achum._ 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 VI. What shall I do to shew how much I love her, &c.

[Music]

Virgins are like the f