ing it
in Manslaughter, what are they the worse for it? So, my Dear, have done
upon this Subject. Was Captain _Macheath_ here this Morning, for the
Bank-Notes he left with you last Week?

_Mrs. Peachum._ Yes, my Dear; and though the Bank hath stopt Payment, he
was so chearful and so agreeable! Sure there is not a finer Gentleman
upon the Road than the Captain! if he comes from _Bagshot_ at any
reasonable Hour, he hath promis'd to make one this Evening with _Polly_
and me, and _Bob Booty_ at a Party of Quadrille. Pray, my Dear, is the
Captain rich?

_Peachum._ The Captain keeps too good Company ever to grow rich.
_Marybone_ and the Chocolate-houses are his Undoing. The Man that
proposes to get Money by play should have the Education of a fine
Gentleman, and be train'd up to it from his Youth.

_Mrs. Peachum._ Really, I am sorry upon _Polly's_ Account the Captain
hath not more Discretion. What Business hath he to keep Company with
Lords and Gentlemen? he should leave them to prey upon one another.

_Peachum._ Upon _Polly's_ Account! What, a Plague, does the Woman mean?
--Upon _Polly's_ Account!

_Mrs. Peachum._ Captain _Macheath_ is very fond of the Girl.

_Peachum._ And what then?

_Mrs. Peachum._ If I have any Skill in the Ways of Women, I am sure
_Polly_ thinks him a very pretty Man.

_Peachum._ And what then? You would not be so mad to have the Wench
marry him! Gamesters and Highwaymen are generally very good to their
Whores, but they are very Devils to their Wives.

_Mrs. Peachum._ But if _Polly_ should be in Love, how should we help
her, or how can she help herself? Poor Girl, I am in the utmost Concern
about her.

AIR IV. Why is your faithful Slave disdain'd? &c.

[Music]

If Love the Virgin's Heart invade,
How, like a Moth, the simple Maid
Still plays about the Flame!
If soon she be not made a Wife,
Her Honour's sing'd, and then for Life,
She's-- what I dare not name.

_Peachum._ Look ye, Wife. A handsome Wench in our way of Business is as
profitable as at the Bar of a _Temple_ Coffee-House, who looks upon it
as her livelihood to grant every Liberty but one. You see I would
indulge the Girl as far as prudently we can. In any thing, but Marriage!
After that, my Dear, how shall we be safe? Are we not then in her
Husband's Power? For a Husband hath the absolute Power over all a Wife's
Secrets but her own. If the Girl had the Discretion of a Court-Lady, who
can have a Dozen young