The Beggar's Opera
The Beggar's Opera
by John Gay
Introduction
BEGGAR, PLAYER.
BEGGAR. If Poverty be a Title to Poetry, I am sure no-body can dispute mine. I own myself of the Company of Beggars; and I make one at their Weekly Festivals at St. Giles's. I have a small Yearly Salary for my Catches, and am welcome to a Dinner there whenever I please, which is more than most Poets can say.
PLAYER. As we live by the Muses, it is but Gratitude in us to encourage Poetical Merit wherever ...