Page:Pirates of Penzance (Hitchcock publication).djvu/23
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17
All.
And whistle all the airs from that infernal nonsense, Pinafore.
General.
Then I can write a washing-bill in Babylonic cuneiform, And tell you every detail of Caractacus's uniform. In short, in matters vegetable, animal, and mineral I am the very model of a modern major-gineral !
All.
In short, in matters vegetable, animal, and mineral He is the very pattern of a modern major-gineral !
General.
In fact, when I know what is meant by "mamelon" and "ravelin"— When I can tell at sight a chassepot rifle from a javelin— When such affairs as sorties and surprises I'm more wary at, And when I know precisely what is meant by "commissariat"— When I have learnt what progress has been made in modern gunnery— When I know more of tactics than a novice in a nunnery,— In short, when I've a smattering of elemental strategy— (Bothered for the rhyme.) Strategy! strategy!— (Struck with an idea.)(Joyously.) You'll say a better major-general has never sat agee.
All.
We'll say a better major-general has never sat agee.
General.
For my military knowledge, though I'm plucky and adventurer, Has only been brought down to the beginning of the century; But still, in matters vegetable, animal, and mineral I am the very model of a modern major-gineral.
All.
But still in learning vegetable, animal, and mineral He is the very model of a modern major-gineral.
General. And now that I've introduced myself, I should like to have some idea of what's going on.
Kate. Oh, papa ! we—
Samuel. Permit me ; I'll explain it in two words : we propose to marry your daughters.
General. Dear me !
Girls. Against our wills, papa— against our wills!