ns,
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.

[Music]

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._ Like other Women, Sir, upon the Industry of my Husband.

_Mrs. Peachum._ What, is the Wench turn'd Fool? A Highwayman's Wife,
like a Soldier's, hath as little of his Pay, as of his Company.

_Peachum._ And had not you the common Views of a Gentlewoman in your
Marriage, _Polly_?

_Polly._ I don't know what you mean, Sir.

_Peachum._ Of a Jointure, and of being a Widow.

_Polly._ But I love him, Sir; how then could I have Thoughts of parting
with him?

_Peachum._ Parting with him! Why, this is the whole Scheme and Intention
of all Marriage-Articles. The comfortable Estate of Widow-hood, is the
only Hope that keeps up a Wife's Spirits. Where is the Woman who would
scruple to be a Wife, if she had it in her Power to be a Widow, whenever
she pleas'd? If you have any Views of this sort, _Polly_, I shall think
the Match