The Mountebanks
Song No. 18

MIDI File 14K, 2 min. 54 seconds

Symphony. Enter Bartolo and Nita, still as waxwork Hamlet and Ophelia. They walk down the stage mechanically, as though controlled by clockwork. Their keys are fitted with keyholes in the small of their backs. Each wears a placard inscribed “Put a penny in the slot.” Duet. — Bartolo and Nita.   Bartolo.                                   If our action’s stiff and crude, Do not laugh because it’s rude. Nita.                                      If our gestures promise larks, Do not make unkind remarks. Bartolo.                                   Clockwork figures may be found Everywhere and all around. Nita.                                      Ten to one, if we but knew, You are clockwork figures too. Bartolo.                                   And the motto of the lot, Nita.                                      Put a penny in the slot! NITA BARTOLO Put a pen- ny, put Put a penny, a pen- ny, put put a pen- a penny in the slot! ny, a penny in the slot! Put a pen- ny, put Put a penny, a pen- ny, put put a pen- a penny in the slot! ny, a penny in the slot! Bartolo.                                   Bland reporters in the courts, Who suppress police reports — Nita.                                      Sheriff’s yeoman, pen in fist, Making out a jury list — Bartolo.                                   Stern policeman, tall and spare, Acting all “upon the square” — Nita.                                      (Which in words that plainer fall Means that you can square them all) — Bartolo.                                   If you want to move the lot, Nita.                                      Put a penny in the slot! NITA BARTOLO Put a pen- ny, put Put a penny, a pen- ny, put put a pen- a penny in the slot! ny, a penny in the slot! Put a pen- ny, put Put a penny, a pen- ny, put put a pen- a penny in the slot! ny, a penny in the slot! Nita.                                      Usurer for money lent, Making out his cent. per cent. — Bartolo.                                   Widow plump or maiden rare, Deaf and dumb to suitor’s prayer — Nita.                                      Tax collectors, whom in vain You implore to “call again” — Bartolo.                                   Cautious voter, whom you find Slow in making up his mind. Nita.                                      If you’d move them on the spot, Bartolo.                                   Put a penny in the slot! NITA BARTOLO Put a pen- ny, put Put a penny, a pen- ny, put put a pen- a penny in the slot! ny, a penny in the slot! Put a pen- ny, put Put a penny, a pen- ny, put put a pen- a penny in the slot! ny, a penny in the slot! Page created 14 September 2001