[Buttercup]
Things are seldom what they seem,
Skim milk masquerades as cream;
Highlows pass as patent leathers;
Jackdaws strut in peacock's feathers.

[Captain]
Very true,
So they do.

[Butter]
Black sheep dwell in every fold;
All that glitters is not gold;
Storks turn out to be but logs;
Bulls are but inflated frogs.

[Captain]
So they be,
Frequentlee.

[Buttercup]
Drops the wind and stops the mill;
Turbot is ambitious brill;
Gild the farthing if you will,
Yet it is a farthing still.
[Captain]
Yes, I know.
That is so.
Though to catch your drift I'm striving,
It is shady — it is shady;
I don't see at what you're driving,
Mystic lady — mystic lady.

[Both]
Stern conviction's o'er me/him stealing,
That the mystic lady's dealing
In oracular revealing.

[Captain]
Yes, I know —

[Buttercup]
That is so!

[Captain]
Though I'm anything but clevеr,
I could talk like that for ever:
Oncе a cat was killed by care,
Only brave deserve the fair.

[Buttercup]
Very true,
So they do.
[Captain]
Wink is often good as nod;
Spoils the child who spares the rod;
Thirsty lambs run foxy dangers;
Dogs are found in many mangers.

[Buttercup]
Frequentlee,
I agree.

[Captain]
Paw of cat the chestnut snatches;
Worn-out garments show new patches;
Only count the chick that hatches;
Men are grown-up catchy-catchies.

[Buttercup]
Yes, I know,
That is so.
(aside) Though to catch my drift he's striving,
I'll dissemble — I'll dissemble;
When he sees at what I'm driving,
Let him tremble — let him tremble!

[Both]
Tho' a mystic tone I/you borrow,
He will/I shall learn the truth with sorrow;
Here today and gone tomorrow.
[Captain]
Yes, I know.

[That is so!]

[Both]
Tho' a mystic tone you borrow,
(I'll dissemble,)
I shall learn the truth with sorrow;
(I'll dissemble, Let him tremble!)
Here today and gone tomorrow,
(Let him tremble! Let him tremble!)
Yes, I know, That is so!