Beggar's Opera out of Context

Gaiety and wit from John Gay's most famous work.

[Beggar's Opera out of Context @BeggarsOpera]

Murder is as fashionable a Crime as a Man can be guilty of.

[Beggar's Opera out of Context @BeggarsOpera]

You might sooner tear a Pension out of the Hands of a Courtier, a Fee from a Lawyer, a pretty Woman from a Looking-glass, or any Woman from Quadrille.—But to tear me from thee is impossible!

[Beggar's Opera out of Context @BeggarsOpera]

Then, indeed, we must comply with the Customs of the World, and make Gratitude give way to Interest.

[Beggar's Opera out of Context @BeggarsOpera]

The Turtle thus with plaintive Crying,
Her Lover dying,
The Turtle thus with plaintive Crying,
Laments her Dove.
Down she drops quite spent with Sighing.
Pair’d in Death, as pair’d in Love.

[Beggar's Opera out of Context @BeggarsOpera]

The comfortable Estate of Widow-hood, is the only Hope that keeps up a Wife’s Spirits.

[Beggar's Opera out of Context @BeggarsOpera]

The Lawyers are bitter Enemies to those in our Way. They don’t care that any body should get a clandestine Livelihood but themselves.

[Beggar's Opera out of Context @BeggarsOpera]

But Money, Wife, is the true Fuller’s Earth for Reputations, there is not a Spot or a Stain but what it can take out.

[Beggar's Opera out of Context @BeggarsOpera]

Well, Polly; as far as one Woman can forgive another, I forgive thee.

[Beggar's Opera out of Context @BeggarsOpera]

"I did not marry him (as ’tis the Fashion) coolly and deliberately for Honour or Money. But, I love him."

"Love him! worse and worse! I thought the Girl had been better bred."

[Beggar's Opera out of Context @BeggarsOpera]

Can Love be control’d by Advice?
Will Cupid our Mothers obey?

[Beggar's Opera out of Context @BeggarsOpera]

There are not many Husbands and Wives, who can bear the Charges of plaguing one another in a handsom way.

[Beggar's Opera out of Context @BeggarsOpera]

Had you been hang’d, it would not have vex’d me, for that might have been your Misfortune; but to do such a mad thing by Choice; The Wench is married, Husband.

[Beggar's Opera out of Context @BeggarsOpera]

Our Polly is a sad Slut!

[Beggar's Opera out of Context @BeggarsOpera]

A Woman knows how to be mercenary, though she hath never been in a Court or at an Assembly.

[Beggar's Opera out of Context @BeggarsOpera]

All Men are Thieves in Love, and like a Woman the better for being another’s Property.

[Beggar's Opera out of Context @BeggarsOpera]

If I am in the wrong, my Dear, you must excuse me, for no body can help the Frailty of an over-scrupulous Conscience.

[Beggar's Opera out of Context @BeggarsOpera]

But I’ll away, for ’tis a Pleasure to be the Messenger of Comfort to Friends in Affliction.

[Beggar's Opera out of Context @BeggarsOpera]

There is nothing to be got by the Death of Women—except our Wives.

[Beggar's Opera out of Context @BeggarsOpera]

The Swallow, the Moth, the Bee, the Ship, the Flower, et cetera.

[Beggar's Opera out of Context @BeggarsOpera]

Each Neighbour abuses his Brother;

[Beggar's Opera out of Context @BeggarsOpera]

If Poverty be a Title to Poetry, I am sure no-body can dispute mine.