish Care.
Come, sweet Lass,
Let’s banish Sorrow
’Till To-morrow;
Come, sweet Lass,
Let’s take a chirping Glass.
Wine can clear
The Vapours of Despair
And make us light as Air;
Then drink, and banish Care.
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.Aside.I shall now soon be even with thehypocryticalStrumpet.Exit.
Polly.All this Wheedling ofLucycannot 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 won’t taste a Drop of her Liquor, I’m resolv’d.
Re-enterLucy, with Strong-Waters.
Lucy.Come, MissPolly.
Polly.Indeed, Child, you have given yourself trouble to no purpose.—You must, my Dear, excuse me.
Lucy.Really, MissPolly, you are as squeamishly affected about taking a Cup of Strong-Waters as a Lady before Company. I vow,Polly, I shall take it monstrously ill if you refuse me.—Brandy and Men (though Women love them ever so well) are always taken by us with some Reluctance—unless ’tis in private.
Polly.I protest, Madam, it goes against me.—Whatdo I see!Macheathagain in Custody!—Now every Glimm’ring of Happiness is lost.
Drops the Glass of Liquor on the Ground.
Lucy.Since things are thus, I’m glad the Wench hath escap’d: for by this Event, ’tis plain, she was not happy enough to deserve to be poison’d.
EnterLockit,Macheath,Peachum.
Lockit.Set your Heart to rest, Captain.—You have neither the Chance of Love or Money for another Escape,—for you are order’d to be call’d down upon your Trial immediately.
Peachum.Away, Hussies!—This is not a Time for a Man to be hamper’d with his Wives.—You see, the Gentleman is in Chains already.
Lucy.O Husband, Husband, my Heart long’d to see thee; but to see thee thus distracts me?
Polly.Will not my dear Husband look upon hisPolly? Why hadst thou not flown to me for Protection? with me thou hadst been safe.
musical notation
MIDIPDF
Polly.Hither, dear Husband, turn your Eyes.Lucy.Bestow one Glance to cheer me.Polly.Think with that Look, thyPollydies.Lucy.O shun me not—but hear me.Polly.’TisPollysues.Lucy.’Tis Polly sues.’TisLucyspeaks.Polly.Is thus true Love requited?Lucy.My Heart is bursting.Polly.My Heart is bursting.Mine too breaks.Lucy.Must IPolly.Must IMust I be slighted?
Polly.
Hither, dear Husband, turn your Eyes.
Lucy.
Bestow one Glance to cheer me.
Polly.
Think with that Look, thyPollydies.
Lucy.
O shun me not—but hear me.
Polly.
’TisPollysues.
Lucy.
’Tis Polly sues.’TisLucyspeaks.
Polly.
Is thus true Love requited?
Lucy.
My Heart is bursting.
Polly.
My Heart is bursting.Mine too breaks.
Lucy.
Must I
Polly.
Must IMust I be slighted?
Macheath.What would you have me say, Ladies?—You see this affair will soon be at an end, without my disobliging either of you.
Peachum.But the settling this Point, Captain, might prevent a Law-Suit between your two Widows.
musical notation
MIDIPDF
Macheath.Which way shall I turn me—How can I decide?Wives, the Day of our Death, are as fond as a Bride.One Wife is too much for most Husbands to hear,But two at a time there’s no mortal can bear.This way, and that way, and which way I will,What would comfort the one, t’ other Wife would take ill.
Macheath.
Which way shall I turn me—How can I decide?
Wives, the Day of our Death, are as fond as a Bride.
One Wife is too much for most Husbands to hear,
But two at a time there’s no mortal can bear.
This way, and that way, and which way I will,
What would comfort the one, t’ other Wife would take ill.
