Languages & literature > Beggar's opera

26 THE BEGGAR’S OPERA.
bridge till Tuefday night j fo that it cannot be had till
then.
SCENE IX.
PEACHUM, MRIS PEACHUM.
PEACHUM.
Dear wife, be a little pacified. Don’t let your paffion
run away with your fenfes. Polly, I grant you, hath
done a ralh thing.
MRIS PEACHUM.
If flie had had only an intrigue with the fellow, why
the very belt families have excufed and huddled up a frail¬
ty of that-fort. ’Tis marriage, husband, that makes it a
blemilh.
PEACHUHt.
But money, wife, is the true fuller’s earth for repu¬
tations ; there is not a fpot or (lain but what it-can take
out. A rich rogue novv-a-days is fit company for any
gentleman ; and the world, my dear, hath not fuch a
contempt for roguery as you imagine. I tell you, wife,
I can make this match turn to our advantage.
MRIS PEACHUM.
I am very fenfible, hufband, that captain Macheath is
worth money ; but l am in doubt whether he hath not
two or three wives already; and then if he (hould die in
a feffion or two, Polly’s dower would come into difpute.
PEACHUM.
That indeed is a point which ought to be confidered,
AIR XI. A foldier and a failor.
A fox may Jleal your hens. Sir,
A whore your health and pence. Sir,
Tour daughter rob your cheft. Sir,
Tour wife may ft cal your rejl. Sir,
A thief your goods and plate.