_Mrs. Coaxer_. I think Mr. _Peachum_, after so long an Acquaintance, might have trusted me as well as _Jenny Diver_.
_Mrs. Slammekin_. I am sure at least three Men of his hanging, and in a Year’s time too (if he did me Justice) should be set down to my Account.
_Trull_. Mrs. _Slammekin_, that is not fair. For you know one of them was taken in Bed with me.
_Jenny_. As far as a Bowl of Punch or a Treat, I believe Mrs. _Suky_ will join with me.—As for any thing else, Ladies, you cannot in Conscience expect it.
_Mrs. Slammekin_. ’Tis impossible for me—
_Mrs. Slammekin_. Nay, then I must stay here all Night—
Lockit, _Turnkeys_, Macheath, _Constables_.
_Lockit_. Noble Captain, you are welcome. You have not been a Lodger of mine this Year and half. You know the Custom, Sir. Garnish, Captain, Garnish. Hand me down those Fetters there.
_Macheath_. Those, Mr. _Lockit_, seem to be the heaviest of the whole Set. With your Leave, I should like the further Pair better.
_Lockit_. Look ye, Captain, we know what is fittest for our Prisoners. When a Gentleman uses me with Civility, I always do the best I can to please him.—Hand them down I say.—We have them of all Prices, from one Guinea to ten, and ’tis fitting every Gentleman should please himself.
_Macheath_. I understand you, Sir. [_Gives Money_.] The Fees here are so many, and so exorbitant, that few Fortunes can bear the Expence of getting off handsomly, or of dying like a Gentleman.
_Lockit_. Those, I see, will fit the Captain better—Take down the further Pair. Do but examine them, Sir.—Never was better work. How genteely they are made!—They will fit as easy as a Glove, and the nicest Man in _England_ might not be asham’d to wear them. [_He puts on the Chains_.] If I had the best Gentleman in the Land in my Custody I could not equip him more handsomly. And so, Sir—I now leave you to your private Meditations.
AIR XXV. Courtiers, Courtiers, think it no Harm, &c.
_Man may escape from Rope and Gun_; _Nay_, _some have out liv’d the Doctor’s Pill_; _Who takes a Woman must be undone_, _That Basilisk is sure to kill_. _The Fly that sips Treacle is lost in the Sweets_, _So he that tastes Woman_, _Woman_, _Woman_, _He that tastes Woman_, _ruin meets_.