Polly.But if his own Misfortunes have made himinsensible to mine—A Father sure will be more compassionate—Dear, dear Sir, sink the material Evidence, and bring him off at his Trial—Pollyupon her Knees begs it of you.
musical notation
MIDIPDF
When my Heroe in Court appears,And stands arraign’d for his Life;Then think of poorPolly’sTears;For Ah! poorPolly’shis Wife.Like the Sailor he holds up his hand,Distrest on the dashing Wave.To die a dry Death at Land,Is as bad as a watery Grave.And alas, poorPolly!Alack, and well-a-day!Before I was in Love,Oh! every Month wasMay.
When my Heroe in Court appears,
And stands arraign’d for his Life;
Then think of poorPolly’sTears;
For Ah! poorPolly’shis Wife.
Like the Sailor he holds up his hand,
Distrest on the dashing Wave.
To die a dry Death at Land,
Is as bad as a watery Grave.
And alas, poorPolly!
Alack, and well-a-day!
Before I was in Love,
Oh! every Month wasMay.
Lucy.IfPeachum’sHeart is harden’d; sure you, Sir, will have more Compassion on a Daughter.—I know the Evidence is in your Power.—How then can you be a Tyrant to me?Kneeling.
musical notation
MIDIPDF
When he holds up his Hand arraign’d for his Life,O think of your Daughter, and think I’m his Wife!What are Canons, or Bombs, or clashing of Swords?For Death is more certain by Witnesses Words.Then nail up their Lips; that dread Thunder allay;And each Month of my Life will hereafter beMay.
When he holds up his Hand arraign’d for his Life,
O think of your Daughter, and think I’m his Wife!
What are Canons, or Bombs, or clashing of Swords?
For Death is more certain by Witnesses Words.
Then nail up their Lips; that dread Thunder allay;
And each Month of my Life will hereafter beMay.
Lockit.Macheath’sTime is come,Lucy.—We know our own Affairs, therefore let us have no more Whimpering or Whining.
musical notation
MIDIPDF
Ourselves, like the Great, to secure a Retreat,When Matters require it, must give up our Gang:And good reason why,Or, instead of the Fry,Ev’nPeachumand I.Like poor petty Rascals, might hang, hang;Like poor petty Rascals, might hang.
Ourselves, like the Great, to secure a Retreat,
When Matters require it, must give up our Gang:
And good reason why,
Or, instead of the Fry,
Ev’nPeachumand I.
Like poor petty Rascals, might hang, hang;
Like poor petty Rascals, might hang.
Peachum.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 theOld Baily.
musical notation
MIDIPDF
Macheath.The Charge is prepar’d; the Lawyers are met,The Judges all rang’d (a terrible Show!)I go, undismay’d.—For Death is a Debt,A Debt on Demand.—So take what I owe.Then farewell, my Love—Dear Charmers, adieu.Contented I die—’Tis the better for you.Here ends all Disputes the rest of our Lives,For this way at once I please all my Wives.
Macheath.
The Charge is prepar’d; the Lawyers are met,
The Judges all rang’d (a terrible Show!)
I go, undismay’d.—For Death is a Debt,
A Debt on Demand.—So take what I owe.
Then farewell, my Love—Dear Charmers, adieu.
Contented I die—’Tis the better for you.
Here ends all Disputes the rest of our Lives,
For this way at once I please all my Wives.
Now, Gentlemen, I am ready to attend you.
ExeuntMacheath,Lockit, andPeachum.
EnterFilch.
Polly.Follow them,Filch, to the Court. And when the Trial is over, bring me a particular Account of his Behaviour, and of every thing that happen’d—You’ll find me here with MissLucy.ExitFilch.But why is all this Musick?
Lucy.The Prisoners, whose Trials are put off ’till next Session, are diverting themselves.
Polly.Sure there is nothing so charming as Music! I’m fond of it to Distraction!—But alas!—now, all Mirth seems an Insult upon my Affliction.—Let us retire, my dearLucy, and indulge our Sorrows.—The noisy Crew, you see, are coming upon us.
Exeunt.
