H.M.S. Pinafore

Responsief blok lib/tran/syn

H.M.S. Pinafore Libretto

THE LASS THAT LOVED A SAILORLibretto by William S.Gilbert

THE LASS THAT LOVED A SAILORMusic by Sir Arthur Sullivan

SIR JOSEPH(First Lord of the Admiralty).

SIR JOSEPHCAPTAIN CORCORAN (Commanding H.M.S.Pinafore).

SIR JOSEPHTOM TUCKER (Midshipmite).

SIR JOSEPHRALPH RAKESTRAW (Able Seaman).

SIR JOSEPHDICK DEADEYE (Able Seaman).

SIR JOSEPHBILL BOBSTAY (Boatswain's Mate).

SIR JOSEPHBOB BECKET (Carpenter's Mate).

SIR JOSEPHJOSEPHINE (the Captain's Daughter).

SIR JOSEPHHEBE (Sir Joseph Porter's First Cousin).

SIR JOSEPHMRS.CRIPPS (LITTLE BUTTERCUP) (A Portsmouth Bumboat Woman).

SIR JOSEPHFirst Lord's Sisters, his Cousins, his Aunts, Sailors, Marines, etc.

SYSTEMScene:

SYSTEMQUARTER-DECK OF H.M. S. PINAFORE, OFF PORTSMOUTH

SYSTEMACT I.

SIR JOSEPH—Noon.

SYSTEMACT II.

SIR JOSEPH—Night

SIR JOSEPHFirst produced at the Opera Comique on May 25, 1878.

SYSTEMACT I

SYSTEMSCENE—Quarter-deck of H.M.S. Pinafore.

SIR JOSEPHSailors, led by BOATSWAIN,

SIR JOSEPHdiscovered cleaning brasswork, splicing rope, etc.

CHORUSWe sail the ocean blue,

CHORUSAnd our saucy ship's a beauty;

CHORUSWe're sober men and true,

CHORUSAnd attentive to our duty.

CHORUSWhen the balls whistle free

CHORUSO'er the bright blue sea,

CHORUSWe stand to our guns all day;

CHORUSWhen at anchor we ride

CHORUSOn the Portsmouth tide,

CHORUSWe have plenty of time to play.

Enter LITTLE BUTTERCUP, with large basket on her arm

RECITATIVEHail, men-o'-war's men-safeguards of your nation

RECITATIVEHere is an end, at last, of all privation;

RECITATIVEYou've got your play—spare all you can afford

RECITATIVETo welcome Little Buttercup on board.

ARIAFor I'm called Little Buttercup—dear Little Buttercup,

ARIAThough I could never tell why,

ARIABut still I'm called Buttercup—poor little Buttercup,

ARIASweet Little Buttercup I!

ARIAI've snuff and tobaccy, and excellent jacky,

ARIAI've scissors, and watches, and knives

ARIAI've ribbons and laces to set off the faces

ARIAOf pretty young sweethearts and wives.

ARIAI've treacle and toffee, I've tea and I've coffee,

ARIASoft tommy and succulent chops;

ARIAI've chickens and conies, and pretty polonies,

ARIAAnd excellent peppermint drops.

ARIAThen buy of your Buttercup—dear Little Buttercup;

ARIASailors should never be shy;

ARIASo, buy of your Buttercup—poor Little Buttercup;

ARIACome, of your Buttercup buy!

BOATSWAIN'S MATEAye, Little Buttercup—and well called—for you're the

BOATSWAIN'S MATErosiest,

BOATSWAIN'S MATEthe roundest, and the reddest beauty in all Spithead.

LITTLE BUTTERCUPRed, am I? and round—and rosy! Maybe, for I have

LITTLE BUTTERCUPdissembled well!

LITTLE BUTTERCUPBut hark ye, my merry friend—hast ever thought that beneath a

LITTLE BUTTERCUPgay and

LITTLE BUTTERCUPfrivolous exterior there may lurk a canker-worm which is slowly

LITTLE BUTTERCUPbut

LITTLE BUTTERCUPsurely eating its way into one's very heart?

BOATSWAIN'S MATENo, my lass, I can't say I've ever thought that.

Enter DICK DEADEYE.

BOATSWAIN'S MATEHe pushes through sailors, and comes down

DICK DEADEYEI have thought it often.

All recoil from him

LITTLE BUTTERCUPYes, you look like it! What's the matter with the man?

LITTLE BUTTERCUPIsn't he

LITTLE BUTTERCUPwell?

BOATSWAIN'S MATEDon't take no heed of him; that's only poor Dick Deadeye.

DICK DEADEYEI say—it's a beast of a name, ain't it—Dick Deadeye?

LITTLE BUTTERCUPIt's not a nice name.

DICK DEADEYEI'm ugly too, ain't I?

LITTLE BUTTERCUPYou are certainly plain.

DICK DEADEYEAnd I'm three-cornered too, ain't I?

LITTLE BUTTERCUPYou are rather triangular.

DICK DEADEYEHa! ha! That's it.

DICK DEADEYEI'm ugly, and they hate me for it; for

DICK DEADEYEyou all

DICK DEADEYEhate me, don't you?

ALLWe do!

DICK DEADEYEThere!

BOATSWAIN'S MATEWell, Dick, we wouldn't go for to hurt any fellow

BOATSWAIN'S MATEcreature's

BOATSWAIN'S MATEfeelings, but you can't expect a chap with such a name as Dick

BOATSWAIN'S MATEDeadeye to

BOATSWAIN'S MATEbe a popular character—now can you?

DICK DEADEYENo.

BOATSWAIN'S MATEIt's asking too much, ain't it?

DICK DEADEYEIt is.

DICK DEADEYEFrom such a face and form as mine the noblest

DICK DEADEYEsentiments

DICK DEADEYEsound like the black utterances of a depraved imagination It is

DICK DEADEYEhuman

DICK DEADEYEnature—I am resigned.

LITTLE BUTTERCUP(looking down hatchway).

LITTLE BUTTERCUPBut, tell me—who's the youth whose faltering feet

LITTLE BUTTERCUPWith difficulty bear him on his course?

BOATSWAIN'S MATEThat is the smartest lad in all the fleet—

BOATSWAIN'S MATERalph Rackstraw!

LITTLE BUTTERCUPHa! That name! Remorse! remorse!

Enter RALPH from hatchway

RALPHThe Nightingale

RALPHSighed for the moon's bright ray

RALPHAnd told his tale

RALPHIn his own melodious way!

RALPHHe sang "Ah, well-a-day!"

ALLHe sang "Ah, well-a-day!"

ALLThe lowly vale

ALLFor the mountain vainly sighed,

ALLTo his humble wail

ALLThe echoing hills replied.

ALLThey sang "Ah, well-a-day!"

ALLAll.

ALLThey sang "Ah, well-a-day!"

RECITATIVEI know the value of a kindly chorus,

RECITATIVEBut choruses yield little consolation

RECITATIVEWhen we have pain and sorrow too before us!

RECITATIVEI love—and love, alas, above my station!

(aside).

LITTLE BUTTERCUPHe loves—and loves a lass above his station!

ALL (aside).

LITTLE BUTTERCUPYes, yes, the lass is much above his station!

Exit LITTLE BUTTERCUP

ALLA maiden fair to see,

ALLThe pearl of minstrelsy,

ALLA bud of blushing beauty;

For whom proud nobles sigh,

ALLAnd with each other vie

ALLTo do her menial's duty.

ALLTo do her menial's duty.

ALLA suitor, lowly born,

ALLWith hopeless passion torn,

ALLAnd poor beyond denying,

ALLHas dared for her to pine

ALLAt whose exalted shrine

A world of wealth is sighing.

A world of wealth is sighing.

ALLUnlearned he in aught

ALLSave that which love has taught

ALL(For love had been his tutor);

ALLOh, pity, pity me—

ALLOur captain's daughter she,

ALLAnd I that lowly suitor!

ALLAnd he that lowly suitor!

BOATSWAIN'S MATEAh, my poor lad, you've climbed too high:

BOATSWAIN'S MATEour worthy

BOATSWAIN'S MATEcaptain's

BOATSWAIN'S MATEchild won't have nothin' to say to a poor chap like you.

BOATSWAIN'S MATEWill

BOATSWAIN'S MATEshe, lads?

ALLNo, no.

DICK DEADEYENo, no, captains' daughters don't marry foremast hands.

DICK DEADEYEALL (recoiling from him).

DICK DEADEYEShame! shame!

BOATSWAIN'S MATEDick Deadeye, them sentiments o' yourn are a disgrace to

BOATSWAIN'S MATEour

BOATSWAIN'S MATEcommon natur'.

BOATSWAIN'S MATERALPH, But it's a strange anomaly, that the daughter of a man

BOATSWAIN'S MATEwho hails

BOATSWAIN'S MATEfrom the quarter-deck may not love another who lays out on the

BOATSWAIN'S MATEfore-yard

BOATSWAIN'S MATEarm.

BOATSWAIN'S MATEFor a man is but a man, whether he hoists his flag at the

BOATSWAIN'S MATEmain-truck

BOATSWAIN'S MATEor his slacks on the main-deck.

DICK DEADEYEAh, it's a queer world!

