The Mountebanks - Act II

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No. 26: Trio (Nita, Bartolo and Pietro)

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PIETRO.
	Ophelia was a dainty little maid,
		Who loved a very melancholy Dane;
	Whose affection of the heart, so it is said,
		Preceded his affection of the brain.
			Heir-apparent to the Crown,
				He thought lightly of her passion,
			Having wandered up and down,
				In an incoherent fashion,
		When she found he wouldn't wed her In a river, in a meadder, Took a header, and a deader
					Was Ophelia!
ALL.
		When she found he wouldn't wed her In a river, in a meadder, Took a header, and a deader
					Was Ophelia!

NITA.
	Ophelia to her sex was a disgrace,
		Whom nobody could feel compassion for.
	Ophelia should have gone to Ely Place
		To consult an eminent solicitor.
			When such promises as these
				Breaks a suitor, rich and regal,
			Why, substantial damages
				Is the panacea legal -
		From a jury - son of Adam, Though as stony as Macadam, Maid or madam, she'd have had 'em
					Would Ophelia
ALL.
		From a jury - son of Adam, Though as stony as Macadam, Maid or madam, she'd have had 'em
					Would Ophelia

Mr, Harry Monkhouse and Miss Aida Jenoure as Bartolo and Nita.
(Click to enlarge)

BARTOLO.
	There's a venerable proverb in my mind,
		Which applies to this catastrophe, I think,
	To a horse who is unfortunately blind
		Any nod is just as good as any wink.
			Opportunity I'll seize
				Of avoiding any error;
			Of substantial damages
				I have always had a terror.
		That calamity to parry Not a moment will I tarry, Off I'll carry and I'll marry
					Poor Ophelia!
ALL.
		That calamity to parry Not a moment will I/he tarry, Off I/he'll carry and I/he'll marry
					Poor Ophelia!

Exeunt BARTOLO and NITA. As they go off, PIETRO slyly steals their respective keys, and goes off triumphantly in opposite direction.

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