A Dance of Prisoners in Chains,&c.
line drawing
Lockit
line drawing
Macheath, in a melancholy Posture.
musical notation
MIDIPDF
O cruel, cruel, cruel Case!Must I suffer this Disgrace?
O cruel, cruel, cruel Case!
Must I suffer this Disgrace?
musical notation
MIDIPDF
Of all the Friends in time of Grief,When threatning Death looks grimmer,Not one so sure can bring Relief,As this best Friend, a Brimmer.Drinks.
Of all the Friends in time of Grief,
When threatning Death looks grimmer,
Not one so sure can bring Relief,
As this best Friend, a Brimmer.Drinks.
musical notation
MIDIPDF
Since I must swing,—I scorn, I scorn to wince or whine.Rises.
Since I must swing,—I scorn, I scorn to wince or whine.Rises.
musical notation
MIDIPDF
But now again my Spirits sink;I’ll raise them high with Wine.Drinks a Glass of Wine.
But now again my Spirits sink;
I’ll raise them high with Wine.Drinks a Glass of Wine.
musical notation
MIDIPDF
But Valour the stronger grows,The stronger Liquorwe’erdrinking;And how can we feel our Woes,When we’ve lost the Trouble of Thinking?Drinks.
But Valour the stronger grows,
The stronger Liquorwe’erdrinking;
And how can we feel our Woes,
When we’ve lost the Trouble of Thinking?Drinks.
musical notation
MIDIPDF
If thus—A Man can dieMuch bolder with Brandy.Pours out a Bumper of Brandy.
If thus—A Man can die
Much bolder with Brandy.Pours out a Bumper of Brandy.
musical notation
MIDIPDF
So I drink off this Bumper.—And now I can stand the Test,And my Comrades shall see, that I die as brave as the Best.Drinks.
So I drink off this Bumper.—And now I can stand the Test,
And my Comrades shall see, that I die as brave as the Best.Drinks.
musical notation
MIDIPDF
But can I leave my pretty Hussies,Without one Tear, or tender Sigh?
But can I leave my pretty Hussies,
Without one Tear, or tender Sigh?
musical notation
MIDIPDF
Their Eyes, their Lips, their BussesRecall my Love,—Ah must I die!
Their Eyes, their Lips, their Busses
Recall my Love,—Ah must I die!
musical notation
MIDIPDF
Since Laws were made for ev’ry Degree,To curb Vice in others, as well as me,I wonder we han’t better Company,UponTyburnTree!But Gold from Law can take out the Sting;And if rich Men like us were to swing,’Twou’d thin the Land, such Numbers to stringUponTyburnTree!
Since Laws were made for ev’ry Degree,
To curb Vice in others, as well as me,
I wonder we han’t better Company,
UponTyburnTree!
But Gold from Law can take out the Sting;
And if rich Men like us were to swing,
’Twou’d thin the Land, such Numbers to string
UponTyburnTree!
Jailor.Some Friends of yours, Captain, desire to be admitted—I leave you together.
EnterBen Budge,Matt of the Mint.
Macheath.For my having broke Prison, you see, Gentlemen, I am order’d immediate Execution.—The Sheriff’s Officers, I believe, are now at the Door.—ThatJemmy Twitchershould peach me, I own surpris’d me!—’Tis a plain Proof that the World is all alike, and that even our Gang can no more trust one another than other People. Therefore, I beg you, Gentlemen, look well to yourselves, for in all probability you may live some Months longer.
Matt.We are heartily sorry, Captain, for your Misfortune.—But ’tis what we must all come to.
Macheath.PeachumandLockit, you know, are infamous Scoundrels. Their Lives are as much in your Power, as yours are in theirs.—Remember your dying Friend!—’Tis my last Request.—Bring those Villains to the Gallows before you, and I am satisfied.
Matt.We’ll do’t.
Jailor.MissPollyand MissLucyintreat a Word with you.
Macheath.Gentlemen, adieu.
ExeuntBen BudgeandMatt.
