The Beggar’s Opera

But ’tis now high time to look about me for a decent execution against next sessions. I hate a lazy rogue, by whom one can get nothing ’till he is hanged. A register of the gang, reading. Crook-fingered Jack. A year and a half in the service; let me see how much the stock owes to his industry; one, two, three, four, five gold watches, and seven silver ones. A mighty clean-handed fellow! Sixteen snuffboxes, five of them of true gold. Six dozen of handkerchiefs, four silver-hilted swords, half a dozen of shirts, three tye-periwigs, and a piece of broadcloth. Considering these are only the fruits of his leisure hours, I don’t know a prettier fellow, for no man alive hath a more engaging presence of mind upon the road. Wat Dreary, alias Brown Will, an irregular dog, who hath an underhand way of disposing of his goods. I’ll try him only for a sessions or two longer upon his good-behaviour. Harry Paddington, a poor petty-larceny rascal, without the least genius; that fellow, though he were to live these six months, will never come to the gallows with any credit. Slippery Sam; he goes off the next sessions, for the villain hath the impudence to have views of following his trade as a tailor, which he calls an honest employment. Matt of the Mint; listed not above a month ago, a promising sturdy fellow, and diligent in his way; somewhat too bold and hasty, and may raise good contributions on the public, if he does not cut himself short by murder.

Now I’m a wretch, indeed.⁠—Methinks I see him already in the cart, sweeter and more lovely than the nosegay in his hand!⁠—I hear the crowd extolling his resolution and intrepidity!⁠—What vollies of sighs are sent from the windows of Holborn, that so comely a youth should be brought to disgrace!⁠—I see him at the Tree! The whole circle are in tears!⁠—even butchers weep!⁠—Jack Ketch himself hesitates to perform his duty, and would be glad to lose his fee, by a reprieve. What then will become of Polly!⁠—As yet I may inform him of their design, and aid him in his escape.⁠—It shall be so⁠—But then he flies, absents himself, and I bar myself from his dear dear conversation! That too will distract me.⁠—If he keep out of the way, my papa and mama may in time relent, and we may be happy.⁠—If he stays, he is hanged, and then he is lost forever!⁠—He intended to lie concealed in my room, ’till the dusk of the evening: If they are abroad I’ll this instant let him out, lest some accident should prevent him. Exit, and returns with Macheath.

To what a woeful plight have I brought myself! Here must I (all day long, ’till I am hanged) be confined to hear the reproaches of a wench who lays her ruin at my door⁠—I am in the custody of her father, and to be sure, if he knows of the matter, I shall have a fine time on’t betwixt this and my execution.⁠—But I promised the wench marriage⁠—What signifies a promise to a woman? Does not man in marriage itself promise a hundred things that he never means to perform? Do all we can, women will believe us; for they look upon a promise as an excuse for following their own inclinations.⁠—But here comes Lucy, and I cannot get from her.⁠—Wou’d I were deaf!

Enter Lucy.

Lucy

You base man you⁠—how can you look me in the face after what hath passed between us?⁠—See here, perfidious wretch, how I am forced to bear about the load of infamy you have laid upon me⁠—O Macheath! thou hast robbed me of my quiet⁠—to see thee tortured would give me pleasure.

Air XXVI. A lovely lass to a friar came, etc.