RALPHDick Deadeye, I have no desire to press hardly on you,

RALPHbut such

RALPHa revolutionary sentiment is enough to make an honest sailor

RALPHshudder.

BOATSWAIN'S MATEMy lads, our gallant captain has come on deck; let us

BOATSWAIN'S MATEgreet him

BOATSWAIN'S MATEas so brave an officer and so gallant a seaman deserves.

Enter CAPTAIN CORCORAN

CAPTAINMy gallant crew, good morning.

CAPTAINALL (saluting).

CAPTAINSir, good morning!

CAPTAINI hope you're all quite well.

CAPTAINALL(as before).

CAPTAINQuite well; and you, sir?

CAPTAINI am in reasonable health, and happy

CAPTAINTo meet you all once more.

CAPTAINALL (as before).

CAPTAINYou do us proud, sir!

CAPTAINI am the Captain of the Pinafore;

ALLAnd a right good captain, tool

ALLYou're very, very good,

ALLAnd be it understood,

ALLI command a right good crew,

ALLWe're very, very good,

ALLAnd be it understood,

ALLHe commands a right good crew.

CAPTAINThough related to a peer,

CAPTAINI can hand, reef, and steer,

CAPTAINAnd ship a selvagee;

CAPTAINI am never known to quail

CAPTAINAt the furry of a gale,

CAPTAINAnd I'm never, never sick at sea!

ALLWhat, never?

CAPTAINNo, never!

ALLWhat, never?

CAPTAINHardly ever!

ALLHe's hardly ever sick at seal

ALLThen give three cheers, and one cheer more,

ALLFor the hardy Captain of the Pinafore!

CAPTAINI do my best to satisfy you all—

ALLAnd with you we're quite content.

CAPTAINYou're exceedingly polite,

CAPTAINAnd I think it only right

CAPTAINTo return the compliment.

ALLWe're exceedingly polite,

ALLAnd he thinks it's only right

ALLTo return the compliment.

CAPTAINBad language or abuse,

CAPTAINI never, never use,

CAPTAINWhatever the emergency;

CAPTAINThough "Bother it" I may

CAPTAINOccasionally say,

CAPTAINI never use a big, big D—

ALLWhat, never?

CAPTAINNo, never!

ALLWhat, never?

CAPTAINHardly ever!

ALLHardly ever swears a big, big D—

ALLThen give three cheers, and one cheer more,

ALLFor the well-bred Captain of the Pinafore!

[After song exeunt all but

Enter LITTLE BUTTERCUP

LITTLE BUTTERCUPSir, you are sad! The silent eloquence

LITTLE BUTTERCUPOf yonder tear that trembles on your eyelash

LITTLE BUTTERCUPProclaims a sorrow far more deep than common;

LITTLE BUTTERCUPConfide in me—fear not—I am a mother!

CAPTAINYes, Little Buttercup, I'm sad and sorry—

CAPTAINMy daughter, Josephine, the fairest flower

CAPTAINThat ever blossomed on ancestral timber,

CAPTAINIs sought in marriage by Sir Joseph Porter,

CAPTAINOur Admiralty's First Lord, but for some reason

CAPTAINShe does not seem to tackle kindly to it.

CAPTAINBUT, (with emotion).

CAPTAINAh, poor Sir Joseph! Ah, I know too well

CAPTAINThe anguish of a heart that loves but vainly!

CAPTAINBut see, here comes your most attractive daughter.

CAPTAINI go—Farewell!

[Exit.

CAPTAIN(looking after her).

CAPTAINA plump and pleasing person!

[Exit.

Enter JOSEPHINE, twining some flowers which she carries in a

CAPTAINsmall

CAPTAINbasket

ALLSorry her lot who loves too well,

ALLHeavy the heart that hopes but vainly,

Sad are the sighs that own the spell,

ALLUttered by eyes that speak too plainly;

ALLHeavy the sorrow that bows the head

ALLWhen love is alive and hope is dead!

ALLSad is the hour when sets the sun—

ALLDark is the night to earth's poor daughters,

ALLWhen to the ark the wearied one

ALLFlies from the empty waste of waters!

ALLHeavy the sorrow that bows the head

ALLWhen love is alive and hope is dead!

Enter CAPTAIN

CAPTAINMy child, I grieve to see that you are a prey to

CAPTAINmelancholy.

CAPTAINYou

CAPTAINshould look your best to-day, for Sir Joseph Porter, K.

B, will

Bbe here

Bthis afternoon to claim your promised hand.

SIR JOSEPHAh, father, your words cut me to the quick.

SIR JOSEPHI can esteem—

SIR JOSEPHreverence—venerate Sir Joseph, for he is a great and good man;

SIR JOSEPHbut oh, I

SIR JOSEPHcannot love him! My heart is already given.

(aside).

CAPTAINIt is then as I feared.

CAPTAIN(Aloud) Given? And to

CAPTAINwhom? Not

CAPTAINto some gilded lordling?

SIR JOSEPHNo, father—the object of my love is no lordling.

SIR JOSEPHOh, pity

SIR JOSEPHme, for

SIR JOSEPHhe is but a humble sailor on board your own ship!

CAPTAINImpossible!

SIR JOSEPHYes, it is true.

CAPTAINA common sailor? Oh fie!

SIR JOSEPHI blush for the weakness that allows me to cherish such a

SIR JOSEPHpassion.

SIR JOSEPHI hate myself when I think of the depth to which I have stooped

SIR JOSEPHin

SIR JOSEPHpermitting myself to think tenderly of one so ignobly born, but I

SIR JOSEPHlove

SIR JOSEPHhim! I love him! I love him! (Weeps)

CAPTAINCome, my child, let us talk this over.

CAPTAINIn a matter of the

CAPTAINheart I

CAPTAINwould not coerce my daughter—I attach but little value to rank

CAPTAINor

CAPTAINwealth, but the line must be drawn somewhere.

CAPTAINA man in that

CAPTAINstation may

CAPTAINbe brave and worthy, but at every step he would commit solecisms

CAPTAINthat

CAPTAINsociety would never pardon.

SIR JOSEPHOh, I have thought of this night and day.

SIR JOSEPHBut fear not,

SIR JOSEPHfather, I

SIR JOSEPHhave a heart, and therefore I love; but I am your daughter, and

SIR JOSEPHtherefore

SIR JOSEPHI am proud.

SIR JOSEPHThough I carry my love with me to the tomb, he shall

SIR JOSEPHnever,

SIR JOSEPHnever know it.

CAPTAINYou are my daughter after all.

CAPTAINBut see, Sir Joseph's

CAPTAINbarge

approaches, manned by twelve trusty oarsmen and accompanied by

CAPTAINthe

CAPTAINadmiring crowd of sisters, cousins, and aunts that attend him

CAPTAINwherever he

CAPTAINgoes.

CAPTAINRetire, my daughter, to your cabin—take this, his

CAPTAINphotograph, with

CAPTAINyou—it may help to bring you to a more reasonable frame of mind.

SIR JOSEPHMy own thoughtful father!

[Exit JOSEPHINE.

SIR JOSEPHCAPTAIN remains and ascends the poop-deck.

invisible

BARCAROLLEOver the bright blue sea

BARCAROLLEComes Sir Joseph Porter, K.C.B.

BARCAROLLEWherever he may go

BARCAROLLEBang-bang the loud nine-pounders go!

Shout o'er the bright blue sea

BARCAROLLEFor Sir Joseph Porter, K.C. B.

BARCAROLLE[During this the Crew have entered on tiptoe, listening

BARCAROLLEattentive to

BARCAROLLEthe song.

CHORUSSir Joseph's barge is seen,

CHORUSAnd its crowd of blushing beauties,

CHORUSWe hope he'll find us clean,

CHORUSAnd attentive to our duties.

CHORUSWe sail, we sail the ocean blue,

CHORUSAnd our saucy ship's a beauty.

CHORUSWe're sober, sober men and true

CHORUSAnd attentive to our duty.

CHORUSWe're smart and sober men,

CHORUSAnd quite devoid of fe-ar,

CHORUSIn all the Royal N.

CHORUSNone are so smart as we are.

Enter SIR JOSEPH'S FEMALE RELATIVES

They dance round stage

RELATIVESGaily tripping,

RELATIVESLightly skipping,

RELATIVESFlock the maidens to the shipping.

SAILORSFlags and guns and pennants dipping!

SAILORSAll the ladies love the shipping.

RELATIVESSailors sprightly

RELATIVESAlways rightly

RELATIVESWelcome ladies so politely.

SAILORSLadies who can smile so brightly,

SAILORSSailors welcome most politely.

CAPTAIN(from poop).

CAPTAINNow give three cheers, I'll lead the way

ALLHurrah! hurrah! hurrah! hurray!

Enter SIR JOSEPH with COUSIN HEBE

SIR JOSEPHI am the monarch of the sea,

SIR JOSEPHThe ruler of the Queen's Navee,

SIR JOSEPHWhose praise Great Britain loudly chants.

HEBEAnd we are his sisters, and his cousins and his

HEBEaunts!

RELATIVESAnd we are his sisters, and his cousins, and his

RELATIVESaunts!

