Ah, Miss

[ANTHONY:]
(Gazing at JOHANNA, sings softly)
I have sailed the world
Beheld its wonders
From the pearls of Spain
To the rubies of Tibet
But not even in London
Have I seen such a wonder ...
(Breathlessly)

Lady look at me look at me miss oh
Look at me please oh
Favor me favor me with your glance
Ah, miss
What do you what do you see off
There in those trees oh.

Won't you give won't you give me a chance?
Who would sail to Spain
For all its wonders
When in Kearney's Lane
Lies the greatest wonder yet?
Ah, miss.

Look at you look at you pale and
Ivory-skinned oh
Look at you looking so sad so queer
Promise
Not to retreat to the darkness
Back of your window
Not till you not till you look down here.
Look at

[ANTHONY:]
Me!
Look at
Me!
Look at me...

[JOHANNA:]
Green finch and linnet bird
Nightingale, blackbird
Teach me how to sing
If I cannot fly
Let me sing ...

(As JOHANNA turns back to go inside, their eyes meet and the song dies on their lips. A hushed moment. Then suddenly a clawlike hand darts out from a pile of trash. ANTHONY jumps and looks down to see the BEGGAR WOMAN, who has been sleeping in the garbage under a discarded shawl, thrusting her bowl at him. JOHANNA, frightened, slips back out of sight)

[BEGGAR WOMAN:]
Alms! ... Alms! ...
For a miserable woman ...
(ANTHONY hurriedly digs out a coin and drops it in her bowl; she peers at him)
Beg your pardon, it's you, sir ...
Thank yer, Thank yer kindly...

(ANTHONY turns back to discover JOHANNA gone and the window shut. The BEGGAR WOMAN starts off)

[ANTHONY:]
One moment, mother
(She turns) Perhaps you know whose house this is?

[BEGGAR WOMAN:]
That! That's the great Judge Turpin's house, that is.

[ANTHONY:]
And the young lady who resides there?

[BEGGAR WOMAN:]
Ah, her! That's Johanna, his pretty little ward. (Slyly confidential) But don't you go trespassing there, young man. Not if you value your hide. (She nods her head) Tamper there and it's a good whipping for you — or any other youth with mischief on his mind
Hey! Hoy! Sailor boy!
Want it snugly harbored?
Open me gate, but dock it straight
I see it lists to starboard
(She grabs at his crotch and starts to dance around him grotesquely, lifting her skirts
ANTHONY is appalled
He pulls coins out of his pocket and tosses them to her)