How the Mother is to be pitied who hath handsome Daughters! Locks, Bolts, Bars, and Lectures of Morality are nothing to them: They break through them all. They have as much Pleasure in cheating a Father and Mother, as in cheating at Cards.

PEACHUM. Why, Polly, I shall soon know if you are married, by Macheath's keeping from our House.

 

Air VIII. Grim King of the Ghosts, etc.

 

POLLY.

Can Love be controul'd by Advice?

Will Cupid our Mothers obey?

Though my Heart were as frozen as Ice,

At his Flame 'twould have melted away.

 

When he kist me so closely he prest,

'Twas so sweet that I must have comply'd:

So I thought it both safest and best

To marry, for fear you should chide.

 

MRS PEACHUM. Then all the Hopes of our Family are gone for ever and ever!

PEACHUM. And Macheath may hang his Father and Mother-in-Law, in hope to get into their Daughter's Fortune.

POLLY. I did not marry him (as 'tis the Fashion) cooly and deliberately for Honour or Money. But, I love him.

MRS PEACHUM. Love him! worse and worse! I thought the Girl had been better bred. Oh Husband, Husband! her Folly makes me mad! my Head swims! I'm distracted! I can't support myself – Oh!

 

Faints.

PEACHUM. See, Wench, to what a Condition you have reduc'd your poor Mother! a Glass of Cordial, this instant. How the poor Woman takes it to Heart!

 

Polly goes out, 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 shows 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.

O Polly, you might have toy'd and kist.

By keeping Men off, you keep them on.

POLLY.

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 Woman, 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 your self 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.