is at present so employed in the elevated airs of his Opera ...

that I can scarce obtain a categorical answer ...

to anything," Pope wrote to Swift in February, "but the Opera succeeds extremely, to yours and my extreme satisfaction, of which he promises this post to give you a full account."[17] JOHN GAY TO DEAN SWIFT.
Whitehall, February 15th, 1728.
"I have deferred writing to you from time to time, till I could give you an account of 'The Beggar's Opera.' It is acted at the playhouse in Lincoln's Inn Fields with such success that the playhouse has been crowded every night.

To-night is the fifteenth time of acting, and it is thought it will run a fortnight longer.

I have ordered Motte[18] to send the play to you the first opportunity.