La Boheme | Page 9

have a phial of poison! (_throwing himself on a chair_)
SCH., COL. and RUD. (_turning on hearing MARCEL'S
exclamation_)
Oh! Musetta!
(_the friends look pityingly at MARCEL, who turns pale_)
(_The shopwomen are going away, but stop to watch the fair stranger,
and are astonished to recognize in her MUSETTA; they whisper among
themselves, pointing at her._)
Look! 'tis Musetta! She! Musetta! 'Tis she! Yes! Yes! 'Tis Musetta! Oh!
what swagger! My! she's gorgeous.
(_entering their shops_)
STUDENTS and WORK GIRLS (_crossing the stage_) Only look!
why, there she is! Some old stammering dotard's with her, too! Yes, 'tis
she! Tis she! Musetta!
(_Enter from the corner of the Rue Mazarin an extremely pretty
coquettish-looking young lady. She is followed by a pompous old
gentleman, who is both fussy and over-dressed._)
ALCINDORO DE MITONNEAUX. (_joining MUSETTA, out of
breath_) Just like a valet I must run here and there. No, no, not for me!
I can stand it no more.
(MUSETTA_ without noticing_ ALCINDORO_, takes a vacant seat,
outside the café._) How now? Outside? Here?
MUS. (_without noticing his protests, he fearing to remain outside in

the cold_) Sit down, Lulu!
ALC. (_in great irritation, sits down, and turns up his coat collar_)
Such a term of fond endearment Pray do not apply to me!
MUS. Now, don't be Blue Beard, pray!
(_A waiter approaches briskly, to prepare the table and begins to serve.
SCHAUNARD and COLLINE furtively watch MUSETTA. MARCEL
feigns the greatest indifference. RUDOLPH devotes all his attention to
MIMI._)
SCH. (_at the sight of the old gentleman with his decorations_) He's
had a pretty good dose, I reckon.
COL. (_scrutinizing _ALCINDORO) The naughty, naughty elder!
MAR. (_contemptuously_) With his good young Susanna.
MIMI. (_to _RUDOLPH) And her clothes are smart, too!
RUD. The angels can't afford them.
(_A piquet of the National Guard passes across the square; some
shop-keepers go home; at the corner of the street the chestnut-seller
does a thriving trade; the old clothes dealer fills her barrel with clothes,
and goes away with it over her shoulder._)
MUS. (_disconcerted at not being noticed by her friends_) Marcel can
see me, But he won't look, the villain! And Schaunard! They provoke
me past bearing! Ah! could I but beat them! If I could, I would scratch!
But I only have to back me This old pelican! No matter! (_calls the
waiter who has gone away_) Hi! waiter, here! (_the waiter hurriedly
approaches_) See, this plate has a horrid smell of onions! (_dashes the
plate on the ground; the waiter picks up the pieces_)
ALC. Don't, Musetta! do be quiet!
MUS. (_irritated, still watching MARCEL_) He won't look round!
Now I could beat him!
ALC. What's the matter?
MUS. (_sharply_) I meant the waiter!
ALC. Manners! Manners! (_Takes the bill from the waiter and orders
the supper._)
MUS. (_more irritated_) Such a bore! Just let me have my own way. If
you please; I won't be ruled by you!
MIMI. (_looking curiously at RUDOLPH_) Do you know who she is?
MAR. You had better ask me. Well, her name is Musetta Her surname
is Temptation. As to her vocation: Like a rose in the breezes, So she

changes lover for lover without number. And like the spiteful screech
owl, A bird that's most rapacious, The food that most she favors is the
heart! Her food the heart is; Thus have I now none left! (_to his friends,
concealing his agitation_) So pass me the ragout!
SCH. (_to COLLINE_) Now the fun's at its climax, To one she speaks
because the other listens.
COL. (_to SCHAUNARD_) The other will not hear, Feigns not to see
the girl: which makes her mad.
RUD. (_to MIMI_) Now let me tell you I never would forgive you.
MIMI. (_to RUDOLPH_) I love you, love you fondly, Am wholly
yours, my dearest! (_eating_)
COL. What's that about forgiveness?
(_coquettishly watching MARCEL, who becomes agitated_)
MUS. (_watching MARCEL; in a loud voice to MARCEL_) Why,
don't you know me?
ALC. (_thinking MUSETTA spoke to him_) Well, I'm giving the order,
dear.
MUS. (_as above_) But your heart is a-throbbing!
ALC. (_as above_) Not so loud.
MUS. (_to herself_) But your heart is a-throbbing!
ALC. Do be quiet!
MUS. As through the streets I wander onward merrily, See how the
folk look round, Because they know I'm charming, A very charming
girl. And then 'tis mine to mark the hidden longing, And all the passion
in their eyes; And then the joy of conquest overcomes me, Every man
is my prize!
And thus their hearts, their hearts I capture, As if by magic all my own,
ah! rapture! Tis mine alone! Now you that once your love for me
betrayed, Why should you be dismayed? Yet though deep in your heart
Rankles the smart. You'd