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, this is now 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 shows such a Readiness, and so much Concern, that
I could almost find it in my Heart to forgive her.
Air IX.--O Jenny, O Jenny where hast thou been.
O Polly, you might have toy'd and kist.
By keeping Men off, you keep them on.
POLLY.
But he so teaz'd me,
And he so pleas'd me,
What I did, you must have done.
MRS. PEACHUM. Not with a Highwayman.----You sorry Slut!
PEACHUM. A Word with you, Wife. 'Tis no new thing for a Wench to take a
Man without Consent of Parents. You know 'tis the Frailty of Woman, my Dear.
MRS. PEACHUM. Yes, indeed, the Sex is frail. But the first time a Woman
is frail, she should be somewhat nice methinks, for then or never is the
time to make her Fortune. After that, she hath nothing to do but to guard
herself from being found out, and she may do what she pleases.
PEACHUM. Make yourself a little easy; I have a Thought shall soon set all
MAtters again to rights. Why so melancholy, Polly? since what is done
cannot be undone, we must all endeavour to make the best of it.
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