D'ya think I could do it, Foolestroupe? Gee, I always thought I had a great falsetto....

---

Enter LITTLE BUTTERCUP, with large basket on her arm

                             RECITATIVE
 
      Hail, men-o'-war's men-safeguards of your nation
      Here is an end, at last, of all privation;
      You've got your play--spare all you can afford
      To welcome Little Buttercup on board.
 
                               ARIA
 
      For I'm called Little Buttercup--dear Little Buttercup,
         Though I could never tell why,
      But still I'm called Buttercup--poor little Buttercup,
         Sweet Little Buttercup I!
 
      I've snuff and tobaccy, and excellent jacky,
           I've scissors, and watches, and knives
      I've ribbons and laces to set off the faces
           Of pretty young sweethearts and wives.
      
      I've treacle and toffee, I've tea and I've coffee,
           Soft tommy and succulent chops;
      I've chickens and conies, and pretty polonies,
           And excellent peppermint drops.
      
      Then buy of your Buttercup--dear Little Buttercup;
           Sailors should never be shy;
      So, buy of your Buttercup--poor Little Buttercup;
           Come, of your Buttercup buy!
 

BOAT. Aye, Little Buttercup--and well called--for you're the
rosiest,
the roundest, and the reddest beauty in all Spithead.
BUT. Red, am I? and round--and rosy! Maybe, for I have
dissembled well!
But hark ye, my merry friend--hast ever thought that beneath a
gay and frivolous exterior there may lurk a canker-worm which is slowly but surely eating its way into one's very heart?