BUT. Hold! Ere upon your loss You lay much stress, A long-concealed crime I would confess. SONG—BUTTERCUP A many years ago, When I was young and charming, As some of you may know, I practised baby-farming. ALL. Now this is most alarming! When she was young and charming, She practised baby-farming, A many years ago. BUT. Two tender babes I nursed: One was of low condition, The other, upper crust, A regular patrician. ALL (explaining to each other). Now, this is the position: One was of low condition, The other a patrician, A many years ago. BUT. Oh, bitter is my cup! However could I do it? I mixed those children up, And not a creature knew it! ALL. However could you do it? Some day, no doubt, you'll rue it, Although no creature knew it, So many years ago. BUT. In time each little waif Forsook his foster-mother, The well born babe was Ralph— Your captain was the other!!! ALL. They left their foster-mother, The one was Ralph, our brother, Our captain was the other, A many years ago. SIR JOSEPH. Then I am to understand that Captain Corcoran and Ralph were exchanged in childhood's happy hour—that Ralph is really the Captain, and the Captain is Ralph? BUT. That is the idea I intended to convey, officially! SIR JOSEPH. And very well you have conveyed it. BUT. Aye! aye! yer 'onour. SIR JOSEPH. Dear me! Let them appear before me, at once! [RALPH. enters as CAPTAIN; CAPTAIN as a common sailor. JOSEPHINE rushes to his arms