_Fred._ There’s my difficulty; until twelve o’clock I would, after twelve I wouldn’t. Was ever a man placed in so delicate a situation! _Ruth._ And Ruth, your own Ruth, whom you love so well, and who has won her middle-aged way into your boyish heart, what is to become of _her_? _King._ Oh, he will take you with him. _Fred._ Well, Ruth, I feel some little difficulty about you. It is true that I admire you very much, but I have been constantly at sea since I was eight years old, and yours is the only woman’s face I have seen during that time. I think it is a sweet face! _Ruth._ It is, oh, it is! _Fred._ I say I _think_ it is; that is my impression. But as I have never had an opportunity of comparing you with other women, it is just possible I may be mistaken. _King._ True. _Fred._ What a terrible thing it would be if I were to marry this innocent person, and then find out that she is, on the whole, plain! _King._ Oh, Ruth is very well, very well indeed. _Sam._ Yes, there are the remains of a fine woman about Ruth. _Fred._ Do you really think so? Then I will not be so selfish as to take her from you. In justice to her, and in consideration for you, I will leave her behind. (_Hands RUTH to KING._) _King._ No, Frederic, this must not be. We are rough men, who lead a rough life, but we are not so utterly heartless as to deprive thee of thy love. I think I am right in saying that there is not one here who would rob thee of this inestimable treasure for all the world holds dear. _All_ (_loudly_). Not one! _King._ No, I thought there wasn’t. Keep thy love, Frederic, keep thy love. (_Hands her back to FREDERIC._) _Fred._ You’re very good, I’m sure. _King._ Well, it’s the top of the tide, and we must be off. Farewell, Frederic. When your process of extermination begins, let our deaths be as swift and painless as you can conveniently make them. _Fred._ I will! By the love I have for you, I swear it! Would that you could render this extermination unnecessary by accompanying me back to civilization! _King._ No, Frederic, it cannot be. I don’t think much of our profession, but, contrasted with respectability, it is comparatively honest. No, Frederic, I shall live and die a pirate king. SONG.--PIRATE KING. Oh, better far to live and die Under the brave black flag I fly, Than play a sanctimonious part, With a pirate head and a pirate heart. Away to the cheating world go you, Where pirates all are well to do; But I’ll be true to the song I sing, And live and die a pirate king. For I am a pirate king. _All._ You are! Hurrah for our pirate king! _King._ And it is, it is a glorious thing To be a pirate king. _All._ Hurrah! (_Cheering action by _Pirates_._) Hurrah for our pirate king!