SIR JOSEPHWhen at anchor here I ride,

SIR JOSEPHMy bosom swells with pride,

SIR JOSEPHAnd I snap my fingers at a foeman's

SIR JOSEPHtaunts;

HEBEAnd so do his sisters, and his cousins, and his

HEBEaunts!

ALLAnd so do his sisters, and his cousins, and his

ALLaunts!

SIR JOSEPHBut when the breezes blow,

SIR JOSEPHI generally go below,

SIR JOSEPHAnd seek the seclusion that a cabin grants;

HEBEAnd so do his sisters, and his cousins, and his

HEBEaunts!

ALLAnd so do his sisters, and his cousins, and his

ALLaunts!

ALLHis sisters and his cousins,

ALLWhom he reckons up by dozens,

ALLAnd his aunts!

SIR JOSEPHWhen I was a lad I served a term

SIR JOSEPHAs office boy to an Attorney's firm.

SIR JOSEPHI cleaned the windows and I swept the floor,

SIR JOSEPHAnd I polished up the handle of the big front door.

SIR JOSEPHI polished up that handle so carefullee

SIR JOSEPHThat now I am the Ruler of the Queen's Navee!

CHORUS—He polished, etc.

CHORUSAs office boy I made such a mark

CHORUSThat they gave me the post of a junior clerk.

CHORUSI served the writs with a smile so bland,

CHORUSAnd I copied all the letters in a big round hand—

CHORUSI copied all the letters in a hand so free,

CHORUSThat now I am the Ruler of the Queen's Navee!

CHORUS- He copied, etc.

CHORUSIn serving writs I made such a name

CHORUSThat an articled clerk I soon became;

CHORUSI wore clean collars and a brand-new suit

CHORUSFor the pass examination at the Institute,

CHORUSAnd that pass examination did so well for me,

CHORUSThat now I am the Ruler of the Queen's Navee!

CHORUS—And that pass examination, etc.

CHORUSOf legal knowledge I acquired such a grip

CHORUSThat they took me into the partnership.

CHORUSAnd that junior partnership, I ween,

CHORUSWas the only ship that I ever had seen.

CHORUSBut that kind of ship so suited me,

CHORUSThat now I am the Ruler of the Queen's Navee!

CHORUS- But that kind, etc.

CHORUSI grew so rich that I was sent

CHORUSBy a pocket borough into Parliament.

CHORUSI always voted at my party's call,

CHORUSAnd I never thought of thinking for myself at all.

CHORUSI thought so little, they rewarded me

CHORUSBy making me the Ruler of the Queen's Navee!

CHORUS- He thought so little, etc.

CHORUSNow landsmen all, whoever you may be,

If you want to rise to the top of the tree,

CHORUSIf your soul isn't fettered to an office stool,

CHORUSBe careful to be guided by this golden rule—

CHORUSStick close to your desks and never go to sea,

CHORUSAnd you all may be rulers of the Queen's Navee!

CHORUS—Stick close, etc.

SIR JOSEPHYou've a remarkably fine crew, Captain Corcoran.

CAPTAINIt is a fine crew, Sir Joseph.

SIR JOSEPH(examining a very small midshipman).

SIR JOSEPHA British

SIR JOSEPHsailor is a

SIR JOSEPHsplendid fellow, Captain Corcoran.

CAPTAINA splendid fellow indeed, Sir Joseph.

SIR JOSEPHI hope you treat your crew kindly, Captain

CAPTAINIndeed I hope so, Sir Joseph.

CAPTAINSIR JOSEPH, Never forget that they are the bulwarks of

CAPTAINEngland's

CAPTAINgreatness, Captain Corcoran.

CAPTAINSo I have always considered them, Sir Joseph.

SIR JOSEPHNo bullying, I trust—no strong language of any

SIR JOSEPHkind, eh?

CAPTAINOh, never, Sir Joseph.

SIR JOSEPHWhat, never?

CAPTAINHardly ever, Sir Joseph.

CAPTAINThey are an excellent crew, and

CAPTAINdo their

CAPTAINwork thoroughly without it.

SIR JOSEPHDon't patronise them, sir—pray, don't patronise

SIR JOSEPHthem.

CAPTAINCertainly not, Sir Joseph.

SIR JOSEPHThat you are their captain is an accident of birth.

Icannot permit these noble fellows to be patronised because an

Iaccident of

Ibirth has placed you above them and them below you.

CAPTAINI am the last person to insult a British sailor, Sir

SIR JOSEPHYou are the last person who did, Captain Corcoran.

SIR JOSEPHDesire

SIR JOSEPHthat splendid seaman to step forward.

DICK comes forward

SIR JOSEPHNo, no, the other splendid seaman.

CAPTAINRalph Rackstraw, three paces to the front—march!

CAPTAINSIR JOSEPH (sternly).

CAPTAINIf what?

CAPTAINI beg your pardon—I don't think I understand you.

SIR JOSEPHIf you please.

CAPTAINOh, yes, of course.

CAPTAINIf you please.

RALPH steps forward

SIR JOSEPHYou're a remarkably fine fellow.

RALPHYes, your honour.

SIR JOSEPHAnd a first-rate seaman, I'll be bound.

RALPHThere's not a smarter topman in the Navy, your honour,

RALPHthough I

RALPHsay it who shouldn't.

SIR JOSEPHNot at all.

SIR JOSEPHProper self-respect, nothing more.

SIR JOSEPHCan

SIR JOSEPHyou

SIR JOSEPHdance a hornpipe?

RALPHNo, your honour.

SIR JOSEPHThat's a pity:

SIR JOSEPHall sailors should dance hornpipes.

SIR JOSEPHI will

SIR JOSEPHteach you one this evening, after dinner.

SIR JOSEPHNow tell me—don't be

SIR JOSEPHafraid—

SIR JOSEPHhow does your captain treat you, eh?

RALPHA better captain don't walk the deck, your honour.

ALLAye; Aye!

SIR JOSEPHGood.

SIR JOSEPHI like to hear you speak well of your

SIR JOSEPHcommanding

SIR JOSEPHofficer; I daresay he don't deserve it, but still it does you

SIR JOSEPHcredit.

SIR JOSEPHCan

SIR JOSEPHyou sing?

RALPHI can hum a little, your honour.

SIR JOSEPHThen hum this at your leisure.

SIR JOSEPH(Giving him MS.

SIR JOSEPHmusic) It

SIR JOSEPHis a song that I have composed for the use of the Royal Navy.

SIR JOSEPHIt

SIR JOSEPHis

SIR JOSEPHdesigned to encourage independence of thought and action in the

SIR JOSEPHlower

SIR JOSEPHbranches of the service, and to teach the principle that a

SIR JOSEPHBritish sailor

SIR JOSEPHis any man's equal, excepting mine.

SIR JOSEPHNow, Captain Corcoran, a word

SIR JOSEPHwith

SIR JOSEPHyou in your cabin, on a tender and sentimental subject.

CAPTAINAye, aye,

CAPTAINSir Joseph (Crossing) Boatswain, in commemoration of this

CAPTAINjoyous

CAPTAINoccasion, see that extra grog is served out to the ship's company

CAPTAINat

CAPTAINseven bells.

BOATSWAIN'S MATEBeg pardon.

BOATSWAIN'S MATEIf what, your honour?

CAPTAINIf what? I don't think I understand you.

BOATSWAIN'S MATEIf you please, your honour.

CAPTAINWhat!

SIR JOSEPHThe gentleman is quite right.

SIR JOSEPHIf you please.

CAPTAIN(stamping his foot impatiently).

CAPTAINIf you please!

[Exit.

SIR JOSEPHFor I hold that on the seas

SIR JOSEPHThe expression, "if you please",

SIR JOSEPHA particularly gentlemanly tone implants.

HEBEAnd so do his sisters, and his cousins, and his

HEBEaunts!

ALLAnd so do his sisters, and his cousins, and his

ALLaunts!

[Exeunt SIR JOSEPH AND

BOATSWAIN'S MATEAh! Sir Joseph's true gentleman; courteous and

BOATSWAIN'S MATEconsiderate to the

BOATSWAIN'S MATEvery humblest.

RALPHTrue, Boatswain, but we are not the very humblest.

SIR JOSEPHhas explained our true position to us.

SIR JOSEPHAs he says, a British

SIR JOSEPHseaman is

SIR JOSEPHany man's equal excepting his, and if Sir Joseph says that, is it

SIR JOSEPHnot our

SIR JOSEPHduty to believe him?

ALLWell spoke! well spoke!

DICK DEADEYEYou're on a wrong tack, and so is he.

DICK DEADEYEHe means well, but

DICK DEADEYEhe don't

DICK DEADEYEknow.

DICK DEADEYEWhen people have to obey other people's orders, equality's

DICK DEADEYEout of

DICK DEADEYEthe question.

DICK DEADEYEALL (recoiling).

DICK DEADEYEHorrible! horrible!

BOATSWAIN'S MATEDick Deadeye, if you go for to infuriate this here ship's

BOATSWAIN'S MATEcompany

BOATSWAIN'S MATEtoo far, I won't answer for being able to hold 'em in.

BOATSWAIN'S MATEI'm

BOATSWAIN'S MATEshocked!

BOATSWAIN'S MATEthat's what I am—shocked!

