PIRATES: (very loud)
With cat-like tread,
Upon our prey we steal;
In silence dread,
Our cautious way we feel.
No sound at all!
We never speak a word;
A fly's foot-fall
Would be distinctly heard--

POLICE:
(softly) Tarantara, tarantara!

PIRATES:
So stealthily the pirate creeps,
While all the household soundly sleeps.

Come, friends, who plough the sea,
Truce to navigation;
Take another station;
Let's vary piracee
With a little burglaree!

Come, friends, who plough the sea,
Truce to navigation;
Take another station;
Let's vary piracee
With a little burglaree!

SAMUEL:
(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.

POLICE:
Tarantara!

PIRATES:
With cat-like tread

POLICE:
Tarantara!

PIRATES:
In silence dread,

(Enter KING, FREDERIC and RUTH)
ALL (fortissimo).

With cat-like tread,
Upon our prey we steal;
In silence dread,
Our cautious way we feel.

No sound at all!
We never speak a word;
A fly's foot-fall
Would be distinctly heard--

Come, friends, who plough the sea,
Truce to navigation;
Take another station;
Let's vary piracee
With a little burglaree!

With cat-like tread,
Upon our prey we steal;
In silence dread,
Our cautious way we feel.