Profession. Besides what he hath already, I know he
is in a fair way of getting, or of dying; and both these ways, let me
tell you, are most excellent Chances for a Wife. Tell me, Hussy, are you
ruin'd or no?

_Mrs. Peachum._ With _Polly's_ Fortune, she might very well have gone
off to a Person of Distinction. Yes, that you might, you pouting Slut!

_Peachum._ What is the Wench dumb? Speak, or I'll make you plead by
squeezing out an Answer from you. Are you really bound Wife to him, or
are you only upon liking? [Pinches her.

_Polly._ Oh! [Screaming.

_Mrs. Peachum._ How the Mother is to be pitied who hath handsom
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, &c.

[Music]

_Polly._ Can Love be control'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) coolly 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 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.

[Music]

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