PEACHUM. But 'tis your Duty, 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 mean time, 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.
Scene 5.
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 Observation, 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.
A Maid is like the Golden Ore,
Which hath Guineas intrinsical in't,
Whose Worth is never known, before
It is try'd and imprest in the Mint.
A wife's like a Guinea in Gold,
Stampt with the Name of her Spouse;
Now here, now there; is bought, or is sold;
And is current in every House.
Scene 6.
MRS. PEACHUM, FILCH.
MRS. PEACHUM. Come here, Filch. I am as fond of the Child, as though my
Mind misgave me he were my own. He hath as fine a Hand at picking a Pocket
as a Woman, and is as nimble-finger'd as a Juggler.
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