BUT. How sweetly he carols forth his mel...

BUT. How sweetly he carols forth his melody to the unconscious moon! Of whom is he thinking? Of some high-born beauty? It may be! Who is poor Little Buttercup that she should expect his glance to fall on one so lowly! And yet if he knew – if he only knew!

CAPT. (coming down). Ah! Little Buttercup, still on board? That is not quite right, little one. It would have been more respectable to have gone on shore at dusk.

BUT. True, dear Captain – but the recollection of your sad pale face seemed to chain me to the ship. I would fain see you smile before I go.

CAPT. Ah! Little Buttercup, I fear it will be long before I recover my accustomed cheerfulness, for misfortunes crowd upon me, and all my old friends seem to have turned against me!

BUT. Oh no – do not say “all”, dear Captain. That were unjust to one, at least.

CAPT. True, for you are staunch to me. (Aside.) If ever I gave my heart again, methinks it would be to such a one as this! (Aloud.) I am touched to the heart by your innocent regard for me, and were we differently situated, I think I could have returned it. But as it is, I fear I can never be more to you than a friend.

BUT. I understand! You hold aloof from me because you are rich and lofty – and I poor and lowly. But take care! The poor bumboat woman has gipsy blood in her veins, and she can read destinies.

CAPT. Destinies?

BUT. There is a change in store for you!

CAPT. A change?

BUT. Aye – be prepared!

DUET – LITTLE BUTTERCUP and CAPTAIN.

BUT. Things are seldom what they seem,

Skim milk masquerades as cream;

Highlows pass as patent leathers;

Jackdaws strut in peacock’s feathers.

CAPT. (puzzled). Very true,

So they do.

BUT. Black sheep dwell in every fold;

All that glitters is not gold;

Storks turn out to be but logs;

Bulls are but inflated frogs.

CAPT. (puzzled). So they be,

Frequentlee.

BUT. Drops the wind and stops the mill;

Turbot is ambitious brill;

Gild the farthing if you will,

Yet it is a farthing still.

CAPT. (puzzled). Yes, I know.

That is so.

CAPT. Though to catch your drift I’m striving,

It is shady – it is shady;

I don’t see at what you’re driving,

Mystic lady – mystic lady.

BOTH. Stern conviction’s o’er stealing,

That the mystic lady’s dealing

In oracular revealing.

CAPT. Yes, I know –

BUT. That is so!

CAPT. Though I’m anything but clever,

I could talk like that for ever:

Once a cat was killed by care;

Only brave deserve the fair.

BUT. Very true,

So they do.

CAPT. Wink is often good as nod;

Spoils the child who spares the rod;

Thirsty lambs run foxy dangers;

Dogs are found in many mangers.

BUT. Frequentlee,

I agree.

CAPT. Paw of cat the chestnut snatches;

Worn-out garments show new patches;

Only count the chick that hatches;

Men are grown-up catchy-catchies.

BUT. Yes, I know,

That is so.

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

I’ll dissemble – I’ll dissemble;

When he sees at what I’m driving,

Let him tremble – let him tremble!