RALPHMessmates, my mind's made up.

RALPHI'll speak to the

RALPHcaptain's

RALPHdaughter, and tell her, like an honest man, of the honest love I

RALPHhave for

RALPHher.

ALLAye, aye!

RALPHIs not my love as good as another's? Is not my heart as

RALPHtrue as

RALPHanother's? Have I not hands and eyes and ears and limbs like

RALPHanother?

ALLAye, Aye!

RALPHTrue, I lack birth—

BOATSWAIN'S MATEYou've a berth on board this very ship.

RALPHWell said—I had forgotten that.

RALPHMessmates—what do you

RALPHsay? Do

RALPHyou approve my determination?

ALLWe do.

DICK DEADEYEI don t.

BOATSWAIN'S MATEWhat is to be done with this here hopeless chap? Let us

BOATSWAIN'S MATEsing him

BOATSWAIN'S MATEthe song that Sir Joseph has kindly composed for us.

BOATSWAIN'S MATEPerhaps it

BOATSWAIN'S MATEwill

BOATSWAIN'S MATEbring this here miserable creetur to a proper state of mind.

BOATSWAIN'S MATEGLEE!—RALPH, BOATSWAIN, BOATSWAIN'S MATE, and CHORUS

BOATSWAIN'S MATEA British tar is a soaring soul,

BOATSWAIN'S MATEAs free as a mountain bird,

BOATSWAIN'S MATEHis energetic fist should be ready to resist

BOATSWAIN'S MATEA dictatorial word.

BOATSWAIN'S MATEHis nose should pant and his lip should curl,

BOATSWAIN'S MATEHis cheeks should flame and his brow should furl,

BOATSWAIN'S MATEHis bosom should heave and his heart should glow,

BOATSWAIN'S MATEAnd his fist be ever ready for a knock-down blow.

CHORUS—His nose should pant, etc.

CHORUSHis eyes should flash with an inborn fire,

CHORUSHis brow with scorn be wrung;

CHORUSHe never should bow down to a domineering frown,

CHORUSOr the tang of a tyrant tongue.

CHORUSHis foot should stamp and his throat should growl,

CHORUSHis hair should twirl and his face should scowl;

CHORUSHis eyes should flash and his breast protrude,

CHORUSAnd this should be his customary attitude—(pose).

CHORUS—His foot should stamp, etc.

CHORUS[All dance off excepting RALPH, who remains, leaning pensively

CHORUSagainst

CHORUSbulwark.

Enter JOSEPHINE from cabin

SIR JOSEPHIt is useless—Sir Joseph's attentions nauseate me.

SIR JOSEPHI know

SIR JOSEPHthat he

SIR JOSEPHis a truly great and good man, for he told me so himself, but to

SIR JOSEPHme he

SIR JOSEPHseems tedious, fretful, and dictatorial.

SIR JOSEPHYet his must be a mind

SIR JOSEPHof no

SIR JOSEPHcommon order, or he would not dare to teach my dear father to

SIR JOSEPHdance a

SIR JOSEPHhornpipe on the cabin table.

SIR JOSEPH(Sees RALPH) Ralph Rackstraw!

SIR JOSEPH(Overcome by

SIR JOSEPHemotion)

RALPHAye, lady—no other than poor Ralph Rackstraw!

(aside).

SIR JOSEPHHow my heart beats! (Aloud) And why poor, Ralph?

RALPHI am poor in the essence of happiness, lady—rich only

RALPHin never-

RALPHending unrest.

RALPHIn me there meet a combination of antithetical

RALPHelements

RALPHwhich are at eternal war with one another.

RALPHDriven hither by

RALPHobjective

RALPHinfluences—thither by subjective emotions—wafted one moment

RALPHinto

RALPHblazing day, by mocking hope—plunged the next into the Cimmerian

RALPHdarkness of tangible despair, I am but a living ganglion of

RALPHirreconcilable antagonisms.

RALPHI hope I make myself clear, lady?

SIR JOSEPHPerfectly.

(Aside) His simple eloquence goes to my heart.

SIR JOSEPHOh, if

SIR JOSEPHI dared—but no, the thought is madness! (Aloud) Dismiss these

SIR JOSEPHfoolish

SIR JOSEPHfancies, they torture you but needlessly.

SIR JOSEPHCome, make one effort.

RALPH (aside).

SIR JOSEPHI will—one.

SIR JOSEPH(Aloud) Josephine!

SIR JOSEPH(Indignantly).

SIR JOSEPHSir!

RALPHAye, even though Jove's armoury were launched at the

RALPHhead of the

RALPHaudacious mortal whose lips, unhallowed by relationship, dared to

RALPHbreathe

RALPHthat precious word, yet would I breathe it once, and then

RALPHperchance be

RALPHsilent evermore.

RALPHJosephine, in one brief breath I will

RALPHconcentrate the

RALPHhopes, the doubts, the anxious fears of six weary months.

RALPHJosephine, I am

RALPHa British sailor, and I love you!

SIR JOSEPHSir, this audacity! (Aside) Oh, my heart, my beating

SIR JOSEPHheart!

SIR JOSEPH(Aloud) This unwarrantable presumption on the part of a common

SIR JOSEPHsailor!

Aside) Common! oh, the irony of the word! (Crossing, aloud

SIR JOSEPHOh, sir,

SIR JOSEPHyou forget the disparity in our ranks.

RALPHI forget nothing, haughty lady.

RALPHI love you desperately,

RALPHmy life

RALPHis in your hand—I lay it at your feet! Give me hope, and what I

RALPHlack in

RALPHeducation and polite accomplishments, that I will endeavour to

RALPHacquire.

RALPHDrive me to despair, and in death alone I shall look for

RALPHconsolation.

Iam proud and cannot stoop to implore.

II have spoken and I wait

Iyour word.

SIR JOSEPHYou shall not wait long.

SIR JOSEPHYour proffered love I haughtily

SIR JOSEPHreject.

SIR JOSEPHGo, sir, and learn to cast your eyes on some village maiden in

SIR JOSEPHyour own

SIR JOSEPHpoor rank—they should be lowered before your captain's daughter.

SIR JOSEPHDUET—JOSEPHINE and RALPH

SIR JOSEPHRefrain, audacious tar,

SIR JOSEPHYour suit from pressing,

SIR JOSEPHRemember what you are,

SIR JOSEPHAnd whom addressing!

(Aside)          I'd laugh my rank to scorn

SIR JOSEPHIn union holy,

SIR JOSEPHWere he more highly born

SIR JOSEPHOr I more lowly!

RALPHProud lady, have your way,

RALPHUnfeeling beauty!

RALPHYou speak and I obey,

RALPHIt is my duty!

RALPHI am the lowliest tar

RALPHThat sails the water,

RALPHAnd you, proud maiden, are

RALPHMy captain's daughter!

(Aside)          My heart with anguish torn

RALPHBows down before her,

She laughs my love to scorn,

RALPHYet I adore her!

[Repeat refrain, ensemble, then exit JOSEPHINE into cabin.

RALPH(Recit)   Can I survive this overbearing

RALPHOr live a life of mad despairing,

RALPHMy proffered love despised, rejected?

RALPHNo, no, it's not to be expected!

Calling off

RALPHMessmates, ahoy!

RALPHCome here! Come here!

Enter SAILORS, HEBE, and RELATIVES

ALLAye, aye, my boy,

ALLWhat cheer, what cheer?

ALLNow tell us, pray,

ALLWithout delay,

ALLWhat does she say—

ALLWhat cheer, what cheer?

ALLRALPH (to COUSIN HEBE).

ALLThe maiden treats my suit with scorn,

ALLRejects my humble gift, my lady;

ALLShe says I am ignobly born,

ALLAnd cuts my hopes adrift, my lady.

ALLOh, cruel one.

DICK DEADEYEShe spurns your suit? Oho! Oho!

DICK DEADEYEI told you so, I told you so.

DICK DEADEYESAILORS and RELATIVES.

DICK DEADEYEShall { we } submit? Are { we } but slaves?

DICK DEADEYEthey               they

DICK DEADEYELove comes alike to high and low—

DICK DEADEYEBritannia's sailors rule the waves,

DICK DEADEYEAnd shall they stoop to insult? No!

DICK DEADEYEYou must submit, you are but slaves;

DICK DEADEYEA lady she! Oho! Oho!

DICK DEADEYEYou lowly toilers of the waves,

DICK DEADEYEShe spurns you all—I told you so!

My friends, my leave of life I'm taking,

RALPHFor oh, my heart, my heart is breaking.

RALPHWhen I am gone, oh, prithee tell

RALPHThe maid that, as I died, I loved her well!

ALL (turning away, weeping).

RALPHOf life, alas! his leave he's

RALPHtaking,

RALPHFor ah! his faithful heart is breaking;

RALPHWhen he is gone we'll surely tell

RALPHThe maid that, as he died, he loved her well.

RALPH[During Chorus BOATSWAIN has loaded pistol, which he hands to

RALPHBe warned, my messmates all

RALPHWho love in rank above you—

RALPHFor Josephine I fall!

RALPH[Puts pistol to his head.

RALPHAll the sailors stop their

RALPHears.

