The Beggars Opera | Page 8

and returns with it.]
Ah, Hussy, now this is the only Comfort your Mother has left!
POLLY. Give her another Glass, Sir! my Mama drinks double the
Quantity whenever she is out of Order. This, you see, fetches her.
MRS. PEACHUM. The Girl shews such a Readiness, and so much
Concern, that I could almost find in my Heart to forgive her.
AIR IX. O Jenny, O Jenny, where hast thou been.
POLLY. O Polly, you might have toy'd and kist. By keeping Men off,
you keep them on. But he so teaz'd me, And he so pleas'd me, What I
did, you must have done.
MRS. PEACHUM. Not with a Highwayman.--You sorry Slut!
PEACHUM. A Word with you, Wife. 'Tis no new thing for a Wench to
take Man without Consent of Parents. You know 'tis the Frailty of
Women, my Dear.
MRS. PEACHUM. Yes, indeed, the Sex is frail. But the first time a
Woman is frail, she should be somewhat nice methinks, for then or
never is the time to make her Fortune. After that, she hath nothing to do
but to guard herself from being found out, and she may do what she
pleases.
PEACHUM. Make yourself a little easy; I have a Thought shall soon
set all Matters again to rights. Why so melancholy, Polly? since what is
done cannot be undone, we must all endeavour to make the best of it.
MRS. PEACHUM. Well, Polly; as far as one Woman can forgive
another, I forgive thee.--Your Father is too fond of you, Hussy.
POLLY. Then all my Sorrows are at an end.
MRS. PEACHUM. A mighty likely Speech in troth, for a Wench who
is just married!
AIR X. Thomas, I cannot, &c.
POLLY. I, like a Ship in Storms, was tost; Yet afraid to put in to Land:

For seiz'd in the Port the Vessel's lost, Whose Treasure is contreband.
The Waves are laid, My Duty's paid. O Joy beyond Expression! Thus,
safe a-shore, I ask no more, My All is in my Possession.
PEACHUM. I hear Customers in t'other Room: Go, talk with 'em, Polly;
but come to us again, as soon as they are gone.--But, hark ye, Child, if
'tis the Gentleman who was here Yesterday about the Repeating Watch;
say, you believe we can't get Intelligence of it 'till to-morrow. For I lent
it to Suky Straddle, to make a figure with it to-night at a Tavern in
Drury-Lane. If t'other Gentleman calls for the Silver-hilted Sword; you
know Beetle-brow'd Jemmy hath it on, and he doth not come from
Tunbridge 'till Tuesday Night; so that it cannot be had 'till then.
[Exit Polly.]
PEACHUM. Dear Wife, be a little pacified, Don't let your Passion run
away with your Senses. Polly, I grant you, hath done a rash thing.
MRS. PEACHUM. If she had only an Intrigue with the Fellow, why
the very best Families have excus'd and huddled up a Frailty of that sort.
'Tis Marriage, Husband, that makes it a Blemish.
PEACHUM. But Money, Wife, is the true Fuller's Earth for
Reputations, there is not a Spot or a Stain but what it can take out. A
rich Rogue now-a-days is fit Company for any Gentleman; and the
World, my Dear, hath not such a Contempt for Roguery as you imagine.
I tell you, Wife, I can make this Match turn to our Advantage.
MRS. PEACHUM. I am very sensible, Husband, that Captain
Macheath is worth Money, but I am in doubt whether he hath not two
or three Wives already, and then if he should die in a Session or two,
Polly's Dower would come into Dispute.
PEACHUM. That, indeed, is a Point which ought to be consider'd.
AIR XI. A Soldier and a Sailor.
A Fox may steal your Hens, Sir, A Whore your Health and Pence, Sir,
Your Daughter rob your Chest, Sir, Your Wife may steal your Rest, Sir.
A Thief your Goods and Plate. But this is all but picking, With Rest,
Pence, Chest and Chicken; It ever was decreed, Sir, If Lawyer's Hand is
fee'd, Sir, He steals your whole Estate.
The Lawyers are bitter Enemies to those in our Way. They don't care
that any body should get a clandestine Livelihood but themselves.
[Enter Polly.]
POLLY. 'Twas only Nimming Ned. He brought in a Damask Window-

Curtain, a Hoop-Petticoat, a pair of Silver Candlesticks, a Periwig, and
one Silk Stocking, from the Fire that happen'd last Night.
PEACHUM. There is not a Fellow that is cleverer in his way, and saves
more Goods out of the Fire than Ned. But now, Polly, to your Affair;
for Matters must not be left as they are. You are married then, it seems?
POLLY. Yes, Sir.
PEACHUM. And how do you propose to live, Child?
POLLY.