In article <njt1fj$bai$
1...@dont-email.me>,
Dimensional Traveler <
dtr...@sonic.net> wrote:
>What _exactly_ would a Coast Guard cutter do to stop an Iowa class
>battleship?
Scare it away?
/googles
From _Ruddygore_:
RICHARD:
I shipped, d'ye see, in a Revenue sloop,
And, off Cape Finistere,
A merchantman we see,
A Frenchman, going free,
So we made for the bold Mounseer,
D'ye see?
We made for the bold Mounseer.
But she proved to be a Frigate and she up with her ports,
And fires with a thirty-two!
It come uncommon near,
But we answered with a cheer,
Which paralysed the Parly-voo,
D'ye see?
Which paralysed the Parly-voo!
Then our Captain he up and he says, says he,
"That chap we need not fear,
We can take her, if we like,
She is sartin for to strike,
For she's only a darned Mounseer,
D'ye see?
She'S only a darned Mounseer!
But to fight a French fal-lal ! it 's like hittin' of a gal
It 's a lubberly thing for to do;
For we, with all our faults,
Why we're sturdy British salts,
While she 's only a Parley-voo,
D'ye see?
A miserable Parley-voo!"
So we up with our helm, and we scuds before the breeze
As we gives a compassionating cheer;
Froggee answers with a shout
As he sees us go about,
Which was grateful of the poor Mounseer,
D'ye see?
Which was grateful of the poor Mounseer!
And I'll wager in their joy they kissed each other's cheek
(Which is what them furriners do),
And they blessed their lucky stars
We were hardy British tars
Who had pity on a poor Parley-voo,
D'ye see?
Who had pity on a poor Parley-voo !
--- W. S. Gilbert
The purpose of this aria is to demonstrate that Richard is a
liar ... and, in fact, against all tradition, the tenor is the
villain.
But the higher-ups of the French Navy took offense, and there was
nearly an international incdent until some forerunner of Lord
Peter Wimsey calmed everyone down.