Enter JOSEPHINE on deck

SIR JOSEPHAh! stay your hand—I love you!

ALLAh! stay your hand—she loves you!

RALPH(incredulously).

RALPHLoves me?

SIR JOSEPHLoves you!

ALLYes, yes—ah, yes,—she loves you!

ENSEMBLESAILORS and RELATIVES and JOSEPHINE

ENSEMBLEOh joy, oh rapture unforeseen,

ENSEMBLEFor now the sky is all serene;

ENSEMBLEThe god of day—the orb of love—

ENSEMBLEHas hung his ensign high above,

ENSEMBLEThe sky is all ablaze.

ENSEMBLEWith wooing words and loving song,

ENSEMBLEWe'll chase the lagging hours along,

ENSEMBLEAnd if {I find  } the maiden coy,

ENSEMBLEwe find

ENSEMBLEI'll } murmur forth decorous joy

ENSEMBLEWe'll

ENSEMBLEIn dreamy roundelays!

DICK DEADEYEHe thinks he's won his Josephine,

DICK DEADEYEBut though the sky is now serene,

DICK DEADEYEA frowning thunderbolt above

DICK DEADEYEMay end their ill-assorted love

DICK DEADEYEWhich now is all ablaze.

DICK DEADEYEOur captain, ere the day is gone,

DICK DEADEYEWill be extremely down upon

DICK DEADEYEThe wicked men who art employ

DICK DEADEYETo make his Josephine less coy

DICK DEADEYEIn many various ways.

[Exit

SIR JOSEPHThis very night,

HEBEWith bated breath

RALPHAnd muffled oar—

SIR JOSEPHWithout a light,

HEBEAs still as death,

RALPHWe'll steal ashore

SIR JOSEPHA clergyman

RALPHShall make us one

RALPHBOAT,                  At half-past ten,

SIR JOSEPHAnd then we can

SIR JOSEPHRALPH                  Return, for none

BOATSWAIN'S MATECan part them then!

ALLThis very night, etc.

DICK appears at hatchway

DICK DEADEYEForbear, nor carry out the scheme you've planned;

DICK DEADEYEShe is a lady—you a foremast hand!

DICK DEADEYERemember, she's your gallant captain's daughter,

DICK DEADEYEAnd you the meanest slave that crawls the water!

ALLBack, vermin, back,

ALLNor mock us!

ALLBack, vermin, back,

ALLYou shock us!

[Exit DICK

ALLLet's give three cheers for the sailor's bride

Who casts all thought of rank aside—

ALLWho gives up home and fortune too

ALLFor the honest love of a sailor true!

ALLFor a British tar is a soaring soul

ALLAs free as a mountain bird!

ALLHis energetic fist should be ready to resist

ALLA dictatorial word!

ALLHis foot should stamp and his throat should growl,

ALLHis hair should twirl and his face should scowl,

ALLHis eyes should flash and his breast protrude,

ALLAnd this should be his customary attitude—(pose).

SYSTEMACT II

END OF ACT ISame Scene.

END OF ACT INight.

END OF ACT IAwning removed.

END OF ACT IMoonlight.

CAPTAINdiscovered

CAPTAINsinging on poop deck, and accompanying himself on a

CAPTAINmandolin.

LITTLE BUTTERCUPBUTTERCUP seated on quarterdeck, gazing sentimentally at

LITTLE BUTTERCUPhim.

CAPTAINFair moon, to thee I sing,

CAPTAINBright regent of the heavens,

CAPTAINSay, why is everything

CAPTAINEither at sixes or at sevens?

CAPTAINI have lived hitherto

CAPTAINFree from breath of slander,

CAPTAINBeloved by all my crew—

CAPTAINA really popular commander.

CAPTAINBut now my kindly crew rebel,

CAPTAINMy daughter to a tar is partial,

CAPTAINSir Joseph storms, and, sad to tell,

CAPTAINHe threatens a court martial!

CAPTAINFair moon, to thee I sing,

CAPTAINBright regent of the heavens,

CAPTAINSay, why is everything

CAPTAINEither at sixes or at sevens?

LITTLE BUTTERCUPHow sweetly he carols forth his melody to the

LITTLE BUTTERCUPunconscious

LITTLE BUTTERCUPmoon! Of whom is he thinking? Of some high-born beauty? It may

LITTLE BUTTERCUPbe! Who is

poor Little Buttercup that she should expect his glance to fall

LITTLE BUTTERCUPon one so

LITTLE BUTTERCUPlowly! And yet if he knew—if he only knew!

CAPTAIN(coming down).

CAPTAINAh! Little Buttercup, still on board?

CAPTAINThat is

CAPTAINnot quite right, little one.

CAPTAINIt would have been more respectable

CAPTAINto have

CAPTAINgone on shore at dusk.

CAPTAINBUT, True, dear Captain—but the recollection of your sad

CAPTAINpale

CAPTAINface seemed to chain me to the ship.

CAPTAINI would fain see you smile

CAPTAINbefore I

CAPTAINgo.

CAPTAINAh! Little Buttercup, I fear it will be long before I

CAPTAINrecover my accustomed cheerfulness, for misfortunes crowd upon

CAPTAINme, and

CAPTAINall my old friends seem to have turned against me!

CAPTAINBUT, Oh no—do not say "all", dear Captain.

CAPTAINThat were

CAPTAINunjust to

CAPTAINone, at least.

CAPTAINTrue, for you are staunch to me.

(Aside) If ever I

CAPTAINgave my

CAPTAINheart again, methinks it would be to such a one as this! (Aloud)

CAPTAINI am

CAPTAINtouched to the heart by your innocent regard for me, and were we

CAPTAINdifferently situated, I think I could have returned it.

CAPTAINBut as it

CAPTAINis, I

CAPTAINfear I can never be more to you than a friend.

CAPTAINBUT, I understand! You hold aloof from me because you are

CAPTAINrich and

CAPTAINlofty—and I poor and lowly.

CAPTAINBut take care! The poor bumboat

CAPTAINwoman has

CAPTAINgipsy blood in her veins, and she can read destinies.

CAPTAINDestinies?

LITTLE BUTTERCUPThere is a change in store for you!

CAPTAINA change?

LITTLE BUTTERCUPAye—be prepared!

LITTLE BUTTERCUPDUET—LITTLE BUTTERCUP and CAPTAIN

LITTLE BUTTERCUPBUT,         Things are seldom what they seem,

LITTLE BUTTERCUPSkim milk masquerades as cream;

LITTLE BUTTERCUPHighlows pass as patent leathers;

LITTLE BUTTERCUPJackdaws strut in peacock's feathers.

CAPTAIN(puzzled).

CAPTAINVery true,

CAPTAINSo they do.

LITTLE BUTTERCUPBlack sheep dwell in every fold;

LITTLE BUTTERCUPAll that glitters is not gold;

Storks turn out to be but logs;

LITTLE BUTTERCUPBulls are but inflated frogs.

CAPTAIN(puzzled).

CAPTAINSo they be,

CAPTAINFrequentlee.

LITTLE BUTTERCUPDrops the wind and stops the mill;

LITTLE BUTTERCUPTurbot is ambitious brill;

LITTLE BUTTERCUPGild the farthing if you will,

LITTLE BUTTERCUPYet it is a farthing still.

CAPTAIN(puzzled).

CAPTAINYes, I know.

CAPTAINThat is so.

CAPTAINThough to catch your drift I'm striving,

CAPTAINIt is shady—it is shady;

CAPTAINI don't see at what you're driving,

CAPTAINMystic lady—mystic lady.

(Aside)     Stern conviction's o'er me stealing,

CAPTAINThat the mystic lady's dealing

CAPTAINIn oracular revealing.

(aside).

LITTLE BUTTERCUPStern conviction's o'er him stealing,

LITTLE BUTTERCUPThat the mystic lady's dealing

LITTLE BUTTERCUPIn oracular revealing.

LITTLE BUTTERCUPYes, I know—

LITTLE BUTTERCUPThat is so!

CAPTAINThough I'm anything but clever,

CAPTAINI could talk like that for ever:

CAPTAINOnce a cat was killed by care;

CAPTAINOnly brave deserve the fair.

CAPTAINVery true,

CAPTAINSo they do.

CAPTAINWink is often good as nod;

CAPTAINSpoils the child who spares the rod;

CAPTAINThirsty lambs run foxy dangers;

CAPTAINDogs are found in many mangers.

LITTLE BUTTERCUPFrequentlee,

LITTLE BUTTERCUPI agree.

LITTLE BUTTERCUPPaw of cat the chestnut snatches;

LITTLE BUTTERCUPWorn-out garments show new patches;

LITTLE BUTTERCUPOnly count the chick that hatches;

LITTLE BUTTERCUPMen are grown-up catchy-catchies.

LITTLE BUTTERCUPYes, I know,

LITTLE BUTTERCUPThat is so.

(Aside)     Though to catch my drift he's striving,

LITTLE BUTTERCUPI'll dissemble—I'll dissemble;

LITTLE BUTTERCUPWhen he sees at what I'm driving,

LITTLE BUTTERCUPLet him tremble—let him tremble!

