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General. Why do I sit here ? To escape from the pirates' clutches I described myself as an orphan, and I am no orphan. I came here to humble myself before the tombs of my ancestors, and to implore their pardon for the disgrace I have brought upon them.
Fred. But you forget, sir. You only bought the property a year ago, and the stucco on your baronial castle is scarcely dry.
General. Frederic, in this chapel are ancestors; you can not deny that. I don't know whose ancestors they were, but I know whose ancestors they are, and I shudder to think that their descendant by purchase (if I may so describe myself) should have brought disgrace upon what I have no doubt was an unstained escutcheon.
Fred. Be comforted. Had you not acted as you did, these reckless men would assuredly have called in the nearest clergy man, and have married your large family on the spot.
General. I thank you for your proffered solace, but it is unavailing. At what time does your expedition march against these scoundrels?
Fred. At eleven, and before midnight I hope to have atoned for my involuntary association with these pestilent scourges by sweeping them from the face of the earth.— And then, my Mabel, you will be mine!
General. Are your devoted followers at hand?
Fred. They are; they only wait my orders.
Recit. — General Then, Frederic, let your escort lion-hearted be summoned to receive a general's blessing ere they depart upon their dread adventure.
Fred. Dear sir, they come !
(Enter Police, marching in single file from L., 2d E., and form
in line, facing audience.)
Song. — Sergeant.
When the foeman bares his steel —
All. (Using their clubs as trumpets.) Tarantara! tarantara!
Sergeant. We uncomfortable feel;
All. Tarantara !
Sergeant. And we find the wisest thing —
All. Tarantara! tarantara!
Sergeant. Is to slap our chests and sing —
All. Tarantara !
Sergeant. For when threatened with emeutes—
All. Tarantara! tarantara!
Sergeant. And your heart is in your boots —
All Tarantara!