EnterLucyandPolly.
Macheath.My dearLucy—My dearPolly—Whatsoever hath pass’d between us is now at an end—If you are fond of marrying again, the best Advice I can give you, is to Ship yourselves off for theWest-Indies, where you’ll have a fair Chance of getting a Husband a-piece, or by good Luck, two or three, as you like best.
Polly.How can I support this Sight!
Lucy.There is nothing moves one so much as a great Man in Distress.
musical notation
MIDIPDF
Lucy.Would I might be hang’d!Polly.Would I might be hang’d!And I would so too!Lucy.To be hang’d with you.Polly.To be hang’d with you.My Dear, with you.Macheath.O leave me to Thought! I fear! I doubt!I tremble! I droop!—See, my Courage is out.Turns up the empty Bottle.Polly.No Token of Love?Macheath.No Token of Love?See, my Courage is out.Turns up the empty Pot.Lucy.No Token of Love?Polly.No Token of Love?Adieu.Lucy.No Token of Love? Adieu.Farewell.Macheath.But hark! I hear the Toll of the Bell.Chorus.Tol de rol lol,&c.
Lucy.
Would I might be hang’d!
Polly.
Would I might be hang’d!And I would so too!
Lucy.
To be hang’d with you.
Polly.
To be hang’d with you.My Dear, with you.
Macheath.
O leave me to Thought! I fear! I doubt!
I tremble! I droop!—See, my Courage is out.
Turns up the empty Bottle.
Polly.
No Token of Love?
Macheath.
No Token of Love?See, my Courage is out.
Turns up the empty Pot.
Lucy.
No Token of Love?
Polly.
No Token of Love?Adieu.
Lucy.
No Token of Love? Adieu.Farewell.
Macheath.
But hark! I hear the Toll of the Bell.
Chorus.
Tol de rol lol,&c.
Jailor.Four Women more, Captain, with a Child apiece! See, here they come.
Enter Women and Children.
Macheath.What—four Wives more!—This is too much—Here—tell the Sheriff’s Officers I am ready.ExitMacheathguarded.
To them, EnterPlayerandBeggar.
Player.But, honest Friend, I hope you don’t intend thatMacheathshall be really executed.
Beggar.Most certainly, Sir.—To make the Piece perfect, I was for doing strict poetical Justice.—Macheathis to be hang’d; and for the other Personages of the Drama, the Audience must have suppos’d they were all either hang’d or transported.
Player.Why then, Friend, this is a downright deep Tragedy. The Catastrophe is manifestly wrong, for an Opera must end happily.
Beggar.Your Objection, Sir, is very just, and is easily remov’d. For you must allow, that in this kind of Drama, ’tis no matter how absurdly things are brought about—So—you Rabble there—run and cry, A Reprieve!—let the Prisoner be brought back to his Wives in Triumph.
Player.All this we must do, to comply with the Taste of the Town.
Beggar.Through the whole Piece you may observe such a Similitude of Manners in high and low Life, that it is difficult to determine whether (in the fashionable Vices) the fine Gentlemen imitate the Gentlemen of the Road, or the Gentlemen of the Road the fine Gentlemen.—Had the Play remained, as I at first intended, it would have carried a most excellent Moral. ’Twould have shewn that the lower Sort of People have their Vices in a degree as well as the Rich: And that they are punish’d for them.
To them,MacheathwithRabble,&c.
Macheath.So, it seems, I am not left to my Choice, but must have a Wife at last.—Look ye, my Dears, we will have no Controversy now. Let us give this Day to Mirth, and I am sure she who thinks herself my Wife will testify her Joy by a Dance.
All.Come, a Dance—a Dance.
Macheath.Ladies, I hope you will give me leave to present a Partner to each of you. And (if I may without Offence) for this time, I takePollyfor mine.—And for Life, you Slut,—for we were really marry’d.—As for the rest.—But at present keep your own Secret.ToPolly.