ENSEMBLEThough a mystic tone { I } borrow,

ENSEMBLEyou

ENSEMBLEYou will } learn the truth with sorrow,

ENSEMBLEI shall

ENSEMBLEHere to-day and gone to-morrow;

ENSEMBLEYes, I know—

ENSEMBLEThat is so!

[At the end exit LITTLE BUTTERCUP

ENSEMBLEmelodramatically.

CAPTAINIncomprehensible as her utterances are, I nevertheless

CAPTAINfeel that

CAPTAINthey are dictated by a sincere regard for me.

CAPTAINBut to what new

CAPTAINmisery is

CAPTAINshe referring? Time alone can tell!

Enter SIR JOSEPH

SIR JOSEPHCaptain Corcoran, I am much disappointed with your

SIR JOSEPHdaughter.

SIR JOSEPHIn fact, I don't think she will do.

CAPTAINShe won't do, Sir Joseph!

SIR JOSEPHI'm afraid not.

SIR JOSEPHThe fact is, that although I have

SIR JOSEPHurged my

SIR JOSEPHsuit with as much eloquence as is consistent with an official

SIR JOSEPHutterance,

SIR JOSEPHI have done so hitherto without success.

SIR JOSEPHHow do you account for

SIR JOSEPHthis?

CAPTAINReally, Sir Joseph, I hardly know.

CAPTAINJosephine is of course

CAPTAINsensible of your condescension.

SIR JOSEPHShe naturally would be.

CAPTAINBut perhaps your exalted rank dazzles her.

SIR JOSEPHYou think it does?

CAPTAINI can hardly say; but she is a modest girl, and her

CAPTAINsocial

CAPTAINposition is far below your own.

CAPTAINIt may be that she feels she is

CAPTAINnot

CAPTAINworthy of you.

SIR JOSEPHThat is really a very sensible suggestion, and

SIR JOSEPHdisplays

SIR JOSEPHmore knowledge of human nature than I had given you credit for.

CAPTAINSee, she comes.

CAPTAINIf your lordship would kindly reason with

CAPTAINher and

CAPTAINassure her officially that it is a standing rule at the Admiralty

CAPTAINthat

CAPTAINlove levels all ranks, her respect for an official utterance

CAPTAINmight induce

CAPTAINher to look upon your offer in its proper light.

SIR JOSEPHIt is not unlikely.

SIR JOSEPHI will adopt your suggestion.

SIR JOSEPHBut soft,

SIR JOSEPHshe is here.

SIR JOSEPHLet us withdraw, and watch our opportunity.

Enter JOSEPHINE from cabin.

SIR JOSEPHFIRST LORD and CAPTAIN retire

SYSTEMSCENE—JOSEPHINE

SIR JOSEPHThe hours creep on apace,

SIR JOSEPHMy guilty heart is quaking!

SIR JOSEPHOh, that I might retrace

SIR JOSEPHThe step that I am taking!

SIR JOSEPHIts folly it were easy to be showing,

SIR JOSEPHWhat I am giving up and whither going.

SIR JOSEPHOn the one hand, papa's luxurious home,

SIR JOSEPHHung with ancestral armour and old brasses,

SIR JOSEPHCarved oak and tapestry from distant Rome,

SIR JOSEPHRare "blue and white" Venetian finger-glasses,

SIR JOSEPHRich oriental rugs, luxurious sofa pillows,

SIR JOSEPHAnd everything that isn't old, from Gillow's.

SIR JOSEPHAnd on the other, a dark and dingy room,

SIR JOSEPHIn some back street with stuffy children crying,

SIR JOSEPHWhere organs yell, and clacking housewives fume,

SIR JOSEPHAnd clothes are hanging out all day a-drying.

SIR JOSEPHWith one cracked looking-glass to see your face

SIR JOSEPHin,

SIR JOSEPHAnd dinner served up in a pudding basin!

SIR JOSEPHA simple sailor, lowly born,

SIR JOSEPHUnlettered and unknown,

SIR JOSEPHWho toils for bread from early mom

SIR JOSEPHTill half the night has flown!

SIR JOSEPHNo golden rank can he impart—

SIR JOSEPHNo wealth of house or land—

SIR JOSEPHNo fortune save his trusty heart

SIR JOSEPHAnd honest brown right hand!

SIR JOSEPHAnd yet he is so wondrous fair

SIR JOSEPHThat love for one so passing rare,

SIR JOSEPHSo peerless in his manly beauty,

SIR JOSEPHWere little else than solemn duty!

SIR JOSEPHOh, god of love, and god of reason, say,

SIR JOSEPHWhich of you twain shall my poor heart obey!

SIR JOSEPH and CAPTAIN enter

SIR JOSEPHMadam, it has been represented to me that you are

SIR JOSEPHappalled

SIR JOSEPHby my exalted rank.

SIR JOSEPHI desire to convey to you officially my

SIR JOSEPHassurance,

SIR JOSEPHthat if your hesitation is attributable to that circumstance, it

SIR JOSEPHis

SIR JOSEPHuncalled for.

SIR JOSEPHOh! then your lordship is of opinion that married

SIR JOSEPHhappiness is not

SIR JOSEPHinconsistent with discrepancy in rank?

SIR JOSEPHI am officially of that opinion.

SIR JOSEPHThat the high and the lowly may be truly happy together,

SIR JOSEPHprovided

SIR JOSEPHthat they truly love one another?

SIR JOSEPHMadam, I desire to convey to you officially my

SIR JOSEPHopinion that

SIR JOSEPHlove is a platform upon which all ranks meet.

SIR JOSEPHI thank you, Sir Joseph.

SIR JOSEPHI did hesitate, but I will

SIR JOSEPHhesitate no

SIR JOSEPHlonger.

(Aside) He little thinks how eloquently he has pleaded

SIR JOSEPHhis

SIR JOSEPHrival's cause!

TRIOFIRST LORD, CAPTAIN, and JOSEPHINE

CAPTAINNever mind the why and wherefore,

CAPTAINLove can level ranks, and therefore,

CAPTAINThough his lordship's station's mighty,

CAPTAINThough stupendous be his brain,

CAPTAINThough your tastes are mean and flighty

CAPTAINAnd your fortune poor and plain,

CAPTAINand      Ring the merry bells on board-ship,

SIR JOSEPHRend the air with warbling wild,

SIR JOSEPHFor the union of { his } lordship

SIR JOSEPHmy

SIR JOSEPHWith a humble captain's child!

CAPTAINFor a humble captain's daughter—

SIR JOSEPHFor a gallant captain's daughter—

SIR JOSEPHAnd a lord who rules the water—

(aside).

SIR JOSEPHAnd a tar who ploughs the water!

ALLLet the air with joy be laden,

ALLRend with songs the air above,

ALLFor the union of a maiden

ALLWith the man who owns her love!

SIR JOSEPHNever mind the why and wherefore,

SIR JOSEPHLove can level ranks, and therefore,

SIR JOSEPHThough your nautical relation (alluding to CAPT)

SIR JOSEPHIn my set could scarcely pass—

SIR JOSEPHThough you occupy a station

SIR JOSEPHIn the lower middle class—

CAPTAINand      Ring the merry bells on board-ship,

CAPTAINSIR JOSEPH     Rend the air with warbling wild,

CAPTAINFor the union of { my } lordship

CAPTAINyour

CAPTAINWith a humble captain's child!

CAPTAINFor a humble captain's daughter—

SIR JOSEPHFor a gallant captain's daughter—

SIR JOSEPHAnd a lord who rules the water—

(aside).

SIR JOSEPHAnd a tar who ploughs the water!

ALLLet the air with joy be laden,

ALLRend with songs the air above,

ALLFor the union of a maiden

ALLWith the man who owns her love!

SIR JOSEPHNever mind the why and wherefore,

SIR JOSEPHLove can level ranks, and therefore

SIR JOSEPHI admit the jurisdiction;

SIR JOSEPHAbly have you played your part;

SIR JOSEPHYou have carried firm conviction

SIR JOSEPHTo my hesitating heart.

CAPTAINand      Ring the merry bells on board-ship,

SIR JOSEPHRend the air with warbling wild,

SIR JOSEPHFor the union of { my } lordship

SIR JOSEPHhis

SIR JOSEPHWith a humble captain's child!

CAPTAINFor a humble captain's daughter—

SIR JOSEPHFor a gallant captain's daughter—

SIR JOSEPHAnd a lord who rules the water—

(aside).

SIR JOSEPHAnd a tar who ploughs the water!

SIR JOSEPH(Aloud)      Let the air with joy be laden.

CAPTAINand SIR JOSEPH.

CAPTAINRing the merry bells on board-ship—

SIR JOSEPHFor the union of a maiden—

CAPTAINand SIR JOSEPH.

CAPTAINFor her union with his lordship.

ALLRend with songs the air above

ALLFor the man who owns her love!

[Exit JOS.

CAPTAINSir Joseph, I cannot express to you my delight at the

CAPTAINhappy

CAPTAINresult of your eloquence.

CAPTAINYour argument was unanswerable.

SIR JOSEPHCaptain Corcoran, it is one of the happiest

SIR JOSEPHcharacteristics

SIR JOSEPHof this glorious country that official utterances are invariably

SIR JOSEPHregarded

SIR JOSEPHas unanswerable.

