H.M.S. "PINAFORE"
Rackstraw, who looked like the Apollo Belvedere struck stupid.
Naughty daughter of mine (sang the Captain)
I insist upon knowing
Where you may be going
With these sons of the brine?
For my excellent crew,
Though foes they could thump any,
Are scarcely company
For a lady like you!"
Ralph wasn't going to stand this. He had been taught by the First Lord of the Admiralty that a British sailor is the finest fellow in the world, and if you can't believe a First Lord, whom can you believe? So, pulling himself together he began:
"Haughty Sir, when you address"—
"Poetry, please," said Captain Corcoran, "I allow no sailor to address me in prose."
Ralph thought for a moment, and then declaimed (in the key of G):
Proud officer, that haughty lip uncurl! (the Captain
uncurled his haughty upper lip as desired)
Vain man, suppress that supercilious sneer! (he
For I have dared to love your matchless girl—
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