Bohème — Act IV
"At that period, indeed, for some time past, the friends had led lonely lives.
"Musetta had once more become a sort of semi-official personage; for three or four months Marcel had never met her.
"And Mimi, too, no word of her had Rudolph ever heard except when he talked about her to himself when he was alone.
"One day, as Marcel furtively kissed a bunch of ribbons that Musetta had left behind, he saw Rudolph hiding away a bonnet, that same pink bonnet which Mimi had forgotten.
"'Good!'
muttered Marcel, 'he's as craven-hearted as I am.'
" * * * * * "A gay life, yet a terrible one."
ACT IV IN THE ATTIC
(_As in Act I_) (MARCEL,_as before, stands in front of his easel, while _RUDOLPH_ sits at his writing table; each trying to make the other believe that he is working indefatigably, whereas they are really only gossiping.
)_ MAR.
(_resuming his talk_) In a coupé?
RUD.
Yes, in carriage and pair did she merrily hail me.
"Well, Musetta," I questioned: "How's your heart?"
"It beats not--or I don't feel it--Thanks to this velvet I'm wearing!"
MAR.
(_endeavoring to laugh_) I'm glad, very glad!
RUD.
(_aside_) You humbug, you!
You're fretting and fuming!
MAR.
It beats not!
Bravo!
(_commences to paint with great vigor_) Then I saw, too-- RUD.
Musetta?
MAR.
Mimi. RUD.
You saw her?
How strange!
(stops painting) MAR.
Rode in her carriage in grand apparel.
Just like a duchess.
RUD.
Delightful!
I'm glad to hear it.
MAR.
(_aside_) You liar!
you're pining with love.
RUD.
and MAR.
Now to work!
(_they go on working_) RUD.
(_throwing down his pen_) This pen's too awful!
(_remains seated, apparently lost in thought_) MAR.
(_flinging away his brush_) This infamous paint-brush!
(_Stares at his canvas, and then without RUDOLPH observing it, he takes from his pocket a bunch of ribbons and kisses it.
_) RUD.
Ah!
Mimi!
false, fickle-hearted!
Ah!
beauteous days departed!
Those hands so dainty!
Oh!
fragrant, shining tresses!
Ah!
snow-white bosom!
Ah!
Mimi!
those brief, glad, golden days!
MAR.
(_putting away his ribbons and staring anew at his canvas_) How is it that my brush With speed mechanical keeps moving, And plasters on the colors Quite against my will?
And though I would be painting landscapes, Meadows, woodlands fair in Spring-tide, My brush refuses to perform its office;
But paints dark eyes, and two red, smiling lips;
The features of Musetta haunt me still!
RUD.
(_taking_ Mimi's _old bonnet from the table drawer_) And thou, O!
rose-pink bonnet, That 'neath her pillow lay, That in her hour of parting she forgot--Thou wert the witness of our joy!
Come to my heart, ah!
come!
Lie close against my heart, since my love is dead!
(_clasps the bonnet to his heart_) MAR.
Ah!
frivolous Musetta!
thee can I ne'er forget!
My grief affords her pleasure, And yet my weak heart is fain To call her to my fond arms again.
RUD.
(_endeavoring to conceal his emotion from_ Marcel, _carelessly questions him_) What time is it now?
MAR.
(_roused from his reverie, gaily replies_) Time for our yesterday's dinner.
RUD.
But Schaunard's not back yet.
(_Enter Schaunard_ _and_ Colline;
_the former carries four rolls, and the latter a paper bag.
_) SCH.
Here we are!
RUD.
How now?
MAR.
How now?
(SCHAUNARD _places the rolls on the table.
_) MAR.
(_disdainfully_) Some bread!
COL.
(_taking a herring out of the bag, and putting it on the table_) A dish that's worthy of Demosthenes: 'Tis a herring!
SCH.
'Tis salted!
COL.
'Our dinner is ready!
(_Seating themselves at the table, they pretend to be having a sumptuous meal.
_) MAR.
This is a food that the gods might envy.
SCH.
(_placing Colline's hat on the table, and thrusting a bottle of water into it_) Now the champagne in the ice must go.
RUD.
(_to_ MARCEL, _offering him some bread_) Choose, my lord marquis--salmon or turbot?
(_His offer is accepted, when, turning to _SCHAUNARD, _he proffers another crust of bread.
_) Now, duke, here's a choice vol-au-vent with mushrooms.
(_He politely declines, and pours out a glass of water, which he hands to_ Marcel.
) SCH.
Thank you, I dare not, this evening I'm dancing!
(_The one and only tumbler is handed about.
_ Colline, _after voraciously devouring his roll, rises.
_) RUD.
(_to_ Colline) What?
sated?
COL.
(_with an air of great importance_) To business!
The king awaits me.
MAR.
(_eagerly_) What plot is brewing?
RUD.
What's in the wind?
SCH.
(_rises and approaches_ Colline, _observing with droll inquisitiveness_) What's in the wind?
MAR.
What's in the wind?
(COLLINE _struts up and down, full of self-importance.
_) COL.
The king requires my services.
(_The others surround_ COLLINE, _bowing low to him.
_) SCH.
Bravo!
MAR.
Bravo!
RUD.
Bravo!
COL.
(_with a patronizing air_) And then I've got to see Guizot!
SCH.
Give me a goblet.
