rateful
_Macheath_!

AIR XLI. _South-Sea_ Ballad.

[Music]

My Love is all Madness and Folly,
Alone I lie,
Toss, tumble, and cry,
What a happy Creature is _Polly_!
Was e'er such a Wretch as I!
With rage I redden like Scarlet,
That my dear inconstant Varlet,
Stark blind to my Charms,
Is lost in the Arms
Of that Jilt, that inveigling Harlot!
Stark blind to my Charms,
Is lost in the Arms
Of that Jilt, that inveigling Harlot!
This, this my Resentment alarms.

_Lockit._ And so, after all this Mischief, I must stay here to be
entertain'd with your Catterwauling, Mrs. Puss! --Out of my Sight,
wanton Strumpet! you shall fast and mortify yourself into Reason, with
now and then a little handsom Discipline to bring you to your Senses.
--Go. [Exit _Lucy_.

_Peachum_ then intends to outwit me in this Affair; but I'll be even
with him. --The Dog is leaky in his Liquor, so I'll ply him that way,
get the Secret from him, and turn this Affair to my own Advantage.
--Lions, Wolves, and Vultures don't live together in Herds, Droves or
Flocks. --Of all Animals of Prey, Man is the only sociable one. Every
one of us preys upon his Neighbour, and yet we herd together.
--_Peachum_ is my Companion, my Friend. --According to the Custom of the
World, indeed, he may quote thousands of Precedents for cheating me--
And shall not I make use of the Privilege of Friendship to make him a
Return.

AIR XLII. _Packington's_ Pound.

[Music]

Thus Gamesters united in Friendship are found,
Though they know that their Industry all is a Cheat;
They flock to their Prey at the Dice-Box's Sound,
And join to promote one another's Deceit.
But if by mishap
They fail of a Chap,
To keep in their Hands, they each other entrap.
Like Pikes, lank with Hunger, who miss of their Ends,
They bite their Companions, and prey on their Friends.

Now, _Peachum_, you and I, like honest Tradesmen, are to have a fair
Trial which of us two can over-reach the other.

[Illustration]

[Illustration]

SCENE II. _A Gaming-House._

_Macheath_ in a fine tarnish'd Coat, _Ben Budge_, _Matt of the Mint_.

_Macheath._ I am sorry, Gentlemen, the Road was so barren of Money. When
my Friends are in Difficulties, I am always glad that my Fortune can be
serviceable to them. [Gives them Money.] You see, Gentlemen, I am not a
mere Court Friend, who professes every thing and will do nothing.

AIR X