rage, Love and Joy.
Women and Wine should life employ.
Is there ought else on Earth desirous?

_Chorus._ Fill every Glass, &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 Passengers 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 Whore, 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