Produced by Louise Hope [Transcriber's Note: This e-text is based on the same printed edition as Project Gutenberg e-text 2421. Readers who prefer a "cleaner", less cluttered-looking text file may choose to use that version instead. The "music" directory associated with the html version of this text includes pdf and midi (sound) files for all Airs. More information is at the end of this e-text.] THE BEGGAR'S OPERA [Illustration] The BEGGAR'S OPERA. WRITTEN by Mr. _GAY_. To which is Prefixed the MUSICK to each SONG. [Decoration] _Nos haec novimus esse nihil._ --MART. LONDON: William Heinemann 1921 _To J. G. and to G. L. F., without whom I should have been powerless, do I dedicate my share in this book. C. L. F._ _Note.-- The Text here given is taken from the edition of 1765. The scenes have been re-numbered in the modern method denoting actual changes of place or intervals of time._ _First published September 1921_ _New Impression October 1921_ LIST OF THE PLATES I. THE BEGGAR Frontispiece II. MRS. PEACHUM To face page 6 III. POLLY PEACHUM " 18 IV. SCENE: A TAVERN NEAR NEWGATE " 28 V. CAPTAIN MACHEATH " 40 VI. LUCY LOCKIT " 56 VII. PEACHUM " 70 VIII. LOCKIT " 82 CLAUD LOVAT FRASER That when I die this word may stand for me-- He had a heart to praise, an eye to see, And beauty was his king. Dead at the age of thirty-one after a sudden operation, Claud Lovat Fraser was as surely a victim of the war as though he had fallen in action. He was full of vigour for his work, but shell-shock had left him with a heart that could not stand a strain of this kind, and all his own fine courage could not help the surgeons in a losing fight. We are not sorry for him--we learn that, not to be sorry for the dead. But for ourselves? This terror is always so fresh, so unexampled. I had telephoned to him to ask whether he would help me in a certain theatrical enterprise. I was told by his servant that he was ill, but one hears these things so often that one gave but little thought to it beyond sending a telegram asking for news; and now this. Personal griefs are of no public interest, but here is as sad a public loss as has befallen us, if the world can measure truly, in our generation.