Among them
is Harry Paddington--"a poor, petty-larceny rascal, without the least
genius; that fellow, though he were to live these six months would never
come to the gallows with any credit--and Tom Tipple, a guzzling, soaking
sot, who is always too drunk to stand, or make others stand. A cart is
absolutely necessary for him." Peachum, and his wife lament over their
daughter Polly's choice of Captain Macheath. There are numerous songs,
such as that of Mrs. Peachum beginning--
"Our Polly is a sad slut! nor heeds what we have taught her,
I wonder any man alive will ever rear a daughter."
Polly, contemplating the possibility of Macheath's being hanged
exclaims--
"Now, I'm a wretch indeed. Methinks, I see him already in the cart,
sweeter and more lovely than the nosegay in his hand! I hear the
crowd extolling his resolution and intrepidity! What volleys of
sighs are sent down from the windows of Holborn, that so comely a
youth should be brought to disgrace. I see him at the tree! the
whole circle are in tears! even butchers weep! Jack Ketch himself
hesitates to perform his duty, and would be glad to lose his fee by
a reprieve. What then will become of Polly?"
To Macheath
Were you sentenced to transportation, sure, my dear, you could not
leave me behind you?
_Mac.
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