The Beggar's Opera
Gay, John
The Beggar's Opera
John Gay
The Beggar's Opera
Nos haec novimus esse nihil.
Martial.
Dramatis Personae
Men
Peachum
Lockit
Macheath
Filch
Jemmy Twitcher
Crook-Finger'd Jack
Wat Dreary
Robin of Bagshot
Nimming Ned
Harry Padington
Matt of the Mint
Ben Budge, Macheath's Gang
Beggar
Player
Drawer, Harper, Servant, Jailor, Other Members of Macheath's Gang, Constables, Turnkeys, Prisoners, Rabble
Women
Mrs Peachum
Polly Peachum
Lucy Lockit
Diana Trapes
Mrs Coaxer
Dolly Trull
Mrs Vixen
Betty Doxy
Jenny Diver
Mrs Slammekin
Suky Tawdry
Molly Brazen, Women of the Town
Four Women and Children
Introduction
Beggar. Player.
BEGGAR. If Poverty be a Title to Poetry, I am sure No-body can dispute mine. I own myself of the Company of Beggars; and I make one at their Weekly Festivals at St. Giles's. I have a small Yearly Salary for my Catches, and am welcome to a Dinner there whenever I please, which is more than most Poets can say.
PLAYER. As we live by the Muses, 'tis but Gratitude in us to encourage Poetical Merit where-ever we find it. The Muses, contrary to all other Ladies, pay no Distinction to Dress, and never partially mistake the Pertness of Embroidery for Wit, nor the Modesty of Want for Dulness. Be the Author who he will, we push his Play as far as it will go. So (though you are in Want) I wish you Success heartily.
BEGGAR. This Piece I own was originally writ for the celebrating the Marriage of James Chanter and Moll Lay, two most excellent Ballad-Singers. I have introduc'd the Similes that are in all your celebrated Operas: The Swallow, the Moth, the Bee, the Ship, the Flower, etc. Besides, I have a Prison Scene which the Ladies always reckon charmingly pathetick. As to the Parts, I have observ'd such a nice Impartiality to our two Ladies, that it is impossible for either of them to take Offence. I hope I may be forgiven, that I have not made my Opera throughout unnatural, like those in vogue; for I have no Recitative: Excepting this, as I have consented to have neither Prologue nor Epilogue, it must be allow'd an Opera in all its forms. The Piece indeed hath been heretofore frequently represented by ourselves in our great Room at St. Giles's, so that I cannot too often acknowledge your Charity in bringing it now on the Stage.
PLAYER. But I see 'tis time for us to withdraw; the Actors are preparing to begin. Play away the Overture.
Exeunt.
Act I
Scene I
Scene Peachum's House.
Peachum sitting at a Table with a large Book of Accounts before him.
Air I. An old Woman cloathed in Gray, etc.
Through all the Employments of Life
Each Neighbour abuses his Brother;
Whore and Rogue they call Husband and Wife:
All Professions be-rogue one another.
The Priest calls the Lawyer a Cheat,
The Lawyer be-knaves the Divine;
And the Statesman, because he's so great,
Thinks his Trade as honest as mine.
A Lawyer is an honest Employment, so is mine. Like me too he acts in a double Capacity, both against Rogues and for 'em; for 'tis but fitting that we should protect and encourage Cheats, since we live by them.
Scene II
Peachum, Filch.
FILCH. Sir, Black Moll hath sent word her Tryal comes on in the Afternoon, and she hopes you will order Matters so as to bring her off.
PEACHUM. Why, she may plead her Belly at worst; to my Knowledge she hath taken care of that Security. But as the Wench is very active and industrious, you may satisfy her that I'll soften the Evidence.
FILCH. Tom Gagg, Sir, is found guilty.
PEACHUM. A lazy Dog! When I took him the time before, I told him what he would come to if he did not mend his Hand. This is Death without Reprieve. I may venture to Book him. writes For Tom Gagg, forty Pounds. Let Betty Sly know that I'll save her from Transportation, for I can get more by her staying in England.
FILCH.
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