[Exit SIR

CAPTAINAt last my fond hopes are to be crowned.

CAPTAINMy only daughter

CAPTAINis to

CAPTAINbe the bride of a Cabinet Minister.

CAPTAINThe prospect is Elysian.

CAPTAIN(During this

CAPTAINspeech DICK DEADEYE has entered)

CAPTAINDeadeye! You here? Don't! (Recoiling from him)

DICK DEADEYEAh, don't shrink from me, Captain.

DICK DEADEYEI'm unpleasant to look

DICK DEADEYEat, and

DICK DEADEYEmy name's agin me, but I ain't as bad as I seem.

CAPTAINWhat would you with me?

CAPTAINDICK (mysteriously).

CAPTAINI'm come to give you warning.

CAPTAINIndeed! do you propose to leave the Navy then?

DICK DEADEYENo, no, you misunderstand me; listen!

DUETCAPTAIN and DICK DEADEYE

DICK DEADEYEKind Captain, I've important information,

DICK DEADEYESing hey, the kind commander that you are,

DICK DEADEYEAbout a certain intimate relation,

DICK DEADEYESing hey, the merry maiden and the tar.

BOTHThe merry maiden and the tar.

CAPTAINGood fellow, in conundrums you are speaking,

CAPTAINSing hey, the mystic sailor that you are;

CAPTAINThe answer to them vainly I am seeking;

CAPTAINSing hey, the merry maiden and the tar.

CAPTAINBOTH              The merry maiden and the tar.

Kind Captain, your young lady is a-sighing,

DICK DEADEYESing hey, the simple captain that you are,

DICK DEADEYEThis very might with Rackstraw to be flying;

DICK DEADEYESing hey, the merry maiden and the tar.

BOTHThe merry maiden and the tar.

CAPTAINGood fellow, you have given timely warning,

CAPTAINSing hey, the thoughtful sailor that you are,

CAPTAINI'll talk to Master Rackstraw in the morning:

CAPTAINSing hey, the cat-o'-nine-tails and the tar.

CAPTAIN(Producing a

CAPTAIN"cat")

BOTHThe merry cat-o'-nine-tails and the tar!

CAPTAINDick Deadeye—I thank you for your warning—I will at

CAPTAINonce take

CAPTAINmeans to arrest their flight.

CAPTAINThis boat cloak will afford me

CAPTAINample

CAPTAINdisguise—So! (Envelops himself in a mysterious cloak, holding it

CAPTAINbefore

CAPTAINhis face)

DICK DEADEYEHa, ha! They are foiled—foiled—foiled!

Enter Crew on tiptoe, with RALPH and BOATSWAIN meeting

DICK DEADEYEJOSEPHINE, who

enters from cabin on tiptoe, with bundle of necessaries, and

DICK DEADEYEaccompanied by LITTLE BUTTERCUP.

ENSEMBLECarefully on tiptoe stealing,

ENSEMBLEBreathing gently as we may,

ENSEMBLEEvery step with caution feeling,

ENSEMBLEWe will softly steal away.

ENSEMBLE(CAPTAIN stamps)—Chord.

ENSEMBLEALL (much alarmed).

ENSEMBLEGoodness me—

ENSEMBLEWhy, what was that?

DICK DEADEYESilent be,

DICK DEADEYEIt was the cat!

ALL(reassured).

ALLIt was—it was the cat!

CAPTAIN(producing cat-o'-nine-tails).

CAPTAINThey're right, it was the

CAPTAINcat!

ALLPull ashore, in fashion steady,

ALLHymen will defray the fare,

ALLFor a clergyman is ready

ALLTo unite the happy pair!

Stamp as before, and Chord

ALLGoodness me,

ALLWhy, what was that?

DICK DEADEYESilent be,

DICK DEADEYEAgain the cat!

ALLIt was again that cat!

(aside).

CAPTAINThey're right, it was the cat!

(throwing off cloak).

CAPTAINHold! (All start)

CAPTAINPretty daughter of mine,

CAPTAINI insist upon knowing

CAPTAINWhere you may be going

CAPTAINWith these sons of the brine,

CAPTAINFor my excellent crew,

CAPTAINThough foes they could thump any,

CAPTAINAre scarcely fit company,

CAPTAINMy daughter, for you.

CREWNow, hark at that, do!

CREWThough foes we could thump any,

CREWWe are scarcely fit company

CREWFor a lady like you!

RALPHProud officer, that haughty lip uncurl!

RALPHVain man, suppress that supercilious sneer,

RALPHFor I have dared to love your matchless girl,

RALPHA fact well known to all my messmates here!

CAPTAINOh, horror!

CAPTAINRALPH and Jos.

CAPTAIN{ I } humble, poor, and lowly born,

CAPTAINHe

CAPTAINThe meanest in the port division—

CAPTAINThe butt of epauletted scorn—

CAPTAINThe mark of quarter-deck derision—

CAPTAINHave } dare to raise { my } wormy eyes

CAPTAINHas                   his

CAPTAINAbove the dust to which you'd mould { me

CAPTAINhim

In manhood's glorious pride to rise,

CAPTAINI am } an Englishman—behold { me

CAPTAINHe is                         him

ALLHe is an Englishman!

BOATSWAIN'S MATEHe is an Englishman!

BOATSWAIN'S MATEFor he himself has said it,

BOATSWAIN'S MATEAnd it's greatly to his credit,

BOATSWAIN'S MATEThat he is an Englishman!

ALLThat he is an Englishman!

BOATSWAIN'S MATEFor he might have been a Roosian,

BOATSWAIN'S MATEA French, or Turk, or Proosian,

BOATSWAIN'S MATEOr perhaps Itali-an!

ALLOr perhaps Itali-an!

BOATSWAIN'S MATEBut in spite of all temptations

BOATSWAIN'S MATETo belong to other nations,

BOATSWAIN'S MATEHe remains an Englishman!

ALLFor in spite of all temptations, etc.

CAPTAIN(trying to repress his anger).

CAPTAINIn uttering a reprobation

CAPTAINTo any British tar,

CAPTAINI try to speak with moderation,

CAPTAINBut you have gone too far.

CAPTAINI'm very sorry to disparage

CAPTAINA humble foremast lad,

CAPTAINBut to seek your captain's child in marriage,

CAPTAINWhy damme, it's too bad

CAPTAIN[During this, COUSIN HEBE and FEMALE RELATIVES have entered.

CAPTAINALL (shocked).

CAPTAINOh!

CAPTAINYes, damme, it's too bad!

ALLOh!

CAPTAINand DICK DEADEYE.

CAPTAINYes, damme, it s too bad.

CAPTAIN[During this, SIR JOSEPH has appeared on poop-deck.

CAPTAINHe is

CAPTAINhorrified

CAPTAINat the bad language.

HEBEDid you hear him? Did you hear him?

HEBEOh, the monster overbearing!

HEBEDon't go near him—don't go near him—

HEBEHe is swearing—he is swearing!

SIR JOSEPHMy pain and my distress,

SIR JOSEPHI find it is not easy to express;

SIR JOSEPHMy amazement—my surprise—

SIR JOSEPHYou may learn from the expression of my eyes!

CAPTAINMy lord—one word—the facts are not before

CAPTAINyou

CAPTAINThe word was injudicious, I allow—

CAPTAINBut hear my explanation, I implore you,

CAPTAINAnd you will be indignant too, I vow!

SIR JOSEPHI will hear of no defence,

SIR JOSEPHAttempt none if you're sensible.

SIR JOSEPHThat word of evil sense

SIR JOSEPHIs wholly indefensible.

SIR JOSEPHGo, ribald, get you hence

SIR JOSEPHTo your cabin with celerity.

SIR JOSEPHThis is the consequence

SIR JOSEPHOf ill-advised asperity

[Exit CAPTAIN, disgraced, followed by

ALLThis is the consequence,

ALLOf ill-advised asperity!

SIR JOSEPHFor I'll teach you all, ere long,

SIR JOSEPHTo refrain from language strong

SIR JOSEPHFor I haven't any sympathy for ill-bred

SIR JOSEPHtaunts!

HEBENo more have his sisters, nor his cousins,

HEBEnor his

HEBEaunts.

ALLFor he is an Englishman, etc.

SIR JOSEPHNow, tell me, my fine fellow—for you are a fine

SIR JOSEPHfellow—

RALPHYes, your honour.

SIR JOSEPHHow came your captain so far to forget himself? I

SIR JOSEPHam quite

SIR JOSEPHsure you had given him no cause for annoyance.

SIR JOSEPHRALPH, Please your honour, it was thus-wise.

SIR JOSEPHYou see I'm only a

SIR JOSEPHtopman-

SIR JOSEPH-a mere foremast hand—

SIR JOSEPHDon't be ashamed of that.

SIR JOSEPHYour position as a topman

SIR JOSEPHis a

SIR JOSEPHvery exalted one.

RALPHWell, your honour, love burns as brightly in the

RALPHfo'c'sle as it

RALPHdoes on the quarter-deck, and Josephine is the fairest bud that

RALPHever

RALPHblossomed upon the tree of a poor fellow's wildest hopes.

