DICK. I have thought it often. (All recoil from him.) BUT. Yes, you look like it! What's the matter with the man? Isn't he well? BOAT. Don't take no heed of him; that's only poor Dick Deadeye. DICK. I say—it's a beast of a name, ain't it—Dick Deadeye? BUT. It's not a nice name. DICK. I'm ugly too, ain't I? BUT. You are certainly plain. DICK. And I'm three-cornered too, ain't I? BUT. You are rather triangular. DICK. Ha! ha! That's it. I'm ugly, and they hate me for it; for you all hate me, don't you? ALL. We do! DICK. There! BOAT. Well, Dick, we wouldn't go for to hurt any fellow creature's feelings, but you can't expect a chap with such a name as Dick Deadeye to be a popular character—now can you? DICK. No. BOAT. It's asking too much, ain't it? DICK. It is. From such a face and form as mine the noblest sentiments sound like the black utterances of a depraved imagination It is human nature—I am resigned. RECITATIVE BUT. (looking down hatchway). But, tell me—who's the youth whose faltering feet With difficulty bear him on his course? BOAT. That is the smartest lad in all the fleet— Ralph Rackstraw! BUT. Ha! That name! Remorse! remorse! Enter RALPH from hatchway MADRIGAL—RALPH The Nightingale Sighed for the moon's bright ray And told his tale In his own melodious way! He sang "Ah, well-a-day!" ALL. He sang "Ah, well-a-day!" The lowly vale For the mountain vainly sighed, To his humble wail The echoing hills replied. They sang "Ah, well-a-day!" All. They sang "Ah, well-a-day!" RECITATIVE I know the value of a kindly chorus, But choruses yield little consolation When we have pain and sorrow too before us! I love—and love, alas, above my station! BUT. (aside). He loves—and loves a lass above his station! ALL (aside). Yes, yes, the lass is much above his station! Exit LITTLE BUTTERCUP BALLAD — RALPH A maiden fair to see, The pearl of minstrelsy, A bud of blushing beauty; For whom proud nobles sigh, And with each other vie To do her menial's duty. ALL. To do her menial's duty.