Married! If the Affair is not already done, I'll
terrify her from it, by the Example of our Neighbours.
MRS. PEACHUM. May-hap, my Dear, you may injure the Girl. She loves
to imitate the fine Ladies, and she may only allow the Captain
Liberties in the view of Interest.
PEACHUM. But 'tis your Duty, my Dear, to warn the Girl against her
Ruin, and to instruct her how to make the most of her Beauty. I'll
go to her this moment, and sift her. In the meantime, Wife, rip out
the Coronets and Marks of these Dozen of Cambric Handkerchiefs, for I
can dispose of them this Afternoon to a Chap in the City. [Exit
Peachum.]
MRS. PEACHUM. Never was a Man more out of the way in an Argument
than my Husband! Why must our Polly, forsooth, differ from her Sex,
and love only her Husband? And why must Polly's Marriage, contrary
to all Observations, make her the less followed by other Men? All
Men are Thieves in Love, and like a Woman the better for being
another's Property.
AIR V. Of all the simple Things we do, &c.
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