ACT II. SCENE I.

_A TAVERN near _Newgate_._

_Jemmy Twitcher_, _Crook-finger'd Jack_, _Wat Dreary_, _Robin of Bagshot_, _Nimming Ned_, _Henry Paddington_, _Matt of the Mint_, _Ben Budge_, and the rest of the Gang, at the Table, with Wine, Brandy and Tobacco.

_Ben._ But pr'ythee, _Matt_, what is become of thy Brother _Tom_? I have not seen him since my Return from Transportation.

_Matt._ Poor Brother _Tom_ had an Accident this time Twelve-month, and so clever a made fellow he was, that I could not save him from those fleaing Rascals the Surgeons; and now, poor Man, he is among the Otamys at _Surgeons Hall_.

_Ben._ So it seems, his Time was come.

_Jemmy._ But the present Time is ours, and no body alive hath more. Why are the Laws levell'd at us? are we more dishonest than the rest of Mankind? What we win, Gentlemen, is our own by the Law of Arms, and the Right of Conquest.

_Crook._ Where shall we find such another Set of Practical Philosophers, who to a Man are above the Fear of Death?

_Wat._ Sound Men, and true!

_Robin._ Of try'd Courage, and indefatigable Industry!

_Ned._ Who is there here that would not die for his Friend?

_Harry._ Who is there here that would betray him for his Interest?

_Matt._ Shew me a Gang of Courtiers that can say as much.

_Ben._ We are for a just Part.i.tion of the World, for every Man hath a Right to enjoy Life.

_Matt._ We retrench the Superfluities of Mankind. The World is avaritious, and I hate Avarice. A covetous fellow, like a Jackdaw, steals what he was never made to enjoy, for the sake of hiding it. These are the Robbers of Mankind, for Money was made for the Free-hearted and Generous, and where is the Injury of taking from another, what he hath not the Heart to make use of?

_Jemmy._ Our several Stations for the Day are fixt. Good luck attend us all. Fill the Gla.s.ses.

AIR XIX. Fill every Gla.s.s, &c.

[Music]

_Matt._ Fill every Gla.s.s, for Wine inspires us, And fires us With Courage, Love and Joy.

Women and Wine should life employ.

Is there ought else on Earth desirous?

_Chorus._ Fill every Gla.s.s, &c.

_To them enter _Macheath_._

_Macheath._ Gentlemen, well met. My Heart hath been with you this Hour; but an unexpected Affair hath detain'd me. No Ceremony, I beg you.

_Matt._ We were just breaking up to go upon Duty. Am I to have the Honour of taking the Air with you, Sir, this Evening upon the Heath?

I drink a Dram now and then with the Stagecoachmen in the way of Friendship and Intelligence; and I know that about this Time there will be Pa.s.sengers upon the Western Road, who are worth speaking with.

_Macheath._ I was to have been of that Party-- but--

_Matt._ But what, Sir?

_Macheath._ Is there any Man who suspects my Courage?

_Matt._ We have all been Witnesses of it.

_Macheath._ My Honour and Truth to the Gang?

_Matt._ I'll be answerable for it.

_Macheath._ In the Division of our Booty, have I ever shewn the least Marks of Avarice or Injustice?

_Matt._ By these Questions something seems to have ruffled you. Are any of us suspected?

_Macheath._ I have a fixed Confidence, Gentlemen, in you all, as Men of Honour, and as such I value and respect you. _Peachum_ is a Man that is useful to us.

_Matt._ Is he about to play us any foul Play? I'll shoot him through the Head.

_Macheath._ I beg you, Gentlemen, act with Conduct and Discretion.

A Pistol is your last Resort.

_Matt._ He knows nothing of this Meeting.

_Macheath._ Business cannot go on without him. He is a Man who knows the World, and is a necessary Agent to us. We have had a slight Difference, and 'till it is accommodated I shall be oblig'd to keep out of his way.

Any private Dispute of mine shall be of no ill consequence to my Friends. You must continue to act under his Direction, for the moment we break loose from him, our Gang is ruin'd.

_Matt._ As a Bawd to a Wh.o.r.e, I grant you, he is to us of great Convenience.

_Macheath._ Make him believe I have quitted the Gang, which I can never do but with Life. At our private Quarters I will continue to meet you.

A Week or so will probably reconcile us.

_Matt._ Your Instructions shall be observ'd. 'Tis now high time for us to repair to our several Duties; so 'till the Evening at our Quarters in Moor-Fields we bid you farewel.

_Macheath._ I shall wish myself with you. Success attend you.

[Sits down melancholy at the Table.

AIR XX. March in _Rinaldo_, with Drums and Trumpets.

[Music]

_Matt._ Let us take the Road.

Hark! I hear the Sound of Coaches!

The Hour of Attack approaches, To your Arms, brave Boys, and load.

See the Ball I hold!

Let the Chymists toil like a.s.ses, Our Fire their Fire surpa.s.ses, And turns all our Lead to Gold.