Beggar’s Opera. Tom, Jerry, and Logic, among the Cadgers in the Holy Land.
| Now to keep up the spree, Tom, Jerry, and Logic, Went disguis’d to the Slums in the Holy Land; Through each cribb and each court, they hunted for sport, Till they came to the Beggar’s Opera so nam’d; But sure such a sight they had never set sight on, The quintessence of Tag, Rag, and Bob-tail was there: Outside of the door Black Molly was fighting. And pulling Mahogany Bet by the hair. There was cobblers and tailors, sweeps, cadgers, and sailors, Enough to confound Old Nick with their din; There was bunters, and ranters and radical chaunters, Clubbing their half-pence for quarterns of gin. |
Enter TOM, JERRY, and LOGIC—disguised as Beggars, with Placards on their backs—TOM’S “Burnt Out—lost my little all.”—JERRY’S “Deaf and Dumb.”—LOGIC’S “Thirteen Children.” &c.
Sue. Here they are—I know them in spite of their rags.
Tom. This, my dear Jerry, is a rich page in the book of life, which will save you many a pound, by exposing the imposition of street mendicity.—It almost staggers belief that hypocrisy is so successful, and that the fine feeling of the heart should become so blunted, as to laugh at the humanity of those who step forward to relieve them.
Log. ’Tis the blunt that does it—but stow magging, Tom, or we shall get blown.
Jerry. Tom, here’s a group of blackbeetles—do you see those lovely mendicants?
Tom. Beauty in rags—I do—Cupid imploring charity, I’ll relieve him, for I’ll be after that match-girl directly.
Jerry. And I’ll chant a few words to that beautiful ballad-singer.