_Boat._ (_who has gone on poop-deck, returns_). My lads, our gallant captain has come on deck; let us greet him as so brave an officer and so gallant a seaman deserves. RECITATIVE. _Capt._ My gallant crew, good morning. _All_ (_saluting_). Sir, good morning! _Capt._ I hope you’re all well. _All_ (_as before_). Quite well; and you, sir? _Capt._ I am reasonable in health, and happy To meet you all once more. _All_ (_as before_). You do us proud, sir! SONG.--CAPTAIN. _Capt._ I am the Captain of the Pinafore! _All._ And a right good captain, too! _Capt._ You’re very, very good, And be it understood I command a right good crew. _All._ We’re very, very good, And be it understood He commands a right good crew. _Capt._ Though related to a peer, I can hand, reef, and steer, And ship a selvagee; I am never known to quail At the fury of a gale, And I’m never, never sick at sea! _All._ What, never? _Capt._ No, never! _All._ What, _never_? _Capt._ Hardly ever! _All._ He’s hardly ever sick at sea! Then give three cheers, and one cheer more, For the hardy Captain of the Pinafore! _Capt._ I do my best to satisfy you all-- _All._ And with you we’re quite content. _Capt._ You’re exceedingly polite, And I think it only right To return the compliment. _All._ We’re exceedingly polite. And he thinks it’s only right To return the compliment. _Capt._ Bad language or abuse, I never, never use, Whatever the emergency; Though, “bother it,” I may Occasionally say, I never use a big, big D---- _All._ What, never? _Capt._ No, never! _All._ What, _never_? _Capt._ Hardly ever! _All._ Hardly ever swears a big, big D---- Then give three cheers, and one cheer more, For the well-bred Captain of the Pinafore! [_After song exeunt all but CAPTAIN._ _Enter LITTLE BUTTERCUP._ RECITATIVE. _But._ Sir, you are sad. The silent eloquence Of yonder tear that trembles on your eyelash Proclaims a sorrow far more deep than common; Confide in me--fear not--I am a mother! _Capt._ Yes, Little Buttercup, I’m sad and sorry-- My daughter, Josephine, the fairest flower That ever blossomed on ancestral timber, Is sought in marriage by Sir Joseph Porter, Our Admiralty’s First Lord, but for some reason, She does not seem to tackle kindly to it.