_Peachum_. But, Brother, it is impossible for us now to enter upon this Affair,—We should have the whole Day before us.—Besides, the Account of the last Half Year’s Plate is in a Book by itself, which lies at the other Office. _Lockit_. Bring us then more Liquor—To-day shall be for Pleasure—To-morrow for Business—Ah, Brother, those Daughters of ours are two slippery Hussies—Keep a watchful Eye upon _Polly_, and _Macheath_ in a Day or two shall be our own again. AIR XLIV. Down in the North Country, &c. Lockit. _What Gudgeons are we Men_! _Ev’ry Woman’s easy Prey_. _Though we have felt the Hook_, _agen_ _We bite and they betray_. _The Bird that hath been trapt_, _When he hears his calling Mate_, _To her he flies_, _again he’s clapt_ _Within the wiry Grate_. _Peachum_. But what signifies catching the Bird, if your Daughter _Lucy_ will set open the Door of the Cage? _Lockit_. If men were answerable for the Follies and Frailties of their Wives and Daughters, no Friends could keep a good Correspondence together for two Days.—This in unkind of you, Brother; for among good Friends, what they say or do goes for nothing. _Enter a Servant_. _Servant_. Sir, here’s Mrs. _Diana Trapes_ wants to speak with you. _Peachum_. Shall we admit her, Brother _Lockit_? _Lockit_. By all means,—She’s a good Customer, and a fine-spoken Woman—And a Woman who drinks and talks so freely, will enliven the Conversation. _Peachum_. Desire her to walk in. [_Exit Servant_. Peachum, Lockit, _Mrs._ Trapes. _Peachum_. Dear Mrs. _Dye_, your Servant—One may know by your Kiss, that your Ginn is excellent. _Mrs. Trapes_. I was always very curious in my Liquors. _Lockit_. There is no perfum’d Breath like it—I have been long acquainted with the Flavour of those Lips—Han’t I, Mrs. _Dye_. _Mrs. Trapes_. Fill it up—I take as large Draughts of Liquor, as I did of Love.—I hate a Flincher in either. AIR XLV. A Shepherd kept Sheep, &c. _In the Days of my Youth I could bill like a Dove_, fa, la, la, &c. _Like a Sparrow at all times was ready for Love_, fa, la, la, &c. _The Life of all Mortals in Kissing should pass_, _Lip to Lip while we’re young_—_then the Lip to the Glass_, fa, la, &c. But now, Mr. _Peachum_, to our Business.—If you have Blacks of any kind, brought in of late; Mantoes—Velvet Scarfs—Petticoats—Let it be what it will—I am your Chap—for all my Ladies are very fond of Mourning. _Peachum_. Why, look ye, Mrs. _Dye_—you deal so hard with us, that we can afford to give the Gentlemen, who venture their Lives for the Goods, little or nothing.