34
We seek a penalty fifty-fold
For General Stanley's story.
Police
They seek a penalty.
Pirates. {Without.)
Fifty-fold!
We seek a penalty fifty-fold!
All.
They seek a penalty fifty-fold
for General Stanley's story.
Police.
They come in force,
With stealthy stride;
Our obvious course
Is now to hide.
(Police conceal themselves in aisle L. As they do so the Pirates with Ruth and Frederic, are seen appearing at ruined window C. They enter cautiously, and come down stage on tiptoe. The King is laden with burglarious tools and pistols, etc. etc.)
Chorus. — Pirates.
(Very loud.)
With cat-like tread
Upon our prey we steal —
In silence dread
Our cautious way we feel.
Police. (Pianissimo.)
Tarantara! tarantara!
Pirates.
No sound at all:
We never speak a word;
A fly's footfall
Would be distinctly heard.
Police.
Tarantara! tarantara!
Pirates.
Ha! ha!
Ho! ho!
So stealthily the pirate creeps
While all the household soundly sleeps.
Gurr! gurr!
Gurr! gurr!
(Imitating snoring.)
Ha! ha! Ho! ho!
Police. (Pianissimo.)
Tarantara! Tarantara!
(Forte.)
Tarantara!
Pirates.
Come friends, who plough the sea,
Truce to navigation;
Take another station;
Let us vary piracy
With a little burglary!
Samuel.
Here's your crowbar
And your centre-bit;
Your life-preserver —
You may want to hit!
