PIRATES: (very loud)

With cat-like tread,

Upon our prey we steal;

In silence dread,

Our cautious way we feel.

No sound at all!

We never speak a word;

A fly's foot-fall

Would be distinctly heard--

POLICE:

(softly) Tarantara, tarantara!

PIRATES:

So stealthily the pirate creeps,

While all the household soundly sleeps.

Come, friends, who plough the sea,

Truce to navigation;

Take another station;

Let's vary piracee

With a little burglaree!

Come, friends, who plough the sea,

Truce to navigation;

Take another station;

Let's vary piracee

With a little burglaree!

SAMUEL:

(distributing implements to various members of the gang)

Here's your crowbar and your centrebit,

Your life-preserver -- you may want to hit!

Your silent matches, your dark lantern seize,

Take your file and your skeletonic keys.

POLICE:

Tarantara!

PIRATES:

With cat-like tread

POLICE:

Tarantara!

PIRATES:

In silence dread,

(Enter KING, FREDERIC and RUTH)

ALL (fortissimo).

With cat-like tread,

Upon our prey we steal;

In silence dread,

Our cautious way we feel.

No sound at all!

We never speak a word;

A fly's foot-fall

Would be distinctly heard--

Come, friends, who plough the sea,

Truce to navigation;

Take another station;

Let's vary piracee

With a little burglaree!

With cat-like tread,

Upon our prey we steal;

In silence dread,

Our cautious way we feel.