FREDERIC: (recitative). Stop, ladies, pray! GIRLS: (Hopping on one foot) A man! FREDERIC: I had intended Not to intrude myself upon your notice In this effective but alarming costume; But under these peculiar circumstances, It is my bounden duty to inform you That your proceedings will not be unwitnessed! EDITH: But who are you, sir? Speak! (All hopping) FREDERIC: I am a pirate! GIRLS: (recoiling, hopping) A pirate! Horror! FREDERIC: Ladies, do not shun me! This evening I renounce my vile profession; And, to that end, O pure and peerless maidens! Oh, blushing buds of ever-blooming beauty! I, sore at heart, implore your kind assistance. EDITH: How pitiful his tale! KATE: How rare his beauty GIRLS: How pitiful his tale! How rare his beauty! SONG—FREDERIC Oh, is there not one maiden breast Which does not feel the moral beauty Of making worldly interest Subordinate to sense of duty? Who would not give up willingly All matrimonial ambition, To rescue such a one as I From his unfortunate position? From his position, To rescue such an one as I From his unfortunate position? GIRLS: Alas! there's not one maiden breast Which seems to feel the moral beauty Of making worldly interest Subordinate to sense of duty! FREDERIC: Oh, is there not one maiden here Whose homely face and bad complexion Have caused all hope to disappear Of ever winning man's affection? Of such a one, if such there be, I swear by Heaven's arch above you, If you will cast your eyes on me, However plain you be, I'll love you, However plain you be, If you will cast your eyes on me, However plain you be I'll love you, I'll love you, I'll love, I'll love you! GIRLS: Alas! there's not one maiden here Whose homely face and bad complexion Have caused all hope to disappear Of ever winning man's affection! FREDERIC: (in despair) Not one? GIRLS: No, no— not one! FREDERIC: Not one? GIRLS: No, no! MABEL: (enters through arch) Yes, one! Yes, one! GIRLS: 'Tis Mabel! MABEL: Yes, 'tis Mabel! RECIT—MABEL