Lye; for you know I hate a Liar. Do you know of anything that hath
pass'd between Captain Macheath and our Polly?

FILCH. I beg you, Madam, don't ask me; for I must either tell a Lye
to you or to Miss Polly; for I promis'd her I would not tell.

MRS. PEACHUM. But when the Honour of our Family is concern'd -

FILCH. I shall lead a sad Life with Miss Polly, if ever she comes to
know that I told you. Besides, I would not willingly forfeit my own
Honour by betraying any body.

MRS. PEACHUM. Yonder comes my Husband and Polly. Come, Filch, you
shall go with me into my own Room, and tell me the whole Story. I'll
give thee a Glass of a most delicious Cordial that I keep for my own
drinking.

[Exeunt.]

[Enter Peachum, Polly.]

POLLY. I know as well as any of the fine Ladies how to make the most
of myself and of my Man too. A Woman knows how to be mercenary,
though she hath never been in a Court or at an Assembly. We have it
in our Natures, Papa. If I allow Captain Macheath some trifling
Liberties, I have this Watch and other visible Marks of his Favour to
shew for it. A Girl who cannot grant some Things, and refuse what is
most material, will make but a poor hand of her Beauty, and soon be
thrown upon the Common.