MAR.
(_giving him the only glass_) Aye, quaff now a bumper!
SCH.
(_solemnly gets on to a chair and raises his glass_) Have I permission, oh!
my most noble courtier?
RUD.
and COL. (_interrupting_) Stop that.
COL.
No more fooling.
MAR.
Stop that.
No more nonsense.
COL.
Give me that tumbler.
(_taking the glass from_ SCHAUNARD) SCH.
(_motioning his friends to let him speak_) With ardor irresistible Poetry fills my spirit.
COL.
and MAR.
(_yelling_) No. SCH.
(_complacently_) Then something choreographic may suit you!
RUD.
, MAR.
and COL. Yes, yes!
(_Amid applause they surround_ Schaunard _and make him get off the chair.
_) SCH.
Some dancing, accompanied by singing?
COL.
Well, clear the stage for action.
(_Moving chairs and tables aside, they prepare for a dance; they suggest various dances.
_) COL.
Gavotte.
MAR.
Minuet.
RUD.
Pavanella.
SCH.
(_imitating a Spanish measure_) Fandango.
COL.
I vote we dance quadrilles first.
(_the others approve_) RUD.
Now take your partners.
COL.
I'll lead it.
(_pretends to be very busy arranging a quadrille_) SCH.
(_improvising, beats time with comic pomposity of manner_) La-lera, la-lera, la-lera!
RUD.
(_approaching_ MARCEL_, and bowing very low, offers him his hand as he gallantly says_) Oh!
maiden fair and gentle!
MAR.
(_with coy bashfulness of manner, counterfeiting a woman's voice_) My modesty respect, sir, I beg you.
SCH.
Lal-lera, lal-lera, lal-lera, la!
COL.
(_giving directions as to the figures, while_ RUDOLPH _and_ MARCEL _dance the quadrille_) Balancez!
MAR.
(_in his ordinary voice_) Lal-lera, lal-lera, lal-lera!
SCH.
(_teasingly_) First there's the Rond.
COL.
No, stupid!
SCH.
(_with exaggerated contempt_) You've manners like a clown!
COL.
(_offended_) As I take it, you're insulting!
Draw your sword, sir!
(_rushes to the fireplace and seizes the tongs_) SCH.
(_taking up the poker_) Ready!
Have at you!
(_preparing to receive his adversary's attack_) Thy hot blood would I drink!
COL.
(_doing likewise_) One of us shall now be gutted!
(Rudolph _and_ Marcel _stop dancing and burst out laughing.
_) SCH.
Now get a stretcher ready.
COL.
And get a grave-yard, too.
(SCHAUNARD _and_ COLLINE _fight.
_) RUD.
and MAR.
(_gaily_) While they beat each other's brains out, Our fandango we will finish.
(_They dance round the combatants, whose blows fall faster.
The door opens and_ Musetta _enters in a state of great agitation.
_) MAR.
(_amazed_) Musetta!
(_All anxiously cluster round_ Musetta) MUS.
(_hoarsely_) 'Tis Mimi--'tis Mimi who is with me--And is ailing!
RUD.
Mimi!
MUS.
She has not strength to climb the staircase.
(_Through the open door _RUDOLPH_ spies _MIMI_, seated on the topmost stair; he rushes to her, followed by _MARCEL.
) SCH.
(_to _COLLINE) Here's the bed: we'll put her on it.
(_they drag the bed forward_) RUD.
(_supporting _MIMI_ and leading her towards the bed, aided by _MARCEL) There!
some water!
(_MUSETTA_ brings a glass of water and makes _MIMI_ sip it.
) MIMI.
(_passionately_) Oh, Rudolph!
RUD.
Gently, lie down there.
(_gently lowers her on the bed_) MIMI.
(_embracing RUDOLPH_) My darling Rudolph!
Ah!
let me stay with you!
RUD.
Darling Mimi!
stay here ever!
(_He induces _Mimi_ to lie down at full length on the bed, and draws the coverlet over her; he then carefully adjusts the pillow be neath her head.
_) MUS.
(_taking the others aside and whispering to them_) I heard them saying that Mimi Had left the rich old viscount;
And now was almost dying.
Ah!
but where?
After searching, I met her alone just now, Almost dead with exhaustion.
She murmured: "I'm dying!
dying!
But listen; I want to die near him.
Maybe he's waiting!
Take me thither, Musetta!"
MAR.
Hush!
(_MUSETTA moves farther away from MIMI.
_) MIMI.
I feel so much better.
All here seems just the same as ever.
(_with a sweet smile_) Ah!
It is all so pleasant here!
Saved from sadness, All is gladness;
Once again new life is mine!
RUD.
Lips delightful, speak again to me!
Once more enchant me!
MIMI.
Ah!
beloved!
Ah!
leave me not!
MUS.
(_aside to the others_) What is there to give her?
MAR.
_and_ COL. Nothing!
MUS.
No coffee?
no wine?
MAR.
(_in great dejection_) Nothing; the larder's empty.
SCH.
(_looking closely at Mimi_) In an hour she'll be dead!
MIMI.
I feel so cold!
If I had but my muff here!
My poor hands are simply frozen!
How shall I get them warm?
(_Mimi coughs; Rudolph takes her hands in his and chafes them.
_) RUD.
In mine, in mine, love!
Silence!
for speaking tires you.
