 | The Beggar's Opera |  |
Scene 11.
LOCKIT, LUCY.LOCKIT.
Whence come you, Hussy?
LUCY.
My Tears might answer that Question.
LOCKIT.
You have then been whimpering and fondling, like a Spaniel, over that Fellow that hath abus'd you.
LUCY.
One can't help Love; one can't cure it. 'Tis not in my Power to obey you, and hate him.
LOCKIT.
Learn to bear your Husband's Death like a reasonable Woman. 'Tis not the fashion now-a-days, so much as to affect Sorrow upon these Occasions. No Woman would ever marry, if she had not the Chance of Mortality for a Release. Act like a Woman of Spirit, Hussy, and thank your Father for what he is doing.
LUCY.
Air XXXI.—Of a noble Race was Shenkin.
Is then his fate decreed, Sir?Such a Man can I think of quitting?
When first we met, so moves me yet,
See how my heart is splitting!
LOCKIT.
Look ye, Lucy—There is no saving him—So, I think, you must ev'n do like other Widows—buy yourself Weeds79, and be cheerful.
Air XXXII.
You'll think ere many Days ensueThis Sentence not severe;
I hang your Husband, Child, 'tis true,
But with him hang your Care.
Twang dang dillo dee.
Like a good Wife, go moan over your dying Husband. That, Child, is your Duty—Consider, Girl, you can't have the Man and the Money too—so make yourself as easy as you can, by getting all you can from him.
| The Beggar's Opera | |