This page has been validated.
H.M.S. "PINAFORE"
And so forth, for Captain Corcoran never intentionally said anything that was not strictly true.
After this introduction he used to tell them something about himself:
The Captain. I am the captain of the Pinafore!
The Crew. And a right good captain too!
The Captain (politely).
You're very, very good,
And be it understood,
I command a right good crew!
The Crew (to each other).
We're very, very good,
And be it understood,
He commands a right good crew!
The Captain. Though related to a peer[1]
I can hand, reef, and steer,[2]
And ship a selvagee.
I am never known to quail
At the fury of a gale,
And I'm never, never sick at sea!
The Crew (who know better). What, never?
The Captain (mere forgetfulness). No, never!
- ↑ I'm afraid this was rather snobbish on Captain Corcoran's part. But as the least little bit of snobbishness was his only fault (and I am sorry to say that a great many highly respectable people are afflicted with it) I think we may forgive him this once. But if he does it again we shall have to take serious notice of it.
- ↑ These are various simple nautical operations which your kind papa will explain to you.
28
