<P> Peachum, a fence and thief - catcher, justifies his actions . Mrs Peachum, overhearing her husband's blacklisting of unproductive thieves, protests regarding one of them: Bob Booty (the nickname of Robert Walpole). The Peachums discover that Polly, their daughter, has secretly married Macheath, the famous highwayman, who is Peachum's principal client . Upset to learn they will no longer be able to use Polly in their business, Peachum and his wife ask how Polly will support such a husband "in Gaming, Drinking and Whoring ." Nevertheless, they conclude that the match may be more profitable to the Peachums if the husband can be killed for his money . They leave to carry out this errand . However, Polly has hidden Macheath . </P> <P> Macheath goes to a tavern where he is surrounded by women of dubious virtue who, despite their class, compete in displaying perfect drawing - room manners, although the subject of their conversation is their success in picking pockets and shoplifting . Macheath discovers, too late, that two of them (Jenny Diver, Suky Tawdry) have contracted with Peachum to capture him, and he becomes a prisoner in Newgate prison . The prison is run by Peachum's associate, the corrupt jailer Lockit . His daughter, Lucy Lockit, has the opportunity to scold Macheath for having agreed to marry her and then broken this promise . She tells him that to see him tortured would give her pleasure . Macheath pacifies her, but Polly arrives and claims him as her husband . Macheath tells Lucy that Polly is crazy . Lucy helps Macheath to escape by stealing her father's keys . Her father learns of Macheath's promise to marry her and worries that if Macheath is recaptured and hanged, his fortune might be subject to Peachum's claims . Lockit and Peachum discover Macheath's hiding place . They decide to split his fortune . </P> <P> Meanwhile, Polly visits Lucy to try to reach an agreement, but Lucy tries to poison her . Polly narrowly avoids the poisoned drink, and the two girls find out that Macheath has been recaptured owing to the inebriated Mrs Diana Trapes . They plead with their fathers for Macheath's life . However, Macheath now finds that four more pregnant women each claim him as their husband . He declares that he is ready to be hanged . The narrator (the Beggar), notes that although in a properly moral ending Macheath and the other villains would be hanged, the audience demands a happy ending, and so Macheath is reprieved, and all are invited to a dance of celebration, to celebrate his wedding to Polly . </P> <Ul> <Li> Can Love be control'd by Advice? (Polly, act 1) </Li> <Li> Let us take the Road (Chorus of Highwaymen, act 2) </Li> <Li> When Gold is at hand (Jenny Diver) </Li> <Li> At the Tree I shall suffer (Macheath, act 2) </Li> <Li> How cruel are the Traitors (Lucy, act 2) </Li> <Li> How happy could I be with either (Macheath, act 2) </Li> <Li> In the Days of my Youth (Mrs Diana Trapes, act 3) </Li> <Li> The Charge is prepar'd (Macheath, act 3) </Li> </Ul>

Who gives macheath up to peachum and the constables