softly, softly, catchee monkey

phrase2

1. •
   Proceed cautiously or gently to achieve an objective.

   • "Prudens qui patiens," was the motto of our great Coke : a motto which the negro pithily paraphrases — "Softly, softly, catch monkey." — 1840
2. •
   Capture a target without startling it and causing it to run away.

   • Softly, softly, catchee monkey, I thought to myself....slow and sure was the way with a woman like this. — 2013