_Peachum._ Your Case, Mr. _Macheath_, is not particular. The greatest Heroes have been ruin'd by Women. But, to do them Justice, I must own they are a pretty sort of Creatures, if we could trust them. You must now, Sir, take your Leave of the Ladies, and if they have a mind to make you a Visit, they will be sure to find you at home. This Gentleman, Ladies, lodges in _Newgate_. Constables, wait upon the Captain to his Lodgings. AIR XXIV. When first I laid Siege to my _Chloris_, &c. [Music] _Macheath._ At the Tree I shall suffer with Pleasure, At the Tree I shall suffer with Pleasure, Let me go where I will, In all kinds of Ill, I shall find no such Furies as these are. _Peachum._ Ladies, I'll take care the Reckoning shall be discharged. [Exit _Macheath_, guarded with _Peachum and Constables_. _Mrs. Vixen._ Look ye, Mrs. _Jenny_, though Mr. _Peachum_ may have made a private Bargain with you and _Suky Tawdry_ for betraying the Captain, as we were all assisting, we ought all to share alike. _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._ Dear Madam-- _Trull._ I would not for the World-- _Mrs. Slammekin._ 'Tis impossible for me-- _Trull._ As I hope to be sav'd, Madam-- _Mrs. Slammekin._ Nay, then I must stay here all Night-- _Trull._ Since you command me. [Exeunt with great Ceremony. [Illustration] [Illustration] SCENE II. _Newgate._ _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.