Bohème — Act I
ACT I
"...
Mimi was a charming girl specially apt to appeal to Rudolph, the poet and dreamer.
Aged twenty-two, she was slight and graceful.
Her face reminded one of some sketch of high-born beauty; its features had marvellous refinement.
"The hot, impetuous blood of youth coursed through her veins, giving a rosy hue to her clear complexion that had the white velvety bloom of the camellia.
"This frail beauty allured Rudolph.
But what wholly served to enchant him were Mimi's tiny hands, that, despite her household duties, she contrived to keep whiter even than the Goddess of Ease."
ACT I IN THE ATTIC
_Spacious window, from which one sees an expanse of snow-clad roofs.
On left, a fireplace, a table, small cupboard, a little book-case, four chairs, a picture easel, a bed, a few books, many packs of cards, two candlesticks.
Door in the middle, another on left.
_ _Curtain rises quickly_ RUDOLPH and MARCEL.
RUDOLPH _looks pensively out of the window.
_ MARCEL _works at his painting, "The Passage of the Red Sea," with hands nipped with cold, and warms them by blowing on them from time to time, often changing position on account of the frost.
_ MAR.
(_seated, continuing to paint_) This Red Sea passage feels as damp and chill to me As if adown my back a stream were flowing.
(_Goes a little way back from the easel to look at the picture.
_) But in revenge a Pharaoh will I drown.
(_Turning to his work.
_) And you?
(to RUDOLPH) RUD.
(_pointing to the tireless stove_) Lazily rising, see how the smoke From thousands of chimneys floats upward!
And yet that stove of ours No fuel seems to need, the idle rascal, Content to live in ease, just like a lord!
MAR.
'Tis now a good, long while since we paid his lawful wages.
RUD.
Of what use are the forests all white under the snow?
MAR.
Now Rudolph, let me tell you A fact that overcomes me, I'm simply frozen!
RUD.
(_approaching_ MARCEL) And I, Marcel, to be quite candid, I've no faith in the sweat of my brow.
MAR.
All my fingers are frozen Just as if they'd been touching that iceberg, Touching that block of marble, the heart of false Musetta.
(_Heaves a long sigh, laying aside his palette and brushes, and ceases painting.
)_ RUD.
Ah!
love's a stove consuming a deal of fuel!
MAR.
Too quickly.
RUD.
Where the man does the burning.
MAR.
And the woman the lighting.
RUD.
While the one turns to ashes.
MAR.
So the other stands and watches.
RUD.
Meanwhile, in here we're frozen.
MAR.
And we're dying of hunger.
RUD.
A fire must be lighted.
MAR.
(_seizing a chair and about to break it up_) I have it, This crazy chair shall save us!
(_RUDOLPH energetically resists_ MARCEL'S _project_.
) RUD.
(_joyous at an idea that has seized him_) Eureka!
(_Runs to the table and from below it lifts a bulky manuscript.
_) MAR.
You've found it?
RUD.
Yes.
When genius is roused ideas come fast in flashes.
MAR.
(_pointing to his picture_) Let's burn up the "Red Sea."
RUD.
No: think what a stench 'twould occasion!
But my drama, my beautiful drama shall give us warmth.
MAR.
(_with comic terror_) Intend you to read it?
Twill chill us!
RUD.
No. The paper in flame shall be burning, The soul to its heaven returning.
(_with tragic emphasis_) Great loss!
but the world yet must bear it, When Rome is in peril!
MAR.
Great soul!
RUD.
(_giving _MARCEL_ a portion of the MS. _) Here, take the first act.
MAR.
Well?
RUD.
Tear it.
MAR.
And light it.
(RUDOLPH _strikes a flint on steel, lights a candle, and goes to the stove with_ MARCEL; _together they set fire to a part of the MS. thrown into the fireplace; then both draw up their chairs and sit down, delightedly warming themselves.
_) RUD.
How joyous the rays!
MAR.
How cheerful the blaze!
(_The door at the back opens violently, and_ COLLINE _enters frozen and nipped up, stamping his feet, and throwing angrily on the table a bundle of books tied up in a handkerchief_.
) COL.
Surely miracles apocalyptic are dawning!
For Christmas eve they honor by allowing no pawning!
(_Checks himself, seeing a fire in the stove.
_) See I a fire here?
RUD.
(_to_ COLLINE) Gently, it is my drama.
COL.
In blazes!
I find it very sparkling.
RUD.
Brilliant!
(_the fire languishes_) COL.
Too short its phrases.
RUD.
Brevity's deemed a treasure.
COL.
(_taking the chair from_ RUDOLPH) Your chair pray give me, author.
MAR.
These foolish entr'actes merely make us shiver.
Quickly!
RUD.
(_taking another portion of the_ MS. ) Here is the next act.
MAR.
(_to_ COLLINE) Hush!
not a whisper.
(RUDOLPH _tears up the_ MS. _and throws it into the fireplace; the flames revive.
_ COLLINE _moves his chair nearer and warms his hands.
_ RUDOLPH _is standing near the two with the rest of the_ MS.
) COL.
How deep the thought is!
MAR.
Color how true!
RUD.
In that blue smoke my drama is dying Full of its love-scenes ardent and new.
COL.
A leaf see crackle!
MAR.
Those were all the kisses.
RUD.
