Songs from The Beggar’s Opera: Air X—“Thomas, I Cannot”
Act I, Scene viii, Air X—“Thomas, I Cannot,”
Polly. I like a ship in storms was tossed,
Yet afraid to put into land,
For seized in the port the vessel’s lost
Whose treasure is contraband.
The waves are laid,
My duty’s paid;
O joy beyond expression!
Thus safe ashore
I ask no more;
My all is in my possession.
