H.M.S. "PINAFORE"
depart from his usual calm correct way of speaking, and horrify them by introducing some really unpardonable language. So he exclaimed:
In uttering a reprobation
To any British Tar,
I try to speak with moderation,
But you have gone too far.
I'm very sorry to disparage
A humble foremast lad,
But to seek your Captain's child in marriage,
Why, hang it, it's too bad!
Yes, hang it, it's too bad!
(I don't care, I will say it, and risk the consequences)—
Yes, hang it, it's too bad!
The crew were awestruck, for they had never, in all their experience of Captain Corcoran, known him to forget himself as far as to use an expression of this description. Three times too—not once, but three times, as if he revelled in his wickedness! And what made the circumstance more impressive was that as their amazement and agitation subsided, they saw the First Lord of the Admiralty standing, apparently thunder-struck, in their midst!
"I am appalled," said Sir Joseph, as soon as he could control his tongue. "Simply appalled!"
There was no mistake about it—he was quite white with the shock that the Captain's language no
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