(_throwing the remaining_ MS. _on the fire_) Three acts at once I desire to hear.
COL.
Only the daring can dream such visions.
RUD.
, MAR.
and COL. Dreams that in flame soon disappear.
(_Applaud enthusiastically; the flame diminishes.
_) MAR.
Ye gods!
see the leaves well-nigh perished.
COL.
How vain is the drama we cherished.
MAR.
They crackle!
they curl up!
they die!
MAR.
and COL. The author--down with him, we cry.
(_From the middle door two boys enter, carrying provisions and fuel;
the three friends turn, and with a surprised cry, seize the provisions and place them on the table.
_ COLLINE _carries the wood to the fireplace.
_) RUD.
Fuel!
MAR.
Wine, too!
COL.
Cigars!
RUD.
Fuel!
MAR.
Bordeaux!
RUD.
, MAR.
and COL. The abundance of a feast day We are destined yet to know.
(_Exeunt the two boys_) (_Enter_ SCHAUNARD.
) SCH.
(_triumphantly throwing some coins on the ground_) Such wealth in the balance Outweighs the Bank of France.
COL.
(_assisting_ RUDOLPH _and_ MARCEL _to pick up the coins_) Then, take them--then, take them.
MAR.
(_incredulously_) Tin medals?
Inspect them.
SCH.
(_showing one to_ MARCEL) You're deaf then, or blear-eyed?
What face do they show?
RUD.
(_bowing_) King Louis Philippe: to my monarch I bow.
RUD.
, MAR.
, SCH.
and COL. Shall King Louis Philippe at our feet thus lie low?
(SCHAUNARD _will go on recounting his good luck, but the others continue to arrange everything on the table.
_) SCH.
Now I'll explain.
This gold has--or rather silver-- Has its own noble story.
MAR.
First the stove to replenish.
COL.
So much cold has he suffered, SCH.
'Twas an Englishman, then-- Lord, or mi-lord, as may be-- Desired a musician.
MAR.
(_throwing_ COLLINE'S _books from the table_) Off!
Let us furnish the table.
SCH.
I flew to him.
RUD.
Where is the food?
COL.
There.
MAR.
Here.
SCH.
I pay my homage.
Accepted, I enquire-- COL.
(_preparing the viands on the table while_ RUDOLPH _lights the other candle_) Here's cold roast beef.
MAR.
And savory patty.
SCH.
When shall we start the lessons?
When I seek him, in answer to my question, "When shall we start the lessons?"
He tells me "Now--at once.
Just look there," Showing a parrot on the first floor, hung, then continues: "You must play until that bird has ceased to live."
Thus it befell: Three days I play and yell.
RUD.
Brilliantly lightens the room into splendor.
MAR.
Here are the candles.
COL.
What lovely pastry!
SCH.
Then on the servant girl Try all the charms wherewith I'm laden;
I fascinate the maiden.
MAR.
With no tablecloth eat we-- RUD.
(taking a paper from his pocket) An idea!
COL.
and MAR.
The Constitutional.
RUD.
(unfolding the paper) Excellent paper!
One eats a meal and swallows news at the same time!
SCH.
With parsley I approach the bird, His beak Lorito opens;
Lorito's wings outspread, Lorito opens his beak, A little piece of parsley gulps-- As Socrates, is dead!
(SCHAUNARD, seeing that no one is paying any attention to him, seizes COLLINE as he passes with a plate.
) COL.
Who?
SCH.
(pettishly) The devil fly away with you entirely!
(seeing the rest in the act of eating the cold pastry) What are you doing?
(With solemn gesture, extending his hand over the pastry) No!
dainties of this kind Are but the stored-up fodder Saved for the morrow, Fraught with gloom and sorrow, (clearing the table) To dine at home on the day of Christmas vigil, While the Quartier Latin embellishes Its ways with dainty food and tempting relishes.
Meanwhile the smell of savory fritters The old street fills with fragrant odor.
There singing joyously, merry maidens hover, Having for echo each a student lover.
(RUDOLPH locks the door; then all go to the table and pour out wine.
) RUD.
, MAR.
and COL. 'Tis the gladsome Christmas Eve.
SCH.
A little of religion, comrades, I pray;
Within doors drink we, but we dine away.
(Two knocks are heard at the door.
) BEN.
(from without) 'Tis I. MAR.
Who is there?
BEN.
'Tis Benoit.
MAR.
'Tis the landlord is knocking!
SCH.
Bolt the door quickly!
COL.
(calling towards the door) No!
There is no one!
SCH.
'Tis fastened!
BEN.
Give me a word, pray!
SCH.
(opening the door, after consulting with his friends) At once.
BEN.
(entering smilingly, showing a paper to MARCEL) The rent!
MAR.
(with great cordiality) Hallo!
give him a seat, friends!
BEN.
Do not trouble, I beg you.
SCH.
(with gentle firmness, obliging BENOIT to sit down) Sit down!
MAR.
(offering BENOIT a glass of wine) Some Bordeaux?
RUD.
Your health!
BEN.
Thank you.
COL.
Your health!
SCH.
Drink up!
RUD.
Good health!
(all drink) BEN.
(to MARCEL, putting down his glass and showing his paper.
) 'Tis the quarter's rent I call for.
MAR.
(ingenuously) Glad to hear it.
BEN.