Enter JOSEPHINE; she rushes to RALPH'S arms

SIR JOSEPHDarling! (SIR JOSEPH horrified)

RALPHShe is the figurehead of my ship of life—the bright

RALPHbeacon that

RALPHguides me into my port of happiness—that the rarest, the purest

RALPHgem that

RALPHever sparkled on a poor but worthy fellow's trusting brow!

ALLVery pretty, very pretty!

SIR JOSEPHInsolent sailor, you shall repent this outrage.

SIR JOSEPHSeize him!

Two Marines seize him and handcuff him

SIR JOSEPHOh, Sir Joseph, spare him, for I love him tenderly.

SIR JOSEPHPray, don't.

SIR JOSEPHI will teach this presumptuous mariner

SIR JOSEPHto

SIR JOSEPHdiscipline his affections.

SIR JOSEPHHave you such a thing as a dungeon on

SIR JOSEPHboard?

ALLWe have!

DICK DEADEYEThey have!

SIR JOSEPHThen load him with chains and take him there at

SIR JOSEPHonce!

RALPHFarewell, my own,

RALPHLight of my life, farewell!

RALPHFor crime unknown

RALPHI go to a dungeon cell.

SIR JOSEPHI will atone.

SIR JOSEPHIn the meantime farewell!

SIR JOSEPHAnd all alone

SIR JOSEPHRejoice in your dungeon cell!

SIR JOSEPHA bone, a bone

SIR JOSEPHI'll pick with this sailor fell;

SIR JOSEPHLet him be shown at once

SIR JOSEPHAt once to his dungeon cell.

SIR JOSEPHBOATSWAIN, DICK DEADEYE, and COUSIN HEBE

SIR JOSEPHHe'll hear no tone

SIR JOSEPHOf the maiden he loves so well!

SIR JOSEPHNo telephone

SIR JOSEPHCommunicates with his cell!

LITTLE BUTTERCUP(mysteriously).

LITTLE BUTTERCUPBut when is known

LITTLE BUTTERCUPThe secret I have to tell,

LITTLE BUTTERCUPWide will be thrown

LITTLE BUTTERCUPThe door of his dungeon cell.

ALLFor crime unknown

ALLHe goes to a dungeon cell!

ALL[RALPH is led off in

ALLcustody.

SIR JOSEPHMy pain and my distress

SIR JOSEPHAgain it is not easy to express.

SIR JOSEPHMy amazement, my surprise,

SIR JOSEPHAgain you may discover from my eyes.

ALLHow terrible the aspect of his eyes!

LITTLE BUTTERCUPHold! Ere upon your loss

LITTLE BUTTERCUPYou lay much stress,

LITTLE BUTTERCUPA long-concealed crime

LITTLE BUTTERCUPI would confess.

SONG—BUTTERCUPA many years ago,

SONG—BUTTERCUPWhen I was young and charming,

SONG—BUTTERCUPAs some of you may know,

SYSTEMI practised baby-farming.

ALLNow this is most alarming!

ALLWhen she was young and charming,

ALLShe practised baby-farming,

ALLA many years ago.

LITTLE BUTTERCUPTwo tender babes I nursed:

LITTLE BUTTERCUPOne was of low condition,

LITTLE BUTTERCUPThe other, upper crust,

LITTLE BUTTERCUPA regular patrician.

LITTLE BUTTERCUPALL (explaining to each other).

LITTLE BUTTERCUPNow, this is the position:

LITTLE BUTTERCUPOne was of low condition,

LITTLE BUTTERCUPThe other a patrician,

LITTLE BUTTERCUPA many years ago.

LITTLE BUTTERCUPOh, bitter is my cup!

LITTLE BUTTERCUPHowever could I do it?

LITTLE BUTTERCUPI mixed those children up,

LITTLE BUTTERCUPAnd not a creature knew it!

ALLHowever could you do it?

ALLSome day, no doubt, you'll rue it,

ALLAlthough no creature knew it,

ALLSo many years ago.

LITTLE BUTTERCUPIn time each little waif

LITTLE BUTTERCUPForsook his foster-mother,

LITTLE BUTTERCUPThe well born babe was Ralph—

LITTLE BUTTERCUPYour captain was the other!!!

ALLThey left their foster-mother,

ALLThe one was Ralph, our brother,

ALLOur captain was the other,

ALLA many years ago.

SIR JOSEPHThen I am to understand that Captain Corcoran and

RALPHwere exchanged in childhood's happy hour—that Ralph is really

RALPHthe

RALPHCaptain, and the Captain is Ralph?

LITTLE BUTTERCUPThat is the idea I intended to convey, officially!

SIR JOSEPHAnd very well you have conveyed it.

LITTLE BUTTERCUPAye! aye! yer 'onour.

SIR JOSEPHDear me! Let them appear before me, at once!

enters as CAPTAIN; CAPTAIN as a common sailor.

rushes

JOSEPHINEto his arms

SIR JOSEPHMy father—a common sailor!

CAPTAINIt is hard, is it not, my dear?

SIR JOSEPHThis is a very singular occurrence; I congratulate

SIR JOSEPHyou

SIR JOSEPHboth.

SIR JOSEPH(To RALPH) Desire that remarkably fine seaman to step

SIR JOSEPHforward.

CORCORANThree paces to the front—march!

CAPTAINIf what?

RALPHIf what? I don't think I understand you.

CAPTAINIf you please.

SIR JOSEPHThe gentleman is quite right.

SIR JOSEPHIf you please.

RALPHOh! If you please.

CAPTAIN steps forward

RALPHSIR JOSEPH (to CAPTAIN).

RALPHYou are an extremely fine fellow.

CAPTAINYes, your honour.

SIR JOSEPHSo it seems that you were Ralph, and Ralph was you.

CAPTAINSO it seems, your honour.

SIR JOSEPHWell, I need not tell you that after this change in

SIR JOSEPHyour

SIR JOSEPHcondition, a marriage with your daughter will be out of the

SIR JOSEPHquestion.

CAPTAINDon't say that, your honour—love levels all ranks.

SIR JOSEPHIt does to a considerable extent, but it does not

SIR JOSEPHlevel

SIR JOSEPHthem as much as that.

SIR JOSEPH(Handing JOSEPHINE to RALPH) Here — take

SIR JOSEPHher,

SIR JOSEPHsir, and mind you treat her kindly.

SIR JOSEPHRALPH and JOS.

SIR JOSEPHOh bliss, oh rapture!

CAPTAINand BUT.

CAPTAINOh rapture, oh bliss!

SIR JOSEPHSad my lot and sorry,

SIR JOSEPHWhat shall I do? I cannot live alone!

HEBEFear nothing—while I live I'll not desert you.

HEBEI'll soothe and comfort your declining days.

SIR JOSEPHNo, don't do that.

HEBEYes, but indeed I'd rather—

HEBESIR JOSEPH (resigned).

HEBETo-morrow morn our vows shall all be

HEBEplighted,

HEBEThree loving pairs on the same day united!

QUARTETTEJOSEPHINE, HEBE, RALPH, and DEADEYE

QUARTETTEOh joy, oh rapture unforeseen,

QUARTETTEThe clouded sky is now serene,

QUARTETTEThe god of day—the orb of love,

QUARTETTEHas hung his ensign high above,

QUARTETTEThe sky is all ablaze.

QUARTETTEWith wooing words and loving song,

QUARTETTEWe'll chase the lagging hours along,

QUARTETTEAnd if { he finds } the maiden coy,

QUARTETTEI find

QUARTETTEWe'll murmur forth decorous joy,

QUARTETTEIn dreamy roundelay.

CAPTAINFor he's the Captain of the Pinafore.

ALLAnd a right good captain too!

And though before my fall

CAPTAINI was captain of you all,

CAPTAINI'm a member of the crew.

Although before his fall, etc.

CAPTAINI shall marry with a wife,

CAPTAINIn my humble rank of life! (turning to BUT)

CAPTAINAnd you, my own, are she—

CAPTAINI must wander to and fro;

CAPTAINBut wherever I may go,

CAPTAINI shall never be untrue to thee!

ALLWhat, never?

CAPTAINNo, never!

ALLWhat, never!

CAPTAINHardly ever!

ALLHardly ever be untrue to thee.

ALLThen give three cheers, and one cheer more

ALLFor the former Captain of the Pinafore.

LITTLE BUTTERCUPFor he loves Little Buttercup, dear Little

LITTLE BUTTERCUPButtercup,

LITTLE BUTTERCUPThough I could never tell why;

LITTLE BUTTERCUPBut still he loves Buttercup, poor Little

LITTLE BUTTERCUPButtercup,

LITTLE BUTTERCUPSweet Little Buttercup, aye!

ALLFor he loves, etc.

SIR JOSEPHI'm the monarch of the sea,

SIR JOSEPHAnd when I've married thee (to HEBE),

SIR JOSEPHI'll be true to the devotion that my love

SIR JOSEPHimplants,

HEBEThen good-bye to his sisters, and his

HEBEcousins,

HEBEand his aunts,

HEBEEspecially his cousins,

HEBEWhom he reckons up by dozens,

HEBEHis sisters, and his cousins, and his aunts!

ALLFor he is an Englishman,

ALLAnd he himself hath said it,

ALLAnd it's greatly to his credit

ALLThat he is an Englishman!