A rollicking band of pirates we, Who, tired of tossing on the sea, Are trying their hands in a burglaree, With weapons grim and gory. _Serg._ Hush, hush! I hear them on the manor poaching; With stealthy step the pirates are approaching. CHORUS OF PIRATES (_resumed nearer_). We are not coming for plate of gold-- A story General Stanley’s told-- We seek a penalty fifty-fold For General Stanley’s story. _Pol._ They seek a penalty-- _Pir._ (_without_). Fifty-fold; We seek a penalty-- _Pol._ Fifty-fold; _All._ {We} {They} seek a Penalty fifty-fold For General Stanley’s story. _Pol._ They come in force, with stealthy stride, Our obvious course is now--to hide. [__Police_ conceal themselves in aisle. As they do so, the _Pirates_, with RUTH and FREDERIC, are seen appearing at ruined window. They enter cautiously. SAMUEL is laden with burglarious tools and pistols, etc._ CHORUS.--PIRATES (_very loud_). With cat-like tread, Upon our prey we steal; In silence dread Our cautious way we feel. _Pol._ (_pianissimo_). Tarantara! tarantara! _Pir._ No sound at all, We never speak a word, A fly’s foot-fall Could be distinctly heard-- _Pol._ Tarantara! tarantara! _Pir._ Ha! ha! Ho! ho! So stealthily the pirate creeps While all the household soundly sleeps. Ha! ha! ho! ho! _Pol._ (_pianissimo_). Tarantara! tarantara! (_Forte._) Tarantara! _Sam._ (_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. _All_ (_fortissimo_). With cat-like tread, etc. RECITATIVE. _Fred._ Hush, not a word. I see a light inside. The Major-General comes, so quickly hide. _Gen._ (_without_). Yes, yes, the Major-General comes. _Pir._ He comes. _Gen._ (_entering in dressing-gown, carrying a light_). Yes, yes, I come. _Pol._ He comes. _Gen._ Yes, yes, I come. _All._ The Major-General comes. [_Exit FREDERIC._ SOLO.--GENERAL.