AIR VIII. Grim King of the Ghosts, &c. [Music] _Polly._ Can Love be control'd by Advice? Will _Cupid_ our Mothers obey? Though my Heart were as frozen as Ice, At his Flame 'twould have melted away. When he kist me so closely he prest, 'Twas so sweet that I must have comply'd: So I thought it both safest and best To marry, for fear you should chide. _Mrs. Peachum._ Then all the Hopes of our Family are gone for ever and ever! _Peachum._ And _Macheath_ may hang his Father and Mother-in-law, in hope to get into their Daughter's Fortune. _Polly._ I did not marry him (as 'tis the Fashion) coolly and deliberately for Honour or Money. But, I love him. _Mrs. Peachum._ Love him! worse and worse! I thought the Girl had been better bred. Oh Husband, Husband! her Folly makes me mad! my Head swims! I'm distracted! I can't support myself-- Oh! [Faints. _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, now this is 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 shews such a Readiness, and so much Concern, that I could almost find in my Heart to forgive her. AIR IX. O _Jenny_, O _Jenny_, where hast thou been. [Music] 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 Man without Consent of Parents. You know 'tis the Frailty of Women, 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. _Mrs. Peachum._ Well, _Polly_; as far as one Woman can forgive another, I forgive thee. --Your Father is too fond of you, Hussy. _Polly._ Then all my Sorrows are at an end. _Mrs. Peachum._ A mighty likely Speech in troth, for a Wench who is just married! AIR X. _Thomas_, I cannot, &c. [Music] _Polly._ I, like a Ship in Storms, was tost; Yet afraid to put in to Land: For seiz'd in the Port the Vessel's lost, Whose Treasure is contreband. The Waves are laid, My Duty's paid. O Joy beyond Expression! Thus, safe a-shore, I ask no more, My All is in my Possession.