ther
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 allowed 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 it is time for us to withdraw; the Actors are
preparing to begin. Play away the Overture.

[Exeunt.

OVERTURE

[Illustration]

[Illustration]

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 clothed in Gray, &c.

[Music]

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.

Enter _Filch_.

_Filch._ Sir, _Black Moll_ hath sent word her Trial comes on in the
Afternoon, and she hopes you will order Matters so as to bring her off.

_Peachum._ 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._ _Betty_ hath brought more Goods into our Lock to-year than any
five of the Gang; and in truth, 'tis a pity to lose so good a Customer.

_Peachum._ If none of the Gang take her off, she may, in the common
course of Business, live a Twelve-month longer. I love to let Women
scape. A good Sportsman always lets the Hen Partridges fly, because the
Breed of the Game depends upon them. Besides, here the Law allows us no
Reward; there