_Ralph._ I am poor in the essence of happiness, lady--rich only in never-ending unrest. In me there meet a combination of antithetical elements which are at eternal war with one another. Driven hither by objective influences--thither by subjective emotions--wafted one moment into blazing day by mocking hope--plunged the next into the Cimmerian darkness of tangible despair, I am but a living ganglion of irreconcilable antagonisms. I hope I make myself clear, lady? _Jos._ Perfectly. (_Aside._) His simple eloquence goes to my heart. Oh, if I dared--but no, the thought is madness! (_Aloud._) Dismiss these foolish fancies, they torture you but needlessly. Come, make one effort. _Ralph_ (_aside_). I will--one. (_Aloud._) Josephine! _Jos._ (_indignantly_). Sir! _Ralph._ Ay, even though Jove’s armoury were launched at the head of the audacious mortal whose lips, unhallowed by relationship, dared to breathe that precious word, yet would I breathe it once, and then perchance be silent evermore. Josephine, in one brief breath I will concentrate the hopes, the doubts, the anxious fears of six weary months. Josephine, I am a British sailor, and I love you! _Jos._ Sir, this audacity! (_Aside._) Oh, my heart, my heart! (_Aloud._) This unwarrantable presumption on the part of a common sailor! (_Aside._) Common! oh, the irony of the word! (_Aloud._) Oh, sir, you forget the disparity in our ranks. _Ralph._ I forget nothing, haughty lady. I love you desperately, my life is in thy hand--I lay it at your feet! Give me hope, and what I lack in education and polite accomplishments, that I will endeavour to acquire. Drive me to despair, and in death alone I shall look for consolation. I am proud, and cannot stoop to implore. I have spoken, and I wait your word! _Jos._ You shall not wait long. Your proffered love I haughtily reject. Go, sir, and learn to cast your eyes on some village maiden in your own poor rank--they should be lowered before your captain’s daughter! DUET.-JOSEPHINE AND RALPH. _Jos._ Refrain, audacious tar, Your suit from pressing, Remember what you are, And whom addressing! Proud lords to seek my hand In throngs assemble, The loftiest in the land Bow down and tremble! (_Aside._) I’d laugh my rank to scorn In union holy, Were he more highly born Or I more lowly! _Ralph._ Proud lady, have your way Unfeeling beauty! You speak and I obey, It is my duty! I am the lowliest tar That sails the water. And you, proud maiden, are My captain’s daughter! (_Aside._) My heart with anguish torn Bows down before her, She laughs my love to scorn, Yet I adore her. [_Repeat refrain ensemble, then exit JOSEPHINE into cabin._