not so very unreasonable.

_Polly._ How I dread to hear your Advice! Yet I must beg you to explain
yourself.

_Peachum._ Secure what he hath got, have him peach'd the next Sessions,
and then at once you are made a rich Widow.

_Polly._ What, murder the Man I love! The Blood runs cold at my Heart
with the very thought of it.

_Peachum._ Fie, _Polly_! What hath Murder to do in the Affair? Since the
thing sooner or later must happen, I dare say, the Captain himself would
like that we should get the Reward for his Death sooner than a Stranger.
Why, _Polly_, the Captain knows, that as 'tis his Employment to rob, so
'tis ours to take Robbers; every Man in his Business. So that there is
no Malice in the Case.

_Mrs. Peachum._ Ay, Husband, now you have nick'd the Matter. To have him
peach'd is the only thing could ever make me forgive her.

AIR XII. Now ponder well, ye Parents dear.

[Music]

_Polly._ O ponder well! be not severe;
So save a wretched Wife!
For on the Rope that hangs my Dear
Depends poor _Polly's_ Life.

_Mrs. Peachum._ But your Duty to your Parents, Hussy, obliges you to
hang him. What would many a Wife give for such an Opportunity!

_Polly._ What is a Jointure, what is Widow-hood to me? I know my Heart.
I cannot survive him.

AIR XIII. Le printems rapelle aux armes.

[Music]

The Turtle thus with plaintive Crying,
Her Lover dying,
The Turtle thus with plaintive Crying,
Laments her Dove.
Down she drops quite spent with Sighing.
Pair'd in Death, as pair'd in Love.

Thus, Sir, it will happen to your poor _Polly_.

_Mrs. Peachum._ What, is the Fool in Love in earnest then? I hate thee
for being particular: Why, Wench, thou art a Shame to thy very Sex.

_Polly._ But hear me, Mother. --If you ever lov'd--

_Mrs. Peachum._ Those cursed Play-Books she reads have been her Ruin.
One Word more, Hussy, and I shall knock your Brains out, if you have
any.

_Peachum._ Keep out of the way, _Polly_, for fear of Mischief, and
consider of what is proposed to you.

_Mrs. Peachum._ Away, Hussy. Hang your Husband, and be dutiful.

[Exit _Polly_.

Re-enter _Polly_, and listens behind column.

_Mrs. Peachum._ The Thing, Husband, must and shall be done. For the sake
of Intelligence we must take other measures, and have him peached the
next Session without her Consent. If she will not know her Duty, we know
ours.

_Peachum._ But really, my Dear, it grieves one