The Beggars Opera | Page 6

Ladies, and she may only allow the Captain
Liberties in the view of Interest.
PEACHUM. But 'tis your Duty, my Dear, to warn the Girl against her
Ruin, and to instruct her how to make the most of her Beauty. I'll go to
her this moment, and sift her. In the meantime, Wife, rip out the
Coronets and Marks of these Dozen of Cambric Handkerchiefs, for I
can dispose of them this Afternoon to a Chap in the City. [Exit
Peachum.]
MRS. PEACHUM. Never was a Man more out of the way in an
Argument than my Husband! Why must our Polly, forsooth, differ from
her Sex, and love only her Husband? And why must Polly's Marriage,
contrary to all Observations, make her the less followed by other Men?
All Men are Thieves in Love, and like a Woman the better for being
another's Property.
AIR V. Of all the simple Things we do, &c.
A Maid is like the Golden Ore, Which hath Guineas intrinsical in't,
Whose Worth is never known before It is try'd and imprest in the Mint.
A Wife's like a Guinea in Gold, Stampt with the Name of her Spouse;
Now here, now there; is bought, or is sold; And is current in every
House.
[Enter Filch.]
MRS. PEACHUM. Come hither, Filch. I am as fond of this Child, as
though my Mind misgave me he were my own. He hath as fine a Hand
at picking a Pocket as a Woman, and is as nimble-finger'd as a Juggler.
If an unlucky Session does not cut the Rope of thy Life, I pronounce,
Boy, thou wilt be a great Man in History. Where was your Post last
Night, my Boy?
FILCH. I ply'd at the Opera, Madam; and considering 'twas neither

dark nor rainy, so that there was no great Hurry in getting Chairs and
Coaches, made a tolerable Hand on't. These seven Handkerchiefs,
Madam.
MRS. PEACHUM. Colour'd ones, I see. They are of sure Sale from our
Warehouse at Redriff among the Seamen.
FILCH. And this Snuff-box.
MRS. PEACHUM. Set in Gold! A pretty Encouragement this to a
young Beginner.
FILCH. I had a fair Tug at a charming Gold Watch. Pox take the
Tailors for making the Fobs so deep and narrow! It stuck by the way,
and I was forc'd to make my Escape under a Coach. Really, Madam, I
fear I shall be cut off in the Flower of my Youth, so that every now and
then (since I was pumpt) I have Thoughts of taking up and going to
Sea.
MRS. PEACHUM. You should go to Hockley in the Hole, and to
Marybone, Child, to learn Valour. These are the Schools that have bred
so many brave Men. I thought, Boy, by this time, thou hadst lost Fear
as well as Shame. Poor Lad! how little does he know as yet of the Old
Baily! For the first Fact I'll insure thee from being hang'd; and going to
Sea, Filch, will come time enough upon a Sentence of Transportation.
But now, since you have nothing better to do, ev'n go to your Book,
and learn your Catechism; for really a Man makes but an ill Figure in
the Ordinary's Paper, who cannot give a satisfactory Answer to his
Questions. But, hark you, my Lad. Don't tell me a Lye; for you know I
hate a Liar. Do you know of anything that hath pass'd between Captain
Macheath and our Polly?
FILCH. I beg you, Madam, don't ask me; for I must either tell a Lye to
you or to Miss Polly; for I promis'd her I would not tell.
MRS. PEACHUM. But when the Honour of our Family is concern'd -
FILCH. I shall lead a sad Life with Miss Polly, if ever she comes to
know that I told you. Besides, I would not willingly forfeit my own
Honour by betraying any body.
MRS. PEACHUM. Yonder comes my Husband and Polly. Come, Filch,
you shall go with me into my own Room, and tell me the whole Story.
I'll give thee a Glass of a most delicious Cordial that I keep for my own
drinking.
[Exeunt.]

[Enter Peachum, Polly.]
POLLY. I know as well as any of the fine Ladies how to make the most
of myself and of my Man too. A Woman knows how to be mercenary,
though she hath never been in a Court or at an Assembly. We have it in
our Natures, Papa. If I allow Captain Macheath some trifling Liberties,
I have this Watch and other visible Marks of his Favour to shew for it.
A Girl who cannot grant some Things, and refuse what is most material,
will make but a poor hand of her Beauty, and soon be thrown upon the
Common.
AIR