The Beggar's Opera :: :: University of Virginia Library

In the Days of my Youth I could bill like a Dove, fa, la la, &c.
Like a Sparrow at all times was ready for Love, fa, la la, &c.
The Life of all Mortals in Kissing should pass,
Lip to Lip while we're young—then the Lip to the Glass, fa, la la, &c.

But now, Mr. Peachum, to our Business.—If you have Blacks of any kind, brought in of late; Mantoes95—Velvet Scarfs—Petticoats—Let it be what it will—I am your Chap—for all my Ladies are very fond of Mourning.

PEACHUM.

Why, look ye, Mrs. Dye—you deal so hard with us, that we can afford to give the Gentlemen, who venture their Lives for the Goods, little or nothing.

TRAPES.

The hard Times oblige me to go very near in my Dealing.—To be sure, of late Years I have been a great Sufferer by the Parliament.—Three thousand Pounds would hardly make me amends.—The Act for destroying the Mint96, was a severe Cut upon our Business—'Till then, if a Customer stept out of the way—we knew where to have her—No doubt you know Mrs. Coaxer—there's a Wench now ('till to-day) with a good Suit of Clothes of mine upon her Back, and I could never set eyes upon her for three Months together.—Since the Act too against Imprisonment for small Sums97, my Loss there too hath been very considerable, and it must be so, when a Lady can borrow a handsome Petticoat, or a clean Gown, and I not have the least Hank upon her! And, o' my Conscience, now-a-days most Ladies take a Delight in cheating, when they can do it with Safety.

PEACHUM.

Madam, you have had a handsome Gold Watch of us t'other Day for seven Guineas.—Considering we must have our Profit—To a Gentleman upon the Road, a Gold Watch will be scarce worth the taking.

TRAPES.

Consider, Mr. Peachum, that Watch was remarkable, and not of very safe Sale.—If you have any black Velvet Scarfs—they are a handsome Winter-wear, and take with most Gentlemen who deal with my Customers.— 'Tis I that put the Ladies upon a good Foot. 'Tis not Youth or Beauty that fixes their Price. The Gentlemen always pay according to their Dress, from half a Crown98 to two Guineas; and yet those Hussies make nothing of their bilking of me.—Then too, allowing for Accidents99.—I have eleven fine Customers now down under the Surgeon's Hands—What with Fees and other Expenses, there are great Goings-out and no Comings in, and not a Farthing100 to pay for at least a Month's Clothing.—We run great Risques—great Risques indeed.

PEACHUM.

As I remember, you said something just now of Mrs. Coaxer.

TRAPES.

Yes, Sir.—To be sure I stript her of a Suit of my own Clothes about two Hours ago; and have left her as she should be, in her Shift, with a Lover of hers at my House. She call'd him up Stairs, as he was going to MAry-bone in a Hackney Coach101.—And I hope, for her own sake and mine, she will persuade the Captain to redeem her, for the Captain is very generous to the Ladies.

LOCKIT.

What Captain?

TRAPES.

He thought I did not know him—an intimate Acquaintance of yours, Mr. Peachum—Only Captain Macheath—as fine as a Lord.

PEACHUM.

To-morrow, Mrs. Dye, you shall set your own Price upon any of the Goods you like—We have at least half a Dozen Velvet Scarfs, and all at your Service. Will you give me leave to make you a Present of the Suit of Night-clothes for your own wearing?—But are you sure it is Captain MAcheath.

TRAPES.

Though he thinks I have forgotten him; no body knows him better. I have taken a great deal of the Captain's Money in my Time at second-hand, for he always lov'd to have his ladies well drest.

PEACHUM.

Mr. Lockit and I have a little Business with the Captain;—You understand me—and we will satisfy you for Mrs. Coaxer's Debt.

LOCKIT.

Depend upon it—We will deal like Men of Honour.

TRAPES.

I don't enquire after your Affairs—so whatever happens, I wash my hands on't—It hath always been my Maxim, that one Friend should assist another—But if you please—I'll take one of the Scarfs home with me. 'Tis always good to have something in Hand.